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Verizon Starts 'Buying' Used Phones
Even your old iPhone...for Verizon credit only
Verizon today launched a new trade in program allowing users to trade in their used phone for Verizon gift cards. "By using the Verizon Wireless Trade-In Program, you are disposing of your device in a simple, safe and easy way!" proclaims the new website. "Look no further to trade in your used device...we accept all devices, regardless of wireless carrier or model." Of course Verizon's appraisals seem ridiculously low when compared to trade-for-cash sites like Gazelle, and most people would prefer cash anyway.
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chgo_man99
join:2010-01-01
Sunnyvale, CA

chgo_man99

Member

Or even better

you could always trade off your phone on ebay and get back more.

I sold my old blackberry to UK and got good payment (I guess pound sterling currency is very strong).

Just hopefully he won't file a bogus paypal claim but since he has over >250 positive reviews and I have a proof of mailing I should be fine

Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY

1 edit

1 recommendation

Transmaster

Member

even better Still!

An even better thing to do with old phones is this:
»www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/

Check out all of the discounts you can get when you donate a phone.
chgo_man99
join:2010-01-01
Sunnyvale, CA

chgo_man99

Member

Re: even better Still!

you can donate from 10%-100% of your sale on ebay to your favorite charity organizations.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5 to Transmaster

Premium Member

to Transmaster
said by Transmaster:

An even better thing to do with old phones is this:
»www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/

Check out all of the discounts you can get when you donate a phone.
That's what I did with my old phones. Much better use in my opinion than getting a couple bucks back from a vendor or reselling it.
chgo_man99
join:2010-01-01
Sunnyvale, CA

chgo_man99

Member

Re: even better Still!

That's what I did with my old phones. Much better use in my opinion than getting a couple bucks back from a vendor or reselling it.
But then its a business, not pure charity if your incentive is to give your phone away to soldiers through a charity organization that collects on their behalf because you hope to get discounts.

Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY

Transmaster

Member

Re: even better Still!

said by chgo_man99:
That's what I did with my old phones. Much better use in my opinion than getting a couple bucks back from a vendor or reselling it.
But then its a business, not pure charity if your incentive is to give your phone away to soldiers through a charity organization that collects on their behalf because you hope to get discounts.
You used to be able to get a coupon which discounted a new phone when you donated an old one. I see this is no longer available. Most people I know wouldn't take these discounts anyway you could instead donate these discounts for calling cards that where then used by soldiers and sailors.

coastjam
Premium Member
join:2001-03-05
Stamford, CT

coastjam to Transmaster

Premium Member

to Transmaster
The organization I belong to has been part of this program for a few years now.

Why give them back to the phone carriers only to have them refurbish and resell them back to you.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium Member
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO

tiger72

Premium Member

TMO did this last year

Great idea, imo. Most people just sell their phones on CL or keep them in a bin somewhere unused. Now the kids with cricket/boost can get something out of their phones when they upgrade to postpaid.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: TMO did this last year

thats even if those kids are interested in the post paid and the contracts. more and more people are interested in prepaid services. they control what they want to spend and flat rate unlimited services are more and more popular.
questionable1
join:2005-10-18
Phoenix, AZ

1 edit

questionable1

Member

low prices

Great Idea but they give you nothing for a phone unless it's top of the line brand new.

A Droid X gives you 142.00
A Droid 2 gives you 72.00

joako
Premium Member
join:2000-09-07
/dev/null

joako

Premium Member

Re: low prices

iPhone 3G gets you $36 from VZW. I bought an iPhone 2G for $100 on CL.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

All?

According to their drop down menu most devices are not accepted. Especially if their on the iDEN network. Instead you're given a link to the Support Center. Also VZ phones are the only ones with top trade in value.

MalibuMaxx
Premium Member
join:2007-02-06
Chesterton, IN

2 edits

1 recommendation

MalibuMaxx

Premium Member

WHY!

Why would I do this... when I have perfectly usable phones in case after my 1 year warranty... my phone breaks... I have 3 perfectly usable phones I can transfer to... just in case... Id rather save money by not having to pay that 50 buck replacement fee...

EDIT:
BTW my old VX8300 has an appraised value of 0 bucks... nothings wrong with it either...

EDIT2:
0 Bucks for my old VX8610WC - thats a nice phone too...
dynodb
Premium Member
join:2004-04-21
Minneapolis, MN

1 recommendation

dynodb

Premium Member

Re: WHY!

Yes, you'd almost certainly be better off just selling it- but some people just don't want to deal with even that minor hassle.

People throw away useable items that they could otherwise sell all the time.
banner
Premium Member
join:2003-11-07
Long Beach, CA

banner to MalibuMaxx

Premium Member

to MalibuMaxx
said by MalibuMaxx:

Why would I do this... when I have perfectly usable phones in case after my 1 year warranty... my phone breaks... I have 3 perfectly usable phones I can transfer to... just in case... Id rather save money by not having to pay that 50 buck replacement fee...
You beat me to it.

I save my old phones so I don't need to pay for insurance. I sometimes give or loan an old phone to friends who lost or broke theirs.

stevek1949
We're not in Kansas anymore
Premium Member
join:2002-11-13
Virginia Beach, VA

stevek1949

Premium Member

Re: WHY!

A buck for a year old Ozone. No thanks.

Locutus65
Why bother?
Premium Member
join:2001-05-24
Houston, TX

Locutus65

Premium Member

No thanks

Let's see, I paid $200.00 for my Droid less than a year ago and this is what they offer?
Accept Trade-In Value

Appraised Value $52.00

Manufacturer : Motorola
Model : DROID
The device could make outbound calls with a calling plan. Yes
Does the display work? Yes
Is the display cracked? No

I think not.
chgo_man99
join:2010-01-01
Sunnyvale, CA

1 edit

chgo_man99

Member

Re: No thanks

Its just as rip off and cash cow as college bookstores. They sell new books for a lot and in buy back they almost give you nothing.

PS. Some books cost even $300
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: No thanks

and VZ will resell these phones that are their's as "certified" used phones and still make more than what they paid for them.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2 to chgo_man99

Premium Member

to chgo_man99
What do you guys expect? ... retail value out of them?

When you go and trade your car in at the dealer, you think you're getting street value for it? HELL no, you're not.

Since when did cellular, internet, TV, and anything wireless become such an obsession and a topic that seems to defy and break all the rules? .. or that these issues will be or should be any different?

Simply put, you don't like it, move on.. nothing to see here, right? Those people that see it as a value will use it.. those that don't, won't..

I just can't believe the amount of "I'm offended" feelings that run around on these forums sometimes when something optional is offered to people.. no one is forcing anyone to use this service that Verizon is pushing. It almost feels that many people would think Verizon shouldn't even offer such a service as "how dare they appraise my phone so low".. well, then it's not for you. (saying in general)
chgo_man99
join:2010-01-01
Sunnyvale, CA

chgo_man99

Member

Re: No thanks

Your right. But I still feel Ebay + MissionFish beats the deal.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2

Premium Member

Re: No thanks

said by chgo_man99:

Your right. But I still feel Ebay + MissionFish beats the deal.
... and that's the wonderful thing about living in America... you've got all the right in the world to take someone's offer, or not. For many people, eBay, craigslist, or other avenues are going to be more appealing to them and will certainly exercise them.

Personally, they say my old Moto Q9C is worth nothing. It's clear verizon won't get it from me, even on a donation.. I know there are Q9C fanatics out there that have a broken one, LOVE the phone, and will place a value on my used on in perfect condition. So I'm with you.

MalibuMaxx
Premium Member
join:2007-02-06
Chesterton, IN

MalibuMaxx to fiberguy2

Premium Member

to fiberguy2
I'm not offended...

Just you would think that they would at least offer you a few bucks for a decent phone... when they give me 0 thats appalling...

Is a phone that can dial and recieve calls worthless.. I think not...

MuDvAyNe
Premium Member
join:2002-03-02
Brooklyn, NY

MuDvAyNe

Premium Member

HORRIBLE

44 Dollars for a Storm2 lol. I could make 3x that on eBay I bet.

firephoto
Truth and reality matters
Premium Member
join:2003-03-18
Brewster, WA

firephoto

Premium Member

goes nicely with data phone/plan policy

They just collect all the old non data phones then one day your choice is from data only phones with required data plans.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

1 recommendation

88615298 (banned)

Member

Says all my phones are worth $0

So in the trash with them I guess. Hey Verizon don't pretend you're all for the enviroment if you're not even going to give $5 for a phone. Go fuck yourself.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2

Premium Member

Re: Says all my phones are worth $0

said by 88615298:

So in the trash with them I guess. Hey Verizon don't pretend you're all for the enviroment if you're not even going to give $5 for a phone. Go fuck yourself.
Technically you're not supposed to be throwing them away.. you're supposed to recycle them - and in some states is the law. I'm sure there are recycling fees, so a 'zero dollar for your trade' but a free way to recycle IS a good deal, to some, and it's not "pretending" (as you say) for the environment as they're going to recycle the phones PROPERLY. (Which apparently some people here don't do.)

BUT, as it was stated above in the thread, there is always the cell phones for soldiers where you could donate the phone which would do some good.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: Says all my phones are worth $0

said by fiberguy2:

said by 88615298:

So in the trash with them I guess. Hey Verizon don't pretend you're all for the enviroment if you're not even going to give $5 for a phone. Go fuck yourself.
Technically you're not supposed to be throwing them away.. you're supposed to recycle them - and in some states is the law. I'm sure there are recycling fees, so a 'zero dollar for your trade' but a free way to recycle IS a good deal, to some, and it's not "pretending" (as you say) for the environment as they're going to recycle the phones PROPERLY. (Which apparently some people here don't do.)

BUT, as it was stated above in the thread, there is always the cell phones for soldiers where you could donate the phone which would do some good.
The point is I can take them to wal-amrt and recycle them if I'm getting NOTHING. Throw me a bone. That's all I'm aksing. Otherwise it's all BS.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2

Premium Member

Re: Says all my phones are worth $0

Not really... as there is a difference.

You're now pitting Walmart and Verizon..

Walmart is already offering free recycling. But, do they offer ANY customer a 'trade in' or offer for their phone? Nope.

Verizon is also offering recycling now too. Some phones have a value, some don't. So as far as the basic recycling goes, they're on par with Walmart but step it up with giving people something for SOME phones, right?

But, if both are offering free recycling, at the minimum, I'd personally give my phone to a charitable group that's going to turn the phone into something to benefit a group with a need or a cause, like the cell phone for soldiers program.

So I'm sorry.. it's really not all just B.S....

What "bone" is Walmart throwing you?
Bobcat79
Premium Member
join:2001-02-04

Bobcat79

Premium Member

Re: Says all my phones are worth $0

"Recycling"? Don't you mean "send to China"?

Boricua
Premium Member
join:2002-01-26
Sacramuerto

Boricua

Premium Member

Motorola Krave

I bought this phone last year and is now worth $1.00 ?!? Verizon go frak yourself , idiots.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2

Premium Member

Re: Motorola Krave

Did anyone stop to think about something else that Verizon is pretty much saying to the public at some of these appraised values?

For one, there is the market place in general.. like some cars that were made by the millions, there just isn't a market for some phones.

For two, maybe their appraised value takes into consideration what THEY themselves can get the phones for either new or refurbished from their suppliers... think about that next time ya shell out hundreds of dollars for a phone and include/factor in the "discounted" amount too.

A $149 Krave that's a year old (and you have to think about that in dog years, lol) not running the latest android o/s that is all the kraze, probably is going to be on the lower end.. but yea... $1 is a bit low.

Think of it this way.. sell it on line, get a crap load more, and laugh in Verizon's face if ya want. There's always going to be a Krave fan out there with a broken one looking for a good working replacement that can't live with out the Krave and refuses to get an android or other type of phone.
ChrisDG74
join:2010-05-27
Cincinnati, OH

ChrisDG74

Member

Ha!!

Just checked my Droid 1 on gazelle - over $140 bucks. Fcuk Verizon.

Shrapnel64
Premium Member
join:2001-01-24
VA, USA

Shrapnel64

Premium Member

CellitUsed

A local-based company (in VA) Cellitused is who I was referred to by a coworker of mine. I will say that their site guarantees 14-day payment guaranteed, but unfortunate for them, they found out the hard way that sending people checks is not a good idea; they're now using visa debit/gift cards for payments.

After waiting over a month and working with them, I received payment for my iPhone 3GS ($245 for 32GB). Yes, I know I can get more on Ebay or whatever, but I'd rather just have someone pay me fair market value and be done with it (although the above would have made me change my mind had I known they were going through a problem like that).

I can say that I would recommend them, as someone else just sold their own phones, and got their payment within a 2-week window. So...for those who care, check out cellitused.com. They also allow you to buy some phones from them, but their prices don't seem very...good.

DevlishHusky
join:2004-06-07
New Milford, NJ

DevlishHusky

Member

ROFL!

$11 for an unlocked Blackberry Bold 9000??? no thanks. I'll sell it on Ebay for $200

sidmystic
join:2005-04-06
Bothell, WA

sidmystic

Member

Any used phone?

They don't have any old "Qualcomm" types listed Yes, I still have some old QCPs.

But they do have Kyocera
Bobcat79
Premium Member
join:2001-02-04

Bobcat79

Premium Member

Re: Any used phone?

I have three Kyocera (made by Qualcomm, I think) 2235's in my closet. Wonder what I could get for 8 year-old obsolete phones.
TheGuvnor9
join:2006-06-23
Beverly Hills, CA

1 edit

TheGuvnor9

Member

It's simple moneymaking? I think not...

This is just a way for Verizon to save money on faulty returns, without sending the customer a brand new handset.

If you have a faulty droid with tec insurance purchased less than a year ago, Verizon customer service will actually send you a replacement set delivered by Fed Ex 2 day. They will tell you, sorry there are no handsets in the store (there are handsets, but for new customers).

2 days later your certified droid arrives at your house. These are return or trade in phones. Verizon is not really making any money on them, they are saving money and in reality they are saving the customer money, because tec insurance requires the user to send the phone in with a $50 deductible.

This is a smart move from Verizon. If you don't like it, go to ebay or gazelle... but don't fault Verizon for trying to save money and provide the customer with a suitable alternative.
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

on second though/hand

I would have said ebay, but they're a bunch of greedy bastards too for sellers. So, to the site which doesn't grab you for every penny you've got... craigslist, or....

Still, if you're going to use Verizon as a carrier.. the no-contract straight-talk is probably the best deal you can get. Phones top out at around $330
BB_Hunter
join:2008-05-16

BB_Hunter

Member

It's the only way.......

They can get the iPhone

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

dvd536

Premium Member

What a slap in the face!

the values listed by these people.
those phonestores on every streetcorner also buy old phones.
ackman
join:2000-10-04
Atlanta, GA

ackman

Member

too funny

I priced my iPhone 3gs 32gb, which is in perfect condition, they would give me $36. Fail.

mdttb
join:2002-02-12
Anaheim, CA

mdttb

Member

lol

I sold my wife's old phone a VX10000 a few days ago for 90 bucks on ebay the trade in site offers 29 bucks
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