| So you are thinking of selling your phone to an online | | | | stated they would send it back but never really |
| buyback company and you are wondering who to use. | | | | defined who would pay for it; a clever omittance. HINT: |
| Cell phone buyback companies are a relatively new | | | | Know who is responsible for getting your old device |
| industry. But as the short years have passed there | | | | back if you don't like their modified offer. Do not |
| has become a standardization of practice. I want to | | | | assume they will (out of their personal kindness) send it |
| look at some of those standardizations and offer | | | | back to you free, especially when they had to pay to |
| some hints. | | | | get it in the first place. |
| We can say that there is a "standard" or "common | | | | A fifth industry standard regards broken versus |
| practice" that has evolved regarding buyback | | | | working, and cosmetics. Buyback companies want the |
| companies and it has become somewhat evident if | | | | device they buy to be completely functional. That is |
| you take a close look at the Terms and Conditions, or | | | | not an unreasonable request since they offer money |
| Selling Agreement. If you were to lay them side by | | | | for them. It is important to not confuse working with |
| side they would look somewhat alike. This | | | | cosmetics. Working mean just that, "Do all functions |
| metamorphosing has become the standard that I | | | | relative to this device work properly?" Cosmetics |
| mentioned earlier. All buyback companies have certain | | | | simply means, "What does it look like". In almost all |
| criteria or standards. You as someone who is | | | | instances, the device being sold must be 100% |
| considering selling your item really should read those | | | | functional or it will not be paid on and in most cases |
| Terms and Conditions. You should because when you | | | | becomes the property of the buyback company. Most |
| submit your order, you are agreeing to them. Of all the | | | | reductions are made based on cosmetics. Fully |
| companies out there, you need to narrow your choice | | | | functional is expected but looks is questionable. HINT: |
| based on a few standardizations. I want to examine | | | | Look for companies that are explicit with how they |
| some of the major standards and offer some advice | | | | judge "looks". Some companies, including ours, judges |
| to assist you in making a choice. | | | | looks on a 4 tier system of use. That is good, because |
| The first standard is that "all offers are conditional". | | | | you can see what might be paid based on how your |
| This standard has to be there. Being in the business, | | | | item looks. Again, avoid Terms that are cloudy |
| our Sell My Old Cell Phone has received cell phones in | | | | regarding cosmetic conditions. |
| pieces and the seller wants the full $40.00 and is mad | | | | A sixth industry standard is free shipping. Almost all the |
| because they didn't get it. It is never going to happen; | | | | companies I studied offer some form of free shipping. |
| no one will pay you $40.00 for a broken handset. It is | | | | Some are more advanced than others meaning you |
| important to note that just because you are offered | | | | may be reimbursed, or they will send you a box or |
| $40.00 for a phone does not mean you are going to | | | | envelope with postage on it already. Our company will |
| get it. The buyback company has a right to determine | | | | email you a free USPS shipping label that you print off |
| what they will buy and how much they are willing to | | | | your computer and attached to a padded envelope or |
| pay. So if you have a "bad" experience with one | | | | a small box and send off. HINT: The only real hint I can |
| company because they did not pay you $40.00 for a | | | | offer is to determine if you want a quicker delivery of |
| cell phone in three (or four) pieces, chances are very | | | | your device to the buyback company; if so, opt for |
| good that none of the others would have either. HINT: | | | | one that can email a shipping label right to your |
| When reading the Terms, look for item specifics | | | | computer. Also, look for details regarding |
| regarding condition. If it says something to the effect | | | | reimbursement policies should you have to pay for |
| that "if it is not in good condition, then we reserve the | | | | shipping. |
| right to adjust your payout" without ever giving any | | | | A Seventh industry standard concerns "red dots". NO |
| indication of what that might look like, then you might | | | | ONE will pay cash for a phone that has a red dot, not |
| be barking up the wrong tree. A well written set of | | | | matter how well it works. HINT: Look to see if your |
| Terms and Conditions will tell you in no uncertain terms | | | | phone has a red dot. Also, don't peel it off if it does |
| what to expect. So avoid those that are ambiguous; it | | | | because it is likely to not be paid on because the |
| leaves too much room in their favor. | | | | moisture indicator is missing. |
| The second industry standard is "You agree to these | | | | I must say that in the course of our company's |
| terms" by submitting your order. This is the case in all | | | | existence, the quality of phones and other electronic |
| the ones I have read, including our own. This is a legal | | | | devices sent in has dramatically improved, thanks to |
| agreement made between two parties, you as the | | | | the improvement of the Terms and Conditions. Sell My |
| seller and us as the buyback company. I t is not | | | | Old Cell Phone strive to be clear, easy to read, very |
| prudent to just click "I accept" without reading what | | | | specific and fair in our approach to buying used |
| you have accepted! HINT: The more details offered in | | | | products. A well written agreement should be |
| the agreement, the better understanding (and legal | | | | important to you because it allows you to understand, |
| rope) you have to defend your rights. Terms should | | | | in clear simple English, what to expect and how the |
| outline the responsibilities of both parties (seller and | | | | process works; you know exactly what to expect and |
| buyer). Terms that are scant at best or seem to be a | | | | you can hold the company to task. Poor and/or short |
| stand-up routine should be avoided. | | | | agreements tend to be unclear and ambiguous which |
| The third industry standard I noticed in reviewing the | | | | leads to interpretation, usually in the favor of the one |
| Terms and Conditions out there is the payment time | | | | who wrote them. |
| frame. The majority claim to make payment in 30 | | | | The moral here is this: Buyback companies are here to |
| days. A couple went beyond. 30 days is a good | | | | stay and a sort of industry standard has evolved (and |
| number. It takes time to test 100's or 1000's of phones | | | | will continue to evolve). Selling your device to one of |
| and devices. HINT: Make sure it is clearly written in the | | | | them is a safe thing to do, generally. One more hint, |
| Terms and Conditions first of all. One sight does not | | | | research them on the internet. READ the agreement |
| state a payout timeframe in their Terms; they place it | | | | that you agree to when you submit your order. |
| under their goals. That would make me think twice. | | | | Review all agreements and look for the ones that are |
| Any site offering payment in 2-5 days should raise a | | | | well written in clear English, that depict the entire |
| flag. | | | | process; ones that leave nothing to the imagination. |
| The fourth industry standard centers around "sending | | | | Also, take a good hard objective look at the device |
| the device back to the owner". No company will just | | | | you are sending in and rate it. Chances are, if you |
| send it back at their expense, especially when they | | | | match it with the right company, you will get what you |
| paid to get it. I read one Terms and Conditions that | | | | expect. |