Mobile Recycling FAQ

Mobile Recycling is not new but many people have still yet to recycle or sell a mobile phone to a mobile phone recycling company.

As you would expect, the number of old mobiles which are not been used is on the increase, particularly in developed countries, such as the UK, America and Canada.

In order to answer any queries or question you may have regarding online mobile recycling, a ‘frequently asked questions’ list has been compiled below for your reference.

Frequently Asked Questions

General:

Briefly, Can You Tell Me The ‘New Customer’ Process?

The great positive of selling mobiles online is the simplicity of it. All you need to do I select a mobile recyling company, input your phone make and model, input your name and address, send your mobile and then sit back and wait for your payment!

Is Mobile Recycling Popular?

Selling phones online to mobile recyclers is popular and is gaining momentum all the time as more and more people hear and find out about how you can get paid for selling / recycling old phones. Why not spread the word to your family, friends and colleagues?

Who Recycles Old Mobile Handsets?

Specialist mobile recycling companies ‘recycle’ old mobile phones. In recent years a number of dedicated online mobile recyclers have been formed.

The popular mobile recyclers are: Envirofone, Mobile Phone Xchange, Mopay, Fonebank, Mazuma Mobile and Earth Mobile. The aforementioned mobile recyclers are well establishes and recognised leaders in the mobile recyling market place.

How Is My Handset Graded?

Mobile phones recyclers have three main categories which your old mobile phone will be placed into. The categories are: Working; Non-Working and Beyond Economical Repair (BER). The value of your old phones is determined by which of these three categories you old mobile is placed into. If you mobile phone is Working then you will receive the advertised full price for your old mobile. If your mobile is placed into the Non-Working category you will receive a reduced list price for your mobile. Should your old phone be beyond economical repair then your phone is worth zero.

What Happens To My Old Mobile Phone?

When you sell phones online to mobile recyclers there is usually only two outcomes for your old mobile. Firstly, and this is what happens to most recycled mobiles – your old mobile will be sent to expanding continents such as Asia and Africa. Specific countries include Bangladesh, India, China and Pakistan. Mobile phones are sent to these parts of the world to help, improve and to give wider spread access to communication. The other alternative four your old phone is to break it down and sell on the components and metals to a third party.

Which Companies Can I Use Who Will Buy My Phone From Me And Then Recycle It?

We recommend using one of these companies: Envirophone, Mobile Phone Exchange, Mopay, Fonebank or Mazuma Mobile.

Postal Queries:

How Do I Get My Old Mobile Phone To The Mobile Phone Recycling Company?

You will post your old phones to the mobile phone recycling company. Depending on which mobile recycling company you used will determine whether you need to provide your own envelope or if and envelope will be sent to you for you to use.

Do I Need To Pay Postage?

No. All mobile phone recycle companies listed online at www.recycleoldmobile.co.uk have FREE POST address which are used to post your old mobile phones.

My Phone(s) Are Valuable, Should I Do Something Else To Ensure The Mobile Recyclers Receive The Handset?

The decision is yours. Phone recycle companies will no accept responsibility for non-delivered phones. You can send high valued mobile phones via registered post to safeguard against your mobile phone no being delivered. Payment for registered post is non covered by the mobile recycling company. Should you decide to post your phone this way, ensure you use the correct address as stated by the mobile recyling company.

Do You Need To Send In The Manual, Accessories, Charger Etc?

When recycling or selling phones, you only need to include the handset and the battery. If you would like to include the box and any accessories then you can do, however they are not required and will not increase your payment from the phone recyling company.

How Long Does It Take For The Mobile Recyclers To Receive My Phone?

Obviously this varies but the majority of phone recyclers FREE POST service is second class, therefore the time taken is typically between 4 – 8 working days.

Payment Queries:

How Do I Receive My Payment?

You will receive your payment by either a cheque (which is posted out to your address), direct into your nominated bank account and lastly payment can be made in the form of online shopping vouchers.

Please note: not all mobile phones recycling companies offer all of these payment services, so it is best to check and clarify online at the recycling company of your choice if your have a particular payment preference.

When Will I Receive My payment?

You will normally receive your payment in 7-10 days.

However, this time frame is not set in stone and should only be used as a guide. The process which determines just how long it takes until you are paid includes: the swiftness of your old mobile being posted, the delivery time by the carrier (usually Royal Mail), the time taken for the mobile phone company to check and grade your mobile which you have sold, your nominated payment method (bank transfer is quickest).

Technical Queries:

Should I Delete The Information Held On My Phone?

This is entirely optional and simply down to personal preference. Mobile phone companies who buy phones from you do not stipulate that mobiles sent to them should contain no data. However, if you would like to reset your phone back to its original settings this is fine and gives you added peace of mind. For help see how to delete data from phone.

How do I Use The Comparing Tool?

When selling mobiles it is important to get a good price for your old handset. You can do this by using the comparing tool. Simply select your mobile phone brand, such as Nokia and then select the model, such as 7210. You will then be shown which the price each phone buyer will pay you.

For a more detailed guide, read our how to use the mobile comparer.

What Is An IMEI Number, does My Mobile Phone Have Once?

Every mobile phone manufactured around the world is issued with and IMEI number. This 15 digit number is unique to that particular handset.

IMEI numbers are issued to handsets to allow companies (i.e. mobile networks; o2, Orange etc) and regulatory bodies (Governments) to identify and track the usage of the handset.

What Does IMEI Stand For And Where / How Can I Find It?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. The IMEI number can usually be found underneath the battery along side the mobile make and model number. An alternative way to identify your mobile phone’s IMEI number is to key into your phone: *#06#. Once keyed in, your IMEI number will be displayed on your phone’s screen.

Other Options For your Used / Unwanted Mobiles:

Can I Raise Money For My Phone Any Other Way?

Yes. There are other methods for getting some money for an unwanted phone. Apart from using a phone buying company one of the most common ways which people sell items online is via eBay. Read about the pros and cons of selling via eBay.

Did You Know You Can Offset The Cost Of Your New Mobile Phone?

Another option for a phone which you no longer require or want is to trade it in against the cost of a new mobile phone. This helps you reduce the cost of your new phone contract as well as helping you avoid hoarding away used mobiles. For full details read the trade in your mobile article.