mazumamobile.com

As we are going on holiday soon we were looking around for ways to raise some extra cash. Whilst rooting around I came across a couple of old mobile phones lying around. I had read reviews about various websites that recycle them for cash and so I decided to investigate.

After a bit of shopping around I decided to use a site called Mazuma Mobile. The site is relatively simple and easy to use. As you access the site there is a model quick search section at the top on the right hand side. All you have to do is type in the phone you are wanting to sell and click enter. If you can't remember the exact model number then you can search by manufacturer eg. nokia.

Once you have located the correct phone type the site gives you a working price. To qualify for this price your phone needs to switch on and off and be fully functional. It needs to have a working screen and include its battery. It also needs to be uncrushed with no water damage. If you're phone doesn't meet these terms then you can click for a non working price. To qualify for this your phone needs to again include the battery and not be crushed or snapped in half.

I was selling a Nokia 6680 which I could have received £20 for had it been working but as mine is as dead as a dodo I was offered £10. The other phone was a Samsung D500 which was in full working order and I was offered £16. Had it been in a non working state I would have been offered £8. I just visited the site again to check the prices and I would now be offered £13 for working and so the prices do vary.

Once you have got your price you click on 'add to order' and the site then asks for the IMEI number on your phone. This is a 15 digit serial number located inside the phone. If your phone is working then you can get this number from your phone by pressing *#06#.

Once you have input the IMEI number you click on 'save IMEI'

You then continue through the screenflow inputting your name and address etc. You also have to create an account with a username and password. This is so that you can track your order at any time and also reuse the site at a later date. I completed my order selling one working and one non working phone on the 30th April. The same day I received an email for each phone confirming my order number and the price I had been given. It advised that they would be checking the IMEI number and once this was complete they would despatch a freepost envelope to me within 48 hours. I actually received this in the post on the 2nd May. For each phone I received a letter and a delivery note. I had to return the phones with the delivery note in the freepost bag provided. In order to guarantee the price I had been given I needed to return the phones before the expiry date quoted on the letter. My date was the 15th May which gave me about a fortnight to return them. I thought this was plenty of time.

The site does recommend that you send the phones by registered post if they are of high value as they do not accept responsibilty for loss in the post. I sent mine back freepost obtaining a proof of posting as they were not high value.

I sent my phones back within a couple of days and on the 9th May I received a further two emails confirming that the phones had been accepted and my cheque would be with me within seven days. I had actually banked the cheque by the 12th so I was very pleased with the turnaround. All in all the whole process took less than two weeks and I had no problems or delays. If you are a member of any cashback sites it may be worth accessing the site through them. I use greasyplam and they are offering 75p back if you sell a phone.

The website also has a page about 'being responsible' which gives you some facts about phone recycling. Another page offers answers to frequently asked questions about the service.

I would definately recommend this site to recycle your phone. It is very easy to use and their paperwork was simple and speedy. I made money for getting rid of something I had lying around gathering dust. Its got to be an improvement on throwing it in the rubbish! I will certainly use this site again when I upgrade my phones in future.

Contact details:

www.mazumamobile.com

1 Colne Way Court
Colne Way
Watford
Hertfordshire
WD24 7NE

Tel: 0845 872 3000
Fax: 01923 691641