Get top value for your drone! Discover 5 essential steps to take before you search “Sell My Drone Online.”
Had an amazing time flying your drone?
Drone geeks love capturing breathtaking footage, and maybe even pulling off a few slick aerial tricks. But now you’re thinking, “It’s probably time to sell my drone.”
You know what? Smart move! Selling your drone can fund an upgrade or simply clear space for the next piece of tech you want.
But…
Before you hit the “sell” button, there are some essential (and often underrated) steps you should take to maximize your drone’s value and ensure a smooth sale.
1. Back Up Your Precious Footage – Sell My Drone Smartly
You probably have some incredible photos and videos on your drone’s memory card or internal storage. Don’t skip this, backup everything, carefully.
If you are running low on hardware storage, then use cloud storage like Google Photos, Dropbox, or specialized services like SmugMug for photographers. This way you save memories and avoid panicking at the last moment when you realize something irreplaceable was left behind.
Formatting the drone’s storage after backing up is very important. Not just from a storage perspective, but also from a data privacy lens. It will safeguard your privacy and ensure no accidental leak of personal or sensitive footage. You might be surprised how often people skip this and end up accidentally sharing family photos or private locations.
2. Reset the Drone to Factory Settings – A Critical Step Before You Sell Drone
You will be surprised to know that a drone goes beyond just being a camera with wings.
It is actually a smartphone with wings, tacky comparison, but yes that’s what it is. It stores personal settings, user preferences, and sometimes GPS data linked to your account.
Before selling, perform a full factory reset.
Each drone has its unique process, but generally, this will go something like this:
- Connecting your drone to its app (like DJI Fly or Autel Explorer)
- Checking out the settings and selecting “Reset to Factory Defaults.”
Not many drone sellers do a thorough reset. It’s an underrated, but important step. Resetting ensures the next owner won’t accidentally have your login information or flight data. Both are things that nobody wants floating around.
3. Give Your Drone a Thorough Cleaning 🧹 – Up Its Resale Value
Appearance matters. Not just with humans, but even drones.
A clean drone looks good and tells the buyer that “I’ve been well cared for!” A few good wipes are basic, they will just take off the dirt on the surface. For a seriously impactful cleanup:
- Use compressed air (the kind you get for keyboards) to remove dust from tight corners and motors.
- Clean propellers of your drone carefully with a microfiber cloth and a gentle, alcohol-based cleaner.
- Inspect lenses and sensors with lens cleaner or specialized wipes.
You can think of replacing any worn-out propellers.
Do this if the parts are cheap, because even minor damage can deter potential buyers. A few extra bucks on new props can boost your drone’s perceived value, signaling you’ve kept your drone in top-notch condition.
4. Gather Original Packaging and Accessories for Drone Trade-in
Original packaging matters quite a lot actually. Buyers see original boxes and manuals as an indicator of reliability and care. If you still have the box your drone came in, congratulations you’ve already increased its value.
But let’s go beyond the obvious.
There are underrated accessories that genuinely help sweeten your sale. Think about Extra batteries (buyers LOVE extras) or even spare charging cables or adapters. If you have a Propeller guard and landing gear then you are set for a great sale.
5. Capture Clear and Compelling Pictures to Sell Drone Online
Take time to stage and capture excellent photos of your drone in good lighting. The better your pictures, the higher your offers will likely be.
Here’s our quick guide to shooting good drone photos that sell:
1. Use natural daylight for a clean, professional look.
2. Photograph your drone from multiple angles (top, bottom, sides).
3. Highlight any extra accessories neatly arranged alongside the drone.
If you want expert advice then consider shooting a short video of your drone powering up, taking off, and landing smoothly. This will tell buyers firsthand that your drone works perfectly and builds instant confidence.
Really few sellers go this extra mile, but those who do see notably quicker and better sales when selling drone online.
Bonus Tip: Clearly Document Drone History
This one’s an underrated gem, documenting your drone’s flight history and any repairs or maintenance activities boosts buyer confidence tremendously.
Create a brief, clear log with flight hours or total flights recorded, any repairs or part replacements made, and also add dates of last battery replacements.
Obviously, this matters more when you are selling higher priced drones, but it doesn’t hurt to have the log at any price-point. Transparency breeds trust. Buyers who feel informed about your drone’s history are more comfortable and willing to spend more. Plus, they appreciate your honesty, making the entire transaction smoother.
Ready to Say, “It’s Time to Sell My Drone”?
Preparing your drone for sale isn’t complicated, but doing these underrated steps makes all the difference between a good sale and a freakin’ awesome one. You’ll not only ensure a seamless selling experience but also maximize your drone’s resale value significantly.
Ready to move on to your next drone or gadget adventure? Get a fast and hassle-free quote from Gizmogo today and sell your drone!