Gone are the days when we had to wait for the winters to enjoy the cool breeze and warmth of the quilt. There is no doubt about human brains that brought the hill stations itself in our rooms and control in our hands. Yes, I am talking about an important apparatus- air-conditioner, without which it is impossible to survive during prickly summers. It has won the war against the ruthless sunlight of summers and now summers are equally enjoyable like any other season. With perks like energy saving, low electricity consumption & economical Air conditioners adorned with all latest competitive features like environment-friendliness, fragrance emission and advanced Energy Efficiency Ratio, this luxury product widely opens its way to most of the families.
Here’s why Old can actually be your Gold
There are two stores selling the same electronics, just that one sells second-hand electronics and the other sells new electronics. Which one would you want to shop from?
“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”
If it was a year ago, approximately 80% of the people would enter the shop that sells new electronics. But now, the number of people entering the second-hand shop has increased manifold. The trend of buying and selling old electronics is becoming this decade’s best upcoming business.But where do these second-hand appliances come from? These appliances are mostly acquired from customers or businesses selling their old appliances. They are then refurbished and brought back for sale through the second-hand market.
Here are some reasons which drive the sale of old electronics in turn helping the second-hand market to flourish in India.
1. More to choose from
Earlier when you wanted to sell or buy old electronics, there were not many choices. Either you went on eBay, OLX and or some other websites or local vendors which are not many. But now the platform for selling and buying old appliances has widened with the upcoming of many re-commerce companies. Not only the number of companies has increased but also the industry has become more organized.
2. Good quality
As I mentioned in the beginning, which store would you enter if you want to buy an appliance- a store selling new electronics or a second-hand store? With the increase of standardized electronics flowing into the second-hand market, many consumers prefer buying second-hand electronics over new electronics. And why not? We Indians look out for the best products with the most reasonable price.
3. Word of the decade- Online
If you want to buy a TV or any other appliance, the first thing you do is go online to check your options. Now you can even sell your old appliances online.We prefer to have everything on our finger tips and re-commerce companies have done that for us by taking it online. You wouldn’t want to take the pain and go to a shop just to sell your old appliance when you can sell it by just clicking your mouse.
4. Win-Win situation
A retailer selling a second-hand electronic appliance gets a better margin than the retailer selling a new electronic appliance. Therefore, it’s a win-win for both the buyers and sellers. The buyers get their electronics at a much cheaper rate from the market price and the seller gets a good margin for the same. The base of this market is primarily the consumers who sell their old appliances to re-commerce companies. The consumers also benefit by getting cash for their old electronics.
So, now that you know what to choose and why choose it, I leave you at it.
Note: This post was originally published in November 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
ADD TO YOUR FESTIVITIES BY SUBTRACTING OLD ELECTRONICS
The festive season is just around the corner and decorations plus refurnishing activities have begun in almost all households. You might be getting a new paint done or probably revamping the furniture or maybe re-arranging the items to make your home look new, fresh and stylish but wait, what about your old trash-like consumer durables and electronic items? Are you keeping them all with you? Well, that’s not a good idea! Here are a few tips on making your home décor waste-proof.
“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”
1. Stack them, but not at your home
Your old electronics like your TV, Refrigerator, AC or Washing Machine might be biting dust since a long time because you haven’t used it very often or because you’ve got a newer, more advanced one. That is surely not going to be used anymore and will do nothing but lay idle, use up your space and negate the beauty of your décor. We know you are much attached to it but if it’s not going to be used, it’s wise to sell it off at a good price.
2. Forget offline, Go online
So once you’ve decided to sell your old e-trash, you’d think of going to a kabadiwala or a local dealer. But beware; it will consume a lot of your time with a lot of painful negotiations. Even if it’s finally sold you will be unsatisfied because it will not be the price you were willing to sell it for. Best is to not wait and connect with online buyers of e-trash and they will give you good deals!
3. Cash on your oldies
You’ll have to carry your electronics all the way to the local dealer or kabadiwala which will cost you money, time and energy. You won’t have to go through these hassles if you choose to sell it online. You can get a good option of getting a free calculated quote on the web portal and they will come to your home to pick up the e-trash and give you instant cash with maximum value and without any negotiations.
Now, thinking what to do with the cash? Buy gifts for your loved ones or just relish some sweets for adding that extra space to your home and subtracting idle e-trash.
Note: This post was originally published in October 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Do I have E-Waste at home?
E-waste is relatively newer term in India. An average Indian would be very oblivious to the term E-waste, leave alone the proper understanding of the harm these cause to our health and environment.
“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”
There has been little or no effort from the Government and the concerned authorities to create awareness about the nature and magnitude of E-Wastes. The Government can be forgiven for its apathy whence it promulgates rules about E-Waste and makes responsible the stakeholders like the producers and handlers of e-waste to create awareness on the issue. Since it is the lives and common future of all citizens at stake we need to make efforts to educate ourselves and create awareness amongst our social circles.
What is E — Waste?
To contain the grave issue we need to know first what constitutes an E — Waste and other important terms associated with it.
E-waste is the waste electrical and electronic equipment, whole or in part or rejects from their manufacturing and repair process, which are intended to be discarded.
Orphaned Products — Non-branded or assembled electrical and electronic equipment produced by a company, which has closed its operations or has stopped product support.
Electrical and electronic equipment means equipment, which is dependent on electrical currents or electro-magnetic fields to be fully functional.
The Environment Ministry brought in the E — Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 which became effective from May 2012 in India. These rules have brought in its purview categories of electrical and electronic equipment which contribute to E-Waste.
These categories can be enumerated as under:
IT and telecommunication equipment:
- Centralized data processing; Mainframes, Minicomputers; Personal computing; Personal computers (Central processing unit with input and output devices), Laptop computers (Central processing unit with input and output devices), Notebook computers, Notepad computers, Printers including cartridges, Copying equipment, Electrical and electronic typewriters, User terminals and systems, Facsimile, Telex, Telephones, Pay telephones, Cordless telephones, Cellular telephones, Answering systems
Consumer electronics:
- Television sets (including sets based on (Liquid Crystal Display and Light Emitting Diode technology), Refrigerator, Washing Machine, Air-Conditioners excluding centralized air conditioning plants.
If you have any of the above at home or work place kept in a discarded form you have an E-Waste at home. It is very important for you to separate these and hand it over to an authorized E-Waste recycler like Zero Waste in your city.
You may find a Zero Waste Store near you where you can sell them profitably and also become a responsible citizen. To know more Connect with us today at info@getinstacash.in | www.getinstacash.in
Note: This post was originally published in February 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.