| Whether you want to buy a used phone as an | | | | more likely to find their way into your household |
| upgrade to your existing account or simply | | | | garbage which will find its way into our landfills. |
| replace a broken one, it is getting more and more | | | | The problem? Cell phones are highly toxic and |
| difficult if you are provided service by Verizon. It | | | | enough of them could do serious and irreparable |
| seems that Verizon has taken steps that are not | | | | damage to the environment. It is irresponsible for |
| in the best interest of their customers, almost | | | | a company of that magnitude to inadvertently |
| forcing them to buy brand new phones rather | | | | encourage people to dump their useless cell |
| than reactivating used ones. | | | | phones into the environment, all in the name of |
| It is no doubt that cell phones are BIG business | | | | the dollar! |
| and it seems that Verizon might be making some | | | | That is the fundamental reason behind the |
| attempts to make it even larger and more | | | | creation of cell phone buyback companies, such as |
| profitable for them. Keep in mind that when you | | | | SellMyOldCellPhone.com, to help recycle used cell |
| "sign up" for service from one of the major | | | | phones and keep them out of the landfills. So that |
| carriers you usually sign a 2 year contract. Not | | | | when people broke their phones, they could |
| too long ago it was only one year. You are also | | | | purchase a lesser expensive alternative used cell |
| charged an early termination fee if you should | | | | phone. Some people simply want to upgrade, but |
| happen to break that agreement. The new trend | | | | before buying the new one, they want to try a |
| that seems to be employed, most notably by | | | | used one first to see if they like it. When carriers |
| Verizon, is to retire your cell phone once your | | | | render the ESN useless, they cannot do that. |
| agreement is up and you choose to move on or | | | | People are forced to buy brand new phones. Old |
| upgrade. | | | | useless cell phones end up in the garbage, polluting |
| So what does "retire" mean? How do you retire | | | | our environment. |
| an old phone and why should anyone care? First | | | | What can you do about it? The best thing to do |
| of all, "retire" means disabling the ESN (electronic | | | | is just be aware of this. Knowledge is power and |
| serial number) that identifies that phone. This | | | | power enables people to make change. |
| means that once the phone has been disabled, it | | | | 1. First and foremost, when you call an agent on |
| can no longer be re-activated. So again, you might | | | | the phone or visit one at a local store, do not be |
| ask, "What's the big deal"? Well, the reasons are | | | | surprised when the first thing they tell you is, "It |
| two fold. | | | | can't be activated." Do not settle for that as an |
| 1. First, and most importantly, that phone is your | | | | answer. Some agents simply do not know what |
| property. If you should decide to change carriers | | | | they are doing. I have encountered that problem |
| after your term is up or upgrade to a new phone, | | | | numerous times. Insist on another agent until you |
| you should be able to do what you want with it. | | | | get one who can handle the problem or request |
| It is somewhat similar to your car. Once your | | | | to speak to a supervisor. The ones who may lack |
| payments are up, does the finance company | | | | knowledge are followed by the ones who were |
| deactivate the VIN thus rendering your | | | | trained to "sell, sell, sell." You can't make a |
| automobile useless? Of course not. So how does | | | | commission if you don't sell service, accessories, |
| a large carrier, like Verizon, get away with it? | | | | or a phone and a store cannot make money if |
| Technology changes so fast that the laws cannot | | | | they don't sell service and phones. |
| keep up with it. Eventually, a young, new and | | | | 2. Do not hesitate one minute to write a letter to |
| energetic lawyer will initiate a class action lawsuit | | | | the company threatening to cut off your service |
| that will force the courts to examine the issue. | | | | and go with another carrier. You might think, "Big |
| That is similar to what is going on now regarding | | | | deal, no one is going to listen to one letter," but |
| the early termination fees that the carriers charge | | | | you would be surprised what happens when they |
| for breaking contract. There is Governmental | | | | start getting a stream of letters all threatening to |
| movement to ban the practice. But again, let's not | | | | cancel service. Sprint had the worst customer |
| gloss over the ownership rights of the phone. You | | | | service record of all the carriers for several years |
| bought it, that gives you ownership. Ownership | | | | recently and eventually culminated into a huge |
| grants you the right to do what you want with | | | | financial loss, thus forcing them to change their |
| the phone (within legal boundaries). To have a | | | | practices. They had what appeared to be the |
| carrier render the ESN useless could be construed | | | | highest exit rate in their history. Also, don't be |
| to be nothing less than stealing the phone from | | | | afraid to follow through with your threat. They |
| you. You are probably thinking, "Why would they | | | | are a cell phone service provider, not a home or |
| do this? How could they benefit from this?" The | | | | auto loan. There are no legal repercussions. Look |
| answer is simple. Revenue. If you cannot | | | | for companies that do not engage in these |
| reactivate a used Verizon cell phone and you | | | | practices. A lot of small, local cell phone carriers |
| have more time on your contract, then you must | | | | (like Pocket PC and Cricket) have these practices. |
| buy a brand new one. So the next time you drop | | | | They are month to month with no termination |
| your phone one too many times or get it wet | | | | fees. |
| and it doesn't work anymore, the likelihood that | | | | 3. Finally, if you choose to sell your cell phone to a |
| you will be able to go online and buy a used | | | | buyback company, such as |
| Verizon cell phone will be slim to none. Get ready | | | | SellMyOldCellPhone.com, let the carrier know that |
| to shell out several hundred dollars for a | | | | they must "release" the ESN for reactivation. All |
| "run-of-the-mill" cell phone. So now you own a | | | | release means is that they remove your name |
| useless phone which brings us to the second | | | | from the phone and make it available for re-use. |
| reason why you should care. | | | | Do not settle for any excuses as to why that |
| 2. The second reason you should care centers | | | | cannot be done. You are the customer and the |
| around the environment. If you have 1 million | | | | phone is yours as long as you have met your |
| Verizon cell phone users over the course of say | | | | obligations (which might be changing soon, |
| five years have their cell phone ESN's retired, | | | | regarding the termination fees). |
| then what do you think might happen to them? I | | | | We let these large companies dictate to us how |
| would venture to say they would not end up at a | | | | the rules work, when in reality, without our |
| recycling plant! I doubt anyone will take time out | | | | money, they have no rules. We are all guilty of |
| of their day and spend a fortune in gas to drive | | | | just accepting what we are told by these giants, |
| to a recycling plant to dispose of one or two | | | | but sometime we need to remind them who |
| phones; it just isn't going to happen. They are | | | | pays the bills! |