There comes a time for many aspiring and professional videographers to upgrade their gear. One way to do this is to buy brand-new equipment at the sticker price, but it isn’t always the best option. In fact, when you’re ready to upgrade, selling and trading your current gear can be the smarter move. MPB, the largest global platform for selling, trading and buying used gear, has saved more than 1 million visual storytellers hundreds of dollars by allowing them to sell and trade their gear. And every dollar counts when you’re running a videography business or trying to stay within your budget.
There are many reasons to sell and trade your gear and buy used. Let’s go over those reasons.
You can save and make money
It’s no secret that opting for used gear instead of brand-new gear can save you money. But when you trade in your gear instead of buying new, you keep even more cash in your pocket. By trading your old equipment, you can offset the cost of an upgrade, making it far more affordable. Often, the money you save on a single piece of gear when trading can go a long way toward another item or buying additional gear.
Selling your gear can also make you money. On MPB alone, users earn an average of $900 each time they sell on the platform. When you sell and also buy used, you can save even more.
Access to lots of quality gear
Used gear sometimes gets a bad rap, but in reality, used gear shouldn’t be written off. Pre-owned gear is often just as reliable as new but costs significantly less. When trading in your gear on MPB, you have access to a wide variety of equipment categorized into five conditions: Like new, Excellent, Good, Well used, and Heavily used. Depending on your needs and budget, you can select gear based on condition and save off retail sticker prices. You’re likely to find great deals on high-quality items.
It’s environmentally friendly
Trading and selling your gear is one of the simplest ways to be environmentally friendly as a creator. When you recycle your old equipment, you’re helping cut down on electronic waste. Video gear is packed with materials that take years to break down in a landfill, and trading or selling lets someone else put that gear to good use instead of adding to the waste pile.
Plus, when you buy used equipment instead of new, you’re reducing the demand for manufacturing, which means fewer resources are consumed and less energy is used. Manufacturing new electronics has a hefty environmental impact, from mining raw materials to production and shipping.
Frees up space in your studio
Cameras, lenses, tripods, and accessories can take up a lot of room, and if they’re just gathering dust, they’re only adding clutter to your workspace. By selling or trading what you no longer use, you’ll create a more organized, efficient setup.
You get lots of flexibility
When you’re not locked into what you already own, you can easily adapt to new projects, styles or technology. If your needs change, you can swap out old gear for something that suits your current vision without taking a big financial hit.
This flexibility also lets you experiment more freely. Instead of sticking with one setup, you can try out different cameras, lenses or accessories to see what really works for you. It’s a great way to explore new techniques or equipment without committing to a major purchase.
Trade and sell: Viable options
Selling and trading your gear offers plenty of perks that make it a smart choice for videographers at any level. From saving money and clearing up studio space to gaining access to quality used equipment and staying environmentally conscious, trading in your old gear opens doors to new creative possibilities without breaking the bank. Platforms like MPB make it easy, connecting you with a global community of creators looking to buy, sell and trade gear. So before you jump into a brand-new purchase, consider trading — it’s a practical, flexible way to keep your setup fresh and ready for any project that comes your way.
To start selling and trading your gear, you can head to mpb.com.
