The Best Time to Buy or Sell Used Smartphones, According to OLX Data

The forthcoming release of the Samsung Galaxy S10 means it’s decision-making time: Loyal fans are thinking about selling their previous generation unit and upgrading to the latest one. Meanwhile, those who simply need to replace their phones that conked out are mulling over buying the older model.

Whether you intend to sell or buy a used smartphone, it’s worth knowing the price trends of the previous generation phones when their latest iterations are about to be launched. It can give you an idea of the best time to buy or sell a secondhand mobile phone.

To give you a clear view of the best time to buy or sell, online classifieds giant OLX studied its data on the most sold phone brand in the world, Samsung. OLX examined the prices of used Galaxy S8 units when the S9 was revealed. The biggest online buy and sell platform also looked at the classifieds community’s interest (measured in views and inquiries) in secondhand S8 phone ads when its successor was about to be launched.

“Intuitively, prices for older generation phones swiftly lose value after the release of a newer model. Our data support the claim. Through our in-depth analysis, we get precise insights on timing. As you know, timing is everything,” said OLX's Head of Goods & Services Rambo Joinani.

The best time to sell
To get the best value out of your pre-loved phone, put it up for sale on OLX 30 days before the release of the latest model. Can’t let go of it that soon? Sell it on the date of the newest model’s release to spare yourself from a P700 price decrease when you vend it a week later.

Inquiries on and views of used smartphones on OLX usually peak 20 days before the release of a new model. The interest starts to slow down 7 days before the latest generation phone’s launch.

The best time to purchase
In general, the best time to buy a previous generation phone is 7 days after the launch date of the newest model. You can save as much as P2,000 by just delaying your purchase.

If you’re upgrading to the 10th generation Samsung Galaxy S phone, consider selling your old phone on OLX, where you can reach thousands of potential buyers. In the market for a pre-loved phone? Search for a secondhand unit on OLX, where you can select from a wide selection of mobile phone listings. Visit https://www.olx.ph/.

2018’s Most Popular Property Type and Location

Interested in finding out the most popular property types and locations for the past year? Property24, the country’s fastest growing real estate property portal, and OLX, the world’s leading classifieds platform, have gathered data from January to November 2018 to identify which specific property type and location Filipinos are looking for.

“The vast number of property listings on OLX and Property24 enables us to study what our users are searching for,” said Tina Bautista, Head of Real Estate for OLX Philippines and Property24. “Through this data, we get to understand our users better and see their real estate property preference in terms of location, property type, and budget.”

In Metro Manila, where condominiums are the most popular property type, Quezon City is the top choice with 27 percent of users searching the location for possibilities. Pasig City is second with 14 percent, followed by Makati City with 12, Mandaluyong City with 9 percent and Parañaque City with 8 percent. The most searched price range for condominiums in Metro Manila is P1 million to P5 million, which is equivalent to studio to two-bedroom units.

In provincial areas, house and lot is the preferred property type with Cebu City leading at 9 percent as the most searched city. Angeles City comes close with 8 percent, Tagaytay and Antipolo are tied at 7 percent. Santa Rosa makes it to the top five most searched provincial cities with 5 percent. In terms of price range, most users are searching for a house and lot worth P1 million to P3 million.

In the province of Cebu, the most popular property type is house and lot, having 55 percent of searches in the area. Cebuanos recorded P5 million to P10 million as the most popular budget for this property type. The condominium is the next most searched residential property type with 37 percent of the search volume, and townhouse got 8 percent. In terms of location, some 62 percent has made Cebu as the most searched city. Also in the top five cities are Lapu-Lapu City with 12 percent, Mandaue City with 7 percent, Talisay City with 5 percent and Minglanilla with 3 percent.

For Davao region, house and lot remains the preferred property type, with 88 percent choosing Davao as the top city where they look for property. Samal Island Garden City is the choice of 8 percent, Digos of 2 percent, Tagum of 1 percent and Panabo with 0.4 percent. In terms of price range, most users are searching for a house and lot worth P1 million to P3 million.

Property24 and OLX Philippines are part of the OLX Group, the world’s leading classifieds platform in growth markets. The platforms’ partnership, dubbed as “The Power of Two,” and brings together the country’s top real estate portal and the biggest buy and sell community. Posting on Property24 entitles the real estate seller to cross-sell with the massive audience of OLX.

10 Things to Know When Buying a Secondhand Laptop

Buying a used laptop is a smart and practical move, especially when you want to save a little cash but still get a good deal. With so many used laptops being sold online, however, knowing which one to choose can be quite daunting.

“There is a huge market for secondhand gadgets, especially for laptops. Based on OLX’s Data Hub, the most searched gadget by our users is the laptop. About 40% of searches for computers are laptops,” says OLX Goods & Services head Rambo Joinani. “As long as one knows what to look for, buying a pre-owned laptop is a smart and economical option. We’d love to share some pointers to help our users find the best laptop that fits their needs.”

So before you close that deal on that pre-loved laptop you’re eyeing, read these 10 useful tips from OLX, the country’s leading classifieds platform:

1. Know your needs
Trim down your choices by identifying your specifications. Are you looking for a laptop that’s good for basic use like sending emails, web surfing, basic office functions, and picture sharing? Or will you be using it for intermediate applications like basic creative software and advanced office duties? Another possible use is for advanced functions like gaming, web hosting, or music/photo/video editing. Knowing what you will be using it for will help lead you to the best used laptop suited for your needs.

2. Do your research
Before making your purchase, make sure to read user reviews on different laptop brands and models. See what people are saying about brand performance over time. It also pays to do a background check on the sellers to make sure that they have a good history in the community.

3. Get to know the original price list for new laptops
Before purchasing a used laptop, make sure to compare the secondhand price with the brand-new price. You can start off your price survey on OLX, which has an extensive amount of listings of both brand-new and pre-owned laptops. Knowing and comparing the prices will help you make an informed decision whether you’re better off buying a used laptop or a brand-new one.

4. Check the specifications 
Once you have made a shortlist of possible laptop units you want to buy, check the inclusions that the seller will be providing aside from just the unit. Make sure all the pertinent details of the laptop are made available to you. This includes the original software CD, recovery CD, drivers, backup media, and licenses of the software. Very important: Be sure to check if the preloading operating system is genuine.

5. Examine the ‘inside’ of the laptop
Ask the seller if it is possible to check the motherboard to test how responsive and fast the laptop is. Observe if it heats up fast or makes loud noises when you start it up.

6. Look at the physical condition
Many buyers wish to purchase used laptops that look brand-new and spotless. If the external appearance matter to you, you might want to check if there are any dents or cracks because these might lead to bigger problems for the used laptop in the long run.

7. Examine the laptop screen
Check the condition of the screen. It’s not worth the purchase if the screen flickers or has uneven brightness because it could mean there are loose connections that cannot be repaired.

8. Perform a thorough battery check
The great thing about laptops is that they can be used even when unplugged. Thus, its battery life is important. Most laptop batteries have a lifespan of three years, so if it’s a used laptop, it’s possible that its battery will have a limited standby time. Be sure to check this before making your purchase.

9. Inspect the ports and peripherals 
Try out all the ports, headphone plugs, HDMI, SD card slots, CD/DVD drive, and other inputs, which are essential for an easy file transfer or other recreational purposes. These are attached to the motherboard and may get costly to replace.

10. Verify wireless connectivity
The value of a used laptop decreases if it can’t connect to WIFI. Before buying, make sure that it can connect to WIFI networks without hassle.

Search for the best secondhand laptop for your needs only at https://www.olx.ph/.

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About OLX

OLX Philippines is part of the OLX Group, the world’s leading classifieds platform in growth markets. It is available in more than 45 countries and over 50 languages. OLX connects local people to buy or sell brand-new and pre-owned items and services by making it fast and easy for anyone to post a listing through their mobile phone or on the web. Every month, hundreds of millions of people in local markets around the world are already using OLX’s online marketplace to find and sell a wide range of products, including furniture, musical instruments, sporting goods, cars, kid and baby items, motorcycles, cameras, mobile phones, property, and much more.

5 Things to do with Unwanted Holiday Gifts

It’s happened to everyone at least once: You eagerly open a Christmas present only to be silently disappointed because the item is something you cannot use, is too small or too big for you, or you simply do not like what was given to you as a gift. Proper etiquette dictates you say thanks and keep the gift but with the limited living space we all have, we often have no choice but to find ways on how to put unwanted gifts to good use.

"Christmas is the most festive holiday celebration in the Philippines. Even before December 25th, Filipinos had already given gifts to their friends and gone to numerous parties, where prizes are raffled off," said Rambo Joinani, head of Goods & Services at OLX, the leading online classifieds platform in the Philippines. "Some of these presents and raffle items don't end up being useful to their recipients, though. On OLX alone, the number of consumer-to-consumer listings in certain categories grew by as much as 24% from October 2018 to the first few weeks of December 2018. Brand-new TVs, tablets and smartphones are listed on our platform, their item descriptions indicating that they were either a gift or a raffle prize from a party."

There are a lot of ways to make the best out of unwanted gifts. Rather than letting them gather dust in a closet, consider these different ways to turn them into something useful. Here is a list of five things to do with your unwanted holiday gifts:

Sell online. If you find yourself with a present that just isn’t the right fit, you don’t have to be stuck with it forever. Consider making money out of it by posting it on OLX, the country’s leading classifieds platform, which enables you to have a fast and easy selling experience.

Donate. Donating a gift is a great way to find the present a new home–giving gifts or even party raffle prizes and tokens to non-profit organizations or charity is a great way to give back to those in need.

Regift. This is one of the best ways to spread joy. You can pass your gift on to someone who will appreciate it so the item won’t go to waste. Someone you know might want it. Be careful, though: Avoid an awkward situation by giving the present to someone who is not acquainted with the original sender.

Swap. You can host a gift-swapping party. Invite your friends and tell them to bring their unwanted gifts for browsing, and let them pick the ones they want. That way, each one of you has a chance to trade in a gift for something you’d actually enjoy. You can consider this as annual friendship ritual. In case your squad isn’t into such parties, you can consider putting up the item for swap on OLX.

Do-It-Yourself. This is the best option for artsy and crafty people. Transforming unwanted gifts is a great way to keep things out of the dump while it gives your home a little décor boost. These little projects allow you to completely repurpose items into something useful like a gift mug transformed into a pen holder or flower pot, a handkerchief as bag design or accessory, or a picture frame turned light switch design cover.

About OLX

OLX Philippines is part of the OLX Group, the world’s leading classifieds platform in growth markets. It is available in more than 45 countries and over 50 languages. OLX connects local people to buy or sell brand-new and pre-owned items and services by making it fast and easy for anyone to post a listing

OLX Reveals Most Searched Vehicles and Motorcycles

Wondering which vehicles were trending in 2018? According to leading classifieds portal OLX, the Honda Civic and the Yamaha Mio are the most searched car and motorcycle models, respectively, from January to November 2018.

Known for its performance, durability and versatility, the Honda Civic has been a consistent most-searched vehicle on OLX and has remained as a popular choice in the pre-owned market. It can function as a daily driver and even as a race car. The Japanese car is also popular among enthusiasts who love to pimp their ride.

The Toyota Fortuner comes close as the second most searched and is followed by the Toyota Innova. The other popular models are the Mitsubishi Pajero, the Mitsubishi Montero Sport, the Toyota Hilux, the Toyota Vios, and the Mitsubishi Lancer. Completing the top 10 most searched list are vans: the Toyota Hiace, and the Hyundai Starex.

Two-wheeled rides are also becoming more popular because of their affordability. And when it comes to the most searched motorbike model, the Yamaha Mio scooter tops the list. Coming in second is the Suzuki Raider, which is known for its powerful engine.

In terms of motorcycle brands, internet users have been curious about aspirational brands Ducati, Vespa, and Harley-Davidson. Kawasaki and Rusi, though not as upscale as the previous brands, are also frontrunners. When it comes to motorcycle body types, many users searched for “scooter” followed by “big bike,” “400cc,” and “café racer.”

The data presented are based on the searches from January 1, 2018 to November 21, 2018 on OLX, the classifieds platform that has the most number of car and motorcycle listings in the Philippines.

“It’s interesting to see which car models the market is looking up online. The most-searched list, which has some regulars and new nameplates, reveals consumers’ preference in 2018. Because of the upswing in motorcycle demand, the first-ever roundup of the most popular motorbike brands and models in terms of search this year is also available,” says Manuel Roman, OLX Philippines’ Head of Cars. “We value our customers’ needs, so we make sure we are leading in both volume and quality of listings. Our platform should be able to help people find the ride they are looking for, whether it’s a car or a motorcycle.”

OLX Philippines is part of the OLX Group, the world’s leading classifieds platform in growth markets. Having 17 brands worldwide, OLX Group is available in more than 40 countries, where its market-leading trading platforms are being used by more than 330 million people monthly.

About OLX

OLX Philippines is part of the OLX Group, the world’s leading classifieds platform in growth markets. It is available in more than 45 countries and over 50 languages. OLX connects local people to buy or sell brand-new and pre-owned items and services by making it fast and easy for anyone to post a listing through their mobile phone or on the web. Every month, hundreds of millions of people in local markets around the world are already using OLX’s online marketplace to find and sell a wide range of products, including furniture, musical instruments, sporting goods, cars, kid and baby items, motorcycles, cameras, mobile phones, property, and much more.

OLX’s Holiday Party Essentials

Hosting a party for the upcoming holidays? Let it be a party to remember by adding all the essential party elements available on OLX, the world’s leading classifieds platform, and become a party insider by having free access to the hottest party favors listings:

Balloons decoration

What’s a party without balloons, right? Make your party even more festive and picture-ready by decorating the venue with colorful balloons. The air-filled kind can be used to create different designs and figures, while the helium-filled balloons, which are floating or giant confetti-filled ones, are sure to add wow factor to any party. You can even use them for your party’s games.

Stage design

A great stage design is essential for a memorable experience and is a key element to inspire guests. There are so many different ways to refresh your stage design by using LED as a backdrop, tarpaulin, and customized figures, among others. Make every performance special by adding a stage design like this on OLX so all your guests can see every song or dance number prepared especially for the occasion.

Tables and chairs

Set the scene of your next party with a contemporary table setting that welcomes guests with gorgeous table decorations including centerpieces, favors and table accessories. You can choose from a lot of party rental items online depending on your budget. Check out a great selection of party table and chair rentals on OLX.

Lights and sounds

It’s never really a party without the lights and sounds, whose suppliers can be found on OLX. They provide uplighting, crazy effect lighting, and sounds to liven up your party.

Food

Catering is becoming a more popular choice for events where everything, including the food, drinks and service, is important. Provide good, hearty dishes for your guests by choosing from a list of catering services available on OLX.

Entertainment

Hire a comedian who can poke some fun at your friends or book a professional live solo or band performers to take your party to the next level. Find performers ready to provide entertainment to your guests on OLX.

Party giveaways

End your big day on a high note with a unique party favor your guests are sure to love. Favors such as customized mugs, pillows, bags, and shirts can be your options. Find more party favors, unique party gifts, and custom supplies to make any celebration more fun and exciting on OLX.

Check out all your party needs on OLX (https://www.olx.ph/).


About OLX

OLX Philippines is part of the OLX Group, the world’s leading classifieds platform in growth markets. It is available in more than 45 countries and over 50 languages. OLX connects local people to buy or sell brand-new and pre-owned items and services by making it fast and easy for anyone to post a listing through their mobile phone or on the web. Every month, hundreds of millions of people in local markets around the world are already using OLX’s online marketplace to find and sell a wide range of products, including furniture, musical instruments, sporting goods, cars, kid and baby items, motorcycles, cameras, mobile phones, property, and much more.

OLX Philippines Reveals Vehicle Types with the Best Resale Value

Is a vehicle’s resale value one of your considerations before purchasing a car? If it is, your best bet is a pickup truck, according to data released by the world’s leading classifieds platform, OLX. Vehicles in this particular classification, on average, take about 9 years to lose 50 percent of their suggested retail price (SRP).

Based on a sampling from OLX’s secondhand car listings in the country from August 2017 to August 2018, the extensive data comprises the top 11 automotive brands based on 2017 sales volume. On average, it takes 5.10 years for a vehicle’s SRP to get slashed to half, according to this sampling. Pickup trucks, multipurpose vehicles (MPVs), and vans, however, performed above average and take more time before they lose 50 percent of their value.

“A number of factors affect the pickup truck’s robust resale value,” says Manuel Roman, OLX Philippines’ Head of Cars. “The versatility and reliability of pickups make them desirable vehicles. In the brand-new vehicle market, light commercial vehicles--one of which is the pickup truck--are popular choices among consumers. In the secondhand market, the demand for pickups remains high. Without an oversupply in the market, they keep their value well.”

Meanwhile, car buyers looking for seven-seaters should consider including MPVs on their shortlist if they want a vehicle that doesn’t depreciate fast. Compared to sport utility vehicles (SUVs), MPVs keep their value longer: It takes 7.06 years on average before they lose half of their SRPs. SUVs, on the other hand, slash their value by 50 percent after 5.04 years. The infographic below shows the average number of years it takes before a particular vehicle classification loses 50 percent of its SRP.

The OLX data shows that on average, three-year-old vehicles retain 62 percent of their SRPs. When automobiles reach their fifth year, they keep 52 percent of their value. On the 10th year, the vehicle’s value becomes 33 percent of its SRP.

OLX Philippines’ analysis of the data found that Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Nissan, and Toyota vehicles do not depreciate as fast as other brands. It takes Mitsubishi and Isuzu vehicles an average of 6.03 years before their price reach 50 percent of their SRP. Nissan-badged vehicles take 6.02 years before they lose half t of their value, while Toyota cars take 5.89 years.

It is important to note that just because a particular brand cuts its SRP by 50 percent earlier than average doesn’t mean it’s a substandard one. One of the factors that can affect a car’s depreciation is demand. The desire for vehicles bearing the badge may not just be as high as the other brands. In addition, o wners of these vehicles may be keeping their cars longer and sell only when the cars are older. Hence, the listings under these brands have relatively lower value compared to other marques.

OLX Philippines connects millions of Filipinos to buy and sell brand-new and used items, including automobiles and motorcycles, via their mobile phones or the web. Every month, around 45,000 vehicle listings are posted on the OLX platform. More than 1.4 million users log in to OLX monthly to check out the cars available or to post one for sale.

Prices of Second-Hand Commercial Vehicles Soar Amid TRAIN

Prices of second-hand commercial vehicles have risen by as much as Php150,000, a result of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN).  

This was revealed by top buy-and-sell website OLX based on second-hand commercial vehicles ad postings on the portal, from January 2017 to April 2018. Speculations on the TRAIN Law fuelled the price increase on the 3rd quarter of 2017 and continue long after it was implemented early this year.  

The TRAIN Law has influenced the resale value of one to two-year old cars with an average increase of P90,000. Among these are units with original retail price of P1million and above such as Toyota Innova, Honda CR-V, Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Montero and Ford Everest. 

The first tax reform package of the present administration, the TRAIN Law provides for the increase in take-home pay of Filipino workers by reducing income tax rates while increasing and rationalizing tax rates in other goods and services. For automobiles, TRAIN simplifies excise tax but lower-priced cars continue to be taxed at a lower rate while more expensive cars are taxed at a higher rate.

“The data we released is our way of guiding buyers in determining which second-hand vehicles have significantly increased in price,” says OLX Head of Cars Xervin Maulanin. “This will also help them evaluate the difference in buying pre-owned versus brand new cars.” 

Meanwhile, no significant effect can be seen on prices of entry level passenger cars like Toyota Vios, Honda City and Hyundai Accent.

Additionally, Maulanin also notes, “Despite talks about the TRAIN Law in the third quarter of 2017, the demand for second-hand cars continued to increase.” 

Even with the price hike, OLX’s data indicates a steady market for pre-owned vehicles, from high-value to entry level, as the ad posting for second-hand vehicles continues to be on the upswing.