Rich DeMuro, Nexstar media cable

Posted: 6/8/2021 / 3:55 PM CDT
| Updated: 6/8/2021 / 3:55 p.m. CDT

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – You probably have an old phone, tablet, or computer lying around your house. Now you can exchange them for cash – even if they are broken.

If it sounds too good to be true, it isn't. I recently visited the Chino-based website Gizmogo to review their operation and even sent in my own broken tablet to test their service.

(Empire DeMuro)

Gizmogo is part of a larger electronics recycling company that aims to keep old electronics out of landfills. Old devices are taken from you for cash and then either reconditioned or the precious metals contained in them are recovered for reuse.

"Our difference is that we are also very aware of the environmental impact … so trying to remove these electronics from our landfills is our main goal," said Roxanna Faithful, Gizmogo's Marketing Director.

The company accepts phones, tablets, laptops, computers, game consoles, cameras, lenses, drones, smartwatches, and even iPods if you still have one. The website will walk you through a quick evaluation process and then give you a quote for your item. If you accept the quote, it is time to send in your gadget. Depending on the size, the website will either generate an instant label that you can stick on your box or you will be given a small box to ship your smartphone in.

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I tried the entire service – without informing Gizmogo – with my son's old iPad Mini. It has a cracked screen and has been in my garage unused for several months. Gizmogo said they would pay me $ 80.55. I sent the tablet in and about a week later the money was in my PayPal account.

Competitors are Gazelle, Swappa and Gylde. Of course, you certainly get less for your gadget with these instant trade-in sites than you would do all the hard work yourself and list it on eBay, but that takes a lot more time and effort. You have to decide what is best for your situation.

Gizmogo says they usually pay within 24 hours of receiving and reviewing them. Note that the starting number is only an estimate and can change depending on the condition of your gadget.

"We [have a] Zero Landfill Policy, "said CEO James Wang, who was also particularly proud of how the company handles data protection.

Although I would always recommend wiping your data before sending in a gadget, this is not always possible, especially with defective gadgets.

(Empire DeMuro)

Gizmogo says they will "cleanly erase it or we will destroy the memory," explained Faithful.

In their huge warehouse I saw old devices stacked and garbage cans filled that were destined for other countries, recycled or resold.

It's a serious reminder that the latest technology isn't always in vogue, but disposing of it properly can make your wallet better and the world better.

"We just want to make sure none of these devices end up in the landfill," concluded Faithful.

Listen to the Rich on Tech podcast for answers to your technical questions.

source https://seapointrealtors.com/2021/08/01/got-old-even-broken-gadgets-lying-around-this-website-will-pay-you-cash-for-them/

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