Selling Now vs. Later: The 20% Difference That Adds Up

As we approach the final stretch of the school year, many school districts are beginning to look at their aging tech and wonder if now is the right time to offload those older devices or wait until later in the year. While it may seem tempting to hold onto them for a bit longer, every month you wait to sell could cost your district thousands in lost value. And with recent tariff updates and the spring selling window now closed, there’s no better time than right now to act.

How Much Are You Really Losing by Waiting?

The value of aging devices doesn’t just stay the same — it declines quickly. Our most recent market analysis shows the drop-off in device prices from March to later in the year, with devices losing anywhere from 10% to 20% of their value by December.

Let’s look at the numbers:

(*Average of top K-12 Chromebook models)

The Bottom Line:

By waiting until August, your district could lose about 10% of the value of each device. By December, the loss could increase to 20%. That’s a significant amount of money you could be putting toward tech upgrades, classroom enhancements, or new projects.

Why Waiting Could Cost You More Now

Many districts may feel like they’ve missed the perfect moment, but there’s still time to sell before the market shifts. However, waiting until later in the year brings a new set of risks.

1. Temporary Relief: 90-Day Tariff Truce

As of May 14, 2025, the U.S. and China have agreed to a 90-day reduction in tariffs: the U.S. has lowered tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, and China has reduced tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. This temporary truce offers a brief window of relief, but it's set to expire in mid-August unless further agreements are reached.

For districts planning to purchase new devices, this period presents a chance to avoid higher costs. Selling older devices now can help lock in higher buyback prices before the market adjusts to potential tariff reinstatements.

2. The Summer Dip: Seasonal Depreciation

Beyond tariffs, the summer months typically see a decline in device buyback values due to decreased demand and increased supply. Waiting until August or December could result in lower returns on old devices and higher costs for new ones, straining your district's budget.

Tech Defenders Makes It Easy

At Tech Defenders, we make the device buyback process simple and transparent for school districts. Here’s how we help:

• Instant Quotes: Get an immediate, transparent quote for every device type — whether Apple, Chromebook, or anything else.

• White-Glove Pickup: We handle the logistics of boxing, palletizing, and hauling away your old devices.

• Certified Data Security: Our R2v3 processes ensure your devices are wiped clean and compliant with the highest security standards.

• Fast Payout: No long waits for your funds. Get your payment within days, not weeks.
  
  

Ready to Stop the Slide?

The longer you wait, the less your devices are worth. Take advantage of current market conditions and the tariff freeze before prices start to rise again. Simply upload your asset list below, and we’ll provide an instant quote for your devices.