TechForward and NEW: Gadget Buyback and Recycling
The AP profiles two new gadget buy-back and recycling companies, neither of which seem like good deals for those willing to resell working gear on eBay. One is really a rip:
For a fee paid when you buy a device — $9 for an iPod, for instance — you get the right to sell it to [buyback company] TechForward at a predetermined price that depends on how long you keep it. If you sell an iPod after a year, for example, you would get $40; after another year, $20.So I pay up front so you can promise to fleece me later?
Next!
The ecoNEW program — which amounts to a vast expansion of the trade-in programs some retailers run, mainly as promotions — won't charge upfront like TechForward.That's better. I could see people hauling a station wagon full of junk up to the local electronics store and seeing what they can get for the old junk, then leaving the rest of the stuff there to be recycled. Better than tossing it on the midden—and loads better than paying up front for a future buyback. I still can't get my head around why anyone would pay to lock themselves into TechForward's system. It just seems like such a gamble.It will provide store credit for old electronics in some categories, like computers, MP3 players and smart phones — with the dollar amount depending on the market for the particular equipment when it's traded in.
Some items, like printers and non-LCD monitors, won't qualify for credit, but users will be able to send them back to NEW for free for recycling. Other items, like cell phones, aren't eligible for credit or recycling.
Companies Launch Gadget Buyback Services [AP.Google.com]
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When they talk about trade-in value, are they talking about the recycling value, or about the item being resold. I would love to have Akihabara style stores in the U.S. I mean, yeah, there is eBay, but I'd rather go see piles of merch in person.
It would set up interesting competition: I could buy this year-old iPod, that does 90% of the new one for 70% of the cost (cause, c'mon they're still going to rip you off). If I didn't already have 2 iPods, that would make me think for a bit.
I do not understand the business individual's mind. (for discussions sake I openly admit this is a sweeping generalization and that every individual is different and should not be catagorized like that. I will try to should on myself only in this instance. If I do infact use should again let it be noted that I dont not use the word with the intent to say my view or position is more right or wrong than any other. I use 'should' in the sense that if I were in their position, given my character, 'should' theoriezes what my actions and thoughts on said matter would be.)
The clothing retail store "Buffalo Exchange" deals mostly 'recycled' clothing. Recycled in the sense that someone purchased clothes durring a certain trend. (Or clothes one does not want anymore, or clothes that were gifts. we all know how clothes as gifts go over.) At any rate, the trend is over and the clothes are no longer worn. You can either give them away, donate them, throw them away, or use them to make something else. Buffalo Exchange employs buyers who are trained to asses clothes compared against current trends, what has sold well before, and things that the store needs. If the item is something the store has assessed as something it can sell, they'll price it(and tell you what that price is, if you dont believe them and think they're ripping you, you can always come back into the store the next day and look for the item you've sold.) for what the store thinks it will sell for (also applied to the above conditions.). If they don't think it will sell, they will offer to donate it for you (to local charities, chosen by each individual store's store manager. Buffalo Exchange has only been in business since the 1970's, was founded by a husband and wife, and now has 33 stores nationwide.
Now if I were a business minded individual, one would think that the above business model could easily be applied to the world of computer and gadget technology. but I've never started a business.
My point is it seems most business focuses on "What can I do to make money. and after that, what can i do to make more money," and so forth. I'm not going to say that idea is wrong, but I think its a poor used of one's abilities, senses, and experiences. I feel that creating businesses and ideas with the sole purpose of enhancing humnaity's well being, from a business standpoint, would seem to have more of a long term(and seemingly more beneficial) impact. However, complaining about something without any action to resolve is pointless (and after a short while boring and redundant.).
I feel like a lot of business is just the gathering of money.
I hope that my intention to merely discuss has been made clear.
A one year old iPod would be worth most of it's original cost on Craigslist or eBay if in good shape. $40 is a complete rip. You can get that much for a broken one! So like you said .. what's the point of paying for that service?
It's odd that NEW won't take cell phones when those are readily recyclable in many programs like Staples offers. You can even get money for them sometimes (as a bulk-recycler, that is). There's also the Craigslist option - many people can use still-functional but older phones.
There seem to be some misconceptions about TechForward's Guaranteed Buyback plans that I would like to clear up.
First of all, our pricing has been misrepresented in the press. The buyback amounts mentioned above refer to an iPod shuffle ($99 retail), but seem to imply that is our pricing for "all iPods". In fact, the buyback amounts we lock in vary by device configuration. For example, a 16 GB iPod Touch would get a $110 buyback amount a year from now. You can see it for yourself on TechForward.com.
Second, the benefit of locking in these buyback amounts through our plans seems to be left out. The devices our plans cover depreciate quickly and unpredictably. Your 16 GB iPod Touch will be worth far less a year from now after Apple releases new iPod models. We offer a way to guarantee your device value for the future to take the uncertainty out of your upgrade plans. You can buy that new laptop today even if you know a new model you want will be released in 6 months because you know that you can use your Guaranteed Buyback plan to upgrade whenever you're ready.
Also, our prices a year out are often competitive with prices trade-in plans offer for your devices today, even though a great deal of depreciation occurs in-between. That's because we're better at predicting resale value so we can be confident in returning more to you. You can compare for yourself with online trade-in providers. Otherwise, you may find yourself with trade-in offers far below market later if you haven't protected your value with a Guaranteed Buyback plan today.
Finally, having a Guaranteed Buyback plan doesn't mean you have to send in your device - you can always keep your device or simply resell it yourself. Your Guaranteed Buyback plan effectively provides a minimum value you can get for your device if you keep it in good condition.
I invite you to learn more at TechForward.com and contact us with any questions (info@techforward.com).
Sincerely,
Marc Lebovitz
VP, Operations
TechForward