Selling your old phone to CeX

mh1923

I just wanted to warn anyone, if they are thinking of selling their old phone to CeX

DON'T TAKE THE TRADE IN VOUCHER!!!!!

Seriously, unless one of their physical locations is near you, take the cash. Their voucher is so hard to use that it's driving me mad.

First of all, they don't just put credit on your account. They send you a physical paper voucher. If you want to use if to buy something from the online site, you have to pay for the item upfront and then mail in the voucher and they'll credit whichever card you used.

This is annoying, but not a deal killer. The real problem is that I can't actually place the flipping order! I tried when I first got the voucher last August, and the phone I wanted, though it was in stock in their physical stores, was not considered 'in stock' online. I tried to phone and see if I could get it shipped to me from store inventory, but that's not possible.

I wait a few months. Eventually the phone I want comes in stock. I tried to order it, and it wouldn't accept any of my credit or debit cards. I wasn't up to the hassle of calling them, so I just gave up.

Today I decided to try again. The phone I want is in stock, though the site is running so slow that it takes ages to navigate the checkout process. Finally I get to the final screen and click 'process my order'. Nothing happens. The screen refreshes looking exactly the same, and the order has not been placed.

I phone their customer service number and try to place my order over the phone. It's impossible. You have to use the website. They acknowledge that the website is having difficulties, but the only advice they could give was 'Just keep refreshing'.

I traded in my old phone for £34. I would have gotten half the value if I'd requested cash instead. I'd gladly make that trade now.

I just wanted to put my experience up here so that it might help others. It's so frustrating, because I'd have almost certainly purchased further items from them even after using up my voucher, because they have good prices and selection. But that doesn't do any good if you can't actually place the order.

I'm off to sell my voucher on ebay instead, as it might be worth something to someone who has a CeX store near them.

mobilejunkie

This company is awful to deal with - but they usually offer the best prices for phones and do pay - eventually! If you don't want hassle, avoid. If you are prepared for that, take the money (eventually) and run!

sjc_2

I personally can't see why anyone would use these types of Companies, you get so much more off eBay. Yes you have to be careful with the dodgy buyers for Nigerian relatives, but if you tie the auction down to UK only, confirmed addresses etc your reasonably safe IMHO.

I have sold all my old phones on eBay, had one dodgy bidder and had to relist but other than that no issues..... so far.

mobilejunkie

I sell where I get the best price. I don't use Ebay but assume you're correct. However, most on-line dealers are "dodgy" and you have to take care. I'm more than happy with my results and don't have to apply too much pressure. It's worht the hassle and I'm perfectly prepared to enforce my side of a contract if needbe - though so far it hasn't been!

chaz411989

Why trade your phone into cex?

Carphonewarehouse offer much better prices, especially if your phone is grade C. Grade A and B phones should be traded into cex, but grade C into carphonewarehouse. I got £115 for my N95, whereas cex would only offer me £99.