Sell Your Old Cell Phone For Cash

Posted by The Happy Rock on November 9, 2007

Did you know that you can sell your old cell phone that you don’t use anymore for cash? I didn’t, but as I looked into a comment I came across a couple sites that give you cash for cell phones. I had heard of sites like Cell Swapper where you can sell your phone and plan to avoid termination fees, but I didn’t realize some sites will give you straight cash for phones without plans.

Sites like Simply Sellular, ~~Cash My Phone~~*, and Phone Is Cash buy old cell phones and resell them. The site Second Rotation buys all kind of gadgets, not just cell phones, and they were also featured on CNET. Our current phone, an inexpensive LG VX4650, is bringing about $9 just to give you some perspective.

Unfortunately, I don’t have an unused cell phone to sell and write a review, but I would love to hear any reader’s success stories. Also, here is a site that did a review of all three sites about a year and a half ago.

Of course, you could use craigslist or eBay and you might get a little more, but they will probably lose the ease of use battle. Recycling also helps the environment by saving on landfill space and resources. Enjoy!

*Note - (Update 5/2008)Multiple readers have commented about problems with Cash My Phone. There seems to be a pattern developing, and some verifiable information on the web about less than stellar performance.

» Filed Under Cell Phones, Money Savers

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33 Responses to “Sell Your Old Cell Phone For Cash”

Pinyo (9 comments.) on November 9th, 2007 11:23 am

We have never used cell phones buying place online. But every time we go back to Thailand, we take our old cell phones with us to sell. Because cell phones are more expensive over there, we usually ended up with a nice chunk of change for our effort.
Michelle (1 comments.) on November 9th, 2007 3:11 pm

Why not just donate it and write it off as a tax deduction? You can help people in need who can not afford to have a phone service, but need to have access to call 911. I have heard that you can donate to women’s shelters and local fire departments who then find new homes for your used phones. I believe that dialing 911 works on any phone - even without a cell phone provider.
Maria on November 21st, 2007 10:19 pm

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH CASHMYPHONE.COM They received my phones on 8-9-07 and today is 11-20-07 and I still have not received payment from them. So much for payment in 30 days. They only have email as their form of contact and when you email they assure you that “payment is on the way”. I have been hearing that for months now and no check yet. I beleive I have been scammed by them. Please don’t make the same mistake I made. They owe me $585. I think I have been had. Learn from my mistake, DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH CASHMYPHONE.COM
Brenda on November 22nd, 2007 4:28 pm

Yeah, selling that old cell phone was great idea for the guy who stole my cell phone a couple of months ago.
Matt on December 4th, 2007 2:49 pm

This is in response to Maria’s complaint about cashmyphone.com
I’ve recently sent in a bunch of cells also. Now I’m worried I won’t get paid. Just so you know, if you look them up on the better business bureau site they have a phone number for the president of the company.
If nothing else I would hound them until you get paid. I have heard that they do eventually pay…but it can be a hassle. That’s what I get for trying to get top dollar!
The Happy Rock (329 comments.) on December 4th, 2007 4:31 pm

@ Matt - Thanks for chiming in. It seems they may have a history of slow payment.

@Maria -Hopefully, you will write back and let us know any updates. Don’t stop trying Maria, people have been paid from what I can tell.
Misty on December 12th, 2007 1:30 pm

Do not use cashmyphone.com!! I too have had the same problem as the person above. I sent three phones out to them in September 2007, it’s now December 12th 2007, and have yet to receive a check. Each time I email them asking as to its whereabouts, I get a generic reply that states, “your check was mailed this week”. It is a total hoax.
The Happy Rock (329 comments.) on December 18th, 2007 11:50 pm

@Misty/Matt/Maria - I have put a strike through on the Cash My Phone link and a note mentioning your complaints until I get some more information. Please reply back and let us know if you have any updates.
Matt on December 28th, 2007 3:42 pm

Hi all, thought I’d give an update. I’ve received a couple of responses to my inquiries. First, I was told that the technicians were in the process of “testing” my phones. That went on for about 2 weeks. I just recieved a response saying that my phones have been upgraded to “Qualified”. Hopefully, that means a check should be forthcoming soon.
I’ll keep you updated as I find out more. At least there seems to be some progress albeit a bit slow.
Thanks
The Happy Rock (329 comments.) on January 1st, 2008 12:44 pm

Thanks for keeping us updated. We are all interested in the outcome. At a minimum, they are very slow.
Matt on January 23rd, 2008 12:32 pm

Final update:
I FINALLY received my check. It took roughly 2 1/2 months and numerous e-mails. Finally, I threatened to get the FTC,USPS and the BBB involved. I heard absolutely nothing back from them except for a rare update to my account status.
I finally called them at 718-837-2887 (from the BBB site) and spoke with a young woman who said she would “pull” my check and send it. I was skeptical, but, lo-and-behold, 5 days later I got my check.
My advice would be to steer clear of this outfit. they have an “unsatisfactory” rating from the BBB.
I was fortunate I guess.
Maria, keep trying…
The Happy Rock (329 comments.) on January 25th, 2008 4:21 pm

@Matt - Thanks for the update and the information, it should really help readers! I am glad you got your money.
don on February 11th, 2008 9:45 pm

Cashmyphone.com is a ripoff. They get you to send the phone at your expense and then don’t pay. It’s such a small amount they hope you just go away.
The Happy Rock (329 comments.) on February 12th, 2008 10:23 am

@Don - People do get paid as Matt proved, but it does seem like they either have a bad business model or poor execution. It would seem that they aren’t the best choice by any means.
grumpy on April 10th, 2008 3:30 pm

cashmyphone.com is 4 months into not sending me a check for a qualified item. Emails i send do not get a reply.
grumpy on April 10th, 2008 3:32 pm

Matt on Jan 23, 2008 posted a phone number. It has been disconnected as of at least today
Matt on April 10th, 2008 4:01 pm

I would call their office. The number is:
(718) 837-2887
I got it from the BBB site.
Good luck, they are a pain to deal with.
The Happy Rock (329 comments.) on April 10th, 2008 4:01 pm

@grumpy - The case against Cash My Phone seems to grow each day. More and more people keep reporting problems. Even the Better Business Bureau isn’t haven’t too much luck with them. Here is the link.

You could try reporting a BBB claim : report here
The Happy Rock (329 comments.) on April 10th, 2008 4:09 pm

@Matt- Thanks for the reply.

@grumpy - The case against Cash My Phone seems to grow each day. More and more people keep reporting problems. Even the Better Business Bureau isn’t haven’t too much luck with them.

“This business has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB”

You could try reporting a BBB claim : report here
grumpy on April 10th, 2008 7:59 pm

number is disconnected, as well as their fax number. I guess they got too many phone calls from unhappy folks
john on April 18th, 2008 5:41 pm

I sent my phone last october and my phone has been approved and everything but no check has been sent. I’ve tried the number for a while now and it seems it is disconnected. Does anyone have any information on the new number? These con-artists are not resonding to email and running away from the phone. I have nearly 300 dollars owed to me!!!!
John Ericsson on April 26th, 2008 1:42 pm

VERY BAD NEWS!!!!

CASHMYPHONE closed down their office! they are trying to run away from us!!!!! they stole our phones and now they are gone!!!! they owe me a $$625 check, please anyone can help? !!!!!!
Valerie on April 29th, 2008 4:37 pm

I also have been waiting since September 07 for a check. They do not respond to emails either.
taichou on May 6th, 2008 2:02 pm

Here is a very reliable website for getting cash from your old unused cellphone. Try http://ucellwebuy.com. They even have a guarantee wherein you can canvass the price of your phone from other sites then they will beat it. I’ve heard this from a friend who just organized a fundraising activity for local kids.
The Happy Rock (329 comments.) on May 8th, 2008 12:01 am

@taichou - Thanks for the link, although a quick glance at the website doesn’t instill much consumer confidence, IMO. Users should perform due diligence before using it.
Karl (1 comments.) on May 30th, 2008 9:44 pm

Sent 2 phones in 11/07. They were received in 11/07 and qualified for payment in he amount of $150 in 1/08. It is now the end of 5/08 and I haven’t received my money or my phones back. Cashmyphone.com stole my phones. The BBB in NY sent them 2 letters and called with no response.

DO NOT USE THIS SERVICE. THE ARE DISREPUTABLE AND WILL STEAL YOUR PRODUCTS. I will try and update if I ever receive my payments.
The Happy Rock (329 comments.) on June 3rd, 2008 10:08 pm

@Karl - Sorry to here about more problems with CashMyPhone. Definitely you can see a pattern developing. That is why the information is here to educate! Thanks for helping.
Robbie Foxx on June 26th, 2008 4:59 am

I wished I would have known all this sooner… been over a month and a half since the “item recieved” email got to me and I’ve since sent them a few emails with no reply at all… Guess I’ve been ripped too?
grumpy on June 26th, 2008 9:23 am

Sounds to me as if they are still accepting phones? That is just plain Theft. Someone should call the police
The Happy Rock (329 comments.) on June 26th, 2008 9:40 am

I can’t believe they are still accepting phones from all the negative comments and press around. Hopefully, you get some money back(some did) although it may take a little while. I feel for your situation.
MELISSA HARDING (1 comments.) on August 18th, 2008 10:48 pm

Hello Everyone!

First I must say I am sorry that so many of you have had unpleasant experiences selling your cell phones! I work for http://www.sellmyoldcellphone.com and I just wanted to say that I frequent the blogs to review how other companies are doing in relation to their customers. I am not going to tell you all that we are the best, sell to us, blah blah blah. I think we are, but that is beside the point. Being in the business, I have come to realize that a lot of people who sell their phones to us simply do not read the Terms. I just want to say that it is important to read them and understand how it works so there are no surprises. Also make sure there is a way to get them back if you want, even if you have to pay for shipping. I will also say that we have an excellent record of on time payouts and will even payout (a reduced amount) on broken phones. I would encourage you to check us out. Thanks!

Melissa
Greg B. on January 11th, 2009 6:44 pm

I too was ripped off by http://www.cashmyphone.com. Unlike others, I’m only out $30 but it still bothers me that they can get away with it. I also received emails from them telling me that my phone was received but no check issued. They do not reply to emails.
GvS on March 2nd, 2009 10:45 am

PhoneIsCash.com don’t send checks for phones received.