ABOUT THE PROGRAM |
WHAT IS SHELTER ALLIANCE?
DO YOU HAVE TO BE A SHELTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COLLECTION PROGRAM?
HOW DOES SHELTER ALLIANCE RECYCLE CELL PHONES?
IS SHELTER ALLIANCE A NON-PROFIT OR FOUNDATION? |
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PAYMENT |
HOW MUCH DOES SHELTER ALLIANCE PAY PER CELL PHONE?
DOES SHELTER ALLIANCE PAY FOR ALL CELL PHONES?
IS IT POSSIBLE TO EARN $200 PER PHONE?
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PAID PER CELL PHONE?
DO YOU HAVE A PRICELIST?
HOW LONG BEFORE WE GET A CHECK?
DO YOU SEND ME AN ITEMIZED BREAKDOWN FOR EACH SHIPMENT? |
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PACKING & SHIPPING |
WHO PAYS FOR THE SHIPPING?
IS THERE A MINIMUM SHIPMENT QUANTITY PER BOX?
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL PACKING REQUIREMENTS?
DO YOU PROVIDE “CELL PHONE COLLECTION” BOXES?
SHOULD I COUNT, LIST, AND/OR ITEMIZE THE PHONES BEFORE I SHIP?
DO YOU TAKE THE BATTERIES?
ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS FOR BATTERIES?
DO YOU TAKE OTHER ACCESSORIES (TRANSFORMERS, CHARGING BASES, ETC.)?
HOW OFTEN CAN WE SHIP YOU PHONES? |
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MISCELLANEOUS |
IS THE PERSONAL DATA ERASED FROM THE PHONES?
SHOULD I DEACTIVATE THE SERVICE ON THE CELL PHONES?
ARE THERE ANY MEMBERSHIPS FEES OR OBLIGATIONS?
IS THERE A FEE OR CHARGE FOR POSTERS & MARKETING MATERIAL?
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM |
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WHAT IS SHELTER ALLIANCE? |
Shelter Alliance is the largest cell phone recycling program in the United States. Through this program, organizations of all types are able to raise funds through the collection and recycling of used cell phones. Since 2001, thousands of organizations in 50 states have earned over $7,000,000 through the program.
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DO YOU HAVE TO BE A SHELTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COLLECTION PROGRAM? |
No. Shelter Alliance services all types of nonprofit organizations. We work with shelters, domestic violence organizations, social service providers, YWCAs, Salvation Armies, schools, religious organizations, and more.
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HOW DOES SHELTER ALLIANCE RECYCLE CELL PHONES? |
A Shelter Alliance recycles cell phones through an environmentally responsible zero landfill process. Click here to learn more about our Cell Phone Recycling Process & Environmental Policy.
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IS SHELTER ALLIANCE A NON-PROFIT OR FOUNDATION? |
No. Shelter Alliance is a program of GRC Wireless Recycling, a private sector firm in Florida dedicated to wireless recycling. We have proudly dedicated our resources to social service fundraising efforts through cell phone collection and recycling.
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PAYMENT |
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HOW MUCH DOES SHELTER ALLIANCE PAY PER CELL PHONE? |
Shelter Alliance pays up to $30 per phone (less frequently collected newer models may earn significantly more.)
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DOES SHELTER ALLIANCE PAY FOR ALL CELL PHONES? |
Yes. We pay a minimum of $.50 for all phones, regardless of age or condition.
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IS IT POSSIBLE TO EARN $200 PER PHONE? |
Shelter Alliance is aware that some recycling programs advertise “up to $200 per phone.” However, these models are the current models sold by cellular companies, and it is highly unlikely, if not impossible, that you will collect these phones from your community. As such, we believe it is misleading to make these claims. With the majority of collectable phones falling in the $2-$10 range, we are more comfortable with “up to $30.” However, be rest assured that we will pay “up to $200” per phone if the situation arises.
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WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PAID PER CELL PHONE? |
Shelter Alliance has received shipments averaging as high as $18.50, and we have received shipments averaging $1.25. There are a variety of factors that will determine your average phone price, particularly where and when the phones were collected. On average, you can expect to earn $2 - $4 per collected phone.
The employees of Shelter Alliance are experts in the wireless industry, and we make every commitment to pay as much as possible for phones received. We work with hundreds of markets around the world to ensure that we maximize the proceeds from the sale of this product (which in turn benefits the Shelter Alliance program).
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DO YOU HAVE A PRICE LIST? |
We discontinued our price list based on feedback from our participants. Shelter Alliance receives over 1300 models of phones, with pricing changing monthly. Additionally, many cell phone models do not readily indicate the part number. Our participants found the use of a price list to be cumbersome and unproductive. Shelter Alliance ACCEPTS AND PAYS FOR ALL PHONES, so there is no need to determine if a phone “qualifies.” Furthermore, we commit to industry leading pricing, and we are available to discuss current prices for specific models.
Please call us at 866-744-1003 or e-mail us at info@shelteralliance.net if you have any questions about pricing.
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HOW LONG BEFORE WE GET A CHECK? |
Shelter Alliance will issue and mail a check within two weeks of processing your shipment. You are always welcome to call or e-mail to learn about the status of your shipment.
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DO YOU SEND ME AN ITEMIZED BREAKDOWN FOR EACH SHIPMENT? |
Shelter Alliance will include a complete and detailed itemized breakdown of all phones received in a particular shipment. This will include model, quantity, amount paid, and total. Our accountability to you and your organization for each and every phone received is of utmost importance to our organization.
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PACKING & SHIPPING |
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WHO PAYS FOR THE SHIPPING? |
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Shelter Alliance pays for all shipping costs. We only ask that you collect at least ten phones prior to shipping.
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IS THERE A MINIMUM SHIPMENT QUANTITY PER BOX? |
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We ask that you ship a minimum of 10 phones per box. Please remember that this is a Cell Phone Fundraising program, so the more phones you collect, the more you will earn!
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DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL PACKING REQUIREMENTS? |
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N0. Our shipping process is simple and straightforward. When you sign up with a program, you will receive packing instructions in your “welcome kit”.
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DO YOU PROVIDE “CELL PHONE COLLECTION” BOXES? |
No. We do not do this for three important reasons:
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COLLECTION BOXES LEAD TO THEFT WHEN ON DISPLAY: Based on our experience and participant feedback, publicly displayed collection boxes lead to lost or stolen phones. |
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COLLECTION BOXES LEAD TO THEFT DURING SHIPMENT: Based on our experience, decorative boxes that indicate “cell phone collection” will lead to theft during shipment. Why? It is obvious there are items of value inside the box. |
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NEW COLLECTION BOXES VIOLATE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY: Our dedication to the environment extends to all aspects of our business, including the use of collection boxes. With millions of boxes already available for shipping, it would be irresponsible to produce new boxes for this purpose. The “re-use” of boxes is essential to the preservation of our forests. |
We suggest that you use any type of sturdy cardboard box for shipping, such as readily available “copy paper” boxes. Additionally, be sure to place your collection box behind a counter or desk (for security purposes), and publicize your collection with our beautiful posters.
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SHOULD I COUNT, LIST, AND/OR ITEMIZE THE PHONES BEFORE I SHIP? |
Although the final decision is yours, we suggest that you leave this process to us. We receive thousands of shipments per month, and our familiarity with the product makes it easier for us to process (and lightens your burden). As stated above, you will receive an itemized breakdown with your payment, and you are always welcome to call to discuss the results. Our accountability to you and your organization for each and every phone received is of utmost importance to our organization.
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DO YOU TAKE THE BATTERIES? |
Yes, we need the batteries and the battery covers (battery covers are the plastic “back” of the phone that covers the battery.) When shipping, please make sure any batteries included in your shipment are attached to their corresponding phones. If the battery is unavailable, we will accept the phone by itself.
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ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS FOR BATTERIES? |
Any batteries included in your shipment must be attached to their corresponding
phones (if the battery is unavailable, we will accept the phone by itself).
If you are shipping twelve (12) or more "extra" or "loose" batteries, please
call us for further instructions.
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DO YOU TAKE OTHER ACCESSORIES (TRANSFORMERS, CHARGING BASES, ETC.)? |
As a general rule, we do not accept transformers, charging bases, cigarette plugs, earpieces, or manuals. Our company focus is handset and battery recycling.
Most county disposal/trash facilities will accept the charger/charger bases that Shelter Alliance does not take. Check with your local waste management agency regarding what regulations are required in your area. Many of our shelter partners successfully minimize the collection of these items when the product is actually collected, by telling the public "we only need the phone and the battery."
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HOW OFTEN CAN WE SHIP YOU PHONES? |
The program is ongoing, so you can collect and ship year round! |
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MISCELLANEOUS |
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IS THE PERSONAL DATA ERASED FROM THE PHONES? |
The information below explains our approach to personal data in cell phones.
1. For phones with “re-use” value:
- For many models, Shelter Alliance performs the data erasing at the Shelter Alliance facility.
We use software, manufacturer codes, and manual resets to erase personal data.
- For some models, the data is erased by refurbishment companies
(either Shelter Alliance customers or independent refurbishers).
- Cell phones that cannot be turned on or have a broken screen are sold to independent
refurbishers who will perform the data erasure procedure when applicable.
2. Phones without “re-use” value are shredded during our metals refining process. The personal data is erased through the destruction of the phone.
We recommend that anyone with concern about personal data should erase the phone's memory before recycling.
For most phone models, data erasing is a simple process, commonly found in a phone’s menu. Data erasing instructions
can also be found in the phone’s user manual. Feel free to email us at info@shelteralliance.net or call 866-744-1003 if you have any questions.
While we have internal policies in place to address personal data in phones, we will not be responsible for any information left stored in the memories of recycled cell phones.
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SHOULD I DEACTIVATE THE SERVICE ON THE CELL PHONES? |
Yes, be sure to deactivate your cell phone service prior to shipping your phones. We will not be responsible for any airtime charges resulting from phones that were not deactivated.
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ARE THERE ANY MEMBERSHIPS FEES OR OBLIGATIONS? |
No. There are no membership fees, forms, obligations, or time limits.
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IS THERE A FEE OR CHARGE FOR POSTERS & MARKETING MATERIAL? |
No. We provide an nice selection of posters to our participants free of charge. You can download material in our "Marketing Materials", or call us for pre-printed posters.
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