I'm the IT Admin at a small community bank and we recently upgraded our system, replacing around 60 workstations. The CFO mentioned I can either refurbish them or sell them as I see fit, so I'm considering wiping them clean and offloading them. The computers are Dell Optiplex 5060 Minis and they're all in good condition. I've noticed similar models on platforms like Amazon and eBay going for around $200-250 each. I was hoping to find a place that would buy them in bulk rather than dealing with the hassle of selling each one individually. Any suggestions?
6 Answers
There are quite a few IT equipment recyclers out there. A quick Google search should help you find some. Just keep in mind, you’ll likely only get about $50 per machine, so it’s not the best deal compared to what you see online.
Most local recyclers I know actually charge for pickup, so it might not be worth it unless you can drop them off yourself.
You might also want to consider removing valuable parts like RAM and processing units to sell them separately. It’s usually way easier and more profitable.
If you want to do something good with them, donating to a local school could be a great option. They often need equipment like this, and it provides a nice chunk of reliable hardware for them, too. However, I wouldn’t expect to find a buyer for them all in bulk, especially at the rates you mentioned.
Just a heads up, sometimes donating can actually count against a school’s budget. Make sure they’re not just going to get old junk like donated 286s instead of something useful!
Yeah, schools tend to be pickier about what they accept since old computers can be more of a liability than an asset these days.
Honestly, selling them on eBay as one bulk lot might be your best bet. Shipping them together could net you about $2000! Just be aware that many recyclers won’t pay for the hardware; they typically offer free pickups without any compensation.
If I can flip them for some cash, I'd go for it! Just make sure it doesn’t take too much time to get them ready.
I know a recycler who takes stuff for free, but if there’s profit to be made, I’d choose that route anytime.
If you're interested in recycling, I learned it's sometimes easier just to strip down machines and recycle the parts. Then donation or e-scrap can be the last resort.
Selling them individually could yield a higher reward, but before you start, double-check with the CFO to ensure selling for personal gain is all clear first.
No worries there! I confirmed everything up front, so I’m good to go.
Great to hear! Just make sure you document things to avoid any slapbacks later.
Yeah, I wouldn’t expect to get much more than that, if you even get offered that much. It’s often difficult to find someone willing to pay for them, and shipping costs can be a hassle too.