Selling your cell phone is synonymous to saving the environment, making a few bucks, and just getting rid of old electronics that are, well useless to you. But before you go online and sell that cell, you should read and employ a few simple, but necessary tips. These tips will help make for a smoother experience.
First, make sure you erase all data from you phones and PDAs, including pictures. Cleaning up the outside is as important as cleaning the "inside". You wouldn't trade in you car without first cleaning it, so you should take a second and wipe down the phone and charger, especially if you are a smoker. Smokers get a bad wrap and when it comes to processing cell phones that smell of cigarette smoke, they are more likely to be subjected to heavier scrutiny.
Alltel Wireless Cell Phones
Second, if you have a CDMA cell phone (Verizon, Sprint, Alltel, etc. The phones that do not require that little rectangle "smart card" also known as the SIM card.), make sure it is released. Released means your service provider has made it available to be re-activated by someone else. Just getting a new phone to replace your old one does not always release it. The best thing to do is to call them and request they release the ESN (electronic serial number). If you do not have an unpaid balance or it was not lost or stolen, they will release it at your request. This will ensure that whomever you sell it to will be able to use it. Not having it released might slow your payment down.
Third, make sure you read the Terms and Conditions of these online cell phone buy back companies. Most are pretty straight forward and easy to read and understand. Be very leery of any company offering you "higher than usual" prices or 5-15 day payouts. You may not be very pleased with the outcome. There is a handful of companies that have been around for several years, including Sell My Old Cell Phone. I have studied them all and have found they are all very similar. Some of the important similarities between them are:
1. All features must work (if you send a broken phone, you will not be paid)
2. To get the full amount offered, they must be in excellent condition (less than excellent will pay less than the full amount offered)
3. They must be released (if applicable, SIM card phones do not need releasing)
4. No red dots (moisture exposure)
5. No stolen phones
6. Legible ESN sticker (found inside the phone behind the battery)
7. You pay for returns
8. Finally, about 30 days to payout
Fourth, if you are sending an expensive phone, you may consider having shipping insurance. It does not happen very often, but items can get lost in the postal system. No company is going to assume responsibility for lost items, so consider protecting yourself. Most companies will send a box and label which can take up to a week or more to get. Sell My Old Cell Phone will send you a free shipping label from the United States Post Office right to your computer, so all you have to do it open it, print it, and pop it in the mail on your next trip out! When you receive your shipping label, the best way to pack it is by using a thick padded envelope securely sealed. You may choose to wrap your phone with a sheet of bubble wrap as well. About 90% of the phones received at Sell My Old Cell Phone come that way, successfully.
Finally and no less important than the others; make sure that you add the cell phone buyback company to you email's safe list. In any of these companies, 99.9% of all correspondence is conducted via email. Some time sensitive information is sent out that requires your decision, so it would by ideal if you received it rather than it ending up in the junk box!
If you should have any questions, just go online and check out SellMyOldCellPhone.com. Contact us for any questions or concerns. Follow these tips and your selling experience will be painless.
Important Tips to Follow When Selling Your Cell Phone