Freebielist

Turn Old Mobiles Into Cash

Here at freebielist.com we like to help you save and earn money, aside from providing top-notch freebies. One way to earn some extra cash is by mobile phone recycling. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for a number of years, you will likely be familiar with a number of prominent suppliers. However, despite their popularity, mobile recycling sites are still underutilised by the vast majority of the public - many opting to choose a different route such as eBay.

If you want to sell your handset and you’re in a hurry, using recycling sites should ensure a quick sale. Many of us have handsets scattered around the house, cluttering up cupboards, drawers and the like. If you’re not currently using these old phones, recycling is something worth considering, although as with many things, advantages and disadvantages exist. We therefore recommend you weigh up all the options before deciding how to sell your mobile.

Of course, you could always sell your phone to a friend. But if you’d rather not pursue this route (and you would like a quick, no-nonsense transaction), read on.

How do mobile recycling sites work?

They work on the environmental principle that it’s better to reuse than discard. Mobile handsets are electrical devices, and simply throwing them away is not the wisest decision. Not only does it add to the burden on landfills (millions of phones are thrown away every year), the nature of electrics means chemical toxins can leak and damage the environment.

So if you would like to recycle your phone and earn some cash in the process, here’s how a typical recycling site works:

- Search for a price by typing in your mobile phone model (note: some sites will ask you to specify the condition of the handset, but the majority require the phone to be in good working order).
- The price the company offers for your particular phone model will be displayed. If you’re happy with the price, go to the next step.
- Complete the registration to sign-up and once this has been done, select to recycle your phone. A padded envelope will then be sent to your postal address. Insert your handset and post back to the freepost address on the label.
- As long as the phone is in good working order (unless otherwise stated), the recycling site will then post you a cheque with the agreed amount. Note: some sites will accept broken/damaged phones.
- That’s it!

Are these services free?

If you use legitimate mobile recycling providers, there should be no service charge. All that’s required is your handset. Be sure to read the provider’s terms and conditions as on (rare) occasions there may be a small fee, although this is unusual.

Important things to be aware of:

You could potentially gain more money selling privately - either to friends or via eBay. However, this is dependent upon the condition of your handset, and also reliant on gaining the best price possible in an online auction. Remember: phones depreciate in value over time. To obtain the best possible price, be sure to sell while you can (the sooner the better). More recent handsets, depending on condition, are likely to generate more cash.

Notable Mobile Recycling Sites

There are many - dozens and possibly more. Some of the more well-known sites include Envirofone and Mazuma Mobile. Tesco have also jumped on the bandwagon with their Phone Shop Mobile Recycling service. Tesco’s offering is worth investigating if your handset is broken since they’ll accept non-working mobiles as well as functional ones.

Regardless of which provider you select, be sure to shop around first. There may be better deals elsewhere, either by trading in your mobile at the point of upgrading, or passing it onto a friend. Of course, there’s always the option of keeping your handset as a handy backup - just in case!