By Frank Ling
Many of us don’t give a second thought to how we carry around our mobile phones. They’re usually tucked away in a pocket where they’re susceptible to all types of damage from loose change, house keys, and other objects. Purses also contain their own little shop of horrors to mar and scratch cell phones.
Tablets fare a little better because most users buy an aftermarket case or screen protector. But after a while, the care for a new device starts to get more casual and the dings and dents start to accumulate.
Keep your machine clean and pristine
The thought of keeping our electronics neat and clean isn’t the highest priority for a lot of us, but the benefits of doing so can mean extra cash in your pocket when you trade them in. All it takes is a little care, a few dollars of investment, and a little foresight on what these preventive measures can do for you.
Buy an outer shell
Whether you have a tablet or a mobile phone, a small investment in the purchase of a protective case covering can not only help you to preserve the new look of your device, it can also save it from minor damage related to slippery fingers syndrome or the occasional accidental drop.
Silicone outer shells can be purchased almost anywhere electronics are sold and if you do some comparative shopping, these items won’t cost you an arm and a leg to buy.
Screen protectors
There is probably no other accessory for your mobile phone or tablet that is so overpriced as screen protectors. These little clear pieces of film can cost up to $30. What do you get? A thin sheet of plastic or vinyl that probably costs a dollar or less to produce. Not a good deal!
But to avoid being cheated, a good alternative is to search online stores for aftermarket screen protectors that are made overseas. These will generally cost you only a few dollars as compared to the hefty price tags offered by mainstream accessory manufactures. Make sure to buy more than one as first attempts in applying these screen protectors is pretty tricky.
Trade in value
If you haven’t taken good care of mobile electronics, it’s too late to turn back the clock. You have to start early and quickly.
Trade in value is usually graded upon three factors: working condition, physical appearance, and market demand. You won’t get full price for your trade in, of course, but you’ll have some nice cash in your pocket if your device is in good shape.
You can consider the trade in value as a discount on the original purchase price of your device and feel good about not contributing to the e-waste stream.
So the next time you buy a new mobile phone or tablet, remember that taking good care of it will pay off in the end.
Frank Ling is the SF Gadgets Examiner and has been a writer, professional photographer, video producer, video game QA trainer, and video editor.