UK mobile operator will resell smartphones at discount prices to increase data usage, possibly providing opportunity for collectors.
Digital Spy reports that Vodafone has launched a new scheme that will see the mobile provider reselling “nearly new” smartphones at discounted prices to encourage data usage and make it “more affordable for customers to get their hands on a smartphone”.
The encouragement of data usage is as a result of it being more profitable for mobile operators when customers use mobile internet than it is when they use their phones for low-margin calls and texts, with the scheme potentially benefitting mobile phone collectors in the future.
The phones will be handsets that have been returned by Vodafone customers in a “very good condition”, put through a series of checks and given a full security wipe by Vodafone before being re-sold both as pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and monthly packages, although the scheme will primarily target PAYG customers.
While the offers will vary depending on the make and quality of returned phones, Vodafone has launched the scheme by offering a nearly new iPhone 4 for £250 ($401/€308) on PAYG compared to the usual price of £405 ($650/€499), while a nearly new Samsung Galaxy S3 is available for £33 ($53/€41) per month on a contract with unlimited texts and minutes compared to £37 ($59/€45) per month for a brand new phone.
One of the main positives to the scheme reportedly emphasised by Vodafone is that the phones come with a 12-month warranty under PAYG and a 24 month warranty under a pay-monthly package, as this is not offered when purchasing second-hand phones from websites such as eBay.
“It is part of our ambition to get the internet into the hands of our customers,” a Vodafone spokesperson commented. “It follows the changes we have already made to the way we sell new devices – such as refurbishing our shops to focus on service and introducing our Tech Team of in-store, online and call centre technical support staff – to ensure that we help our customers get the most out of their new gadget.”