Guides
Guides for buying and selling used tech
Checklists and plain advice for Nairobi buyers and sellers: what to check, how to price, and how to stay safe.
Buying used tech
How to check an item and bid with confidence.
Buying used tech in Nairobi: the guide
Second-hand tech can save you a lot, but only if you know what to check. These guides cover the items young techies in Nairobi buy most, and how the auction protects you while you do.
ReadHow to check a used laptop before you bid
Laptops fail in predictable places. Use this list to judge the photos and description before you bid, and to test the machine when it arrives.
ReadHow to check a used monitor
A monitor is simple, which makes problems easy to find if you know what to look for. Most faults show up in the first five minutes.
ReadUsed graphics cards and PC parts: what to test
PC parts rarely show wear in photos. Ask the right questions, and run a stress test before you confirm receipt.
ReadUsed consoles and controllers: what to check
Consoles are sturdy, but wear shows up in controllers, disc drives and cooling. Check these before you confirm receipt.
ReadUsed cameras, lenses and audio gear: what to check
Creator gear holds its value, but small faults hurt: a hazy lens, a worn shutter, a crackling cable. Know what to ask and test.
ReadHow to win auctions without overpaying
The aim is to win at a price you are happy with, not to win at any price. These habits help.
ReadSelling your unused gear
Price it, photograph it, describe it and sell it.
Selling guide: start here
Who can sell, what you can list, limits, and what happens after approval.
ReadHow to set a starting bid that attracts bidders
There is no reserve price on Bids Kenya: the item sells to the highest bidder, whatever the final price. That makes the starting bid the most important number on your listing.
ReadHow to photograph used items so they sell
You do not need a studio. Clear, honest photos from an ordinary phone are the most effective thing you can do for your listing.
ReadWriting an honest condition description (with template)
A good description answers the questions a buyer cannot ask before bidding. It also protects you if something is later disputed.
ReadWipe a device before you sell it
Your old device holds your accounts, photos and passwords. Wipe it properly before anyone else gets it.
ReadAuction did not sell? How to renew and improve it
An auction that ends without a sale is common, and fixable. Renew it, but change something first.
ReadIs your old gear worth selling?
Not everything is worth listing. This quick test helps you decide.
ReadSafe trading and delivery
Handover, delivery, scams and what to do when something goes wrong.
Safe buying and selling of used items in Kenya
Most used-item trades go fine. The problems usually come from paying outside the platform, rushing, or skipping a check. These guides cover the steps that matter.
ReadHanding over an item safely in Nairobi
If you and the other person agree to meet, keep it simple, public and short.
ReadSending a used item within Kenya: packing and delivery
If the buyer is not collecting, the way you pack and record the delivery protects you both.
ReadUsed-item scams in Kenya and M-Pesa payment safety
Scams follow patterns. If you know the patterns, you can stop most of them.
ReadWhat to do if the item is not as described
If your item is wrong, do not confirm receipt. Confirming releases the seller’s payment.
ReadLooking for news and updates? Visit the Bids Kenya blog.
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