| Collection Strategies: Free Money
By Conrad Melancon
Time and time again I hear people talk about how they never have enough money to live life the way they want to, how hard their job is, how much they don’t like their boss, and on, and on, and on. Have you have ever run into anyone like this? If so, you can now share this exciting business opportunity with them.
The biggest objection people must overcome when starting a new business is that most take a lot of money to get off the ground. There’s a reason for the old saying that “it takes money to make money.” Well, that simply isn’t true anymore.
Starting your own cell phone recycling business can be inexpensive and fun. Here are some numbers that tell the story:
- The latest U.S. population estimated state there are approximately 302 million people in the U.S.
- CTIA (The Wireless Association) estimates there are more than 241 million cell phones in use throughout America today.
- The average cell phone user changes their phone every 18 months.
- More than 130 million cell phones are expected to be replaced in the U.S. this year.
- In 2006 there were an estimated 500 million used cell phones laying around in drawers and closets.
- Less than 5% of these phones are collected for reuse and recycling.
- Most people say they would recycle their old cell phones if they only knew how.
- Most used cell phones are worth something (some more than $400).
- Some states have made it illegal to throw your old phone away.
The question for consumers now becomes, what do I do with my old cell phone? Here’s where you come in…
- If you are interested in making money for yourself, helping others to do the same, and helping the environment, keep reading...
- If you are interested in a business that has a very low start-up cost, keep reading…
- If you are interested in a business where you are not selling a product, but are simply providing a service, keep reading….
The toughest part about this business is actually getting out and asking for old phones. Sources for your product include your family, friends, neighbors, schools, civic groups, and businesses.
You don’t need a storefront, you don’t carry any inventory and marketing your service is as easy as letting people know what you are doing. Also, unlike most businesses where finding customers can be a challenge, all you have to do is look around you – your customers are everywhere!
Just think about it; if each of those cell phones retired every year have an average sale value of $10 - that’s $110 million which is just lying around gathering, not interest, but dust. In fact with every passing day those retired cell phones are losing value.
By the way, the toughest part about this business (as stated before) is asking for people’s old phones. To find out more about how you can take advantage of this exciting business opportunity, I encourage you to download and read our e-book For Cell by Owner – The Cell Phone Recycling Guide.
Conrad
Melancon is the President of RMS
Communications Group, Inc. He
joined the company in November
of 2004 as the Director of
Business Development and assumed
his current position in December
of last year.
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