Niche market for broken iPods

A month ago, Apple announced that it has sold over 100 million iPods worldwide. Unfortunately, they don't last forever, and tempting new models are always just around the corner. Which is where buymybrokenipod.com comes in. The young start-up offers consumers a very simple way to sell their broken or unused iPods: after indicating which model they'd like to sell and what condition it's in, the website gives an instant price-quote. Send it in, and payment is transferred via PayPal within 24 hours after the iPod has been received.

There are alternatives: used or broken iPods could be sold on eBay, where hundreds of Apple's music players are listed for sale for parts or refurbishing. But many consumers can't be bothered with finding out how to list a product, and don't want to deal with potential customers. buymybrokenipod.com provides an effortless alternative. How they make money? The iPods are usually sold in bulk to small businesses who fix them for a living, replacing cracked screens, expired batteries and dead hard-drives, and reselling them to consumers. Generally, iPods received by buymybrokenipod.com are in good condition.

The company takes pride in extending the lives of dead or used iPods, and keeping them out of landfills. According to Mother Jones, electronic waste accounts for 2 percent of America's trash in landfills but 70 percent of its toxic garbage. Springwise likes the niche aspect—focusing on one very popular article, and making it easy for consumers to get money for something they'd otherwise leave in a junk drawer or throw away. One to set up locally, or extend to other products? Might not make you rich, but it can definitely be a good business on the side. Especially since iPods sales don't seem to be slowing down ;-) Related: Podswap and iRepair.

Website: www.buymybrokenipod.com
Contact: brett@buymybrokenipod.com