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I also know a guy who made his living for many years repairing and reselling iPhones, who simply buys the top of the line as soon as it comes out and resells th

by Kluny 9y ago

I also know a guy who made his living for many years repairing and reselling iPhones, who simply buys the top of the line as soon as it comes out and resells the old one to pay for it, at as close to full price as he can get away with. Since he always gets the most specc'd out phone available, treats it very carefully, always inside an otterbox, and is a pretty decent salesman, he usually gets his price. He also claims it as a tax write-off - business expense. In that way I think he ends up paying maybe $200 every other year for his new phone. In the last 6 years I've spent WAY more than that on the Androids I used to get and break/lose every year or so. I've finally seen the light and got an iPhone myself and plan to adopt the same strategy.

test1235 9y ago
You could save even more money by getting a cheaper Android phone and treating it just as carefully. The problem you described has nothing to do with the brand.
- dagw 9y ago
  The resale value of a 2 year old Android phone is much lower that a 2 year old iPhone, even it spent those two years sealed in its original box.
  - sitepodmatt 9y ago
    I don't think anyone sane would buy a two year old android, that would probably push you back to 5.1 for most phones.
    - evv555 9y ago
      I bought an LG G3 for $80. It's running Android 7 and still getting security updates. It will probably be a couple years before it is out of date.
  - chemmail 9y ago
    Yep, i sold an iPhone 6 plus 16gb for $550 yesterday. I couldn't believe it. It was just the asking price to start the haggle. Try get more than $50 for a 3 year old samsung.
    - chrisabrams 9y ago
      Where did you sell it?
    - techer 9y ago
      That is actually incredible. I won't get more than 275GBP for my 128GB!
la_oveja 9y ago
If you break/lose your phone it's your problem, dude. My Androids are lasting ~4 years each.
- x0x0 9y ago
  With security patches?
  - la_oveja 9y ago
    My OnePlus One has Android 7.1.2 and August security patch (thanks to Paranoid Android)
    - narutouzumaki 9y ago
      Mine is still on stock but maybe now is the time to learn how to flash and all. Would you recommend doing it also in terms of camera and stability or is it rather experimental for testing new Android features / proof of concept etc.?
      - la_oveja 9y ago
        I keep my device updated thanks to these custom builds. I use them as my daily driver, totally recommended.
  - pawadu 9y ago
    Well, I just saw this on Android Police: agujeronegro Hey, Samsung released July security patch to Samsung Galaxy S4!!! We are talking about April 27 of 2013. That's 4 years and a half! https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s4/GT-I9505/NEE/download/I9505XXUPQG1/179302/ https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s4/GT-I9505/NEE/d...
- Kluny 9y ago
  Of course it's my problem. I have to come up with strategies for dealing with it.
mattmanser 9y ago
I've had nexuses for the last 5 years and have been very happy and certainly not spent the sums you're alluding to. Unfortunately the nexus is now no more, it's the Pixel which just seems like a rip-off, if I'm going to spend that kind of money I'll go back to iPhones.
- samat 9y ago
  Consider Mi A1 - it's Google's android and more than decent hardware for 200 eur. http://www.mi.com/in/mi-a1/android-one/ http://www.mi.com/in/mi-a1/android-one/
  - remir 9y ago
    Wow, quite impressive specs for 200 eur! Also 2 years of OS updates minimum.
- jsjohnst 9y ago
  Glad I'm not alone in disgust for the Pixel and mourning the loss of the Nexus line. Even the much touted camera on the Pixel sucks. Worse, GPS is frequently off by as much as a mile from your actual location but accuracy is claimed to be <50ft, when it claims 200-1000ft accuracy is when it's actually the correct location.
GuB-42 9y ago
A good strategy, however he is not really the owner of the phone. He is essentially renting it from the next buyer. One consequence is that he has no option but treat is carefully, use a case, a screen protector, etc.. which is kind of ironic considering how much effort is put on the exterior design of the phone. Selling the phone also has a non-zero cost : you have to find a buyer and make the transaction. In that guy's case, when he sells his own iPhone, he doesn't sell something else from his shop. And he has the advantage of being an experienced salesman and having a shop. As for the tax write-off, sure, but I suppose that if you write off your phone as a business expense, you also need to declare the sale as business income. I doubt it is as straightforward as one may think. That guy, who is presumably a business owner, probably has an accountant to deal with such issues. What I am trying to say is that that guy strategy probably works very well for him but how it will work for you is another story.
- Kluny 9y ago
  > One consequence is that he has no option but treat is carefully, use a case, a screen protector, etc.. which is kind of ironic considering how much effort is put on the exterior design of the phone. Yeah, but I do that too regardless of whether I'm planning to resell it, because cracked screens are a pain in the ass and that applies to any phone. > Selling the phone also has a non-zero cost : you have to find a buyer and make the transaction. In that guy's case, when he sells his own iPhone, he doesn't sell something else from his shop. And he has the advantage of being an experienced salesman and having a shop. He actually just sells them on facebook. He does have a shop, but he's not in the iPhone business anymore - he has a car dealership. Like I said, good salesman! He's the most active facebook user I've ever encountered, so he may be paying his "shop" rent that way. I suspect the strategy won't work quite as well for me - but I think I can expect to pay the same $2-400 every 1-2 years that I have been paying, plus I get an iPhone instead of a cheap Android. I didn't think it would win me over, but it has.
  - YSFEJ4SWJUVU6 9y ago
    I, too, like to avoid cracked screens the best I can – with reasonable precaution. I'm not going to wrap an already big phone in an even bigger case to make it a bigger nuisance every single day. (I also don't buy the hassle of using screen protectors. I do not mind micro scratches all that much because I'm not trying to protect the resale value of a consumable item. I can put it in the same pocket with keys or many other sharp items if that's what's most convenient in a given situation. There is indeed a cost at trying to preserve any carryable item in mint condition.)
jamespo 9y ago
Thanks goodness iphones can't be lost or broken
- Kluny 9y ago
  It's more like... I've been getting better at not losing or breaking them as time goes by, and I've been investing in better cases/screen protectors. So I don't ruin them myself like I used to. But the damn things still break on their own. My last one, an LG G3, kept on having screen problems. I had the digitizer replaced once, had the whole phone replaced once, and it was having problems again when I gave up on it.
kerrsclyde 9y ago
This is common with high end DSLR's too. A way to always have the latest kit for a relatively low ongoing cost. You've got to have the folding to start the ball rolling in the first place though.
dirktheman 9y ago
I always take a 2-year contract. About one week before the new iPhone launch (and, conveniently, the end of my contract term), I sell my iPhone. My 6S with 64GB went this weekend for €450, which was the asking price. Next week I won't be able to get that price since there's a new model. I'm using a cheap, Chinese Android phone for 2 weeks every other year to bridge the gap between selling my iPhone and getting the new one. I have to say: cheapy Android phones are getting better. Sure, they're nowhere near the quality and experience of iPhones, but my Doogee Shoot 2 ($54,-) performs pretty decently and actually shoots some nice photos in daylight. I won't be converting anytime soon (show me an Android phone that performs like new after 2 years of everyday usage, without lagging) but it does make me wonder sometimes that the price difference can't really be justified...
- thirdsun 9y ago
  > I always take a 2-year contract. About one week before the new iPhone launch (and, conveniently, the end of my contract term), I sell my iPhone. My 6S with 64GB went this weekend for €450, which was the asking price. Next week I won't be able to get that price since there's a new model. I usually sell my iPhones and iPads after the new one has been delivered, preferably on the first weekend of the month. In my experience you won't have to expect a significant decrease in value after release. People know there's a new iPhone - it's not a surprise, even for non-tech audiences, and people will spent accordingly. However the supply will be larger after release, no doubt, but one could argue that this applies to size of target audience as well. People will look for second hand iPhones after release. In any case the resale value of Apple products is nothing short of amazing.

by Kluny 9y ago

test1235 9y ago

You could save even more money by getting a cheaper Android phone and treating it just as carefully. The problem you described has nothing to do with the brand.

dagw 9y ago
The resale value of a 2 year old Android phone is much lower that a 2 year old iPhone, even it spent those two years sealed in its original box.
- sitepodmatt 9y ago
  I don't think anyone sane would buy a two year old android, that would probably push you back to 5.1 for most phones.
  - evv555 9y ago
    I bought an LG G3 for $80. It's running Android 7 and still getting security updates. It will probably be a couple years before it is out of date.
- chemmail 9y ago
  Yep, i sold an iPhone 6 plus 16gb for $550 yesterday. I couldn't believe it. It was just the asking price to start the haggle. Try get more than $50 for a 3 year old samsung.
  - chrisabrams 9y ago
    Where did you sell it?
  - techer 9y ago
    That is actually incredible. I won't get more than 275GBP for my 128GB!

la_oveja 9y ago

If you break/lose your phone it's your problem, dude. My Androids are lasting ~4 years each.

x0x0 9y ago
With security patches?
- la_oveja 9y ago
  My OnePlus One has Android 7.1.2 and August security patch (thanks to Paranoid Android)
  - narutouzumaki 9y ago
    Mine is still on stock but maybe now is the time to learn how to flash and all. Would you recommend doing it also in terms of camera and stability or is it rather experimental for testing new Android features / proof of concept etc.?
    - la_oveja 9y ago
      I keep my device updated thanks to these custom builds. I use them as my daily driver, totally recommended.
- pawadu 9y ago
  Well, I just saw this on Android Police: agujeronegro Hey, Samsung released July security patch to Samsung Galaxy S4!!! We are talking about April 27 of 2013. That's 4 years and a half! https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s4/GT-I9505/NEE/download/I9505XXUPQG1/179302/ https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s4/GT-I9505/NEE/d...
Kluny 9y ago
Of course it's my problem. I have to come up with strategies for dealing with it.

mattmanser 9y ago

I've had nexuses for the last 5 years and have been very happy and certainly not spent the sums you're alluding to. Unfortunately the nexus is now no more, it's the Pixel which just seems like a rip-off, if I'm going to spend that kind of money I'll go back to iPhones.

samat 9y ago
Consider Mi A1 - it's Google's android and more than decent hardware for 200 eur. http://www.mi.com/in/mi-a1/android-one/ http://www.mi.com/in/mi-a1/android-one/
- remir 9y ago
  Wow, quite impressive specs for 200 eur! Also 2 years of OS updates minimum.
jsjohnst 9y ago
Glad I'm not alone in disgust for the Pixel and mourning the loss of the Nexus line. Even the much touted camera on the Pixel sucks. Worse, GPS is frequently off by as much as a mile from your actual location but accuracy is claimed to be <50ft, when it claims 200-1000ft accuracy is when it's actually the correct location.

GuB-42 9y ago

A good strategy, however he is not really the owner of the phone. He is essentially renting it from the next buyer. One consequence is that he has no option but treat is carefully, use a case, a screen protector, etc.. which is kind of ironic considering how much effort is put on the exterior design of the phone. Selling the phone also has a non-zero cost : you have to find a buyer and make the transaction. In that guy's case, when he sells his own iPhone, he doesn't sell something else from his shop. And he has the advantage of being an experienced salesman and having a shop. As for the tax write-off, sure, but I suppose that if you write off your phone as a business expense, you also need to declare the sale as business income. I doubt it is as straightforward as one may think. That guy, who is presumably a business owner, probably has an accountant to deal with such issues. What I am trying to say is that that guy strategy probably works very well for him but how it will work for you is another story.

Kluny 9y ago
> One consequence is that he has no option but treat is carefully, use a case, a screen protector, etc.. which is kind of ironic considering how much effort is put on the exterior design of the phone. Yeah, but I do that too regardless of whether I'm planning to resell it, because cracked screens are a pain in the ass and that applies to any phone. > Selling the phone also has a non-zero cost : you have to find a buyer and make the transaction. In that guy's case, when he sells his own iPhone, he doesn't sell something else from his shop. And he has the advantage of being an experienced salesman and having a shop. He actually just sells them on facebook. He does have a shop, but he's not in the iPhone business anymore - he has a car dealership. Like I said, good salesman! He's the most active facebook user I've ever encountered, so he may be paying his "shop" rent that way. I suspect the strategy won't work quite as well for me - but I think I can expect to pay the same $2-400 every 1-2 years that I have been paying, plus I get an iPhone instead of a cheap Android. I didn't think it would win me over, but it has.
- YSFEJ4SWJUVU6 9y ago
  I, too, like to avoid cracked screens the best I can – with reasonable precaution. I'm not going to wrap an already big phone in an even bigger case to make it a bigger nuisance every single day. (I also don't buy the hassle of using screen protectors. I do not mind micro scratches all that much because I'm not trying to protect the resale value of a consumable item. I can put it in the same pocket with keys or many other sharp items if that's what's most convenient in a given situation. There is indeed a cost at trying to preserve any carryable item in mint condition.)

jamespo 9y ago

Thanks goodness iphones can't be lost or broken

Kluny 9y ago
It's more like... I've been getting better at not losing or breaking them as time goes by, and I've been investing in better cases/screen protectors. So I don't ruin them myself like I used to. But the damn things still break on their own. My last one, an LG G3, kept on having screen problems. I had the digitizer replaced once, had the whole phone replaced once, and it was having problems again when I gave up on it.

kerrsclyde 9y ago

This is common with high end DSLR's too. A way to always have the latest kit for a relatively low ongoing cost. You've got to have the folding to start the ball rolling in the first place though.

dirktheman 9y ago

I always take a 2-year contract. About one week before the new iPhone launch (and, conveniently, the end of my contract term), I sell my iPhone. My 6S with 64GB went this weekend for €450, which was the asking price. Next week I won't be able to get that price since there's a new model. I'm using a cheap, Chinese Android phone for 2 weeks every other year to bridge the gap between selling my iPhone and getting the new one. I have to say: cheapy Android phones are getting better. Sure, they're nowhere near the quality and experience of iPhones, but my Doogee Shoot 2 ($54,-) performs pretty decently and actually shoots some nice photos in daylight. I won't be converting anytime soon (show me an Android phone that performs like new after 2 years of everyday usage, without lagging) but it does make me wonder sometimes that the price difference can't really be justified...

thirdsun 9y ago
> I always take a 2-year contract. About one week before the new iPhone launch (and, conveniently, the end of my contract term), I sell my iPhone. My 6S with 64GB went this weekend for €450, which was the asking price. Next week I won't be able to get that price since there's a new model. I usually sell my iPhones and iPads after the new one has been delivered, preferably on the first weekend of the month. In my experience you won't have to expect a significant decrease in value after release. People know there's a new iPhone - it's not a surprise, even for non-tech audiences, and people will spent accordingly. However the supply will be larger after release, no doubt, but one could argue that this applies to size of target audience as well. People will look for second hand iPhones after release. In any case the resale value of Apple products is nothing short of amazing.