I think we all have at least one electronic device that need to get rid of. An old tablet, a computer that needs to be destroyed, or a keyboard with keys that don’t work. I bet you even have a cell phone that’s not being used. Maybe it’s even broken. Stop hanging on to that cell phone! I’ve got some great options for how to sell a cell phone and get cash for it. If cash for your cell phone isn’t incentive enough, these companies buy other tech items as well!
Why Sell a Cell Phone?
The biggest reason to sell a cell phone is because you aren’t using it. Other reasons are that they have glitches, are outdated and are even broken. Why not make money on it? Any money in your pocket is better than a broken, outdated cell phone sitting in a drawer.
What to do Before You Sell a Cell Phone
Okay, now that you’re starting the process of selling your old cell phone here’s what you need to do before selling it.
What Apple Users Need to Do Before Selling an iPhone
- Unpair your Apple Watch
- Backup your phone – Back up your contacts, apps, settings, photos, and the rest of your data. For Apple Backup Instructions click HERE.
- Sign out of any apps, as well as, the cloud, iTunes and the App Store.
- Delete all the photos on the phone
- Reset your content and settings.
- If switching to a non Apple device Apple says to deregister iMessage.
- Restore your phone to factory settings.
- Contact your carrier and remove the device from your account that is no longer being used.
What Android Users Need to Do Before Selling a Cell Phone
- Backup your phone – Back up your contacts, apps, settings, photos, and the rest of your data. For Android Backup Instructions click HERE.
- Remove any SIM cards or external storage on the phone
- Encrypt the data – Find instructions HERE.
- Restore your phone to factory settings.
Where to Sell a Cell Phone
Now that your phone has been wiped clean and your information is protected, there are some great options for selling your phone and getting cash back. All of these companies work in a similar manner. Let’s get started.
Here are the Basic Steps for Selling to the Companies Listed.
- You select the product you are selling, the carrier, and the condition of the product.
- After answering all the questions, you are given a quote on what they will purchase the cell phone for.
- Instructions for shipping are provided.
- Ship the phone or device to the company.
- Once the item is received, inspected and verified that the device is in the condition you stated, payment is made.
Here the similar highlights for each company below.
- They all accept iPhones and Android Devices.
- The company provides a shipping label and shipping your device to the company is free.
- If they offer you a requote after receiving your device and you do not accept the new quote they will pay for the cost of shipping it back to you.
- They all have some kind of quote guarantee for a specific time.
Each company also has some differences. This is what each company offers in more detail.
Gazelle
What Gazelle Buys
- Gazelle buys used iPhones, Android Phones, iPads, Tablets, Apple Computers, iPods and Apple TVs
- Gazelle Buys working, defective and broken devices.
How Gazelle Pays
They pay by Check, PayPal or an Amazon.com gift card.
Gazelle Shipping Notes
- Gazelle provides you with a shipping label for USPS or FedEx depending on the size and weight of the device.
- For small electronics worth over 30.00 they will send you a box, if needed.
Gazelle’s Price Guarantee
The offered amount for your device is good for 30 days.
Gazelle’s Device Verification and Revised Quote Process
- Once the box is received by Gazelle they will make sure you sent what was stated and pay you.
- If what you sent was not what you told Gazelle you were sending, they will revise the offer and give you 5 days to decide on accepting the offer. The product is returned to you if you decline the offer
Gazelle’s Payment Timeframe
- Paypal and Amazon methods of payment are received in 3-5 days after the item has been inspected.
- Checks take about 5-10 days.
Other Gazelle Notes
- Gazelle has an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau at the time of this post.
- They not only buy your used items, they also have used items for purchase.
- Gazelle has a referral program that pays out in gift cards and you both benefit from this referral if your friend or family member meets the requirements.
- Gazelle has a rewards program where you earn points for various actions. One of them is points simply for visiting the website. Those points convert into reward amounts of $5, $10, $20, etc. Points earned are applied to towards additional cash the next time you sell a device to Gazelle.
Sell your device to Gazelle at Gazelle.com
Maxback
What Maxback Buys
- Maxback buys used iPhones, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iPads, Android Phones, Tablets, and Smartwatches..
- Maxback buys new and used devices, not broken.
How Maxback Pays
Maxback pays by PayPal or Check.
Maxback Shipping Notes
- They provide a USPS label for shipping your device.
- They will mail you a prepaid label if you do not have a printer.
Maxback Price Guarantee
The offered amount for your device is good for 30 days.
Maxback Device Verification Revised Quote Process
- After completing the checkout process, the offered amount for your product is good for 30 days.
- Once the box is received by Maxback they will make sure you sent what was stated and pay you. If what you sent was not what you told Maxback you were sending, they will give you a requote. The product is shipped back to you at Maxback’s cost if you decline the requote.
Maxback Payment Timeframe
- Paypal payment is received within 24 hours after sending you an email that your after item has been inspected and accepted.
- Checks are sent via United States Postal Service and take up to 14 days to be received.
Other Maxback Notes
- Maxback has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau at the time of this post.
- They offer promotions so look at their website and see what they are offering.
- Maxback has an acceptance limit of 4 items per calendar month.
- All items sent to Maxback must have a functional battery.
- Wearables sent must include chargers and accessories. Cell phones and tablets do not have to include these items.
Go to Maxback.com to sell your old devices.
uSell
What uSell Buys
- uSell buys used iPhones, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iPads, Android Phones, Tablets, and Smartwatches.
- In addition to cell phones, they also buy other electronic items such as game consoles, computers, cameras, calculators, computer parts, drones, smart home items and more.
- uSell purchase used, as well as, some damaged electronics.
How uSell Pays
They pay by Check or PayPal.
uSell Shipping Notes
uSell provides a label for shipment or they send you a free postage paid shipping kit in the mail. Receiving the shipping kit takes 5-7 days
uSell’s Price Guarantee
The offered amount for your device is good for 30 days.
uSell’s Device Verification Revised Quote Process
The device is inspected. If they product assessment doesn’t match what you sent they will send you a revised offer. You have 7 days to reply to accept or deny the revised offer. If you deny the offer the product back at no cost to you. If you do nothing after 7 days of receiving the revised offer, the revised offer is considered accepted and the order is finalized
uSell’s Payment Timeframe
uSell issues payment typically within 5 business days of receiving the device
Other uSell Notes
uSell uses multiple buyers. When multiple quotes are provided choose the one you want. The highest quote of course!
Check them out at usell.com.
Buybackworld
What Buybackworld Buys
- Buybackworld states they buy over 30,000 products in over 25 categories
- They buy iPhones, android phones, iPods, Macbooks, Apple Accessories, Tablets, handheld video game systems, cameras wearable devices and more.
- Selling and buying store gift cards is something Buybackworld also has an an option. The other companies in this post do not have that as an option.
- Buybackworld sells used items in addition to buying used items
How Buybackworld Pays
Buybackworld pays using Paypal, direct deposit to your bank account, prepaid debit card or Buybackworld.com gift card with an 5% bonus amount applied to the card.
Buybackworld Shipping Notes
They provide a prepaid mailing label for printing or request a free shipping kit.
Buybackworld’s Price Guarantee
The offer price is protected for 30 days.
Buybackworld’s Device Verification Revised Quote Process
- The items are inspected within 3 days of being received at their facilities.
- After inspection, if Buybackworld changes your offered quote they will send you an email with the new quote. You have 5 days to accept or reject the offer. If you do nothing, they will
Buybackworld’s Payment Timeframe
- Payment is made within 2 business days once they receive and verify the item.
- Receiving a check for payment takes up to 10 days after inspection but other options are faster.
Other Buybackworld Notes
Buybackworld has what they call “custom quote” because they buy so many other things besides cell phones. They buy musical instruments, all electronics, toys, luxury fashion items, power tools, and collectibles, just to name a few!
Check out Buybackworld.com
Buybackboss
What Buybackboss Buys
They accept iPhones, Samsungs, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, and Google Pixel.
How Buybackboss Pays
Buybackboss pays by Paypal or Check
Buybackboss Shipping Notes
- Buybackworld provides a prepaid shipping label via email.
- Return shipping is free if you decide to cancel your order.
Buybackboss’s Price Guarantee
Price quote is valid for 14 days. If the product is received after 14 days it is subject to a requote.
Buybackboss’s Device Verification Revised Quote Process
I do not see on their website the process for receiving and verifying the device shipped to them.
Buybackboss’s Payment Timeframe
I do not see on their website the turnaround time for receiving payment.
Other Buybackboss Notes
- While the site says they guarantee the highest price for your device, I cannot find any information about how that guarantee works on their website.
- Buybackboss’s website is not as thorough as other sites in this post.
Check out Buybackboss.com
ItsWorthMore
What ItsWorthMore Buys
They accept iPhones, Samsungs, Androids, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch, Mac Mini, Laptops, iMacs, iPros, and Surface.
How ItsWorthMore Pays
ItsWorthMore pays by Paypal or Check.
ItsWorthMore Shipping Notes
- Shipping the item to Itsworthmore is free.
- You select your shipping carrier. (FedEx or UPS)
- A shipping label will be mailed to you if you do not have a printer.
ItsWorthMore’s Price Guarantee
The company says that 90% of the time the original quoted price is what is paid after receiving the device.
ItsWorthMore’s Device Verification Revised Quote Process
After evaluating your device a final offer may be given. A new offer is emailed to you and you have 3 days to accept or deny the offer. If you do nothing the offer is automatically accepted and Itsworthmore will initiate payment.
ItsWorthMore’s Payment Timeframe
Payment is typically sent within 72 hours after receiving the device.
Other ItsWorthMore Notes
- At the time of this post, Itsworthmore has an A+ rating with the BBB.
- Itsworthmore wipes your personal data off your phone. Wipe your own data off your phone as well!
- Itsworthmore sells certified used products.
Check out ItsWorthMore.com
Decluttr
What Decluttr Buys
- Decluttr buys most cell phones, apple products, tablets, and wearables.
- In addition to the usual items, Decluttr also buys CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, Video Games, Books, and Legos.
- Decluttr takes broken tech items
How Decluttr Pays
Payment is Paypal, Check, Direct Deposit, or Donation to Charity
Decluttr Shipping Notes
- Shipping the items to Decluttr is free
- If you do not have a printer they will send you a printed label which takes up to 7 days to receive.
Decluttr’s Price Guarantee
The quoted price is good for 28 days.
Decluttr’s Device Verification and Revised Quote Process
- If Decluttr provides a revised offer, you have 14 days to accept or reject the offer.
- If you do not accept the revised offer, the item is sent back to you at no charge to you.
Decluttr’s Payment Timeframe
Payment is sent the day after items are received. Payment by Direct deposit take around 3 days and mailed checks take around 10 days to be received.
Other Decluttr Notes
- Decluttr has an online store for buying used items.
- Decluttr has a refer a friend program that currently pays a 5.00 bonus per qualified referral.
ecoATM
ecoATM is a little different from all of the other options provided. Instead of a provided quote and shipping it to the company, ecoATM is a kiosk that accepts your used tech and pays you cash on the spot.
This is how ecoATM works
- Kiosks are located throughout the county, many of them at local Walmarts. The website has a locator for finding the closest location to you.
- Take your cell phone, MP3 player or tablet to the Kiosk and follow the onscreen instructions.
- The ecoATM determines a price and offers you an amount.
- If you accept the amount and sell the device, you finish the process and the ecoATM will dispense your cash.
The process of selling your item takes about 3-5 minutes.
Other ecoATM Notes
- ecoATM owns Gazelle.com
- ecoATM accepts accessories like chargers and cases but does not pay any cash for them.
- The ecoATM FAQ page provides in-depth information in how the process works, questions on preparing your device to sell, and how they prevent thieves from selling phones to them.
- Gazelle.com says on their website that payments are typically using ecoATM.
Find more information at ecoATM.com
Should You Sell a Cell Phone Using One of These Methods?
I believe that these are all great options for selling your old cell phones and devices. Tara has used Maxback multiple times and is happy with the process and how it works. Here are some final thoughts for selling a cell phone.
Final Takeaways when you Sell a Cell Phone
- Get multiple quotes before selling. You are not required to accept the quote so sell to the highest.
- They all have free shipping so that should not be a factor in your decision on who to use.
- Find the payment that suits you best. For instance, I would opt for Paypal or Check before direct deposit. I don’t feel that one of these companies needs access to a bank account.
- Be Honest. Give an honest assessment about the device being sold. You want quick payment instead of requotes when the company receives your device.
- When you sell a cell phone it is worth taking time and researching multiple options for getting the highest return on your device.
Find missing cash that belongs to you learn how to request it back in my post about Unclaimed Property.
