Want to sell a laptop or notebook computer on eBay? SHOPitLA is happy to help you get it sold! Here are some tips to make sure your laptop computer gets the best price on the eBay market.

1. Make your computer brand new!

If you have your original operating system discs, you should be able to “restore” your computer to its original settings! This will give the new owner of your laptop a clean start even if your computer is on the older side.

Whenever you sell used electronics on eBay, you want to make sure they don't look, well, used!


2. Clean out your personal data!

If you don't have those original discs, be sure to clean out as much of your personal data as possible!

This seems like an obvious one, but you'd be surprised at how many people sell their laptops with all sorts of private documents, photos and videos.

Remember, your notebook computer is being sold to a complete stranger! You don't want that stranger accessing your personal stuff.

A good idea would be to back up or copy your stuff to another hard drive or burn them to a series of CDs or DVDs and then delete all of your private data: music, pictures, videos, documents.

Don't forget to clear out all the saved passwords, cookies and temporary Internet files in your web browser.


3. Erase those passwords!

There's nothing more annoying for the new owner of your laptop to fire up their computer only to see a password prompt staring right at them.

And there is no bigger hassle than that buyer trying to contact you about a password you may have long forgotten about!

So erase those passwords.


4. Hardware first, then the Software!

Keep in mind that the main selling point is the hardware on the computer. The computer processor, the processing speed, the size of the hard drive, the amount of memory (or RAM), monitor size, etc.

Make sure all the basic functions of your laptop are working properly! Be sure all the keys and buttons work and make sure your touchpad is clean and in good working order. Check and see if your CD/DVD drives and USB and/or Firewire ports are working correctly.

Remember, aside from the programs that came standard on your computer, you're not allowed to make your software a selling point unless you are willing to include the original software discs (and manuals and associated accessories) in the auction.

If you have programs like FinalCut or ProTools, they will make a great package with your laptop and can dramatically increase the price of your auction!


5. Accessories, Accessories, Accessories!

Okay. So, you've removed your personal data, got rid of those pesky passwords, cleaned up the ol' laptop, made sure keys and buttons were working, included some software.

Last but not least, include all those neat little accessories!

Power cords are definitely a MUST. But don't forget to include those original discs from the manufacturer. Add that laptop case, maybe the mouse and a web cam. Throw in that external hard drive and that memory card reader.

It's all the little things that sweeten the deal!

That's pretty much it! These tips will get you on your way to successfully selling your laptop! Remember, preparing your laptop for the eBay market might be a bit of a hassle but actually putting your laptop up for auction on eBay doesn't have to be a headache with SHOPitLA, the number one eBay drop-off store in Los Angeles!