Since their inception, mobile phones have become an essential part of our daily lives. Mobile companies such as Samsung and Apple are continually updating their hardware with software giants Open Handset Alliance and Google creating firmware such as the Android Mobile operating system.
A recent study showed that over half of all mobile devices bought will be smartphones run by operating systems by mid-2013. This is wonderful for the companies but what about our old and outdated models? Many users are not aware of what options are available to them. Let’s look at three of them.
Using local classifieds or online free advertising or to sell gadgets
Regardless of where you live in the UK or even the world, your local newspaper will probably have a classifieds section where people list their goods for sale. There are also numerous websites which provide the exact same service.
Simply create an account and upload the information and images of the products. Now wait for potential buyers to purchase them from you.
A great bonus of this method is that it is generally free-of-charge. So even if you do not find any buyers, you would not have spent any money.
However, on the downside, you may come across people trying to bargain your price down or asking to view the products in person without actually buying them in the end. Unfortunately, this method invites a few chancers who suffer no legal or financial implications if they do not honor the agreement.
Using a mobile phone recycling company to sell your device
Of all the methods mentioned, the safest and least difficult is probably using a mobile phone recycling company. How this service works is that the company will quote you on your phone’s specific make and model based on the device’s condition.
If all is in order, you will then need to send the handset to the company after which you will be paid. The company in turn resells the fixed handset on to a developing nation at a reduced rate or else uses the precious parts and melts the rest.
The amount that you are paid for your device will differ greatly from company to company depending on the model, the age and the time period before the next model is released by that brand.
Using an auction site such as eBay
The first place that many people go to sell their unwanted goods is the website eBay. As one of the world’s most recognizable auction sites, millions of sales are processed daily. But bigger does not exactly mean better, as many people can attest to.
The website usually offers you the highest return on your product. But the site is also littered with scammers – particularly people who try and convince you to send the product before they have paid.
eBay holds numerous benefits such as the ability to create an entire auction listing, including pictures and reports on the item’s condition, amongst the others. You are also able to choose between “reserve auction” and “buy now” features.
The only con of using this method is the high fees involved. The website charges you a fee for enlisting as well as a fee for final valuation – this comes out to about 10% of the eventual sales price.
In addition, your sale could also require PayPal fees. To conclude, there are numerous ways of getting rid of unwanted mobile phones with each one presenting good and bad points. In the end, the easiest and cheapest way of recycling your handset would be through a recycling company that offers a good deal in a short space of time.
Coel Drysdale is the blog writer of a premier UK gadget and phone recycling business, comparemymobile.com. You can visit the comparemymobile.com website blog to follow him or for any questions related to this post or recycling get in touch with him directly – coel (at) comparemymobile (dot) com.