How to Salvage Printer Parts for Money

By Jennifer Eblin

Old printers still have a monetary value.
i The printer image by vin5 from Fotolia.com

Holding on to an old printer takes away valuable storage space in your home. It may even cost you money, as the ink cartridges for these printers are more expensive and hard to find. The parts of old printers are valuable to those who need replacement parts for their own printer. Selling salvaged printers, including old ones from your home and ones you find at yard sales, is a simple way to make some extra cash.

Sign up for a Staples Rewards account and turn in old printer cartridges and ink cartridges you find inside the printers. Staples gives you $2 on your account for every approved ink cartridge you bring in, including those from HP, Dell and Lexmark. Trade the rewards in for merchandise from a Staples store or reap rewards at the company's website.

Contact the manufacturer of the printer and ask about a trade-in program. Many manufacturers offer this option because the companies recycle the parts of the printer. When you trade in an old printer, you receive a discount toward a new printer from that manufacturer.

Return the printer to the manufacturer for cash back or reward. Some printer manufacturers offer this program rather than a trade-in program. When you return the printer to the company, you receive a set amount back, usually in the form of a check.

Sell the printers as-is or as a parts machine, either online or offline in a classified ad. Let customers know that the printer may not work, but that you're selling it for use as a parts machine and for shoppers to use the parts on their own printer.

Take the salvaged printers to computer stores in your neighborhood. Computer stores often buy old printers and renovate the machines, making the printers useful again. In return, the store gives you a small fee for the printer or a trade-in value on merchandise in the store.

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