# computer upgrade/exchange **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 23, 2002, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-exchange/138293 "2002-11-23T02:29:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zap\_Rowsdower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3da27b/32.png) [@Zap\_Rowsdower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zap_Rowsdower)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-exchange/138293/1 "2002-11-23T02:29:50Z")
Are there any places where someone can trade in an old computer for a new one? I would like to trade my PC for a lap top, in case I end up taking a job overseas. The places I have called have not been much help and I was wondering if there is any place that does this. My current computer is fine and still has room for upgrading. I figure this would be easier than just trying to sell it to someone. TIA ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-exchange/138293/2 "2002-11-23T02:41:12Z")
There are, or at least there used to be. Look around for used computer shops. They should be able to offer you some value on your trade-in toward getting one of their systems. Probably not too much, though. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-exchange/138293/3 "2002-11-23T03:46:06Z")
Google, “houston used computers”. You called all these people? They may not take tradeins as such, so maybe you should start asking “do you buy used computers?” instead. A lot of these people have websites, too. [http://www.digitalcity.com/houston/shopping/listings.adp?cat=2048](http://www.digitalcity.com/houston/shopping/listings.adp?cat=2048) [http://www.digitalcity.com/dallas/shopping/listings.adp?cat=2191](http://www.digitalcity.com/dallas/shopping/listings.adp?cat=2191) And did you call these folks? [http://www.computerstfw.com/](http://www.computerstfw.com/) > [@](#): > > TFW Computers builds new computers and notebooks. > We take trade-ins and sell used computers. > We can upgrade and repair most computers, and offer same day service. > > In business For almost 20 years > > TFW Computers > 2551 N. Gessner > Houston, Texas 77080 > Phone: (713) 461-8660 > Fax: (713) 461-7751 Ever heard of them? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-exchange/138293/4 "2002-11-23T12:18:04Z")
YOu could try selling it on ebay - I would think you would get more $ that way then by trade in. Even better if you have a fairly high feedback rating - so ask a ebay friend if you have one to sell it for you. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-exchange/138293/5 "2002-11-23T15:38:58Z")
Computers these days are disposable. I don’t allow people to give them to our thrift shops anymore because the dump charges $20-25 bucks or so to take them. You can put them on ebay but the shipping is going to eat up so much of the price that it’s not even practical unless they are rare computers or newish. Some computer forums have trade boards. ---
**Author:** ![Zap\_Rowsdower](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3da27b/32.png) [@Zap\_Rowsdower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zap_Rowsdower)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-exchange/138293/6 "2002-11-23T20:27:54Z")
Many thanks, and yes DDG I tried some of those listed, but I will try the others. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-exchange/138293/7 "2002-11-23T21:31:24Z")
Also you could donate it to a charity if it’s not that old. One I work with will give you a tax deductable receipt for it. Then (usually I) will fix it up and clean it and it’s sold at a garage sale or such (with the $ going to the charity). Just another option. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2002, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-upgrade-exchange/138293/8 "2002-11-23T23:05:42Z")
Sometimes stores have a tradein program, there was one at Staples one time. They only gave about $20 for it.