Submitted by Anders Batten on
The folks behind cash4iPhones.com and cash4BlackBerrys.com have launched a new, comprehensive site called HelloTotem.com that promises to pay you top dollar for your old, unwanted iPhone. HelloTotem wants to send you cash for that iPhone that's been collecting dust on your desk since you upgraded. HelloTotem is currently offering payment, often issued the same day your device lands at HelloTotem, for many different models of outdated smartphones including devices from Apple, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, HTC, Nokia, LG and BlackBerry. Every model of iPhone Apple has produced, save first generation iPhones, are exchangeable for what HelloTotem promises are the most competitive prices in the industry. HelloTotem also has plans to start offering cash for tablet devices, such as the iPad, in the near future.
The process is incredibly straightforward. Simply visit HelloTotem.com and enter your device and it's condition right on the homepage. You'll get an instant quote, a quote which Totem indicates is reliable 98% of the time. The other 2%, when quotes change, are typically from customers drastically overstating the condition of their device. According to Nicholas Fiorentino, Totem's CEO, in some cases customers understate the condition of their device and actually receive payment that exceeds their quoted offer. Once you accept Totem's quote, you'll receive a postage pre-paid mailer that you simply put your device in and ship back to Totem. Once Totem receives and processes the device, they issue payment.
Payment can be issued via check or via PayPal and, if your used phone arrives at Totem before 10am on a business day, they'll issue payment that day.
A 32GB iPhone 3GS currently in "good" condition (which allows for minor scratches typical of day-to-day use) is worth $193. Who knew you had a nearly two-hundred dollar paperweight sitting on your desk all this time? Oh, and don't worry if you've lost your charger, USB cable, original box or anything else that came with your iPhone. Totem doesn't want them. Just send the phone.
So, how do you know you're not shipping your phone off into a black hole, never to be seen again? Totem stresses their understanding of customer concerns regarding online scams and reliability. After all, Totem isn't the first company to offer cash for old phones. HelloTotem.com has a detailed tracking system that shows the progress of your payment every step of the way. Totem also received an A rating from the Better Business Bureau, showcases a myriad of customer testimonials and also takes care to protect customer privacy through their TRUSTe certification.For more information, or to get a quote for your unwanted phone, visit HelloTotem.com.
Comments
Anonymous replied on Permalink
iPhoneFaq writes like that was a GREAT place to sell your phone.
False.
Get a price quote. It is *WAY* less than you would get by simple/quickly selling your old iPhone on ebay.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
yeah, but by time you get ebays fees,shipping and invest the time, you mid as well of just sold it on here. I looked around they're basically the best non ebay solution. It looks pretty fast to get a price and easy to send in. I think its just an easy solution to get rid of your phone. I guess you could sell your house on your own, but you'll prob just hire a Realtor.. My opinion anyway.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
ya idk about that after shipping, all their fees, and the time invested. this might be easier.
boombust replied on Permalink
Sounds like a perfectly fine way to sell your phone to me.
The article doesn't say there's no way to get more $$$ for your iPhone. Maybe you could sell it to your friends, too, or put an ad in the paper ... maybe set up a stand on your street where you sell used phones. Who cares?
I think the point of the article was that this company is giving very fair prices for old phones and eliminating all of the hassle.
There are a shitload of people out there that don't have any interest in becoming eBay sellers.
Sharon W. replied on Permalink
I am skeptical of a company like totem that is so new. I use http://www.cellitused.com since they have been around since 2005. I actually sold 7 phones to cellitused since 2007.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
I can tell you that Totem advised almost two weeks ago that they were sending payment for my iPhone 3G. As of yet, no payment has been received and I cannot get them to respond to my emails.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
This is a scam, my mom still hasn't received any payment and they are claiming they didn't receiv her phone, she's getting ready to call attorney general and dateline.
John replied on Permalink
Well, I received a quote of just over $111 for my 3GS (8GB) and when they received the item, they sent me a revised quote for $64. They said that the phone wasn't in "good" conditon (minor scratches, no deep blemishes) which is EXACTLY the condition of the phone I sent.
Seems that THEY revised THEIR quote...because now (4 weeks later) a "good" phone like mine gets a preliminary quote of $64 on their website.
Bait and switch! Nice. I'll be reporting them to the BBB since they boast about being a member with an "A" rating.
I've sent them an email, so if they get back to me I'll update this post.
John replied on Permalink
Correction - it was a 3G (not GS). I'm used to having the "S" now for my new 4 :)
Craig replied on Permalink
Scam, they have been purged from BBB check this link http://www.bbb.org/san-diego/Business-Reviews/cellular-telephone-service-and-supplies/cellular-distribution-strategies-in-san-diego-ca-171999632
Chino replied on Permalink
Hellototem is a real business but YOU DO NOT WANT TO SELL YOUR PHONE TO THEM!!!! They have been dicking me around for the last two month on a old phone i sent them. When they got my phone I asked them when I was going to get my money and they told me i would receive it a few days after they got my phone (Strike One- I knew they already had it for 2 weeks). After about 2 weeks I emailed them telling them I want my money or phone back (Strike Two- they did email for a little over a week). Now finally I was really mad and I had told them to either give me my money or just send my phone back or i was going to sue to get my money (Strike Three- they told me I needed to respect them and that they still have not received my phone). As of today I got a email saying that I needed to respect them and that they have just received my phone and that my threats where futile and this went on and on for a bit with me fighting back and forth with this guy trying to get my money, I FINALLY GOT IT AFTER FIGHTING WITH AN EMPLOYEE THROUGH EMAIL. Soon I will be reporting them to the BBB and suing for false advertisement ( its suppose to be fast and easy), Harassment, and what ever else my sister ( a lawyer ) can find to throw on top of that. Remember people false advertisement is ILLEGAL AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW. That's why i make sure to cover my butt when it comes to my online store.
Anonymous replied on Permalink
How did you ever reach anybody there? The phone number is no longer active and they don't respond to emails.
J.C. replied on Permalink
I heard about this company from a friend, so I decided to try them, being that they were fast in buying my friend's phone. Due to their tracking information on their site, I know they have received my phone a month ago. They requoted me a smaller amount, to which we accepted, and still haven't received anything from them. When I emailed the company (because they don't have a phone number on their site) they said I would receive a response within 48 hours... I still haven't received anything from them. I chatted with someone on their website. And they told me they would forward my information and someone would get back in touch with me in 48 hours. I have a problem with a company that doesn't meet their own timelines. In the event things aren't going to be met, an email informing their customers of the process would be welcomed. STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY! unless you don't care to get any payment for your phone.
Linda Adams replied on Permalink
This is untrue. I sent in a phone and received a check about a month later. The check bounced. They then emailed me explaining something about mixed up accounts and asked me to e-mail them the bank fees and they'd issue me a new payment plus fees. Sensing a scam, I blacked out all instances of my bank information on the fee letter I received from the bank and e-mailed it to them. That was a month ago and I have gotten nothing.
My guess is that they hope people will be dumb enough to send the fee letter with all their account information on it, giving them access to their accounts.
Ken replied on Permalink
What a scam. They quoted me a price of $84 for 2 Samsung phones and once they received them, revised their quote to around $9. I declined the offer and asked for the phones to be sent back. The entire process took almost 2 months and they only sent 1 phone back. The 800 Number they have setup is fake (no one answers it). If you can get them on their "Live Chat" tool (make sure you wait at least 20 minutes before someone responds or you might miss your opportunity to chat with one of the morons they have working the customer service desk) they will just lie and tell you the phone is on it's way.
They have themselves listed with an "A" rating with the BBB, but that is also false. They have an "F" rating (San Diego BBB) and are no longer a member of the BBB.