Want that new gadget? Here are some ways to sell your old gear

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If last weekend's massive launch of Apple's iPhone 6 - over 10 million units sold - has you craving a trade-in, here are some of the best ways to sell your old phone and move up, as well as moves to definitely avoid.

Matt Anthes-Washburn, a software developer in Beaverton, Oregon, keeps an eye out for new technology and sells off older models to help cover the replacement costs.

'I tend to have turnover of my devices, and so a good way to keep on the train is whenever I replace a device I sell it, instead of having it in a drawer somewhere,' Anthes-Washburn said in a telephone interview.

At one point, he'd used eBay, the global online auction marketplace: 'You get a good price, but it's a hassle,' he explained. 'First you have to create a listing, which is a lot of work, and then you really have to provide (tech) support to the buyer, (such as) 'How do I connect this to a carrier?' '

Anthes-Washburn is not alone looking for the most efficient way to unload electronic devices every time the next big thing hits the market. The demand has created a market for third-party brokers who have been doing brisk business helping consumers churn through cell phones, tablets, video game consoles and other devices.

Last week's release of Apple Inc.'s new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus - resulting in 10 million units sold the first weekend - was the latest opportunity for this growing market of used electronics. Next month, Apple is rumored to have new iPad tablets ready for launch, potentially sparking another trade-up frenzy.

To be sure, business at eBay has been healthy as consumers auction off their new and recent iPhone models, said spokeswoman Kari Ramirez.

The site sold nearly 652 iPhones an hour during the launch weekend, she said.

'We expect to see more people continue to sell as they upgrade to the iPhone 6,' she added, 'and eBay remains the best option to sell your previous generation device or 'flip' your recently acquired 6 or 6 Plus.'

Third-party options

Still, users such as Anthes-Washburn prefer other options. And the third-party firms distinguish themselves in finding creative ways to simplify the process of valuing, buying and brokering the sale of used devices in exchange for a cut of the proceeds.

For Anthes-Washburn, he perfers Glyde, an online broker based in Menlo Park, California, through which he has sold six phones and tablets in the past two years.

He said Glyde hits a 'sweet spot' between selling on eBay and dealing the lowball offers from some we-buy-your-tech companies. 'Glyde is less hassle and you get a fair price for your device. I've posted devices for sale from the couch with three or for taps of my thumb,' he said.

Matthew Reardon, a Glyde marketing manager, said the company differs from some competitors because it is a 'peer-to-peer marketplace.' Glyde, which started in 2009 selling used videogames, books and DVDs, entered the consumer electronics arena in 2011. Reardon said last weekend was the firm's third iPhone launch sales event.

'We processed triple the amount of 'Sell iPhone' offers this September versus last September,' he said. 'There's been a huge interest in the iPhone 6, and a lot of upgrade interest from Android (phone users).'

Reardon explained that, based on information submitted by a seller, Glyde's software algorithms will suggest a price for a given device, advertise it and send the seller the packaging to ship the device, prepaid, to the buyer. The buyer has 48 hours to accept the purchase or return the device. If the sale goes through, Glyde processes a pre-authorized sale on the buyer's credit card and releases payment to the seller.

Anthes-Washburn said he was offered $300 for an iPhone 5s - last year's model - by a Verizon store, but sold it for $380 on Glyde. The broker's cut was $34.40 - a 12 percent commission on the first $100 of a sale price and 8 percent of the balance.