Frequently Asked Questions

How does EcoSquid work?

EcoSquid pulls in prices from electronics buying companies. These companies specialize in purchasing, refurbishing, and reselling electronics. EcoSquid does not actually purchase your phone, but instead finds you the top buyers and the highest prices. Once you select an offer, EcoSquid sends you to the website of the buyer you selected to complete your transaction. If your product does not have any value, EcoSquid helps you find options to recycle it responsibly.

What types of electronics can I sell?

Currently, EcoSquid helps users sell cell phones, mp3 players, digital cameras, tablets, and e-readers for the highest cash offers. We are constantly adding new electronics categories that you can compare cash offers for, so be sure to check back often. Check the home page to see which items you can get cash offers for and which you can find recycling offers for. If you're just looking to get rid of something, you can find convenient recycling options for most electronic products, including inkjet cartridges, monitors, cables, etc.

Who are the buyers on EcoSquid?

The buyers on EcoSquid are not individuals. They are companies that specialize in purchasing, refurbishing, and reselling electronics. The buyers that we list all have excellent marks from the Better Business Bureau. When reviewing cash offers retrieved for your product, you can check out customer reviews for these businesses and use our "Compare Services" functionality to learn about each company. There you'll learn that these businesses

How do I sell my cell phone or other electronic device on EcoSquid?

Simply type the brand and model of your device into the search bar. Be as specific as possible (Apple iPhone 3G 8GB). Once you locate your product, you will be asked for some additional information, such as the condition of the product and what accessories you can send in. Enter this information and hit "Find matching offers".

Because we are getting you prices in real time, the screen may take a moment to load, but you will soon see a number of cash offers for your item pop up. Take advantage of the "Compare Services" link and user ratings to select the service that is best for you. Once you click on an offer, you will be redirected to the website of that buyer to complete your transaction.

The buyer will then provide a prepaid shipping label, and may even provide a box. All you have to do is send in your item and choose the method by which you would like to get paid (paypal, check, etc). Most offers are only valid for a limited period of time (typically between 10 and 30 days- see the Terms and Conditions of the service you select), so be sure to send in your device promptly to lock in the price.

In some cases, your item will not have any value. If this is the case, EcoSquid will recommend options for you to recycle it responsibly or donate it. For certain product categories (see Home Page), EcoSquid only lists recycling and donation options

What happens to my item after I send it to a buyer on EcoSquid?

When you send a cell phone or other electronic device to a buyer on EcoSquid, that buyer will wipe the data from your device, test it and then send you payment. While all of the services listed on EcoSquid wipe data, your data is ultimately your responsibility. After you receive payment, the buyer will refurbish your device and sell it on the secondary market.

Selling your item to one of our buyers is an excellent thing to do for both the world and your wallet. Reuse is always better than recycling from an environmental perspective. The gadgets that you send in will find a home either in the US or in an overseas market, and are thus kept out of landfills. If you send an item that does not have value to a buyer on EcoSquid, it will simply be recycled.

How do I know that I will not be scammed when I send my valuable item to a buyer on EcoSquid?

EcoSquid is careful to only add buyers with good reputations. We ensure that all of the buyers that we lists have strong track records with the Better Business Bureau. When deciding on an offer, you can click the "See Details" link to see the BBB rating of that buyer for yourself. You can feel sure that all the services we list are legitimate. Remember, it is great to get a high offer for your old gadgets, but it is much more important to actually get paid!

Can I track the status of my transaction after I send in my device?

That depends on the service that you select. At a minimum, the customer service department of the buyer will communicate with you via email throughout the process. Many buyers will let you check the status of the transaction on their website. Click "Compare Services" before you select an offer to see the level of tracking that a particular service provides you with.

My item is damaged and/or has missing accessories. Can I still get money for it?

Yes. The buyers on EcoSquid will often still pay good money for electronics that are damaged and/or missing accessories. This is because they have the ability to repair your device, replace the accessories, and still make a profit. Even if your item is damaged, it is a good idea to enter it into EcoSquid to see how much you can get. You may be surprised!

What if my device still has data on it? Can I still send it in? What happens to my data?

Wiping your data is not a requirement, as all of the buyers on EcoSquid wipe your data before refurbishing and reselling your device. Click "Compare Services" when an offer comes up to see a particular buyer's policy on wiping data. In most cases they do a good job of it, but we still urge you to wipe your own data. Check the terms and conditions of the service that you choose, but the ultimate responsibility for your data is always yours.

How do I find the model number of my device?

For phones, there is usually a sticker on the body just under the battery with the phone's. Just take out the battery and have a look. With other devices such as cameras and mp3 players, the model number is typically on the outside body of the item.

Do I have to pay for the price of shipping when I sell my item?

No. All of the buyers on EcoSquid provide you with a prepaid shipping label to send in your device. Some will even send you a box.

How long is my offer valid for?

Check the Terms and Conditions of the service that you select to see how long your offer is valid for. Most offers are valid for anywhere from 10 days to 30 days from the time you receive your quote. It is always in your best interest to send in your device as quickly as possible, as prices rarely go up.

What if the buyer receives my device and disagrees with my assessment of its condition?

Most of the buyers on EcoSquid will check the condition of the device upon receipt to see if it matches your assessment. If they disagree they will give you a counter offer, which you will have a few days to respond to. If you disagree with their counter-assessment, you will typically have the opportunity to reject the offer. If this occurs, most buyers will send the device back to you at no charge. However, please check the "Compare Services" link and the Terms and Conditions of the provider that you choose to make sure that this is the case.

How long does it take me to get paid when I send my device to a buyer on EcoSquid?

Payment is typically made within two weeks, but varies from buyer to buyer. Check the "Compare Services" link and the Terms and Conditions of the service that you select to see a particular buyer's typical payment time.

How do I get paid?

Most buyers provide multiple payment options. Usually you can choose between a check and paypal. Some buyers may pay in prepaid visa cards. Some buyers also provide an option for you to donate the proceeds from your phone to a charity of your choice. Check the "Compare Services" button and the website of the service that you select to find out what payment options are available for a particular service.

I sent my gadget to EcoSquid and have not received payment yet. Can you help me?

EcoSquid is a comparison search engine that helps you find the highest price that buyers are willing to pay for your gadgets. EcoSquid does not actually accept devices, so you would not have sent your device to us. When you selected one of the services listed on our site, you were redirected to that website to actually complete your transaction. You should have received confirmation via email for the transaction. In order to check the status of your transaction, you should contact the customer service department of the service that you selected. If you are not having any luck doing this, please contact us here and we will help resolve your issue.

Is this some sort of scam? Who are you guys anyway?

Our foremost priority at EcoSquid is to make sure that our users feel confident and secure using our service. EcoSquid helps you buy and sell cell phones and other electronics. The buyers that we list all have excellent marks from the Better Business Bureau. Click "See Details" before you select an offer to get more information about that particular service.