“It is only when they go wrong that machines remind you how powerful they are.” ~Clive James
This is why we don’t stop using technology when a gadget gives way but simply upgrade to a more advanced one. During the pandemic, technology kept us connected to our loved ones and helped us work even in remote conditions. This has skyrocketed the use of technology globally.
In the UAE, a global market for gadgets, the segment for consumer electronics is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.45% from US$1,852 million to US$2,362 million between 2022 and 2025. As the consumer electronics market continues to grow, the market to sell used cell phones and other electronics is also expected to boom.
Before the pandemic, used electronics like cell phones happened to sell the most (32%) in the refurbished market in 2019. Now the global market for pre-owned electronics is expected to reach US$38.9 billion by 2025 from US$19.7 billion in 2017.
Reasons for the Growth of Pre-Owned Electronics Market in the UAE
Seeking Affordability
The rate of inflation in the UAE has risen from 0.19% in 2021 to 3.66% in 2022. Therefore, consumers can’t help but think of savings. According to 96% of consumers, purchasing used items helps them save money. Devices are getting increasingly expensive. However, second-hand gadgets allow one to spend based on a budget. When resold, they give one access to instant cash which can even help meet financial emergencies.
Choosing Sustainability
By using second-hand items, product lifecycle and sustainability can be improved. Around 73% of millennial consumers choose to buy from sustainable brands. On the other hand, in 2020, 7.7 billion mobile phones were being used but the carbon footprint was 580 million tonnes approx.
Avoiding e-Waste Generation
Discarded old gadgets are increasingly overwhelming landfills so much so that e-waste has become the fastest growing waste in the world. By 2030, electronic waste is expected to increase by almost 30%. As people are becoming increasingly aware of this, they prefer selling used electronics to discarding them.
Digitised Recommerce
Today, people can easily sell and buy used cell phones and other gadgets digitally for convenience. The cash received from reselling a used device can help finance a more advanced one. When one still can’t afford the latter at the original price, one can opt for a refurbished version. Refurbished electronics are checked for issues which are fixed by skilled technicians. Therefore, they often surprise the buyer with as good performance as a brand new device with the same features.
Why Choose North Ladder?
North Ladder is a leading online platform to sell used cell phones and other electronics and has already served 30,000+ satisfied customers. It has tie-ups with 200+ dealers from across the UAE who compete for pre-owned devices in auctions. This ensures that the customer gets the best price quote once the highest bid wins. Before that, the condition of the used device to be sold is verified accurately using a special app to determine the most appropriate price.
Everything ranging from the selling process to the parameters that determine the resale value of a gadget is mentioned on the company’s website to maintain transparency. Additional services are pocket friendly. The pick-up service at home is free of cost and the certified data wipe of devices involves a trivial fee. Very few documents are needed to sell old gadgets on this platform. What’s more, both residents and non-residents of the UAE can sell used cell phones and other electronics at North Ladder.
The company sells these second-hand devices to its partners, who repair them for use by customers. This way, North Ladder contributes to building a sustainable and economical community.
