What's A Fair Price To Ask For My Seven-Year-Old Computer?

[arwalden]

I'm going to be selling it in the local "PennySaver" weekly publication, but I don't know what used computers are worth (or what price they will fetch). Can you help me out, please?

Here's a description of the system:

Dell Dimension XPS R400 (400 Mhz)
64 Megabytes memory
8 Gigabyte hard drive
2 USB ports
Windows ME (with all the latest updates)
Keyboard, mouse, speakers.
Proview 17" monitor.
Diamond Stealth 200 video card
Network card (NO modem)
2 CD-Rom Drives (regular drives, not CD-writers)
Manuals, guides, instructions
MS Works
MS Money
Restore to "new" CD's.
A stack of CD's with an assortment of games, photo software, clipart software, card-making software, encyclopedia software (the usual assortment of "free" stuff that comes on a new PC).

It's been cleaned and dusted (inside and out)... but it still shows signs of normal wear-n-tear and normal discoloration.

So... your opinion please... What do you think it's worth?

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Well, your monitor is still worth something

But, since eMachines offers killer computers in the $400-500 range, I don't think the system is worth much - I'd pay maybe $10-15 for the computer (if I needed a linux server, perhaps; or had the initiative to take out the parts and sell them individually). The mopnitor, though, might bring you $50-75.

However, if you go classified ads, I'm sure you could find some clueless idiot who wants a nice computer for his kids but doesn't actually want to spend money, would pay $100, maybe $150 for it.

[arwalden]

3. That's a good starting point... I was thinking in the $75-100 range.

... and it all depends on if someone KNOWS what it's worth, and what they want to do with it.

Thanks for the feedback... If I priced it too high, then nobody would call. If I priced it too low, the folks might figure it's even WORSE than crap (and not call). But if I give myself a little bargaining room so that I can come down to the $75 range... it might be worthwhile.

And the UP side is that I get MORE room in my office... and it's better than just throwing it away.


:hi:

[MrSlayer]

2. The monitor and software are worth more than the PC.

You could probably get $50 for the tower. The monitior and software probably $100.

[pitohui]

4. you usually only have to pay $25 for them to dump the monitor

no idea abt the rest

seriously dude, a 7 yr old computer is not worth money, it is going to cost you money to legally dispose of, not that i blame you for trying to find some idiot who doesn't know that yet, but if they pick it up at yr house they'll know where you live

so i strongly suggest just don't do it

ripping off stupid people is not as sweet as you think it will be when you're fantasizing abt it

sneak it into some corporation's dumpster in the dead of night and let them pay the fees

[WCGreen]

5. Donate the computer to charity....

You will probably get more money in the tax deduction that you will from selling it....

[darkstar]

6. My thought too, WC n/t

[RebelOne]

7. Yup, I agree. It's really not worth anything.

[Rabrrrrrr]

13. Charities don't want old computers.

Especially not ones that old.

[0007]

14. donate it or give it away......

[WCGreen]

15. Donate it too the Good will....

Put on you tax form that it was a computer worth $ 300.00...

[hickman1937]

19. Bingo. And some kid gets a computer for Christmas.

Unless you really need the money.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. I'd personally clean it up and donate it to a local school

Honestly, as a computer professional, I wouldn't be able to find much use for such a machine, other than for either strictly web browsing, letter writing, or children's games. It doesn't have either the memory or the hard drive space for anything else.

Others here will no doubt have different ideas. Go for them if they appeal to you.

[pitohui]

10. schools don't want to pay to dispose of yr old computer either

this is actually becoming a serious problem and an expense to many charities who are getting these old computers which, of course, are not worth anything & which they have to pay to dispose of

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

17. I donate regular monthly time to upkeep a preschool's computers

Their equipment is nothing BUT donated stuff- mostly old mis-matched boxes running Win98 because of the old Dos-based games they use for the children.

All the children there are happy with such machines. And when they do give out I can strip the computer for parts and easily dispose of the rest.

[Whoa_Nelly]

12. Where I used to teach in NV, teachers signed up for donated PCs

through Partners In Education (PIE)to receaive a free PC they could use at home. It's a national association. Go here and click on CONTACTS in the left frame:
http://www.napehq.org/

PIE sponsered the Crayons To Computers Warehouse where teachers could go and receive tons of donated classroom and business supplies donated by local businesses.

[trof]

9. As has been mentioned...tax write off

May net you more than sale.
It's almost impossible for the IRS to check on the value of donated goods.
Shoot, that cound be a $1000 computer you got there.

Let your conscience be your guide.
;-)

[pitohui]

11. and if it costs the school $50 to pay for disposal of your electronic junk

what does that matter, the important thing is to get the tax write-off

jeebus

there is no conscience here, donating old electronics to schools, churches, goodwills etc. is becoming a significant issue for those charities and causing them significant expense

throw away yr own trash

[hyphenate]

16. Here's an idea for you

A few days ago, I mentioned Freecycle, which is around the country in many different areas and cities. On our local freecycle group, there is a guy who is willing to take older computer parts, and then he goes and fixes them up and gives them away to those in the group who might need a computer.

Something like that would be good for an older system like that as well. Visit http://www.freecycle.org to see if there is a local group and dispose of the system like that. As for the monitor, you can either include it, or sell it for about $75 or so. Good luck!

[Ouabache]

18. I have a similar NEC pc

with Word and Excel in addition to software you mention and a guy at a shop told me most I could get for it was $40.00. I couldn't sell the monitor for $5 in a garage sale, gave it to AMVets.

[Initech]

20. You'd get more money donating it to a chairty.

I did that at work and it worked as a major tax write-off.