I distinctly remember that a while ago, we had a thread on here where someone recommended a couple of companies that would sell used, graded cellphones. Only I can't find said thread.
Basically it's time to say goodbye to Verizon now that Straight Talk offers a "bring your own Verizon phone" plan. Moving my wife's phone should be easy as she wants to keep her iPhone 4, but my original Droid is so ropey that I need a new phone.
Being the cheapskate with the champagne taste I am, I'd want a used Verizon iPhone 4S, but I'm not going to buy one on Craigslist...
JoeyM
MegaDork
5/21/13 10:23 p.m.
maybe this one?
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/cell-phone-help/14226/page1/
Nope, not that thread, the one I head in mind was newer.
At least I finally remembered one of the companies I was thinking of: http://www.cowboom.com/
And that led me to this thread, which I believe is the one I was looking for:
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/cell-phone-guru-help/63264/page1/
JohnRW1621 wrote:
www.mobilekarma.com is a trusted seller. Keep your choices to at least Good or Great.
Also www.cowboom.com for grade 6 or 5. 4 is too low.
I see that the Cow's current inventory is low and high priced. This seems to fluctuate constantly as supply/demand changes. My Droid X (grade 5) came from there a year ago for $69. My wife's iPhone4, 8GB, in full refurbed condition (grade 9) came from there with the super christmas special price of $199. I have helped others with Samsung Fascinates (grade 6, $79) and Droid X2 (grade 6, $109.)
I have bought two feature phones through Karma. Both good buys.
I personally need VZ service to meet my current coverage needs. I get that service through www.pagepluscellular.com (PP) for my wife and me, which is a reseller of VZ. They offer $55 for Unlimited Talk, text and 2GB of data.
I make my monthly payment through www.pincheap.com. Their discount takes the $55 plan down to a complete (no tax) price $50.88.
Here in Ohio, with tax, the Straight Talk (ST) plan of $45 comes to $48 after required sales tax.
I very much like PP's US based call center in Toledo, OH as apposed to ST's off-shore call center supported by Tracphone.
In sad, sad news, it was announced yesterday that Tracphone is buying PP to get their 1.4 million customers.
http://www.totaltele.com/view.aspx?ID=481327
Still, currently, if looking for a Bring-your-own-phone (BYOP) type service, I would choose PP over ST. Both follow the VZ rules of not allowing 4G devices on prepaid plans.
It should take a while before they complete the sale and disassemble the US call center.
Swappa ( www.swappa.com ) seemed to have a decent inventory, and seem to be "phone-geek" enough that you'll likely get a well-described item.
It's still user-to-user, but from what I can tell they offer a more hands-on approach than ebay.
