Flea market reselling checklist

Before you go

• Charge your phone and bring a power bank: you will be checking prices on the spot.
• Bring small notes and coins, sellers rarely have change early in the morning.
• Know your maximum price per item type, or check it with FlipLens in a few seconds.

Identify the exact item

• Find the model number on the label, battery compartment or box. Take a photo of it.
• Check storage size, generation and for lenses the mount.
• Barcodes on boxes identify the exact variant fastest.

Test what you can

• Does it power on? Ask for a socket or bring a power bank and cable.
• Screens: dead pixels, burn-in, cracks. Ports: wobbly charging ports are common.
• Controllers and Joy-Cons: check for stick drift.
• Cameras and lenses: look through the lens against light for haze, fungus and scratches; check the shutter fires.
• Phones and tablets: check battery health in settings if possible.

Check it is not locked

Phones, tablets, laptops and smartwatches can be tied to the previous owner's account (for example Apple's Activation Lock). A locked device is worth a fraction of its price. Ask the seller to show it is signed out or reset in front of you.

Completeness adds value

The original box, charger, cables, lens caps and manuals all help an item sell faster and for more. Missing chargers and proprietary cables cost you money to replace.

Decide on the numbers

Compare the asking price with the maximum price worth paying after fees and shipping. If the seller is above it, negotiate down to it or walk away. See how to check resale value.

Questions