For resellers, ensuring the quality and safety of surplus electronics is everything. Otherwise, building trust will become impossible, and let’s forget about profits if this happens.
This is why a robust testing and grading process is not an option but rather mandatory to bring business and close them. it will help you avoid costly returns or having to lose capital in the process.
More than being a way to maximize profits, it is also the best way to protect your reputation. You want to comply with marketplace standards and make sure you can get all your benefits.
Looked at it in this way, you have to realize it is more about keeping your best interests while providing products that work.
Our guide covers how to test surplus electronics before selling. This includes the equipment you need for it and how to document any findings.
Of course, once you have all the tests done, you need to grade your inventory for resale and list it accordingly.
Essential Testing Equipment
The equipment tends to be the difficult part to obtain.
However, having the right tools is the foundation of electronics quality control for resellers. Otherwise, you will have difficulties trying to figure out what’s wrong or not with the items. The list can get long, but the most crucial equipment includes:
- Multimeters to check voltage, current, and resistance. Many reliable brands, like Fluke and Tektronix offer affordable and surplus equipment.
- Chargers and cables, especially if your electronics don’t have them. you want to test them individual to make sure the port is not the problem as well. this is also part of testing battery performance.
- Software tools and anything to check screens, sensors, and hardware functions.
- Label printers to tag graded items.
- Oscilloscopes and signal generations for advanced testing in video and audio equipment.
Testing Process: Power, Functionality, Cosmetic Condition
While you can technically start wherever, there is a recommended process on how to inspect liquidation electronics. This guarantees that you don’t damage other aspects of the device or electronic while going through an unchecked one.
- Power test it. This includes plugging it in and turning on each device. Confirm the device powers up without issues and if the battery or charge holds up.
- Functionality tests around checking screens for dead pixels or discoloration. Try buttons and all the accessories.
- Work on diagnosis for certain software and if it operates well.
- Cosmetic condition like scratches, dents, missing parts, or other signs of wear.
Once you are done, make sure to clean the device before grading it through the system and photographing it.
Grading Standards: Industry-Standard A/B/C Classifications
Accurate grading is vital for transparency and pricing.
Make sure to use fair surplus electronics grading system following the industry standards for categorization.
- Grade A includes the newest pieces that are functional and look like out of the box.
- Grade B brings all functional ones, but with light wear and specific flaws around cosmetic.
- Grade C is for those with damage, visible wear, parts to repair, or specific problems in functionality.
According to Amazon, one of the best practices is grading accordingly. it helps you create categories depending on the items and buyers are most likely to buy and trust you for the transparency.
Done? Create Manifests for Bulk Sales
If you will have your items sold in bulk, you can to create manifests of the products inside of each lot.
You don’t need to give the exact details or specifics about their value, but you want to list each item’s model, serial number, and grade. Indicate if there are any defects or may have issues.
While not mandatory, you can also take pictures of each item and support your grading with them, along with test results.
This level of documentation streamlines sales and invites buyers to trust you.
Just make sure to establish a good system and remain transparent.
Also, create a good mix of items in your bulks. You don’t want 80% waste and 20% useful items. While there is nothing stopping you from it, knowing you offer from decent to good lots brings in more customers.
At Coastal Surplus Solutions, we know this well.
Take the time to discuss with us how these bulk sales can work or if you are the buyer needing to connect with sellers and surplus goods. This is either for electronics or many more markets and industries in the state.
