18/04/2025
Flip Dead TVs for Cash
Here’s how you turn other people’s “broken TVs” into cash.
Step 1: Scout the Streets
Drive or bike around your area the night before council cleanup or hard rubbish collection. Looking for TVs. Suburbs with more money tend to throw away higher-end TVs. And it's generally always just a power supply replacement and they didn't realise.
Step 2: Knock and Ask the Golden Question
If the homeowner is around, hit them with:
“Hey mate, do you remember how this TV died?”
Listen closely. If they say ANY of the following, you're in business:
“It just stopped turning on.”
“It was working fine, then wouldn’t power up.”
“The light blinks but the screen stays black.”
“It popped and then nothing.”
“It clicks but no picture.”
These are classic signs of a dead power supply unit. The most common, cheapest, easiest fix.
If they say “screen smashed” or “someone threw a controller through it”... abort mission. Dead screen = dead profit.
Step 3: Bring It Home and Diagnose
Once you’ve got your tv, test it:
1. Plug it in — does anything happen?
2. Check if the standby light comes on or flashes.
3. Listen for any clicking or whining sounds from inside.
4. Google the model number + “power issue” to confirm if it’s a known PSU failure.
Step 4: Order a Replacement PSU on eBay
Search eBay with the TV model + “power supply board” Example: Samsung UA55H6400 power supply board
Look for:
Genuine or refurbished boards.
Good seller ratings.
Price between $15–$100 typically.
Make sure the board matches your model number exactly — don’t wing it.
Step 5: The Repair
While waiting for the PSU to arrive, grab a Phillips screwdriver, Container for screws and maybe a Youtube video for your exact model? But they're pretty easy to dismantle.
To swap the PSU:
1. Lay the TV screen-down on a soft blanket.
2. Unscrew the back panel.
3. Locate the power supply board. It's the one the power cable is going into. Usually a big yellow circuit board in the middle of the television.
4. Take pictures of all cables before unplugging them (don’t trust your memory).
5. Remove screws, swap the board, re-plug cables.
6. Screw everything back together, fire it up.
If it turns on:
Congratulations.
Step 6: Flip or Keep
If it’s a 4K TV: you might want to keep it, flex on your mates.
If it’s decent: list it on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or eBay with a description like:
“Fully working Samsung 55” LED TV – power board replaced, reliable and tested. Clean picture. Comes with remote.”
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Scale Up
Flip 2–3 TVs a week = easy $400-$1000.
Or Document the process and make a TikTok/Instagram page and build a following.
Offer “TV Not Working?” pickup services locally on Facebook.
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You’re not just collecting junk. You’re flipping lazy consumerism into cash with a screwdriver, some street smarts, and $50 in parts.