I’ve Accumulated More Than 500 Hard Drives in My Garage—Can Anyone Offer Advice?

What to Do with 500 Refurbished Hard Drives: Seeking Guidance

Recently, I’ve found myself in a rather perplexing situation, and I thought sharing my dilemma might lead to some valuable insights from fellow tech enthusiasts.

Years ago, my late father-in-law came into possession of an impressive collection of refurbished SCSI hard disk drives (HDDs). Unfortunately, before he could sell them, he passed away, leaving me with the task of figuring out what to do with these hard drives. I currently have over 500 of them taking up space in my garage, and I find myself uncertain about the next steps.

Upon diving into research, I discovered that these drives could be valued between $10 and $120 each, depending on the model. However, given their age, I worry about finding potential buyers interested in such vintage technology. Each drive is factory refurbished, sealed, and neatly boxed, which adds to their appeal, yet I’m still hesitant about what to do next.

Part of me considers the idea of scrapping them to cut my losses, which technically would be my late father-in-law’s losses. However, I also feel a strong desire to ensure these hard drives find a new home where they can be put to good use rather than ending up in a landfill.

If anyone has experience dealing with surplus electronics or knows how to maximize their potential resale, I would greatly appreciate your advice. Here are the specific model numbers I’m working with: