$75 Apple Haul: Man Finds Fortune in Parking Lot Tech Buy
A tech enthusiast’s $75 gamble on a bundle of used Apple devices purchased from an online seller in a parking lot yielded a surprising profit, highlighting the potential for returns in the resale of refurbished electronics.
Hugh Jeffreys, a YouTuber known for restoring broken technology, detailed his purchase on social media, explaining he found the listing on Facebook Marketplace. The seller offered 20 Apple devices, claiming they were unlocked and functional, but Jeffreys had no way to verify this claim before the transaction. Jeffreys, who has a passion for technology and filmmaking, regularly posts videos about repairing electronics on his YouTube channel, Hugh Jeffreys.
The meeting took place in a parking lot, where Jeffreys exchanged $75 for the bag of devices. He initially suspected the seller might be a repair shop offloading trade-ins or electronic waste.
The lot included a range of iPhones – an XS, an 11, a 12 Pro, an 8, and a 7 – alongside classic iPods, including a 5th-generation model and an iPod Touch 2nd-generation. Three iPads were also included in the purchase.
Not all the devices functioned as advertised. Two of the iPads and an iPhone 7 Plus were locked, rendering them unusable. However, the majority of the remaining gadgets were operational, though some required repair before resale.
Despite the issues, Jeffreys’ investment quickly proved worthwhile. The resale value of the unlocked iPhone XS alone was estimated at $100. The vintage iPods also held significant value, and a functioning iPhone 4S running iOS 5 presented a potential opportunity for collectors.
Jeffreys calculated the total value of the Apple products to be approximately $800, resulting in a profit exceeding $700 on his initial $75 investment. The story mirrors a recent case highlighted by Supercar Blondie, where a man purchased a similar bundle of used Apple products from a stranger.
Jeffreys’ experience demonstrates the potential for profit in the refurbishment and resale of used electronics, though it also underscores the risks associated with purchasing devices from unverified sources.