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Entry bubble Hang On to your Old Cell Phones...(At least for a little bit!)

By: Colleen | November 18, 2009 | Category: Money

Colleen's Words to the Wise:

Unless it's broken, keep your old cell phone - at least until you are eligible for a new one.

I learned this the hard way last week. My cell phone stopped recognizing the charger. (After talking to many people who have had the same problem, I think they actually design phones with this flaw on purpose as a money-making scheme...cynical, me?) I took it to the store for them to have a look and my fear was confirmed, "Yup. It's broken."

After asking what I could do from this point, they told me I'd need a new phone and began looking up my contract history. Turns out my contract isn't due for renewal until July, and therefore I'd have to pay full retail price for a new phone. This did not sit well with me, especially since my broken phone wasn't even a year old, and hadn't been dropped in a toilet or anything that I'd done to my past fully functional phones.

After getting into a bit of a tizz, they told me if I had an old phone that was operational, they could reactivate it for me for a small fee. I moved recently, and while cleaning things out I distinctly remember getting rid of a few old cell phones. I couldn't remember if I had kept one or not, but crossed my fingers and went home to check.

I dug through some still yet to be unpacked boxes (don't judge) and miracle of miracles...I still had an old phone! I went back to the store, had it activated, and am once again in communication with the rest of the world. I do miss my Harry Kalas calling the final out of the 2008 World Series ringtone, but I'll live.

So, save yourself two trips to the cell phone store and your money. Keep an old phone around just in case.

For the really old phones that are ready to get the heave-ho, I know there are charities that collect them for reuse. Do you know of any?

| View Comments [9] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: broken   cell_phone   contract  

Comments (9):

blue comment bubble Posted by Judith Hellerstein on November 18, 2009 at 09:39 AM EST

A great agency that collects phones locally is Secure the call, www.securethecall.org. They collect and convert as many old cell phones as possible into 911 emergency access phones as possible. They then clean up the phones and distribute them to law enforcement agencies, domestic violence departments and senior citizen centers. They collect phones in most states through a variety of sponsors that display their collection barrels and work with them to keep phones coming into their Takoma Park, MD headquarters. Phones are sorted and tested. Suitable phones are purged of all personal information and are further processed for use as 911 phones. The result is a consistent, low cost supply of reliable phones prepared to summon 911 emergency services. I have given them several phones and our Synagogue has one of their cell phone barrels where you can drop off your phone. Phones can be dropped off in any condition as long as they have their chargers. You can download a tax donation certificate from their website.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Bocce Champ on November 18, 2009 at 09:47 AM EST

Too bad you don't have a friend who has the Harry Kalas call (among others) to them to ask if he/she can send it to you.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Lee Sea on November 18, 2009 at 12:05 PM EST

Seen a Program called UHopeline, By Verizon Wireless, It's a Phone Recycling Program....You can learn more by calling 1.800.2join in.

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blue comment bubble Posted by trenish in washington on November 18, 2009 at 12:22 PM EST

my ex-husband wilbur came to my rescue with one I had lost mine and he called told me he had one I could use to get reactivated and I used his and didn't have to buy a new one so even if you don't keep it around for yourself you can keep it around to give to someone else also....

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blue comment bubble Posted by James Spooling on November 18, 2009 at 08:50 PM EST

That's true. It is also a waste of money if you buy a new cellphone. That's why I'm still using my old cellphone. It can still help me on my daily needs just like texting, calls, music. Let's be practical. - http://contentspooling.net/en/index.html

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blue comment bubble Posted by my humble opinion on November 19, 2009 at 07:00 AM EST

If cell phone companies can lock you into a contract, and the phone they sell you goes bad through no fault of your own, they should have to repair or replace it for you at no cost. Of course if it can be determined that you abused or misused the phone to cause the problem they should not be liable for the repairs. it is sickening that they can force you to replace a faulty piece of equipment.

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blue comment bubble Posted by Michelle on November 19, 2009 at 08:03 AM EST

The EPA has a great page that answers the question "Where Can I Donate or Recycle My Old Computer and Other Electronic Products?" - http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm

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blue comment bubble Posted by Camille Dantzler on November 23, 2009 at 07:19 AM EST

This is a very useful story that can save money and energy. I recently had water damage to a phone and was out of cell phone commision for a week. I thought that I would have to purchase a new phone since my contract was not up. When I called my dad he informed me that he would simply activate one of his older phones for my use. It saved me money and I was back in communication.

There are also now organizations that advocate for cell phone recycling to keep harmful toxic such as lead and mercury out of the environment. They are disposed of according to EPA regulations. Best Buy, Radio Shack, and Office Depot are some of the stores that offer cell phone recycling.

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blue comment bubble Posted by oyun on January 16, 2010 at 04:44 PM EST

Also around holidays just leave more time for security lines. Many more people are traveling and many of them are not frequent travelers. http://www.zomoyun.com It just takes longer to clear security on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for instance.

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