Trying to Fix FAULTY Items on eBay for a Profit! S1:E99

Introduction

Welcome back to another episode of our series, "Profit or Loss." As always, I'm optimistic today will be the day for some good results. We’re starting with a relatively modest profit of £6,718, and my goal is to avoid hitting negative numbers three times in a row.

Today, I ventured into fixing a Nintendo Switch Lite I purchased for £40. The console is in decent condition with a grey exterior, but there’s an interesting twist: the listing noted it wouldn't power on. The left joycon was missing a cover, and while there was grime over the case and screen, there were no major scratches or cracks to be found.

After a closer inspection under a microscope revealed that the USB-C charging port was severely damaged—likely a victim of someone using an incorrect charging cable—I felt I had a solid lead on fixing this console. As I meticulously cleaned the board and checked for shorts, I found the faults were localized primarily to the charging port, which could mean a straightforward repair.

However, the repair process wasn’t without its hiccups. I attempted to replace the port, but in a moment of oversight, I accidentally put the wrong one back on. After correcting this error and re-soldering the right port in place, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the device powered on, showing the charging icon.

Once I ensured the first console was in working order, I turned my attention to a second Nintendo Switch Lite that I had purchased for £45. Like the previous device, it was noted in the listing to have no reaction to USB. My initial examination showed no signs of liquid damage, but as before, I aimed for a more detailed inspection.

Upon checking the charging port, I was met with some resistance; it felt wobbly. As I dismantled it, I discovered a possible short in the power management chip, leading me to replace M92 T36. With that fixed, I was excited to see the second device also power on, confirming everything was working well.

After completing the repairs and cleaning the devices, they were looking sharp again—ready for resale. I anticipate selling each console for around £85, leading to a gross profit of £66 on my repairs today.

Keyword

• Nintendo Switch Lite
• eBay
• repair
• profit
• charging port
• USB-C
• M92 T36
• inspection
• sold
• gaming consoles

FAQ

Q1: How much did you pay for the Nintendo Switch Lite?
A1: I paid £40 for the first Nintendo Switch Lite and £45 for the second.

Q2: What was wrong with the consoles?
A2: The first console did not power on and had a damaged USB-C charging port, while the second had a faulty charging port as well.

Q3: How did you determine the issues with the consoles?
A3: I performed visual inspections, checked continuity on the fuses and components using a multimeter, and examined the charging ports through soldering.

Q4: What were the final profits from this episode?
A4: I made a gross profit of £66 from fixing both consoles, bringing my total profit for the series to £673.88.

Q5: What are your future plans?
A5: I hope to increase my profits and ultimately reach a target of £1,000 in profit across the series.