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ConsumerWatch: Websites Offer Cash For Outdated Electronics

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) - High tech gadgets have become a number one seller during the holidays. With the new toys arriving, many older items get dumped, but before tossing out that old phone or laptop this Christmas you should think about selling them for extra cash?

"Yea most people probably have about $100 dollars worth of stuff just lying around their house collecting dust," said Anthony Scarsella Chief Gadget Officer of Gazelle.com.

Gazelle is one of many sites that let consumes trade in their old tech toys for cash. We put a 3G iPhone to the test to see how it works. After answering a few questions, the phone's trade-in price came in at $117.

Brian Cooley from CNET said it's not surprising to see an iPhone sell at such a high price.

"Apple products tend to get very good resale value," Cooley said.

But when it comes to a Blackberry cell phone, the odds of getting a big return are slim said Cooley. The average sell price is anywhere from $30 to $40. Cell phones aren't the only items with trade-in value. Gadgets like digital cameras, MP3 players, laptops and game systems could also be sold, and they don't necessarily have to function.

"iPhone, iPads, high end Mac books, even if their not functional, they should have a small minimum pay out," said Scarsella.

Gazelle.com isn't the only website where gadgets could be sold. Costco and Radio Shack provide free estimates. Ebay and Craigslist are other options, which come with the added risk of dealing with strangers or unknown companies.

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