Back in 2007, Gerald got me the first iPhone for Christmas. I had no idea I could love a phone so much or all that I had been missing with my lil' ol' Nokia.. It was happily ever after for Apple and I. A couple fo years later, Gerald got an iPhone 3GS, after someone dropped his Blackberry in a puddle and ruined it. (That is another story for another time, no need to name names now.) He hated the 3GS. So for our anniversary, rather than buy each other gifts, we decided we would upgrade our iP{hones to the then new iPhone 4. We went to the AT and T store before our roamntic dinner out and did the deed. I had done some research and we were able to sell our old iPhones (Gerald's 3GS and my original iPhone) on Ebay. Gerald got about $5oo for his and I got around $250 for mine. That gave us the $400 or so to buy the new phones and leave a little in our pockets for dinner!
Ebay is so wonderful. There is no end of itmes to buy and sell on Ebay--you really must check it out and selling is WAY easier than you think!
But my story doesn't end here. About a month later, Gerald was dropping me off somewhere and as he drove away, a glint of something shiny caught my eye. OH NO! It was my brand new iPhone 4 laying face first on the pavement, case crushed, glass shattered. It had fallen when I got out and his huge tire had run over it. I felt a little tear gather in the corner of my eye. I picked it up and could not beleive the phone STILL WORKED. I continued to baby it and coddle it for a week or so until I figured out what to do with it. AS I am sure you all know, the phone companies have us in a stranglehold, we lock into contracts to get the phones for cheap because we do. I was not eligible anymore for the deal we had gotten previously for the iPhone 4. I went to Apple to see if it could be fixed under warranty, sadly it was not a defect on their part so I could not get it fised under warranty. I tried pleading wit AT and T, that got me nowhere. Finally I decided I would try to sell the phone with the shattered glass on Ebay for parts and maybe make a little money, $25 or so and just get a regular phone and forget all about the iPhone until the price came down again. I went on to Ebay to see if damaged iPhones we being bought and sold and could not beleive my eyes. They were being sold and bought for a lot of money. Like $500 or more. I listed my phone, complete with a description and photos of the damage, and sold it for $520 + shipping. I was able to buy another iPhone 4 at the regular price, $499 (yikes!) and I broke even. And the phone was till working as I put it in the box to ship it off to its new owner.
The moral of this story is one you have heard before, "It ain't over until the fat lady sings, and be sure to check all your options and do your research too!"
Next week check back for my new scheme on "jailbreaking" my iPhone or "How Gerald Is Getting An iPhone 4s for His Birthday Next Month Without Spending a Dime!"
THIS WEEKS IDEA
Rit Dye: Check out the possibilities at www.ritdye.com and be inspired. I know I was recently and in the next few weeks, I will share my projects and outcomes with you!
TIP
When purchasing online, before you hit SUBMIT PAYMENT, always do a quick Google search for whatever comapny or site are buying from and the word coupon ( IE; try googling Lands End coupon or Sears coupon) or check sites like www.retailmeknot.com
You are likely to find at least a coupon code for free shipping and sometimes a percentage off. Even old coupon codes sometimes work. It only takes an extra moment or two but you may end up saving!
