Lawrence Kahlden: What should I do with my old iPhone?

Kids are back in school, the weather will (hopefully) start to cool down any day now and Halloween goodies have made their debut in local drugstores. You know what that means: It’s fall. More importantly to many, it means that the new iPhone is here.

The Internet had been abuzz about the iPhone 5 for months before the release date of Sept. 21. And if you’re one of the millions who intend to buy the new device, you might wonder how you can offset the hefty price tag attached to the handset. There’s a simple solution to your problem: Sell your old iPhone.

The Internet is abound with options for selling old devices. And if you’re not in the market for a new iPhone, all of these choices are also great for buying older models at reduced prices.

Amazon and Ebay – Can you remember what life was like before Amazon and Ebay? Me neither. You must have an account to use them, and they are safe and easy, thanks to customer feedback systems and strict selling policies. Both sites carry a variety of devices and describe their conditions, ranging from “poor” to “like new.” Transactions are conveniently done through the sites, with products sent directly to buyers.

Craigslist – Although Craigslist is great for buying and selling goods, there is a bit of risk involved, as sellers are not rated like they are on other sites. The safest way to conduct a Craigslist transaction is to do so in person, test products before purchasing and only sell items for cash.

Buyback sites – Sites such as Gazelle and NextWorth provide online quotes for devices, and sellers are responsible for shipping them. Understand that buyback sites will not commit to a payment until they have the opportunity to inspect a handset, so you might receive less than initially quoted. Also, do some homework to ensure that you are using a reputable dealer.

Pawn shops – If you’d rather deal with a live person, pawn shops are excellent options for both buying and selling iPhones. At La Familia Pawn & Jewelry stores, Apple products fly off our shelves, so we’re always eager to restock, and we typically have at least a few phones of different generations in each location. Plus, once you walk out of the store with either a new device or cash, the transaction is complete – there’s no waiting for products or payments.

Apple Recycling Program – You don’t hear about it often, but Apple does have a buyback program for its products. Through the company’s website, you can obtain an estimate on your product and use prepaid options to ship it. Like other buyback options, Apple will not pay you for a device until it has an opportunity to inspect it. The biggest downside? Apple pays for used products with a gift card, rather than cash.

Lawrence Kahlden is president & CEO of Winter Park-based La Familia Pawn & Jewelry. Visit lafamiliapawn.com