T-Mobile is going the Gazelle route and offering to beat the other guys: If customers find a better trade-in value from the other three major carriers, T-Mobile will beat the offer and throw in another $50 toward the cost of a new device. But you’ll still want to shop around.
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For the first time ever, the iPhone will cost you significantly more because mobile carriers are no longer subsidizing the price. One example is American Cell Phone Drive, which turns your phone’s value into cash that you can donate to one of more than 4,000 participating charitable organizations. To qualify for the offer, you have to submit proof of the trade-in deal offered by Apple or your carrier via an email to [email protected]. Moreover, the company also says that you can send in your used phone by November 10 and still receive the quoted price that you received when you locked it in. This is more ideal as Apple and other wireless carriers mostly offer trade-in values in the form of credit or contract deductions and never in cash. Models that are eligible for the service include the iPhone 6 S Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4.
So is the deal worth taking? The trade-in price is valid for 30 days.
Gazelle also noted that in the past, the value of older iPhones depreciated as the launch of the new device drew near, but in its Best Price Guarantee, it promises to deliver the best price for old devices even on launch day.
The new iPhone is just around the corner, and it’s time to get serious about trading in your old smartphone. Whitney reports that the price you’ll get, from Gazelle or anyone else, depends in large part on the model and the condition of the phone. The phone can have a cracked screen or other flaws but it must be capable of powering on. A “Good” condition means that the device shows normal signs of use. That kind of f*ckery likely explains why Gazelle, a service that pays smartphone owners cash for their used phones, is so popular. The third basis is the handset’s carrier type. The difference is that Verizon iPhones come with GSM unlocked, according to a Gazelle spokesman, so they can be used on any GSM network with the right SIM card installed.
Each of the wireless carriers is giving customers incentives to re-up (and new customers reason to switch), luring them in with impressive trade-in deals.
Trade-in deals from carriers may force certain conditions on you like activating a new account or applying credits toward your bill.
AT&T similarly offers customers up to $300 for old phones, but the amount you’ll get is determined by the phone’s appraisal. Such upgrade plans may require you to return your old phone without receiving any cash back for it.
Nearly every U.S. carrier will offer iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus and they want to attract more subscribers by offering trade-ins to previous iPhones.
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“Gazelle has always offered cash and great customer service but we’re now also guaranteeing consumers the best price”, said Sarah Welch, Gazelle’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Unlike the carriers, Gazelle prides itself on offering a simple customer experience with no strings attached”. Gazelle is offering between $325 and $475 for an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus, or between $150 and $200 for the iPhone 5s. And unless you’re in a rush, check other sites where you can trade in your phone or sell it yourself.
