Money for your mobile?

[Deluded]

I've just upgraded my old phone (Samsung U600) as I was renewing my contract. I'm never going to use it again and have seen those adverts on TV and found a number of places online saying they will pay me money if I "recycle" my old phone.

How legit are these companies? I cant remember the name of the one that advertises on TV but how can I know if the places online are legit or not? I dont want to send off the phone and never receive a cheque in the post...

Also, what one seems to offer the best prices? Ive got a quote from a few and they seem to vary between £20-£35. Funnily enough, the ond at £35 is the quote from the site that looks a little dodgy and poorly put together, hence this post.

One more thing, where does this money come from? How do they actually recycle it? Do they just refurb and sell back into the market or do they strip it into parts and build new phones with the components?

Any help appreciated!

Edited by Deluded on Thursday 19th March 15:51

[colinjm]

I've used Envirofone with no problems at all.

[chris.mapey]

I used Mazuma for my N95 recently.

Bit shabby condition, and locked to T-Mobile. Likely to realise about £110 on ebay (with the assorted possible hassles!)

Mazuma offered £105 for it.

Applied through Quidco so got an extra £1.50 as well.

Applied online, bag arrived 2 days later, phone in bag & posted at local post office. Email received 24hrs later that cheque would be dispatched.

Had cheque in hand within 5 days of sending phone off!

No problems & no ebay scammers / listing fees / paypal charges etc.

Highly recommended (& no I don't work for them!)

[off_again]

or you can try www.fonebank.com

Used them and did the same....

[john_p]

Fonebank paid out very quickly, recommended.

I assume you can get a bit more money on ebay but then you have to run the risk of it getting scammed etc.

[BoRED S2upid]

I give my old phones to charity.

[StevieBee]

Deluded said:

One more thing, where does this money come from? How do they actually recycle it? Do they just refurb and sell back into the market or do they strip it into parts and build new phones with the components?

Various means.

The good phones will be reset, refurbed and sold on. Often, the internals are fine but the casing is damaged so they replace that and get a higher cost. Some of these will find there way onto market stalls, boot fairs, etc' but most go via dealers to low income countries.

Others are stripped down and the materials separated out for onward sale - not as phones but as material commodities.

They also get a fair bit of funding as they are diverting the stuff away from landfill (if you're bored or cannot sleep, google "EU WEE Directive").

[Martin_Hx]

BoRED S2upid said:

I give my old phones to charity.

Me too, my parents

[Simpo Two]

I cut my old phone in half with a bandsaw, just for fun.

[yrrep.sirhc]

I have used Mazuma Mobile to recycle 6 old phones recently and can wholly recommend they pay fast and it is ALOT less hassle than selling on ebay.

[Rob.]

colinjm said:

I've used Envirofone with no problems at all.

Used many times by me and no problems either.

[PhantomHumper]

Never bothered before, but since reading this I signed up to fonebank and will be selling my 3 old phones for £66, better than sitting in a drawer I suppose.

[mel]

bloody hell i've just made £303 from 5 pieces of junk in the draw!

[Spacekadet]

I just sold my old N95 to Envirofone, recieved £95 for it. Will definitely use them again in future