Navigating the Challenge of Reselling Vintage Hard Drives

It’s not every day that someone finds themselves in possession of over 500 vintage hard drives, but that’s precisely the situation I’m grappling with. These drives were acquired by my late father-in-law, who intended to resell them but passed away before he could do so. Now, I’m left with a hefty collection of refurbished SCSI hard drives that I’m uncertain how to handle.

Upon inspecting these drives and conducting some research based on their model numbers, I discovered that their resale value ranges quite significantly—from around $10 to $120 each. However, considering their age, I’m skeptical about finding interested buyers who are willing to invest in these older models.

It’s worth noting that these hard drives are factory refurbished, sealed, and packed in boxes, ready for shipping. Clearly, there’s potential value in these drives, yet I find myself at a crossroads. Part of me considers cutting my losses—essentially, my late father-in-law’s losses—and scrapping the drives. However, I hesitate to dismiss the possibility of selling them to someone who could truly benefit from them.

If you’ve navigated a similar situation or have insights into selling old technology, I’d appreciate your advice. Below, I’ve listed the model numbers of the hard drives for reference:

• Seagate Barracuda ST15150N
• Seagate Barracuda ST118273LC
• Seagate Cheetah ST118202LC
• IBM DRHS IEC-950 ECE32148

Your thoughts on the best way to proceed would be invaluable. Should I attempt to sell them online, approach local computer shops, or consider alternative options? I look forward to your suggestions!