So often when we buy something we get something else included in the package deal. What do we do with the extra item? Whilst we could say to the retailer that we don’t want it and maybe hand it back to them in the store, we can’t really do that when we buy online. How can you sell freebies?
Unnecessary Freebies
Sometimes if you buy a phone, the retailer will be doing a ‘free tablet’ offer. A free tablet sounds great, right? It’s usually a not-very-good one. I’ve seen companies give away flat screen televisions with TV packages for new customers. Whilst the cost of the freebie is probably built into the price you pay and costs the retailer next to nothing to give you, do you need it? Maybe you have a better TV at home already? But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t accept it. Sometimes it can be a smart speaker that your energy company is giving away. Don’t say no to it, even if you have one in every room in the home.
Put it on Ebay and sell it. A brand new, unopened and unused television set will likely sell for at least £100. Sell freebies online to make some money to pay off the phone or utility contact that you got it with. Alternatively, you could gift it to a relative or friend or take it to the charity shop so they can sell it and raise funds for a good cause.
Necessary Freebies
Sometimes we get things that we don’t need in the long run, but need in the short term. This has been the case when I’ve been buying Now TV passes. So often it’s cheaper to buy a Now TV Smart Stick (they used to be boxes and I got them too) with passes included, than buy individual monthly passes. The thing is, if you’re using Now TV already you probably have a smart stick or some device to watch the programmes you’re paying for.
When I first started using Now TV they had boxes with voucher codes in the box, on scratch off cards. The boxes were on offer for £20, with 6 months of entertainment or movies. So I bought 2 of each. Giving me 12 months of entertainment and movies. Buying the passes on a rolling contract would have been £15 a month (this was a while ago before the price went up). That’s already a £100 saving. But then I sold the boxes on Ebay for £10 each. another £40 saved. Meaning I actually only spent £40.
I now do the same thing with the smart sticks. I don’t need them as I have ways and mans to watch, so once I’ve got the pre-loaded pass onto my account, I sell them. I’ve discovered that CEX buy them for £7 each. So when I’ve bought them for £15-£25 each depending on what passes are pre-loaded, I’m slashing the cost that I pay to stream the shows I like.
The Cost Difference
Think about how much you could sell the item for and see if it’s worth upgrading to getting it. For example, I have loads of Sky Store credit which means I can use it to rent a film. The difference between getting just the HD stream-able version of the award winning Joker, and getting the stream-able version and the DVD sent to me, is £2. CEX will buy the DVD off me for £5. I’ll let you do the maths on that one.
There are loads of ways and lots of places to sell freebies. Don’t just chuck yours in the loft or leave it gathering dust on a shelf. Get it sold and use the money for something you actually want.
