Trade In Electronics

Trade In Electronics Success Stories [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 9th, 2024

Have unused electronics gathering dust? Dive into the electronics trade-in business. It's simple: buy used gadgets, refurbish or recycle them, and sell them for a profit.

This model not only helps declutter homes but also meets the rising demand for affordable electronics. The initial step involves sourcing electronics from individuals or companies looking to offload surplus devices. Once acquired, these items need to be inspected and refurbished to improve their resale value or responsibly recycled if too outdated.

Key to success is building a solid network of suppliers and buyers, maintaining a streamlined refurbishment process, and ensuring transparent and fair trade-in offers. Marketing through online platforms and leveraging e-commerce can boost visibility and sales. This business not only offers a profitable venture but also a sustainable option, contributing to a reduction in electronic waste.

In this list, you'll find real-world trade in electronics success stories and very profitable examples of starting a trade in electronics that makes money.

1. Mobile Pixels ($12M/year)

Jack Yao, the founder of Mobile Pixels Inc, came up with the idea for their business while interning at Amazon and working in a co-working space. Frustrated with the limited screen space on his laptop, he wished for a portable monitor that could expand from the back of the main display. Yao and his roommate Stephen prototyped the idea and successfully raised $1.5 million in presales through a Kickstarter/IndieGoGo campaign. Their product, the Duex monitor, generated $4.3 million in sales in 2019 and is projected to reach $12 million in sales for 2020.

How much money it makes: $12M/year
How much did it cost to start: $100K
How many people on the team: 4

How We Designed A $1M/Month Portable Monitor For Laptops

Mobile Pixels Inc developed a portable monitor for laptops, the Duex, which raised $1.5m in pre-sales on Kickstarter/IndieGoGo and generated $4.3m in 2019 and is on track to bring in $12m in 2020, by pivoting to adjacent verticals based on the market and attracting attention through word-of-mouth branding.

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