marclafountain.com

We are sorry that you are not happy about the inspected quote we provided.

Our inspection process is completed by two different trained technicians. We receive in your item, each inspector does not know what you classified the item as, and they perform an inspection. If both independent inspectors classified your item (s) equally, then an automated email is sent to you with our quoted value.

NextWorth Customer Service

I have received this email from NextWorth regarding the sale of my used iPhone 3G.

YOUR TRADE-IN ITEM WAS INSPECTED

Dear Marc LaFountain,

Thank you for participating in the NextWorth trade in program - your easiest, most profitable and responsible way to trade in your old electronics.

We have inspected your Apple iPhone 16GB 3G / item <snip> and we value it at $185.75. The quoted value for your item was $250.00

If you have traded in multiple items, you will receive a separate email upon our completed inspection for each item.

Please allow us approximately ten business days to initiate your payment.

Thanks again, we appreciate your business.

If you have any questions please email us at <snip>.

Best Regards,
NextWorth Customer Service

$185.75 is a nice chunk of change and perhaps more than I could sell the 3G for on my own. But, the lack of any explanation for why $64.25 has been knocked off the price is pretty annoying. It makes the $250 quote feel like a bait and switch.

My iPhone 3G was only one year old, had been kept in a case every day, and had no scratches or dings that I could see. It looked in excellent condition to me. If it wasn’t, at least NextWorth could have told me why.

I also find it interesting that I was not given an option to cancel the sale since it is now at a lower price. I don’t actually want to cancel the sale in this particular case. But when the actual price has decreased from the quoted price by more than 25 percent, you would think NextWorth would give you an opt-out option.

I’m glad to get cash for the 3G and pleased that it’s being reused rather than placed in a landfill. But, I wish NextWorth’s communication were better. I have emailed them to ask specifically why the price change was needed. We’ll see what they say.

I saw a post over at TUAW about how one of their writers, Mel Martin, was selling his used iPhone 3G to a company called NextWorth. Martin’s story on June 16th said NextWorth was offering $280 for his “like new” 16GB iPhone 3G. I was lazy and didn’t check it out until June 17th and was offered $250, which is still being offered as of this writing.

I reformatted and packaged up my iPhone 3G yesterday afternoon and used NextWorth’s pre-paid address label to mail it off for free via USPS. NextWorth is charging me $5 to get a check, but my take should be $245 from this. Not too shabby.

NextWorth’s offer of $280 to $250 for a used 16GB iPhone 3G amazes me. I would think to resell my old phone at a decent profit they will have to charge $325 or more. If someone is a new iPhone user or is eligible for a full iPhone upgrade, they can get a brand new 16GB iPhone 3G S for $199 or a brand new 32GB version for $299.  So, why would anyone spend $325 or more on a used iPhone 3G?

I can only guess this has something to do with some people wanting a contract-free iPhone or perhaps used iPhones can be made to work on networks other than AT&T.

Martin’s story says that he successfully sold his first-generation iPhone via NextWorth, so this sounds legit. Time will tell!

I also found it interesting how little used iPhone accessories are worth at NextWorth relative to a used iPhone. NextWorth was only offering $2 for a used docking station (sells for $49 new), 50 cents for used earbuds ($29 new), $2 for a used AC adapter ($29 new), and $1 for a used USB cable ($19 new).

I kept my accessories since they will all work with my new iPhone 3G S. But, perhaps many people sell them to NextWorth. If so, perhaps NextWorth is getting a lot of their margin on reselling accessories.