What Sells: Printers

Prices on consumer-quality inkjet and photo printers are lower than ever, and online prices have followed suit. Because standard desk/office printers are routinely discounted (or free) with the purchase of a new computer, their resale value has diminished considerably. However, laser printers, large-format plotters and commercial-quality printers are still expensive and worth reselling, even used. Before agreeing to sell a printer, research the specific model to verify price and salability.

If you don’t know all the item’s details, check the manufacturer’s website; they often have product catalogs online that list detailed specifications.

Visit the website at http://reviews.cnet.com/ for product reviews for printers and peripherals that are not more than one or two years old.

Printers should be tested before being listed. Testing can be very time-consuming and involved; if you plan to sell a lot of printers, consider setting up a special testing station with a CPU, monitor, and peripherals.

Things to test:

• Power on/off
• Display lights work
• Pages print correctly

Also, make sure all cables, power adapters and software are included. (Drivers can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.)

Make sure that the printer has a legible serial number (thieves will often remove or deface this before selling a stolen unit). If the serial number has been removed or if the item has an asset tag (sticker that says it belongs to a company), thoroughly research an item before agreeing to sell it.

Include data specifications in the listing; you can find these in the manual or on the manufacturer’s website for newer models.

Whenever possible, use the original packaging. Printers should be stored in a well-ventilated room, away from children, pets and smoke. Don’t place an item next to heating vents or air conditioners either, since temperature and humidity changes can cause damage.

Printers should be double-boxed for protection, and shipments should be insured. Use the original packaging whenever possible to store and ship printers. If the original packaging is unavailable, use boxes made of a durable corrugated cardboard and a cushioning material, on all six sides, to protect the printer from shock. Foam is best, but bubble wrap can be used as a substitute. Do not use styrofoam, peanuts, or popcorn in the inner box since they will not support the printer in all directions during shipping. Remove all accessories, including cables and ink or toner cartridges, wrap them separately and place them in the box away from the printer. Secure the box using adhesive-backed tape. Be sure to remove all ink or toner cartridges before shipping; they can damage the unit if left inside during shipping.