How to dispose of old computers and I.T. equiptment

At Liquid Technology, we get asked the same question quite frequently, “What benefits will my business receive if I sell computer equipment that I no longer use?” The answer to this question is simple. By choosing to sell old IT equipment that is no longer an active part of your infrastructure, you can obtain a return on that investment that could help cover the cost of liquidation and in some cases, even result in a surplus of cash that can be put back into the business.

While every business could use a little extra cash these days, there are actually a number of reasons you might want to consider selling your old computer equipment. For instance, if you’re currently paying to store your unused equipment, then you’ll be alleviated of that cost by getting rid of the equipment, or; if your equipment contains sensitive information, then selling your equipment to a reputable liquidator will help ensure that your business’s security and the privacy of your customers and clients are protected by implementing DOD-approved data destruction methods.

It is important to note that if you want to sell computer equipment to a liquidation provider, then finding the right one for your business is highly recommended. Please take a moment and read our 3-step plan for ensuring the liquidation provider you choose is reputable and capable of delivering the results you are looking for.

 

Step 1: Create a Plan

If you want to sell old IT equipment, then the first thing you need to do is perform an inventory check so you know what equipment is coming offline and will no longer be needed. Create a list with as much detail as possible (i.e. CPU model/RAM/Hard Drive size for PCs & Servers and full PN for switches and routers). Typically, the more information you can gather, the more accurate the quote will be.

Next, will data destruction be required? If so, then now is the time to research with method that works best for you. For more information on data destruction methods, check out our blog post, “Top 5 Ways to Destroy Your Hard Drive Data.”

Create a timeline for the liquidation process. Is the equipment ready to be sold now?  If not, when will it be ready?  The price of used technology is constantly depreciating so it is important to act quickly once you’ve determined that you want to sell computer equipment in order to get the highest possible return.

 

Step 2: Obtain Liquidation Quotes 

Now that you’ve figured out what it is you need to sell it’s time to find a buyer. There are many vendors out there and it’s often difficult to distinguish the differences between them. Here’s a list of things to look for and things to avoid when looking for a buyer for your IT equipment.

 

• How long have they been in business? – Many companies come and go in this industry so it’s important to work with a company that’s been around for a while and is well established, preferably for at least 10 years.

 

• Would you trust them with your data? – Your company’s data is invaluable and cannot be trusted to just anyone. Make sure they are fully insured and are a member of NAID (National Association for Information Destruction).

 

• Are they environmentally responsible? – Some of your older equipment may be too obsolete to have any resale value. In that case, you need to find out what happens to that equipment. Does it get properly recycled or does it get exported to China?

 

• Can they provide references? – You wouldn’t hire a new employee without checking their references, so why would you trust your IT equipment to a new vendor without doing the same?

 

• Are they a specialist or a generalist? – There are many vendors who say they purchase all types of IT equipment but in reality they only really specialize in one or two markets such as Cisco or HP. When selling a diverse lot of equipment, it’s important to find a company who truly deals with all brands to maximize your potential return.

 

• How and when will you get paid? – It’s important to have clear terms in the contract that stipulate how many days it will take for you to receive payment and how you will receive the funds (wire, check, etc.).

 

Step 3: Get Paid

Once you’ve agreed upon terms and signed a contract, the hard part is over. Now, you’ll just need to arrange a pickup date and time with the buyer and within a few days, your equipment will be gone. Depending upon the terms, you’ll get your check the day of pickup or shortly afterward once the equipment has been audited and tested. You’ll also receive the data destruction reports if that was a service you required.

If you follow this simple 3-step plan when you sell computer equipment that’s no longer useful to your business, you will be able to return to your normal day-to-day activities knowing you’ve properly addressed your company’s excess IT equipment. Your boss will be happy knowing you’ve helped to add some revenue back to the bottom line while eliminating any data security or environmental concerns.