How to get cash for your old iPad
(MoneyWatch) Unless you live in a cave on Venus, you probably saw the news yesterday: Apple announced the new iPad, which will be available on March 16. If you're considering an upgrade but looking for a way to recover some of the hundreds of dollars you spent on your existing Apple (AAPL) iPad or iPad 2, you're in luck.
There are a number of ways to turn your iPad into cash to offset the expense of a new iPad. At the moment, at least, first and second generation iPads hold a surprising amount of value.
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You probably already know about obvious online resources like Craigslist and eBay (EBAY). However, the downside of those sites is that you can't predict what you'll make on your old hardware, or even if it'll sell at all. And then there's the potential for fraud and other unpleasantness. Instead, here are a few places you can turn to for better deals:
BuyMyTronics will take your iPad off your hands, and until the end of March, the site is offering special pricing in anticipation of availability of the new iPad. Go to the site's iPad page and select the model that matches what you own. A 32GB Wi-Fi and 3G model in "excellent" condition, for example, will currently fetch $192.
Amazon offers an even better deal, though the site doesn't actually give you cash -- it gives you Amazon (AMZN) credit. All things considered, though, Amazon credit is pretty much indistinguishable from cash, especially if you make as significant number of Amazon purchases over the course of the year. The Amazon Trade-In store currently offers $265 in credit for the same 32GB Wi-Fi and 3G model that BuyMyTronics will pay $192 in cash.
Apple also has a trade-in program, which the company refers to as a recycling program. Answer some questions about the condition of your iPad, and Apple will tell you what it's worth -- in the form of an Apple gift card. The hypothetical 32GB Wi-Fi and 3G model? Apple is offering $150.
