If I were to instruct anyone how to make money in the computer repair biz, I’d tell them don’t fix computers, fix monitors because they always sell – even if they’re not in the best of condition.
To this day the cheapest LCD monitor new will still run you about $100, so a beat-up old 17-inch working monitor is worth $40, and one in very good shape is $50 to $60. If the monitor is larger, you can tack on roughly 7 to 10 bucks per inch as long as it’s at least 35% less than what it would cost for the cheapest new equivalent.
There is always, repeat, always someone who needs a monitor. If you price your monitor right, you can sell it on Craigslist in less than 2 days. Don’t bother with eBay for these. Sell on CL and take cash in hand because someone will buy it.
This is how you post an ad for your used monitor on CL:
[Brand/Model/inch-size/native resolution here] monitor. [Connector type here (VGA or DVI)]. Backlight is good. Color is good. No dead pixels. No chassis cracks, blemishes or other damage. All buttons work. Local pickup only, no delivery, cash only.
That’s it. You don’t need to say anything else. Be sure to include a photo of the monitor turned on and working. Responses will happen quickly.
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Awesome, I have about 4 monitors that I don’t need anymore that I haven’t wanted to put on ebay yet. Might try Craigslist.
The better question is how to sell a CRT. Or heck, give them away, even.
Charities have instructed me to trash it. But it works perfect, just not “in” anymore. I used it myself past when it was “cool” to do so, until I could afford an LCD. There’s just something wrong with a product that’s in perfect working order being trash.
Your best bet for selling a CRT is to use the retro angle on craigslist. Title: “Retro Black Dell CRT 17-inch Monitor”, ad content: “Get your game on with the only way to play MS-DOS games the right way – with a CRT. Perfect working order, no damage, great tube, $35 – local pickup only.”
If you can get $35 or even $20 for it, be thankful and take the cash.