Forgotten Tech goldmine: Answering Machines, BlackBerries, and More Coudl Be Worth a Fortune
Table of Contents
Brits might potentially be sitting on a surprising financial windfall, as obsolete technology like answering machines and BlackBerry phones are experiencing a surge in demand and value, according to a new report. Gumtree,the online marketplace,has released its first ‘Pre-Owned Price Index’,revealing that nostalgia is driving up prices for a range of retro gadgets and household items.
The Rise of Retro Tech
A growing number of consumers are seeking out devices once considered outdated, with some fetching surprisingly high prices. According to a consumer expert at Gumtree,”seemingly outdated tech” can still sell for ample amounts,irrespective of whether it’s functional. “What someone plans to do with an answering machine or a Blackberry phone isn’t always obvious,” the expert stated, “But clearly, nostalgia still carries value.”
The report highlights a particularly unexpected trend: over 1,000 people responded to adverts for answering machines for landlines in the past year alone. This demonstrates a continued, albeit niche, demand for these relics of a pre-digital age.
BlackBerry: From Business Tool to Collector’s Item
Millions of younger smartphone users likely have no recollection of the BlackBerry, the once-ubiquitous handheld device that dominated the mobile landscape in the early 2000s. The device, receiving a resurgence in popularity, is now selling for an average of £70 on Gumtree. Even the iconic Nokia 3310 with its unique fold-out keyboard, also command attention from collectors. Gumtree reports that Nokia phones, despite being largely absent from the market for over a decade, are selling for an average of £30, with particularly sought-after models potentially fetching a higher price.
Answering Machines: A Surprisingly Hot Commodity
Despite the prevalence of smartphones and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, people are actively purchasing answering machines for landline phones. in the days before digital voicemail, these devices allowed users to leave voice messages “after the beep,” typically recording onto cassette tapes. While integrated voicemail systems rendered them largely obsolete by the mid-1990s, the demand persists.
These retro additions to a home are currently selling for an average of £35 on Gumtree, with over 1,000 adverts attracting responses in the last 12 months.
Gaming Consoles: A Nostalgic Investment
Classic gaming consoles from the 1990s and 2000s are also attracting significant interest on Gumtree.Sony’s PlayStation 1 and 2 and Nintendo’s Wii have generated 1,031 responses to listings in the past year, selling for an average of £45 each – ironically, roughly the cost of a current-generation PlayStation 5 game.
While the PlayStation 5, released nearly five years ago, isn’t yet considered “retro,” Gumtree advises sellers not to undervalue it, with secondhand consoles averaging £300 – close to the current new price of £429.99. Nintendo’s latest console, the Switch 2, was released earlier this year, and Sony’s PlayStation 6 is anticipated in 2027 or 2028.
iPhones and Beyond: The Broader Secondhand Market
Apple’s iPhones continue to command a premium on the secondhand market, averaging £250, with newer models selling for considerably more. In comparison, Samsung phones average £200, HTC phones £40, and LG phones just £32.50. iPhones also generate significantly more interest, receiving 1.4 replies per listing.
However, Gumtree cautions that some tech items depreciate rapidly, such as laptops, which typically sell for around £160 secondhand despite often costing over £1,000 new. The Pre-Owned Price Index also encompasses non-tech items like golf clubs, car parts, furniture, and appliances.
The findings underscore the potential for consumers to unlock hidden value in forgotten possessions, fueled by a potent combination of nostalgia and demand.
Worth a look
