How to get the most value selling your re-contract phone?

Your current mobile contract is ending shortly, and you are bombarded with promotion from your telco to extend the contract, offering you the latest phone models and discounts.

Yet, you do not need a brand new phone since you just upgraded yours last year.

Well, you probably could consider selling it away.

The extra cash can let you buy something you want or use the payout to subsidize your monthly mobile plan.

But how do you get the most cash value out of a recontract phone? Here are some tips for you.

1. Decide in advance if you are keeping the new phone or selling it away

You must decide if you want to keep the re-contract phone for personal use. If you choose to do so, the next step is to sell your old one away.

Here is a guide on how to sell your used device at the best value.

If you intend to sell it away, it will be essential to do so as soon as you have received the device to prevent further price depreciation.

2.Check your re-contract eligibility period

Having to know the re-contract date allows you to plan and look for a new model launch or promotion period.

A new model release from Apple or Samsung will usually fetch you the highest buy-back price due to market demand, especially if stocks are limited.

Also, the telco will occasionally put out offers during the festive period. Signing up during this period may allow you to seize a better offer.

TIP #01: Not sure when is your contract end date? Here is a guide from Circles.Life to help you check the contract end date of your existing telco.

3. Request for re-contract voucher

Depending on the subscription plan you have, some telco will try to retain customers with a discount voucher to offset the phone price.

If you are the top-tier mobile subscribers, the voucher's amount may allow you to get a handset without any further top-up.

However, do note that not every telco gives out the discount, and some have ceased giving out already.

TIP #02: If you do not receive the voucher, you may try calling your telco support to request it. They may or may not provide you with one. But at least you try.

4. Look out for promotion

Telco often advertises promotions from time to time.

The offers may consist of additional gifts (more on this later) or direct discount to the handset.

If a particular model is over-stock, the telco may offer rebates ranging from $100 - $200 to clear their stocks.

These discounts often coincide one to two months before the launch of a new model.

So, knowing the launch date of the new model is vital.

TIPS #03: Generally, Apple launches its new models in Sept/Oct and Samsung launch, respectively, in Feb and Aug.

5. Important things during sign up

iPhone
It is a standard procedure for the telco to activate iPhone when you collect it from their service outlet.

If you are wondering what 'Activation' is – it is when a SIM card is inserted into your iPhone and switched it on, connecting to either a Wi-Fi or cellular network to activate the device.

During this activation process, the warranty of the phone will be registered too.

And the warranty activation is what affects the price of a new phone the most.

In general, once the phone is activated, its value will drop 5 – 8%. And if a handset warranty is over 14 days, it will be categorized under a used set.

As a buyer, you wouldn't want to buy a brand new handset with 14 days lesser warranty, will you?

If you are not sure if your iPhone is activated, here is a guide on How to check for device warranty status/activation.

You may have two questions in mind now – why do telco insist on activating the phone, and how do I prevent them from activating?

Firstly, the telco does not provide a 1-to-1 exchange for iPhone.

They require the customer to check the device during sign-up, and hence they will need to go through the process of activation to access the home screen.

If there are any issues during the setup, they may change it on the spot for you.

Based on our experience, telco usually will not agree to release the phone without the activation process.

To address the second question – how do I then prevent the iPhone from being activated?

Well, you may opt for home delivery.

The iPhone will come sealed in plastic and warranty unactivated. Avoid removing the plastic wrapping to ensure the box and items are not being tampered.

Also, do not switch on the phone to check functionality. If you attempted to do so, the phone will probably end up activated and affects the buy-back price.

Android

From brands like Samsung, Sony, and Xiaomi, the warranty is based on the date stated in the invoice.

It is essential to sell the phone away within three days of receiving your handset if you want to get the highest value.

Likewise, do not remove the wrapper or switch on the device if you intend to sell it.

TIP #04: Always ask for a receipt from the buyer. It will protect you, as the seller, from any liability and future misconduct from the phone user. The receipt will serve as proof that you have transferred the ownership to the buyer. SellUp provides a receipt to our user for every transaction made on our platform.

6. Free gift bundles

Sometimes the brand manufacturer will provide bundle gifts to boost the sales of the handset.

These gifts can fetch you considerably good value if you sell it off with the phone.

Keep the accessories in its original wrapping and condition to get the best value.

7. Providing telco's agreement/invoice

During a transaction, the dealers will require the invoice from the seller for warranty purposes.

In some cases, a new iPhone may not be able to activate successfully.

In such a scenario, Apple support will require the user to produce an invoice from authorized reseller or telco as proof of purchase or ownership.

Without this receipt, Apple support may backdate the warranty hence causing the warranty to be shortened.

As the seller, you may remove any personal information from the invoice, such as address and contact number.

Do not erase or remove the device's IMEI or serial number and date of purchase from the invoice or receipt.

8. Compare the best offer

Visit Singapore's largest network of licensed buy-back partners to compare the best offer for your new device online.

Select your phone model and choose the highest offer.

Simply make an appointment to walk-in or having the convenience of on-site pickup.

Moreover, you get paid on the spot instantly! The process is quick and easy.

TIP #05: Time is money too.

Conclusion

In summary, to get the highest value for a newly re-contract phone, remember the following:

Check for re-contract eligibility early and look out for promotion and offer

Ask for a voucher to offset handset (if possible)

Do not activate the warranty of the iPhone (Huawei too)

Try to sell it within the next three days upon receiving the device

Sell it with whatever freebies bundle with the phone

Provide invoice / receipt / sales agreement

Compare deals at www.sellup.com.sg :)

Happy selling!

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