Electronics is Montreal Daily’s spot for buying and selling computers, phones, gaming gear, and TV and audio equipment directly with neighbours, no marketplace commission and no shipping wait since most deals happen locally.
What You’ll Find in Electronics
The group covers Computers & Laptops, Phones & Tablets, Gaming, and TV & Audio. That spans everything from a used laptop for a student to a full gaming console setup to a soundbar someone’s upgrading away from. Every listing includes a borough, so you can find something close enough to test in person before you commit.
Tips for Buyers
- Always test power-on and basic functionality at pickup before paying, especially for laptops and phones.
- For phones, ask for the IMEI so you can check it isn’t reported lost or stolen before buying.
- Ask whether original chargers, cables, and boxes are included, since it affects both usability and resale value later.
- For gaming consoles, ask how many hours of use and whether it’s still under manufacturer warranty.
Tips for Sellers
Clear photos of the actual item, not stock photos, along with an honest note on battery health, screen condition, or wear build more trust than a bare listing. Stating the original purchase date or receipt availability helps for higher-value electronics too.
Understanding Used Electronics Pricing
Used electronics generally hold value based on age, condition, and whether accessories are included. A laptop or phone a generation or two behind current models will price well below new, while gaming consoles and audio gear tend to hold value longer if well maintained. Checking a couple of comparable listings in the same subcategory before pricing your own item, or before making an offer as a buyer, gives a more realistic sense of fair value than guessing.
Warranty and Return Considerations
Private electronics sales are typically final, with no return window the way a retailer would offer. Some items may still carry the remainder of a manufacturer’s warranty, which is worth asking about and confirming is transferable, since not all warranties follow the item to a new owner. Where no warranty applies, the in-person test at pickup becomes your main protection, which is why insisting on it before paying matters more here than almost anywhere else on Marketplace.
Spotting a Good Deal Versus a Problem Listing
A price that’s noticeably lower than every comparable listing is worth a second look rather than an instant yes. It could mean the seller simply wants a quick sale, but it can also signal a hidden fault, a locked or carrier-tied device, or missing accessories that aren’t mentioned upfront. Asking a couple of direct questions before arranging pickup, like why they’re selling and whether the item has ever been repaired, usually sorts a genuine bargain from a listing worth skipping.
Upgrading Without Overspending
Electronics depreciate quickly, which works in a secondhand buyer’s favour: a laptop or phone one or two generations behind current models often performs nearly as well for most everyday use while costing a fraction of a new equivalent. For gaming and audio gear specifically, older but well-maintained equipment can outperform a cheaper new model in the same price range, since manufacturers often cut corners on build quality at the entry-level end. Buying secondhand within this category is less about settling for less and more about getting more capability for the same budget.
Data Privacy When Buying or Selling
Any device that stores personal information, phones, laptops, tablets, deserves a careful wipe before it changes hands. Sellers should back up anything they want to keep, then perform a full factory reset rather than just deleting files, since deleted data can often be recovered without a proper reset. Buyers should confirm the device has been wiped and, for phones especially, that any account locks like Find My iPhone or a Google account lock have been removed, since a locked device can be effectively useless even after a fair purchase.
TV, Audio, and Home Setup Gear
TV & Audio listings range from a single soundbar to a full home theatre setup, and condition matters more here than the age of the model alone. Ask about screen burn-in or dead pixels for TVs, and for speakers or receivers, whether all channels have been tested recently. Larger items in this subcategory also raise the same transport question as furniture, so confirm how you’re getting a big screen or subwoofer home before agreeing on a price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re upgrading your setup or clearing out old gear, Electronics connects you directly with someone else in Montréal looking for exactly what you have.