Massmart-owned DionWired has introduced a service that allows individuals to trade their old devices for credit at any of the consumer electronics store's branches.
DionWired notes that over 16 million mobile phones are sold in SA each year. "Old phones usually find their way into drawers or are tossed into dustbins."
The service gives consumers the option of making use of their old devices - including cellphones, tablets, iPods and notebooks - by exchanging them for vouchers that can be spent in-store.
Called Tech Trade-In, the service is backed by local telecommunications company Pure Distribution and powered by Redeem - a solution developed to facilitate the service.
Director of DionWired Andrew Jackson says it is becoming increasingly important for both consumers and retailers to devise ways to either re-use second-hand devices, or recycle them and dispose of components in an ecologically responsible way. "Everybody has a phone and they are replacing them with a new one every one to two years."
Old devices, says the company, result in e-waste. "Discarded cellphones, computers, tablets, printers, appliances and other 'white' electronic goods are becoming a massive problem in SA."
DionWired says its sales assistants can conduct a five-step grading process of devices being traded in, in less than a minute. "The value of the voucher is based on prices in the global second-hand phone or electronics market. It takes into account the fact that, although used items are rarely in perfect condition, consumers still want good value."
Jackson says the Tech Trade-In system offers full price, even if the phone is scratched or scuffed. "The only phones that cannot be accepted are those for which the IMEI number has been blocked on the Checkmend database of blacklisted, stolen or counterfeit goods. The system will then not allow the transaction to continue."
DionWired is looking to extend Tech Trade-In to include trade-ins on electronics like gaming consoles, cameras and navigation devices, such as Garmin and Tom-Tom, in 2014.
Share