Get Paid & Give Back

We understand the importance of a quick and hassle-free payments. Once we receive your item, our team works diligently to inspect it and initiate payments promptly. Our goal is to ensure you receive your payment within 3-5 business days from the time we receive your item.

We use five different conditions or grade the cosmetic condition of phones and tablets. The conditions are: Faulty, Fair, Good, Flawless and Brand New.

A device condition is considered Faulty if any of the following are true:

Cracks or other physical damage.
Powers on but does not work properly.
Battery is faulty or has less than 80 percent of original capacity.
LCD or display defects (aftermarket, burns, damage or no display).
Non-working Face ID or biometric sensors.
Engraved.
Missing or damaged SIM tray.
All devices must power on and be free of any lock, carrier blacklist, or financial obligations. 

A device condition is considered Fair if all of the following are true: 

Devices has signs of heavy use such as deep scratches, dents, scuffs or excessive scratching.
Fully functional with no operational problems.
No chips or cracks in the front or back glass.
Above 80 percent battery health with no Service alerts in settings.
All devices must be free of any lock, carrier blacklist, or financial obligations.
No ghost images in the display.
No LCD or display defects (aftermarket, burns, damage or no display).

A device condition is considered Good if all of the following are true: 

Devices has signs of use but no major cosmetic damage.
Fully functional with no operational problems.
No chips or cracks in the front or back glass.
Above 80 perfect battery health with no service alerts in settings.
All devices must be free of any lock, carrier blacklist, or financial obligations.
No ghost images in the display.
No LCD or display defects (aftermarket, burns, damage or no display).

A device condition is considered Flawless if all of the following are true: 

Device is like new and in flawless cosmetic condition with no signs of use.
Fully functional with no operational problems.
No chips or cracks in the front or back glass.
Above 80 perfect battery health with no service alerts in settings.
All devices must be free of any lock, carrier blacklist, or financial obligations.
No ghost images in the display.
No LCD or display defects (aftermarket, burns, damage or no display).

Devices are considered Brand New if all of the following are true: 

Sealed in original box with accessories.
Device has never been activated or used.
All devices must be free of any lock, carrier blacklist, or financial obligation. 

At Big Sky Recycling, we prioritize the security and protection of your personal data. Our thorough inspection process includes performing a full wipe and factory restore on each device. This ensures that all personal data is removed from the device.

To ensure you receive the maximum value, you must turn off any activation locks before mailing your device to us. Examples of activation locks include Apple’s Find My iPhone, Samsung Account or Google Account. Detailed instructions on how to do this can be found on our website.

By following these steps, you can have peace of mind knowing that your personal data is properly handled and your privacy is protected throughout the process.

If your device is not listed among the qualifying makes and models for our buyback program, don’t worry!  We accept all makes and models of cell phone donations for our recycling program.

Our recycling program is designed to support important causes such as environmental conservation, domestic violence prevention, and military charities. By recycling your cell phone with us, you contribute to these charitable initiatives while ensuring that your device is securely and responsibly recycled.

So even if your device doesn’t qualify for our buyback program, you can still make a positive impact by donating it through our recycling program.

Absolutely! Include any old cell phones you wish to donate with your shipment.

We understand the value of giving back and supporting those in need. By choosing to donate your phones, you contribute to charitable initiatives and help make a positive impact on the lives of others.

When packaging your cell phones, it’s crucial to ensure their safety and prevent any damage during transit. We recommend securely packaging each phone individually, using protective materials such as bubble wrap or foam padding. This helps safeguard the phone you are selling as well as any donated phones.

By selling and donating phones, you not only receive compensation for your device but also extend your generosity to others in need. We appreciate your willingness to make a difference, and we are grateful for your support in our mission to give back to the community.

At Big Sky Recycling, we are committed to making a positive impact and supporting charities that address important social and environmental causes. When you sell your device to us, you contribute to these efforts in a meaningful way.

The proceeds generated from the refurbishment and resale of all cell phones support our partner charities. Whether supporting our troops deployed overseas, planting trees or supporting survivors of domestic violence, we aim to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

By selling your device to Big Sky Recycling, you become a part of this collective effort to create positive change.