Get Paid for Giving Away Your Old Cell Phones

Posted on August 7, 2007
Filed Under Advice, Environment, Technology

One of the many problems with all of the tech gadgets that we have surrounded ourselves with is what to do with them once we decide to get rid of them.

There are a few standard options:

• Start a collection (pile) of outdated junk
• Throw it away
• Try to sell it
• Get paid to give it away

Collection of outdated junk

As the label suggests, this option is just going to pile up and clutter your living or working spaces. If you find yourself in a mode of trying to cut clutter this option is truly burdensome. More and more people find it harder to concentrate and complete daily tasks; or just kick back and relax.
One of the reasons for that is the sheer number of distractions in our lives. I argue that the biggest distraction comes from a feeling of anxiety due to clutter.
This option is only for the tech junkies who plan to retool the phone for some other use.

Throw it away

Throwing away a cell phone may seem like the no brainer option. I urge you to take a moment to pause and reflect on what you are doing.

That cell phone has a battery. Batteries and landfills don’t mix well.

Most batteries contain hazardous metals like mercury, lithium, cadmium and lead. Some landfills incinerate garbage in an effort to produce low cost energy alternatives. This practice is far from being ‘green’. Plasma gasification is a newer technology that is showing lots of promise on the green front, but we are not there yet.

Leaks, ash and vapor created using these methods of disposal usually end up contaminating the water table. The vast majority of people who get exposed to mercury do so by consuming mercury-contaminated fish.

Long term exposure to these toxic materials has been linked to permanent damage of the brain, kidneys, and fetuses.

As more people try to make an effort to ‘Go Green’ this option has serious limitations.

Try to sell it

Finally we get to an option that shows some promise.

EBay, Yahoo, Craig’s List and many other sites have ways for you to list your phone for sell. The biggest reason I hesitate to endorse this option stems from one thing; Cost.

Most auction sites charge you some sort of fee, whether it is a listing fee or a bump in services premium (more control over the look and feel of your listing). Then there is the matter of getting paid, PayPal or other services may charge you a nominal fee to transfer and accept funds.

One last cost factor - shipping.

You have sold your item, collected your “loot”, now you have to send it to the buyer. UPS and FedEx shipping, and US Mail certified delivery options cost, sometimes they cost big. Of the options so far though, I’d have to say this is the most attractive.

Get paid to give it away

Getting paid to give away you old cell phone is probably one of the easiest things you’ll ever do.

Go to the simplysellular website and locate your phone by manufacturer and model number
• Provide your name and address and receive a postage paid envelope in which to ship your phone.
• Mail your phone and collect your check.

The ubiquitous freebie Nokia 6010 will only get you $3.00, but a SideKick III will net you $139.00. There are plenty of phones and manufacturers to choose from.
Simplysellular helps by donating the phone to worthy causes like disadvantaged people, battered women shelters, and military personnel. They also are able to get phones back to the manufacturers so they can be recycled properly.

You get a chance to remove clutter, be a better steward of the environment, help someone who is not as fortunate as you, and get paid. All you have to do is fill out a very short form to get a prepaid envelope.

It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Visit Simplysellular.