Cell Phones: Recycle For Cash Or Give It To Charity
74Cell for cash or cell for charity?
With all the new cell phones at there people are usually itching to upgrade their cell phone. So what do you do with all those old cell phones lying around? Do you give it to charity or recycle it for cash? A couple of years ago I donated my Verizon cell phone to a charitable organization that provides battered women with a cell phone in times of need, so for the most part I am happy just donating unwanted cell phone without any compensation. Verizon did give me a tax deductible receipt for my donation, but I never ended up claiming this on my taxes. However, many people are interested in recycling their cell phones for cash, and some websites even show you how you can be paid for donating your cell phone to a charitable cause. Now it is time to find out how you can profitably despense of that old mobile phone.
1. Cellforcash.com is a website that allows the consumer to recycle cell phones for a cash reward. Look at the website and see if this is something that will meet your needs. I have not used this site, but it looks like something worth looking into. The one thing I especially liked about this website is that it allows you to donate phones to people in need.
2. Pacebutler.com is a website that promises up to fifty dollars for donating a used cell phone. According to the website there are four simple steps to follow to obtaining cash for your used cell phone. I have never used this site and do no endorse it, but you are welcome to check out the site and see how it works.
3. Flipswap.com is a website that allows you to search for local stores where you can trade in your cell phone. This website also promises you cash for recycling your cell phone. I have not used this site, but I decided to do an investigative search by typing in my zip code in the search engine on flipswap.com. I was impressed because flipswap provided me with seven locations that were all within five miles of my house.
4. Freerecycling.comis another site that allows you to recycle your cell phone with them for free. I have not used this website either, but it is another resource out there for people that want to donate their cell phone.
5. Greenphone.com is another side that allow you to donate of your unwanted mobile devices.
6. Verizon Trade In allows you to recycle any cell phone in exchange for a gift card to buy a new cell phone with Verizon.
7. Simplysellular.com is a website that allows the consumer to sell their used cell phone for cash. This website has a very easy to use interface and worth researching for those who are interested in selling their unwanted mobile devices. I have not used nor can I endorse this website, but you are welcome to visit simplysellular.com to see whether this site can meet your needs.
8. The website wadt.org is a charitable organization that helps abused women and children get on their feet. WADT is an acronym for Women Are Dreamers Too, and they could use the proceeds from the sale of your used cell phone to help raise funds to better the lives of domestic abuse victims. If you are interested in helping this cause please visit their website today.
9. Cellphonesforsoldiers.com is a charitable organization that allows the consumer to donate their cell phones, which are sold and the profits are used to purchase calling cards for American soldiers. This charity was started by two teenage entrepreneurs back in 2004 and has grown into a much larger organization. This is a good cause as many soldiers do not always have the resources to phone their families on a frequent basis, so calling cards are much appreciated for helping them stay in contact with family. Investigate this website if you would like to support our troops by donating your cell phone to this organization.
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Thanks for the comments sirdent.
Who knew there were so many things one could do with an old cell phone .. Certainly some worthy causes too. Great hub.
Thanks PetMemorialWorld. There are some really great thing people can do with unwanted cell phones.
Donating Cell Phones...Very new information to me! And, those sites must be doing a great service.
Yes I believe the sites are doing a good thing by allowing people to donate their cell phones to charity. Some sites simply pay money to people who want to donate cell phones, others pay money and donate to charity, and some are simply charitable organizations. There are many wonderful choices available for those who want to donate an unused cell phone. I had two that I donated to the Verizon store, which in turn gives these cell phones to victims of domestic violence. Thanks for commenting weblog.
Thanks for the info. This hub summary is my next blog post :)
Thanks weblog.
Interesting information. we don't have anything like this here. It might be a great idea to start something similar. Mostly our phones get passed on to, initially, our wives (before they got their own), then our Children (ditto) and finally on to our domestic help and gardeners. We also hoard them as we frequently need to resuscitate old phones as and when our current ones are lost or stolen.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Sixtyorso,
It is interesting to hear how other places deal with cell phones. Some people pass them along here too, but most cellular phone companies offer new phones when people sign up, or a new phone every two years such as with Verizon. Thus there is a large surplus of cell phones and often it is easier to donate one then give it to a friend. For instance, I had an old AT&T phone, but that phone could only work with their service and was useless with Verizon, so I ended up donating it. I gave my old Verizon phone to my mom and donated another one, but I get a new phone every two years so I had to figure something out. I am happy just donating mine to Verizon, but these websites also look like a good things to look into.
I only have 2 cellphones. The old one I still keep because it has a better alarm system than my current phone, or even my alarm itself. So on days when I HAVE to get up at a certain time I recharge the old phone and use its alarm.
Which means selling it/giving it away is not an option. I need that alarm system.
I heard that in some poorer nations cell phones are better than land lines. They convert old cell phones and hand them out for free, set up towers and people are instantly set up with reliable phone service. Apparently this happened in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Also insome African narions.
Does anyone know if this is true, and if so, has it been done elsewhere?
Sorry - hit comment twice by accident!
Squimp,
Thanks for the comments. I understand many people need to keep their old cell phones for back up, but those of us who have more than one line, change carriers, or who get a new phone with or contract renewal it is essential to dispense of old phones. I wish I could have used my old phones, but by the time I got new ones it was just easier to donate them.
Chef Jeff,
Thanks for the comments. You are right about people in other countries relying heavily on cell phone use because of the inconsistencies of LAN lines. Here is a link you might find of interest.
Hey there SweetiePie. Great informative hub! I have a few old cell phones that could use a new home. I'll be checking out some of these sites!!!
Again, great hub and thank you for the information!
ProCW
PS - Thumbs are going up!! :)
Thanks for the comment ProCW!
Oh, you're welcome. Thanks for the hub, SweetiePie!
Wonderful and timely hub, Sweetie! I recently did this for my company while updating their cellular phone information. I ended up with about thirty out of date phones that were totally useless to us. We sent them to a worthy cause and in return got a bit of a tax break. Definitely a win-win situation for everyone.
The tax break sounds VERY good spryte!
Good hub, Sweetie! I have an OLD cell phone, a lovely Motorola 650 (circa 2000) that I absolutely love. I only bought a new one in January of this year because I wanted one with a camera. The old phone was analog and I got far better reception than the newer phones do. I still have the case, both kinds of chargers, all the info, everything. I was thinking of selling it, but who besides me would want it? I'm not sure that it's any good for donating even. Do you know if there is any criteria for the phones if you're donating them?
Spryte,
I am glad donating your cell phones worked out for you. Thanks for the comments :).
ProCW,
Thanks for commenting once again.
Shirley,
The old analog and trimode phones used to get great reception everywhere, especially in the mountains. You could email the websites suggested to see if they have an criteria, but honestly I believe they will take many models. Also, I once donated a phone that was falling apart and Verizon said they would refurbish it for someone else to use. Thanks for the comments.
Thx for the info, SweetiePie. I'll look into it.
This is great! I actually got an envelope in the mail to send my old cell phone to the troops and the shipping was prepaid. I thought that was cool. I think I already took my old ones to Goodwill, though. =[
Thanks for the comments Starkissed. I apprecaite it.
Good hub Sweetie pie.
Thanks for commenting talford.
I donated the one I had before my current one. would have donated hubbies, but the place where you stick the charger was all messed up.
Now the dorky man has gone and lost his phone. I tell you that man should staple the phone to his ear,lol
Yes it sucks when a cell phone is lost. If you are with Verizon Wirelss you can get a cheapy. I bought my mom and my sister two very cute phones that were cheap, but these both work so well surprisingly :).
I personally think that you will always do better selling the phone yourself, i.e. on ebay or selling to a friend. Most 'Recycle your phone' sites do not offer a competitive price. This also goes for charities, they'd be much better off if you get a good price for your phone and give them the money :)
However, if you don't have time for all of this, some money is better than none!
skydiver,
If people are good at marketing their products on ebay it might be a good option, but I know in my case sometimes things I placed on ebay do not always sell. The thing I do not like about that is you have to pay anyway even if your action does not sell, so then you are out some money. I am the type of person that prefer convenience over keeping a cell phone waiting until I can sell it, so I usually just donate mine to Verizon's charity causes. However, as you said ebay is a great way to make some extra money on your phone if you can market that well.
Hi SweetiePie. I like your article, and I do agree with your comments above saying that ebay will not be suitable for everyone. If you aren't an experienced ebayer you can actually leave yourself open to fraud, and Yes, you will have to pay fees even if your item doesn't sell. The services in your Hub will prove very popular because a lot of people have phones lying around their home, and a lot of people enjoy the convenience these services offer.
Hi Skydiver,
Since you are experienced with using ebay you should write a hub showing newbies how to approach the site. I am sure that would be useful and informative.
we have to buy new cell phone and pay more money. But the quality of the is very bad. Usually it only can be use for two years
June688,
What type of phones are you buying? I purchase phones through Verizon and mine are always high quality. My phones would last well beyond two years, but when I upgrade I usually give my old phone to my sister because I can get a free one on my plan. Honestly I take really good care of my phone and never drop it, or expose it to water, so my phones tend to last. One phone I bought my mom lasted for four years, and the only problem with it towards the end was the battery not charging fully anymore.
We are a youth organization working in Liberia, West AFrica. We are presently training young girls in ICT at your youth center.
As part of our our programs we will provide crime prevention and crime reporting as part of training for your women in order for them report any act of criminal activities relating to violence against women, rape to the
police or proper authority. For more on our crime prevention and crime reporting programs
you can visit us at: www.ycwliberia.ushahidi.com platform. We will
highly appreciate donation of used phones for possible distribution to
our target beneficiaries for report criminal activities in Liberia. As
you may be aware, Liberia has experienced a 14 years of devastating
civil war and most young are were either victims or perpetrators. We
are an organization established to mitigate criminal activities in
Liberia by working along with the Police and other relevant
organization in combat of crimes.
You can visit our website at: www.ycwliberia.org
Thanks for sharing zuolib. I am sure many will consider donating their phone to your cause.
SirDent Level 4 Commenter 3 years ago
Cool info Sweetie. If I ever get a cell phone and decide I don;t want it anymore, I'll come check this hub out.