Buying & Selling Guides “Obama Phone” Program in 2026: Is Lifeline Still Active? The Lifeline program that people call the "Obama phone" is still active in 2026. The Affordable Connectivity Program is the one that ended. Here is how Lifeline works now and how to bring your own unlocked phone to a plan.
Buying & Selling Guides Lost or Damaged in Transit: Filing Shipping Claims A lost or damaged package can cost a seller real money. Here is how transit claims work by carrier, the documentation you need, and how to protect high-value shipments before anything goes wrong.
Buying & Selling Guides How to Ship Cameras, Lenses & Fragile Gear Cameras and lenses are high-value and fragile in ways most electronics are not. This seller's guide covers protecting glass and sensors, whether to ship a body and lenses together, and how to match insurance to value.
Buying & Selling Guides How to Ship a Laptop Safely Shipping a laptop safely comes down to a few key steps: prep the machine, protect the screen and hinges, and match your carrier and insurance to the laptop's value. Here's how sellers do it without a damage claim.
Buying & Selling Guides Shipping Devices With Lithium Batteries Nearly every phone, laptop, or tablet you ship contains a regulated lithium battery. Here is what sellers actually need to know about carrier rules, labeling, and staying compliant.
Buying & Selling Guides Seller-Side Scams: How to Protect Yourself When Selling Most scam advice targets buyers, but sellers of used tech face their own cons. Here are the seller-side scams, the red flags behind each, and how to keep every sale safe and paid.
Buying & Selling Guides Selling Accessories, Bundles & Lots for More Learn when to bundle a device with its accessories or sell a lot of gear together, and how to price, photograph, and describe the package so it sells for more.
Buying & Selling Guides Selling Broken or For-Parts Devices for Cash A cracked or dead device still holds value in its screen, battery, and board. Here is where to sell broken and for-parts phones and laptops, what each channel pays, and how to get paid without getting lowballed.
Buying & Selling Guides Do You Owe Taxes Selling Used Electronics? Getting a 1099-K after selling an old phone or laptop does not automatically mean you owe taxes. Here is how personal-item sales, hobby sales, and real businesses differ at tax time.
