Black Friday: Trade in your old iPod at Toys R Us

Consumer electronics are some of the hottest gift items, but also among the worst investments. Like new cars, electronics depreciate the minute you take them out of the store. Their value is in the use, and once that has been outlived, they aren't worth much.

Even if you aren't an early adopter who has to have the latest and greatest technology as it comes out, odds are pretty good you've got a few older gadgets laying around. And after cell phones, iPods may be the most abundantly replaced electronic item.