When it comes to electronics, especially mobile devices, it’s hard keeping up with the latest version. It seems as soon as the new iPhone or Galaxy series device is announced, there is a newer version on its heels, promising to be better and faster. After
an upgrade, the question is often what to do with the old device. Well, if you’re looking to get top dollar by selling it through one of many buyback programs out there, Business Consumer Alliance (“BCA”) warns consumers to watch out for eCyclebest
and their affiliates. The company has garnered a poor reputation for swindling many out of their devices and has even attracted the attention of the Nevada Attorney General’s office.
eCyclebest commonly offers customers high quotes for used devices and then reduces the price once they have possession of the device. For example, one customer passed up a $150 credit for their used iPhone 5 from a popular carrier in order to accept eCyclebest’s
$170 offer. When the consumer received a check for a mere $13, they were irate and contacted eCyclebest, only to be hung up on.
eCyclebest’s terms state that if upon receipt and inspection of the device they decide to revise the quote to a lower price, the consumer will be notified by email of the new quote and given five days to accept
or reject the offer. If rejected before the five-day window closes, the device will be returned to the consumer within five days thereafter. Complaints
received by BCA, however, paint a different picture. In many cases, consumer requests to have their devices returned are often denied. The company currently has an F rating and hasn’t been responsive to complaints.
eCyclebest is only one of many DBAs used by Laptop & Desktop Repair LLC. Other names include CashForiPhones, and CashForLaptops. The company has received so many complaints for unscrupulous tactics that the Nevada
Attorney General launched an investigation against the company and its principal, Vadim “David” Kruchinin. Over 800 pages detail the complaints and accusations against the business.
Consumers looking to cash in on an old device through buyback programs should first check the price of the unit online. This will give you a ballpark idea of what the device is going for and you can identify quotes that are too low or high. Take into consideration
the condition of the device when doing your research. Next, do your homework on the company offering to buy your device. Obtain a report from BCA to check out the company’s reliability, including any
customer testimonials or reviews on the business. Before deciding to send your phone, check the terms and conditions of the company and all of the fine print.
More helpful tips can be found on BCA’s
“How to Guide on Disposing Your Mobile Device”.
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Being Smart With Your Smartphone
What You Should Know About Mobile Apps
About the Author:
Nicole Pitts is a Senior Business Analyst and Writing Correspondent for Business Consumer Alliance. She has been with the organization for 13 years and specializes in report writing, business evaluation, and investigations. Nicole corresponds with businesses
regarding complaint trends and provides suggestions to help them alleviate problem areas that may cause concern. She also conducts advertisement reviews, reports on government enforcement actions, and assists government agencies and the media in obtaining
information. She enjoys reading, movies, and spending time with her family. Nicole can be reached by email at npitts@businessconsumeralliance.org.