Now that the new iPad 4 is out, where is the best place to sell your old iPad (or other gadget)?

Believe us, we might be less than thrilled about today’s iPad 4 announcement if we had just picked up a third generation model within the past few weeks. If you just bought one within the past 30 days, it may be possible to trade-up for a new one. If that option is not available to you, and you are the type of person who must have the latest and greatest from Apple (or whomever your favorite OEM may be) then you will want to consider selling it.  If you have not done that before, the task is not so daunting.

Fortunately, you have more options than once existed several years ago. Sites like eBay or Craigslist are still very effective, but if you like to keep all your options open, check out some of these ideas for unloading your old gadget to help fund your purchase toward a new one.

Bear in mind, there are no guarantees with any of these options, in other words, “your mileage may vary” so get fully informed before you make a decision to strike a deal. All these sites will also deal with most devices or gadgets you might be looking to sell, we used the 3rd generation iPad as an example simply because it barely made it seven months before being replaced.

Of course, even these are not your only options, so share with us your experiences with other sites that may help a fellow gadget geek out.  Happy selling.

Where and how to sell?

1. Gazelle

Gazelle does a fair amount of advertising on TV and radio, and offers arguably the most hassle-free process for unloading electronics, not just iPads, but all sorts of mobile phones and tablets. For example, if your 3rd generation iPad is in “like new” condition, Gazelle will offer $250 for a 16GB Wi-Fi model. The PRO is that it is easy to unload your used gear. The CON is that the price you are offered is often lower than what you might get if you put it up for sale at a traditional site or auction. www.gazelle.com

2. Cashforipads.com

Cashforipads.com is a direct competitor to Gazelle in that they offer a relative hassle-free way to get rid of electronics. In what we briefly searched, you may find wide differences in prices they are willing to pay. For example, Cashforipads’ offer for a 3rd generation iPad 16GB Wi-Fi was a full $75 less than what Gazelle offered, but their offer for an iPhone 4S 64GB on Verizon was $130 more. So, if this type of sale appeals to you, shop around. Cashforipads has sister domains such as cashforsmartphones.com and cashforberries.com, but all models can be accessed from any of the domains. www.cashforipads.com

3. Glyde

Glyde is a virtual retail store type environment where sellers offer their goodies up for sale at a set price and buyers hunt for bargains. The silicon valley startup provides insurance to sellers. The prices appear to be a bit higher here, but the trade off is a 12% commission on the first $100, followed by 8% on the rest. Keep that in mind when calculating how much you want to get for your device. Payments are rendered through their proprietary accounts which you can link to your own bank account. 3rd generation iPad 16GB Wi-Fi models range from $340 to $390. www.glyde.com

4. Nextworth

Nextworth is another competitor to Cashforipads.com and Gazelle. After answering a few questions about the condition of your equipment, if you still have the box, etc., the site generates an offer. Payments can be made via PayPal, or the company will mail a check to you. A pristine 3rd generation iPad 16GB Wi-Fi with all the original packaging could get you $300. www.nextworth.com

5. eBay

Good old eBay, for those that do not know, it is an online auction site where you can buy and sell just about anything (assuming it’s legal). You set up a listing, tie it in with your PayPal account, and select an auction length (typically 5 or 7 days, though other options are available). eBay has fairly granular fee structure, but it is no worse than what you might be charged somewhere else. The more features you use, the more fees get attached, but the more noticed your item may get, and the better it may sell. The obvious risk to you as the seller is that you may not get what you hope for what you are trying to sell. Hot items get noticed, and things like being willing to ship to certain places (even Canada or Mexico) will broaden your potential bidding base. 3rd generation iPad 16GB Wi-Fi tablets are catching about $350 to $500 give or take, depending on accessories and auction. It may seem a little chaotic, but over a million people make their living buying and selling stuff on eBay, so it is a proven ecosystem. If you are new buyer, you may face some suspicion by experienced buyers, so take that into consideration as well. www.ebay.com

6. Craigslist

Craigslist is the “open source” marketplace where anything and everything goes. It is a great way to list items for sale for free. Craigslist is also ideal if you are looking to sell your stuff locally and not worry about shipping items somewhere. Items bought and sold are usually done on a cash basis and that is where this site thrives, in facilitating local commerce. Depending on your locale, a 3rd generation iPad 16GB Wi-Fi model will run $300 or more. The site is world-wide so you should be able to sell what you want, where you want. www.craigslist.org