Travel Technology - What to do w/ old blackberry

Don't laugh, but I just replaced my Blackberry 7290. It works just fine, and I just can't bring myself to put i9t in the garbage. Is there anything I can do to get some cash out of it or pass it on to a worthwhile charity?

I recall seeing a site you could send your phone to and they'd give you cash in return, this was about a year ago. I can't remember the address though. You could also try ebay.

I recall seeing a site you could send your phone to and they'd give you cash in return, this was about a year ago. I can't remember the address though. You could also try ebay.On bestbuy.com, they have a way to trade in old electronics. It's through another site called dealtree.com. I thought the last time I looked into this, most major retailers that offered the same sort of program all used this same partner (could be wrong).

Anyway, it's a complete ripoff. Don't bother. (I checked for the BB mentioned in this thread, and it has 0 value)

Don't have any suggestions on how to donate it to someone. I think most of those phones are going to people that need them for emergency use only. So a smartphone wouldn't seem to fit the bill. Ebay/craigslist is probably the best option.

Give it to one of your silly friends who doesn't have a smart phone yet... be kind, get them into the 21st century!

They will probably wind up hating you for it after they become crackberry addicts, though, so make sure it's not too close a friend!

-SF

Considering you can get new Smartphones for $0, I'm not sure people would even want it as a contribution. Yeah, $0 has the caveat of signing up for some sort of term, but you'd need to do that anyways.

For my old stuff, I look for the nearest electronics recycling place. Gotta make sure all those heavy metals don't get into the water tables!

Considering you can get new Smartphones for $0, I'm not sure people would even want it as a contribution. Yeah, $0 has the caveat of signing up for some sort of term, but you'd need to do that anyways.

"Some sort of term" is a 2 year agreement, usually at about $60/month. I'd say that is a bit more than "some sort or term". There are a lot of people who are locked in on a grandfathered plan who don't want to renew or alter their contract.

Plenty of people will still pay about $30 for a 7290 on Ebay, or sell it on nextworth.com (I think it is worth about $10). Alternatively, ask your mobile operator about their own charity phone recycling program, most of them have one.

IMO, if someone is going to accept a 7290, he's probably not going to have a Smartphone. If he's on a cell phone plan, that's not going to cut it for data charges. Ergo, he will have to move out of a grandfathered plan.

Adding a data plan shouldn't impact your grandfathered voice plan.

Adding a data plan shouldn't impact your grandfathered voice plan.

Tell that to the 1000's of people still stuck on an old "blue" AT&T plan who can't touch any part of it without being forced onto a new plan ;)

I have yet to donate a smartphone but there are many organizations that accept old phones as a charitable donation. My old phones have been donated to local agencies to serve as emergency phones - can still call 911 without a plan - for elderly individuals or battered women.

You know, this is pretty much what eBay was created for. If you're too lazy to do that, then I would suggest you give it any number of charities that I am sure will be more than happy to visit you and pick up that and all the other old crap you have laying about.

If you really need a list of charities to give it to, please PM me.

Around Vancouver, even the charities are turning away stuff. :eek:

I can't imagine it being any different in the US.

That is the older-style BB, correct?

I would trade my new, fancy, easily-broken versions for the old brick in an instant. Corporate IT ends up issuing me one of the new plastic ones about once every six months because they break when being dropped on escalators in FRA, dropped by the TSA at security, etc. The old ones where far more durable.

Question: If I take my ATT SIM out of my new phone, and put it into an old BB like Dingo's, is there any reason why it wouldn't work?

<SNIP> pass it on to a worthwhile charity?

Here's one in your backyard:

Women's Commission collects used cell phones for domestic violence victims (http://charmeck.org/Departments/Womens+Commission/Domestic+Violence/Used+cell+phone.htm)

Mecklenburg County Women's Commission
700 North Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-366-3210

Around Vancouver, even the charities are turning away stuff. :eek:

I can't imagine it being any different in the US.I haven't seen a charity here turn down anything. I have no idea what they may do with it, but it's all graciously accepted.^

Perhaps the rich charities in Vancouver need to start sending stuff to the needy in Eastern Canada, where the economy really sucks. But they wouldn't do that, would they? :rolleyes:

Or maybe those fatcats in Eastern Canada could start donating? ;)

I can't help it if Westerners are more generous. :D

Do you have any friends with a CDMA provider who travel to Europe? If they don't have a Storm, Tour, or World Edition, give it to them for use in Europe.

I haven't seen a charity here turn down anything. I have no idea what they may do with it, but it's all graciously accepted.^

Perhaps the rich charities in Vancouver need to start sending stuff to the needy in Eastern Canada, where the economy really sucks. But they wouldn't do that, would they? :rolleyes:

Most charities in my area won't accept computers (unless they are under a year old), baby products (too many recalls) and most of them don't want phones as the process for clearing it and getting it ready for re-use is too costly, especially when you can pick up a prepaid phone WITH sim/activation for under $20.

Tell that to the 1000's of people still stuck on an old "blue" AT&T plan who can't touch any part of it without being forced onto a new plan ;)

You talking to me? ;) :D

Re: cell phone. Either donate it to a woman's shelter or take it to an electronic recycling place (municipal or BestBuy). That's what I'm doing with my sister's cell, who recently passed away.

Cheers.