While gadget recycling services like Gazelle are handy and more people should take advantage of them, this in-store “ecoATM” is perhaps an even better idea. You put your old phone in there, identify it, and it checks for signs of wear. You get a quote on the spot, redeemable in store credit or whatever — or if it’s not worth anything, you can have it safely recycled and they’ll plant a tree on your behalf.
The first ecoATM, installed in a furniture store in Omaha (???), appears to work fine, having bought over 20 phones on its first day. I imagine if they’d installed it at a Best Buy or in a mobile retail store, they might have gotten a bit more, but they consider it a success and that’s what matters. They’ll be rolling out more over the next few months — check back later to see if one’s coming up near you.
Looks more like a Candid Camera style joke setup to me.
really cool idea, I have 7 old phones in my junk drawer, I wonder if they take an old StarTac?
Actually I think that is a place called Nebraska Furniture Mart which is huge and has tons of Electronics. Very fun place to shop
Jay is right, that’s in the Nebraska Furniture Mart’s Mega Mart. it is an electronic store attached the the Furniture store. the electronic store its self is bigger than any best buy I’ve ever been in.