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Every phone shop has them: the models that looked like a good buy but have been sitting in the display case for months. Each one is your money, frozen. And phones lose value as newer models arrive, so waiting usually makes it worse.

How to spot slow stock early

• Record every sale and delivery, so you know how long each model has been in stock
• Set a rule, for example: any phone unsold after 6 to 8 weeks gets attention
• Watch for new model launches that will replace what you’re holding

7 ways to clear phones that won’t sell

1. Move it to the front. Sometimes a phone isn’t selling because nobody sees it. Put it at eye level and mention it to every customer.
2. Bundle it. Add a free case and screen guard, or a discounted power bank. The accessories cost you little and make the deal feel bigger.
3. Post it on WhatsApp Status daily for a week, with a clear price and the reason it’s a good buy. See how to sell phones on WhatsApp.
4. Cut the price, once and clearly. A small cut on a phone that’s been sitting is better than a big cut later when a newer model lands.
5. Offer it to a specific group: students before school reopens, traders who want a second phone, parents buying for children.
6. Ask your distributor about an exchange. Some will swap slow stock for faster models, especially if you’re a regular customer.
7. Sell to another shop at cost. Getting your money back to buy stock that sells is better than holding a loss for months.

How to stop it happening again

• Reorder only what sold. Not what you hope will sell.
• Buy small and often instead of big orders that last for months.
• Test new models with one or two units before ordering more.
• Be careful with expensive phones. They tie up the most money and sell the slowest in most small shops.

Starting out? Read how to place your first phone stock order to avoid dead stock from day one.

Stock smarter from the start

How to Start a Phone & Accessories Business in Ghana shows you what to stock first, how to price, and how to keep stock records that warn you early.

Launch price: GHC 69 (regular GHC 150). Instant PDF download.

Want a stock tracker that flags what to reorder? Clients of the Phone Shop Launchpad 1-on-1 mentorship get one, and we review your stock together on your calls.