Is this fair? My friend wants to buy my cell. (long)

DH and I recently switched to Droid X phones and we're really happy with them.

My co-worker came to me today and offered me $50 for my old cell phone. He needs a new phone, but doesn't want to have to upgrade at this time. I have the LG VX8700, also known as the Prom Queen. Yes, really. I loved that phone.

I splurged a bit and bought the extended battery for the phone. The extended battery meant that, even with all the talking I do (and heavens I can talk!) and listening to music every day for at least an hour while I walked, I only had to charge it once every ten days or so. Bought a music package (earbuds, music disk for extra storage, the Verizon music CD -- which I don't think is even valid anymore -- and SanDisk for extra picture storage). I have all the stuff....manual, wall charger, the computer charger, even the original box. The phone is in excellent condition as I was always really careful with it. The way it is now, the poor thing is just sitting in my desk drawer.

Anyway, I told him that I didn't want to sell it, but I'd just give it to him. And really, I have no problem with that. He's married with two young children and his wife isn't working right now as she's a SAHM. He was shocked and says he has a problem taking it for nothing. I have a problem accepting money for a phone that -- although it worked beautifully for me for the four years I had it -- could develop a problem simply because it's four years old. And when I talked to DH about it, he has a problem just giving it away and thinks I should accept the money.

But if something happens to the phone, I have to work with this guy; he's in the cube right next to me. And I would feel horrible. My co-worker was checking the Prom Queen out on eBay and he told me that he'd end up paying more for the same phone there with no extended battery.....I remember that the better battery alone was $50.

I guess that I simply don't want to take advantage of somebody. And if somebody else can really use something I'm not using, then wouldn't it be a good thing to give it to them?

Am I being ridiculous? Am I being fair? What should I do? Any suggestions?

That's very wonderful of you to offer it to him for free. But I do know there are a lot of people uncomfortable with taking something for free from people. I was stubborn on selling one of my phones, and wanted $45 for it I think I ended up selling it for $20 over time to someone who insisted on giving me money when my hubby offered it to them for free since no one else wanted it.

It's a no-win deal, because both of you are uncomfortable with what the other wants to do. Yours DOES have a lot of extras coming with it, so I can see your DH's point in taking some money for it, but then again I see your point in it being 4 years old and can crap out at any time. Make sure he understands that it IS 4 years old and you do not guarantee how well it works, it's sold "as is". Maybe then he'll be more willing to take it from you for free. Or just compromise at $25

Originally Posted by Tara & Rob

Or just compromise at $25

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That's probably what I would do.

Give him the cell, saying there are no guarantees how long it will last. You never know with electronics, the end can come suddenly, and you don't want him to feel cheated if it quits a week after he buys it.

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

Give him the cell, saying there are no guarantees how long it will last. You never know with electronics, the end can come suddenly, and you don't want him to feel cheated if it quits a week after he buys it.

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I agree

Is this coworker an animal lover?
The reason I ask, instead of you taking money (given you and DH dont need the money) why not ask him to make a donation however small to a local animal charity instead of paying you!

I personally would give it to him for free. It's an old phone without all the gadgets and gizmos that any $50 model today would have. I have an LG Tritan, a touch screen smart phone, and I wouldn't even take $50 for that. It's used, it's not new by any means, and it would not have a warranty. I know you put money into it and that you really enjoyed the phone, but like you said, it's four years old. Cell phones are like computers, after a couple years they are pretty much obsolete.

Originally Posted by capt_jordi

Is this coworker an animal lover?
The reason I ask, instead of you taking money (given you and DH dont need the money) why not ask him to make a donation however small to a local animal charity instead of paying you!

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I was thinking the same thing!

That's what we agreed on this morning....and it was his idea. He's thrilled to death with the phone. And he told me that if I didn't take the money, he would donate it to a charity of my choice. I picked the local SPCA and asked that he donate it for Mollipop. He started laughing and said he'd do that. So it worked!

Originally Posted by capt_jordi

Is this coworker an animal lover?
The reason I ask, instead of you taking money (given you and DH dont need the money) why not ask him to make a donation however small to a local animal charity instead of paying you!

Click to expand...

That's what I was going to suggest.

Glad it all worked out.

I would just tell him that he can have it free because you have no use for it and had planned on throwing it in the garbage since you bought the new one.

Sometimes pride is a hard thing to get over. I know I feel uncomfortable taking things from people because I would rather be the giver. But I think about if I'm giving something, the person I'm giving is probably feeling the same as I feel when taking, so I just try and be gracious and accept.

So basically just tell him that it has no value to you and that you want him to have it.

Or wrap it up and give it to him as a gift for something IE: early birthday, belated christmas, early employment anniversary date etc. He can't refuse a gift.

Or you can tell him that you will trade the phone for lunch!

I recently sold an old phone my husband had to one of my co-workers for $150 (it was a blackberry). Only a few days after she bought it, it stopped working. I felt really bad since she is only 17 and doesn't make a lot of money. I ended up paying her back for the phone and she gave it back to me.

I wouldn't sell a phone to a co-worker again.

Originally Posted by catlover19

I recently sold an old phone my husband had to one of my co-workers for $150 (it was a blackberry). .

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My phone company offers a Blackberry for $25.00 per month with a 3 year contract.

I'd never pay $150 for a used phone. That's just crazy.

Nice of you to refund her when it broke. A lot of people wouldn't do that.

IMO if he offered the money for the phone, take it. BUT have him sign a paper (and you too) saying he is buying the phone for set dollar amount and "as is" - no warrenty.

This way you are covered in case something happens to it and it breaks, etc.

Originally Posted by Winchester

That's what we agreed on this morning....and it was his idea. He's thrilled to death with the phone. And he told me that if I didn't take the money, he would donate it to a charity of my choice. I picked the local SPCA and asked that he donate it for Mollipop.

He started laughing and said he'd do that. So it worked!

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So glad things worked out like that!

Originally Posted by Winchester

That's what we agreed on this morning....and it was his idea. He's thrilled to death with the phone. And he told me that if I didn't take the money, he would donate it to a charity of my choice. I picked the local SPCA and asked that he donate it for Mollipop.

He started laughing and said he'd do that. So it worked!

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Glad it all worked out. That truly is a win-win.