Make Money With Your Old Cell Phone

By secretagent

Nearly every one you know has cell phones just tucked away in their closet, never seeing the light of day, or perhaps you just got a new cell phone and have no idea what to do with your old one.

Here are three ways to make money off your old cell phone while doing something environmentally responsible. While some of these offer gift certificates or other incentives in trade for your own cell phone, in most cases you will come away with something in return. Even if your cell phone has no value, you should still donate it or send it in for recycling to keep the cell phone out of our landfills.

Each cellphone must be in working condition:

- It powers up and able to make a 611 test call
- LCD display works and not broken or bleeding
- Keypad, scroll bars, camera work
- No water damage - A red dot beneath the battery indicate the phone has come in contact with moisture or water.
- No loose or broken flip
- Display light comes on
- A working battery
- A valid and readable serial number sticker inside or beneath the battery
- Case and housing is complete, unbroken, no major scratches, and in acceptable condition
- Any additional function provided by the cell phone must work.
- All cell phone must have a valid ESN or IMEI number.

ReCellular Trade In

ReCellular Trade In (http://www.recellulartradein.com) is a Best Buy partner who will take cell phones in on trade for Best Buy gift digital certificates, usable for products on BestBuy.com. It takes about 4 - 6 weeks after you mail your phone to receive your certificate(s) by email.

Cell for Cash

Cell for Cash (http://www.cellforcash.com) makes it really easy to make money recycling your own cell phone. You just answer a brief questionnaire about your old cell phone, gather your accessories and ship them for free in the packaging that Cell for Cash provides. Very reputable, and you get real cash for your cell phone.

BuyMyTronics

BuyMyTronics (http://buymytronics.com) will buy all your used electronics, to include cell phones, iPods, used laptops, game consoles, MP3 players, just about anything. If you've got electronics laying about the house, you owe it to yourself to click now and see how much money you've got sitting around.

GRC Wireless Recycling

GRC (http://www.grcrecycling.com) is one of the larger cell phone recycling outfits in the US, boasting over 4,000,000 phones recycled since 2002. GRC has many partners, and if you're a school, church, or other organization, they'll set up a fundraiser kit that will allow you to make money for your favorite charity.

Other ways to make money from your used cell phone

If you want more money for your trade in, try eBay or Craigslist, as many people are looking for used cell phones because of dropped, damaged, lost or stolen cell phones. It might take a bit longer, but you can make pretty decent money if your phone is nice. Just remember to be honest about the condition of your phone.