Now that the iPad 2 has been released, you may want to get rid of your old iPad in favor of the newer model. Despite there being a newer and better version on the market, the original iPad will continue to sell easily to people who want to experience the iPad without the full price tag. If you want to get rid of your old iPad, whether because you’re tired of it or you want the iPad 2, there are a few things you can do to help improve your chances of selling it online. Because online competition is tough, it is important to properaly prepare your iPad for sale. Here’s how.

1. Remove all personal content and settings.
If you sell your iPad, you don’t want your personal emails, photographs, and information floating around with the device’s new owner, and no one wants to open their new product to discover a bunch of applications they don’t want on a wallpaper they don’t like. Spare yourself and your potential customer the headache of your personalization by erasing your settings, applications, and other content from your iPad. To do so, touch Settings on your iPad, select General, then choose “Erase All Content and Settings” from the menu. This will get rid of all personal information and media, as well as reset the iPad back to its original condition when you brought it home from the store.

2. Clean it off.
Turn off the iPad and remove any custom covers you may have on it. Even if you want to sell the cover with the iPad, it’s better to take it off and let the buyer install it again himself. If you want to take pictures of the device with the cover on it to put on eBay or other online marketplaces, go for it, but don’t ship the product like that. This allows the customer to look at the iPad in its original state. After turning off the device, take a lint-free cloth to it and make sure all dirt, grime, and handprints are wiped away. The object is to make the iPad look as good as new. If you feel you need water, dampen the cloth and gently wipe the surface of the tablet. When you’re done, immediately wipe with a dry cloth.

3. Pack it up.
If you have the original packaging on hand, securely place the iPad in the box. If you threw away the box it came in, find a small, clean box to put the device in. Leave enough room to wrap the tablet in packing foam (foam peanuts or foam paper will do) to protect it during transport. Wrap the charger and any other items being shipped in packing foam as well to protect the items from scratching and damaging each other in transit. As a courtesy to the new owners, include any original manuals and pamphlets that came with the device.

If you take the care to do these things before selling your iPad, the chance of selling your device will increase. Be sure to include an attractive and easy to comprehend sale page on the marketplace of your choice. Bad spelling and grammar is a turn off for any buyer searching for your product. Some buyers get picked over others because they have a better looking offer, not just a lower price. Once the sale is made, however, be sure to follow the steps above in order to ensure a smooth business experience and positive feedback from your customer.