"The idea that a phone could sell [an iPhone 5S] ... and give a little money to buy a new phone that was discontinued ... was incredible," said Gonsalves, 27 executive of a technology startup based in Boston.So I ended up changing its iPhone 5S 32GB for $ 216 and used the money to partially pay a 64GB iPhone 6 used in Gazelle, which cost $ 401. At that time, a new iPhone in June would have cost US $ 749.Gonsalves is not the only one who sells and buys used Internet phones.
As the US mobile phone market away from traditional contracts to two years, more consumers switch quick phone while looking to save money. Resellers phone as Gazelle benefit from this trend by offering affordable alternatives used smartphones. 6S Since the iPhone hit the market in late September, Gazelle have changed some 100,000 iPhones, exchange figures considered normal for generations "S," the company said. Apple tends to make major redesigns every two years, opting for more subtle changes in the intervening year, the "S" models.Most business Gazelle is the iPhone, but also buys and sells Android devices. But it is not the only company in the sector. eBay and other uSell also buy and sell used mobile phones.Gazelle, based in Boston, began offering consumers a place to sell their used electronic devices. Last year opened an online store to sell these devices and since then has sold 50,000 iPhones.
"As manufacturers have removed subsidies telephone, many people have realized that buying a new iPhone costs US $ 650, not $ 200," said Sarah Welch, head of marketing at Gazelle. "There has been a sharp increase in demand for used phones in good condition".
To see what happens with the phones before they reach new buyers, CNET visited Gazelle installation in Louisville, Kentucky.
To sell a smartphone, consumers will Gazelle page and describe the state of the device in terms of "broken", "good" or "excellent condition" after which they receive an estimate of their value. The company then sends a prepaid box to the consumer, who has 30 days to send in the phone to Louisville. This period allows the seller to set a high price before the new iPhone is announced, but gives them time to buy another before selling.
"It is a simple and easy operation," said Sarah van Overwalle,
interior designer 47, Fishers, Indiana, who has sold four or five
Gazelle phones used by your family.
Once the devices arrive at the installation, subjected to a "rigorous inspection process," Welch said. The plant employees use special software to Gazelle to verify that the device is an iPhone 5S, for example, instead of an iPhone 5, and verify the status indicated by the seller. Gazelle then checks each component, the shape of the product and serial number to ensure that it is stolen.
If there is any problem, Gazelle contact the person to give you the chance to prove he is the legal owner. "Most of the time we return to have no contact with that customer," Welch said. The company gets the iPhone to give the authorities the opportunity to contact Gazelle and claim the phone, but that does not happen much.
Gazelle also alert the seller if the device is not in the specified conditions. Sometimes, the apparatus is in better conditions than those described and the seller gets more money. Other times, it is not the right model or is not in good condition, and Gazelle let the seller decide whether to accept less money or rather you get your device without having to pay anything.Gazelle phones sold directly to consumers undergo a more rigorous inspection process that measures 30 parameters. The screen is inspected to ensure that does not have many scratches, the camera, microphone and battery functioning properly. Gazelle also deletes all data from the previous client and return the unit to the state it originally left the factory.
A small number of devices sold without making any repairs, the company said. Gazelle repairs other, sometimes using components purchased phones before selling them to consumers.Gonsalves said he would probably return to Gazelle to buy an iPhone 6S. After the newest iPhone was released, he made an appointment to buy on Apple, but then realized that would still have to wait in line about two and half hours.
"No it did," he said. "If however I'll wait a month, why not wait until it is cheaper [in a company like Gazelle]?".
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