September is just around the corner, and every Apple fan knows it’s the month when new hardware drops. I’ve been reading rumors that Apple will release new HomePod minis, so I figured it’s a good time to part with a few of mine … ehem … to make space for the new ones.

We currently have six HomePods: two regular-sized ones that we paired for home theater use, and four minis scattered across other rooms. Honestly, we don’t need all four minis, so now seems like the right time to sell a couple—before prices drop when the updated version arrives.

My plan was to sell one on Mercari first, and if I got a decent price, maybe list another. If I regret selling, I can always buy one of the new models. And if the new ones turn out to be a big upgrade, I’ll slowly replace the rest over time.

I started by listing one for about ¥8,500. That’s a bit steep considering I bought it for ¥11,800 five years ago, but Mercari automatically suggested the price after analyzing my photos. It even generated a title, description, and category without me typing a thing. Gotta love AI.

At first, I only got a few likes but no serious buyers, so the next day I lowered it to ¥8,000. My strategy was to drop ¥500 each day until it sold. On the following day, I got a message asking if I’d accept ¥7,000. After thinking about it for a bit, I agreed.

Mercari takes 10% in fees, and shipping costs are deducted automatically. After everything, I ended up with around ¥6,000—not bad, since that’s still more than half the original price. I can use the balance to shop on Mercari, but I’ve already linked it to my iPhone Wallet as Mercari Electronic Money, so I’ll probably just spend it at convenience stores.

Overall, it was a smooth experience. No need to ask friends if they’re interested, no posting on Facebook’s Mottai-Nai group, and definitely no tossing something useful into the trash. Someone else gets a HomePod mini they want, and I clear some space at home.

Next up: I’m heading to Ito Yokado to grab a new box so I can pack and list another mini. And with the money from the first sale, I think I’ll treat myself to some junk food at the convenience store.