There was an interesting segment on BBC’s Watchdog tonight. It dealt with a situation where people have been selling their mobile phones using an online site called Cash4Phones.
Apparently, when they enter their phone’s model number it gives them a price based on the phone being in reasonable condition. However, when they send it off, they receive an email telling them that the phone has excessive signs of use, and offering less than half of the original price that was given when the users initiated the process on the website.
I did a bit of scouting and found this blog entry (don’t be put off by the blog’s title – when it talks of “pert breasts” it is in the new-mummy-and-daddy sense, and apart from such dubious (and nauseating, when you have other peoples kids stuffed in your face – I say this in jest, and mean no harm to the blog in question) content, the article in question is quite interesting. It deals with the same firm, and the author’s own trials with them. Apparently, the money takes months to arrive – if it comes at all.
It’s also worth looking at the Trustpilot rating, and some of the comments on that.
The only thing I’d take issue with is the statement that Cash4Phones pays more than MazumaMobile. I did several checks and Mazuma pays more in each case. I’ve written about Mazuma on three previous occasions, and have never had even the slightest problem with them. Every transaction was completed from me clicking on “sell” to my bank account being credited (or the cheque arriving the time I clicked the wrong button) in less than one working week. And the amount paid was exactly what was originally quoted.
By comparison, look at Mazuma’s Trustpilot rating.
Watchdog submitted phones that had been checked by a phone repair company and certified as being in almost perfect condition, and an original quote of over £100 was downgraded to just over £40, with excessive signs of use being quoted. One of the victims featured even had to pay for the phone to be returned – but it wasn’t, and they upped their quote.
Based on the show (and the blog I’ve linked to, not to mention the Trustpilot figures), I think the advice is absolutely clear. In addition, I would recommend Mazuma to anyone wanting to sell their phone. People must be completely nuts (or plain greedy) to go anywhere else.