How to sell your camera online

Want to sell on an old camera using an auction site? What Digital Camera has ten top tips on how to get more cash for your old gear....


1. Check your accessories

Trying to sell a camera without a battery or charger will cost you money, as prospective buyers will have to figure in the cost of these extras. Have a search, try to track down all the leads and documentation, but the most important element is the power source.  

2. Be sure it still works

An old camera may have been susceptible to dust or battery issues if left unattended for a time, so be sure to fire off a few shots and fully recharge the battery before committing to sell it. A sensor clean can be useful for a DSLR to remove any particles.

3. Check the market value

There are thousands of secondhand camera's available online, so take a quick look before setting a price. Don't be shocked if the value has dropped considerably since you made your purchase; the rapidity of new models being released means any model more than a year old, especially compacts are worth far less.

4. Find some accessories

Unless you're using the case and memory card for a replacement model, add them to the camera sale. Not only will it add value, but it's bound to differentiate your sale from those without similar extras.

5. Clean it up

Beyond a sensor clean for a DSLR a wipe round of the lens and LCD isn't just good courtesy, but will assist your product photography. Without smears or marks the camera will look far more like new, making it all the more appealing to the prospective buyer.

6. Take decent product shots
A good product shot has to be evenly lit, with even perspective and a deep level of focus. If you don't have a studio handy (and very few of us have) keep the background close, plain and well illuminated avoiding any reflective surfaces. Use a tripod to avoid blur, and include detail shots where possible.

7. Use the manufacturer website

The likes of Canon, Nikon and Sony have an exhaustive listing of your camera's specs, so you don't need to spend hours listing them from memory. This also minimizes the potential for missing a number or letter off the end of a specification, or mis-typing a feature which could lead to a buyer accusing you of falsely advertising a product.
   
8. Download an instruction manual

There are a number of methods for gaining a lost instruction manual, from downloading the book from a website and ordering them through third party sellers. If possible a free download from the manufacturer website is preferable, but be aware that some older models will not be catered for and a charge may be involved in some instances.

9. Delete all images

The internal memory can store a few images, as can a memory card, so be sure to format rather than purely delete. As some programs are able to retrieve formatted data if another shot isn't taken, take a quick snap of the inside of the lens cap to prevent anything being recovered.

10. Pack it well

It's common to mislay a box, but try and package the camera in something of a similar size. If you're selling it with a case, put the camera inside, and take the battery out in case the camera is accidentally turned on during transit.

For more hints on bargains and selling your gear head to our Buying Advice section.