Why the sudden interest in old mobiles?

[robd]

Have noticed a couple of companies on TV lately offering money for 'your old mobile phone' - you just need to be gullible enough to send it to them for valuation and they promise to send you the money back!

Scepticism on the integrity of the companies aside, I am just wondering why the sudden interest in recycling old mobiles - selling to other countries?

[CJ]

I don't know, Rob.

However, our charity has been collecting them for a while and makes quite a bit from members sending in old phones and chargers. I am unsure as to the sums involved... shall ask tomorrow.

[Lee Bartholomew]

AFAIK they sell them on to countries where there is very little import of new products like Africa.

Infact I had an old car that had no MOT etc, I sold it on ebay and the buyer said they sell them off as scrap to Africa where cars are hard to get hold of and get a very high price (no MOT is needed over there either)

Charities send old phones, computers etc over to third world countries to help development. :grin:


BTW I doubt that you would get a decent price for a decent phone anyhow. These companies are thriving on the fact that people are strapped for cash at the mo. Mind you £3 for an Iphone seems more than reasonable. :wink:

[Gav]

I'm sure there's probably a retro mobile shop somewhere on Brick Lane selling them for £100 each as retro fashion accessories. :D

[Astro]

I'm sure there's probably a retro mobile shop somewhere on Brick Lane selling them for £100 each as retro fashion accessories. :D

Those brick like ones?