Frequently Asked Questions

What devices can I bring to an ecoATM?

We currently accept phones, mp3 players and tablets.

How does ecoATM determine pricing?

ecoATM prices each phone based on:

• Model
• Specific condition
• Value in the secondary markets

The price range is significant. Some newer models can fetch $300, while older phones may only be priced for $1. The specific condition of each individual phone is carefully determined by the ecoATM machine vision systems, electrical diagnostics, and artificial intelligence system in order to get the best price we can find in secondary markets. To summarize: A phone with water damage or a broken LCD will be worth less than a fully functional phone, and an older phone will be priced at a lower price then a phone that’s still performing well in the current market.

How does ecoATM pricing compare with selling my phone online?

ecoATM shops worldwide channels for the best prices we can find for each individual phone model. Our prices are competitive with other cell phone buyback services and we accept more kinds of devices than most of our competitors.

ecoATM also provides immediate evaluation and payment, unlike online methods that can take as long as 45 days to pay. Additionally, in online selling, consumers "grade" the condition of their own phone and it is often the case that once the buyers disagree with that condition “grading” and in turn offer substantially less than was originally quoted and expected. This never happens with ecoATM.

Does ecoATM accept accessories, like chargers?

ecoATM accepts all chargers and other accessories (cases, etc) for recycling whether they're working or not, but we can not pay for the accessories.

What happens to my device once I've ended my transaction and it's in the ecoATM?

All devices find one of two paths:

• Reuse = 60%
• Recycle = 40%

Almost all consumer electronics contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, arsenic and a broad variety of other materials that pose a threat to the environment and our health. The first and best thing we can do is to extend the life of existing devices as long as possible so that there is no need to build new devices to take their place. To this end, ecoATM is able to find a second life for approximately 60% of the devices we collect. The next best thing we can do is to responsibly reclaim materials from devices that are truly end-of-life.

For the 40% of devices that ecoATM collects which we cannot find a second life, we partner with the best eWaste reclamation facilities in the world to ensure those materials, particularly the precious metals, are reclaimed and reused in place of mining new materials and precious metals from the Earth.

How do I know you'll recycle my phone responsibly?

ecoATM is certified to the industry leading standards of R2 and ISO 14001.

Beyond this ecoATM uses the best environmental practices and processes possible. At some point in the lifecycle of a device, it becomes truly end-of-life. These devices can be "mined" to extract precious metals, spare parts and other materials that can be re-used. This material re-use is a key component to solving the eWaste problem. ecoATM only partners with limited number of eWaste recyclers who meet our qualifications and are certified to either R2 or eStewards. ecoATM is certified to R2 and ISO14001.

What happens to the data on my phone?

Your personal data is never downloaded or stored by ecoATM or any of our partners. Whether selling a device to ecoATM or anyone else, ecoATM encourages you to erase all personal data in advance. Consult the device's manual or search the Internet to find out the best method for fully erasing your device’s memory.

ecoATM only partners with a select group of reputable, worldwide, secondary market buyers. Before we form these partnerships, we ensure these buyers have the appropriate facilities and technology to erase personal data from all devices destined for secondary use. ecoATM then requires each buyer to enter a contract which legally binds these buyers to erase personal data from all devices and/or destroy the devices (and data) in the materials reclamation process. Phones that are bound for secondary markets are erased as part of the refurbishment process under these contracts. Phones that are sent to materials reclamation are generally shredded into small chips and smelted at high temperature so any data is destroyed in the process.

Keep in mind that, while ecoATM encourages, contractually and otherwise, all third parties involved - including but not limited to subsequent purchasers- to adhere to our policies regarding handling any personally identifiable information on any recycled cellular phone, we cannot and do not assume any responsibility for any actions or omissions of third parties, including the manner in which they use such information. Please erase any personal data on your devices in advance of selling it to ecoATM or anyone else.

Is it true that ecoATM's operate totally on their own, without any human-involvement?

This is false. Whenever someone uses an ecoATM, they are required to present a valid ID, which is then scanned so our team of online attendants (real, live human beings) can check it against multiple photos the ecoATM has taken of the seller in front of the machine. The transaction will be declined if:

• The person doesn't match the ID
• If they're under 18 years old
• The ID is invalid

Though we love and trust our machines, you can rest assured that you are never alone when you're visiting your local ecoATM.

How do you work with law enforcement?

Along with the steps above, ecoATM collects information about each sold phone and scans each seller's thumbprint at the kiosk. This information, along with the photos taken of the seller and their ID, is shared with police and also sent to nationwide electronic databases like LeadsOnline or Business Watch Internationals' RAPID system so that it's searchable not only in the local area, but also by law enforcement nationwide. We also hold all phones at our processing facility for 30 days after the initial transaction, in case we need to return a device to its owner.  

What steps have you taken to protect my stolen phone from being sold at an ecoATM?

We work closely with police in more than 300 locations on their investigations. The vast majority of those police officers will tell you that we cooperate well beyond what we are required to by law to help them get the data they need to catch thieves.

We're also honored to work with a law enforcement advisory board made up of retired Chiefs, Commissioners, head detectives, and officers from some of the biggest police and sheriff’s departments in the country who provide us with guidance and ideas on how best to help local law enforcement.

We collect thousand of phones per day and based on reports, fewer than 5 lost or stolen phones wind up in an ecoATM for every 10,000 phones we collect. But if you do happen to have your phone lost or stolen and it ends up in an ecoATM, we will return it to you at no cost. That is a guarantee.

Why don't you limit the number of phones someone can sell you?

Police have asked us not to. They fear that if we turn someone away from an ecoATM, that person is going to go somewhere else to sell stolen phones. If we buy those phones, we can report those transactions to the police and help them identify and arrest the suspect.

Can I buy or franchise an ecoATM kiosk?

Not at this time. ecoATM builds, owns, maintains and installs the kiosks in high-traffic retail locations.

ecoATM has become aware that individuals or entities unrelated to ecoATM are offering to sell, lease or license ecoATM kiosks. Please be advised that ecoATM does not sell, lease or license its kiosks, and has not authorized any individuals or entities to sell, lease or license its kiosks. Please disregard any such offers, and report them to our corporate hotline, so that we may take appropriate action to prevent any potential fraud to consumers or harm to our business.

How can I find out where my local ecoATM is?

Check out our handy ecoATM Locator.