TechForward and NEW sparking trend of gadget buyback services

It's no secret that gadget aficionados like ourselves have mounds of kit that was hot stuff in its heyday, but figuring out what to do with it once its prime has passed is still a mystery to some. 'Course, the entrepreneurs in the crowd simply offer their previously loved wares up to the world via eBay (or similar), but for those lacking the time / motivation to do so, rest assured, companies are on the prowl to totally take advantage of you. TechForward and NEW are two firms that are looking to make a mint from entering the gadget buyback realm, and as you'd probably expect, the cash doled out to suckers individuals who bite on this is woefully less than market value -- but then again, it's ultra-convenient, shipping is free and it's guaranteed, hassle-free money. Sounds like the pawn shop just got with the times, eh?

[Image courtesy of PlanoPawnShop]

[TechForward @ Jan 23rd 2008 8:19PM]

I’d like to add to the conversation by addressing some misconceptions about TechForward's Guaranteed Buyback plans.

First of all, we are not a simple trade-in service. Guaranteed Buyback plans lock in prices for the future on devices that depreciate quickly and unpredictably. Comparing the future buyback amounts to eBay prices today is not “apples to apples” because you won’t get the same price for your device on eBay a year from now. Your 16 GB iPod Touch will be worth far less a year from now after Apple releases new iPod models. We offer a way to guarantee your device value for the future to take the uncertainty out of your upgrade plans. You can buy that new laptop today even if you know a new model you want will be released in 6 months because you know that you can use your Guaranteed Buyback plan to upgrade whenever you're ready.

Second, our pricing has been misrepresented in the press. The buyback amounts mentioned above ($40 at 1 year) refer to an iPod shuffle ($79 retail), but seem to imply that is our pricing for "all iPods". In fact, the buyback amounts we lock in vary by device configuration. For example, a 16 GB iPod Touch would get a $110 buyback amount a year from now. You can see it for yourself on TechForward.com.

Also, our prices a year out are often competitive with prices trade-in plans offer for your devices today, even though a great deal of depreciation occurs in-between. That's because we're better at predicting resale value so we can be confident in returning more to you. You can compare for yourself with online trade-in providers. Otherwise, you may find yourself with trade-in offers far below market later if you haven't protected your value with a Guaranteed Buyback plan today.

Finally, having a Guaranteed Buyback plan doesn't mean you have to send in your device - you can always keep your device or simply resell it yourself. Your Guaranteed Buyback plan effectively provides a minimum value you can get for your device if you keep it in good condition.

I invite you to learn more at TechForward.com and contact us with any questions ([e-mail]).

Sincerely,
Jade Van Doren
CEO
TechForward

[Dave @ Jan 17th 2008 2:18PM]

Wtf?? $30 for a Dell 2405 monitor?!?! You've gotta be kidding me. This place sucks.

[Dave @ Jan 17th 2008 2:20PM]

hey, the pic changed... I live by that place! haha

[atomicmatt @ Dec 25th 2008 7:59PM]

I think I have been there I live in Frisco

[khrokon @ Jan 17th 2008 2:43PM]

I live 5 miles from that pawn shop..I use to live downtown plano (eastside village) Cool! (not so much)

[Marc @ Jan 17th 2008 2:36PM]

The prices certainly are not woefully less than market value. They're priced years in the future! The prices are for one or two years from now, not today. Given how fast these things depreciate, I'd say they're great.

[John @ Jan 17th 2008 2:36PM]

So instead of selling it on ebay, you sell it to them and THEY sell it on ebay?

[khrokon @ Jan 17th 2008 2:45PM]

Look at all the Dallas people on here! we should have a local meet n greet

[Mr. S. @ Jan 17th 2008 2:45PM]

LOL... its TV sizes wont go low enough for my super awseome 35" wega!

[Katalistic @ Jan 17th 2008 3:06PM]

SWEET! thats like right up the street from my house!

[Lazerface @ Jan 17th 2008 4:40PM]

For a second I thought 'pawn' really said 'pown' or 'pwn' on the sign

[fdgdfdfdfg @ Jan 17th 2008 7:10PM]

Wow, these prices are... fantastic... as in "someone's got lots of fantasy".

The best part is that you even have to PAY a FEE now in order to let yourself be ripped off in the future. If I pay 9$ now they will buy back my LCD (current price around 500 €) in 18 month for 10$. Great business model.

Anyone with eBay-experience can tell that you can usually still get quite reasonable prices when you sell stuff on eBay, even when it's already 1-2 years old.

[rutsy5 @ Jan 17th 2008 7:59PM]

How much for my credit-card-sized MP3 player with unusual degree space function?