Please read these terms and conditions carefully before sending us your device(s) or buying device(s). You should understand that by submitting an order (selling or buying), you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
When selling a device(s), we recommend you take note of your IMEI/Serial number in case there is a problem with your sales order. Your IMEI number can be found at the back of your phone/device under the battery or by typing in *#06#
About Us
The mobile phone/device sale and recycling process is provided by The People’s Operator, a company registered in England and Wales: Company number: 10997876. VAT number: GB 279502086
Registered office:
The People’s Operator
Units 2 & 3 Road Two Business Park
Road Two
Winsford Industrial Estate
Winsford
CW7 3RX
We use the trade name The People’s Operator. When we refer to “we,” “our,” or “us” in this policy, we are referring to The People’s Operator.
1. Selling a Phone/Device to Us
By submitting a sales order through our site (thepeoplesoperator.com) you warrant that the device(s) comply with these terms.
If you have a PIN or Password on any of your items you should remove this before sending.
Please remove any Network, eSIM, Apple iCloud, Google or Brand specific accounts, as well as your Password.
Each device sold by you should match the make, model and condition stated when registering your sales order. It must also meet the following conditions:
The device must turn on and off.
The device must be not have any missing parts or components.
The battery must be included.
The device must not be bent, crushed or liquid damaged.
The device must be original and meet the manufacturer’s original specifications.
1.1 Grading Phones/Devices
No device is ever the same so grading does vary from model to model, depending on the damage and condition.
Mobile phones/devices not listed on our website will be automatically recycled where possible, subject to these Terms. Such mobile phones/devices cannot be returned under any circumstances. Please ensure you are happy to send such mobile phones/devices to us for recycling only. You will not receive any payment for such mobile phones/devices. We accept the return of mobile phone/device boxes, battery chargers and mobile phone/device accessories but they do not increase mobile phone/device value and will not be returned if requested.
Do not include more than two mobile phones/devices in one package. If you require an additional sales pack please contact our Customer Services. Our Customer Service details are set out at the end of these terms and conditions.
For ad hoc damage and anything which affects our ability to refurbish or recycle your sales order there will be a reduction in price to reflect this damage. In these cases The People’s Operator will have the final decision on all device values.
1.2 Phone/Device Specification and Condition
Each mobile phone or device (inc. Tablets and Watches) sold should match the make and model in the sales order, and meet one of the following conditions:
Condition – Good
Each device should:
Be fully functional (Must turn on and off, with all buttons and ports undamaged and working. All features such as Making calls, Wi-Fi, Camera, Video, etc must work. Operating system (software) must be fully working. Screen and touchscreen must fully work. Battery capacity must be very good).
Be in good condition (may have moderate wear and tear – no cracks, chips, dents, deep scratches or engraving)
Have no defects in screen (no pixel damage, defects or discoloration in LCD)
Include its battery and back cover (charger not required)
Have healthy battery (battery health must be 80% or greater)
Not have bent housing
Not be water-damaged (water indicators must not be red)
Condition – Poor
Each device should:
Be fully functional (Must turn on and off, with all buttons and ports undamaged and working. All features such as Making calls, Wi-Fi, Camera, Video, etc must work. Operating system (software) must be fully working. Screen and touchscreen must fully work. Battery capacity must be very good).
Have no major damage (may have heavy wear and tear such as deep scratches, marks and small cracks, chips or dents – glass must not be shattered or bits missing)
Have no major defects in screen (may have very small pixel damage, minor defects or light discoloration in LCD)
Include its battery and back cover (charger not required)
Have decent health battery (battery health must be 80% or greater)
Not have bent housing
Not be water-damaged (water indicators must not be red)
Condition – Faulty
Each device should:
Power on (screen must switch on and not be blank)
Include its battery (charger not required)
Be intact (not crushed or snapped in half)
Not have bent housing
Not have any missing parts or components
Condition – Dead
Each device should:
Include its battery (charger not required)
Be intact (not crushed or snapped in half)
Not have bent housing
Not have any missing parts or components
Dead examples: No power on, Blank Screen.
Please note: We accept phone battery chargers and accessories but these do not increase the value of your sales order. We may not be able to return accessories or original packaging (box) if you request your phone to be returned.
1.3 Pricing
Prices offered on our website are subject to change at any time without notice. Mobile phone/device values may change from day to day which means that if you check the value of your mobile phone/device on any given day but do not place a sales order, you may be given a different value for the same mobile phone/device at a later time. This does not affect any other provisions in these terms and conditions.
Any special offers on mobile phone/device values are subject to particular terms which we may impose and may be varied or withdrawn at any time and without notice. Values are shown and payments are made in pounds sterling. Each mobile phone/device is processed separately even if included in a multiple mobile phone/device sales order.
When your sales order has been placed, the prices quoted are guaranteed for 14 days. If your phone/device is received after 14 days from the sales order placed date the updated, current prices will apply. The People’s Operator will have the final decision on all device values.
1.4 Testing for Incorrect Information
We test each mobile phone/device for compliance with our terms and conditions. We also check that the mobile phone/device is not red flagged (see below) according to CheckMEND® details. Tests are carried out prior to and are the conditions for, payment. We may stipulate additional tests as we reasonably determine.
As mobile phones/devices can look similar, customers sometimes incorrectly identify them. If we find that the model you send is not as referred to in your sales order, we will email a value for the actual mobile phone/device, confirming the model.
We also test the device for the network it is locked to. In some cases your device will receive a reduction if you have selected the incorrect network referred in your sales order.
You can choose to continue the sale for the revised value or decline it. If you decline it, we will return the mobile phone/device. The sale will not progress and our contract with you will terminate. To accept or decline a revised value, log on to your account where you will be given the revised value and be asked to either proceed or decline the revised value. If you do not respond within 5 (five) days, starting on the day on which we email the revised value, we will automatically process your sale after that time, using the new price. If you have queries about how models are identified, contact our Customer Services. Our Customer Service details are set out at the end of these terms and conditions.
1.5 Testing for Damage
Where possible, we offer a value for a damaged mobile phone/device but we are not obliged to do so nor to purchase any damaged mobile phone/device.
If we determine your mobile phone/device is damaged, we will value the damaged mobile phone/device to take account of the damage and send a revised value by email.
In some cases, values will be zero if mobile phones/devices are beyond economical repair or have multiple faults (e.g. water damage and cracked LCD screen). In these cases The People’s Operator reserves the right not to offer a value, but to return the device to you, thereby terminating the contract.
A revised value will only be given once the mobile phone/device has been tested or inspected. You can decide whether to continue with the revised value sale or whether to decline it in which case, we will return your mobile phone/device within 14 days, the sale will not continue and our contract with you will terminate.
To accept or decline a revised value, log on to your account where you will be given the revised value and asked to either proceed with the sale or decline the revised value. If you do not respond within 5 (five) days, starting on the day on which we email the revised value, we will automatically process your mobile phone/device sale after that time using the new price.
Mobile phones/devices in pieces or parts or mobile phones/devices which have no value will not be returned and we will recycle them.
1.6 Lost or Stolen Red Flagged – Mobile Phones and Devices
We will check the status of all mobile phones/devices received against the National CheckMEND® database (using the unique IMEI or serial number). If your mobile phone/device is found to have a red flag by CheckMEND®, it must be quarantined for 28 days whilst its status is reviewed. The mobile phone/device will have a red flag if it has been registered as lost, stolen or barred/blocked on the CheckMEND® database.
If you are advised that your mobile phone/device has a red flag against it you will need to contact CheckMEND® in order to review the status of your mobile phone/device. You will be advised of the procedure required by email from us. The purpose of the quarantine period is to allow the rightful owner the opportunity to have the red flag removed in order that the mobile phone/device can be processed appropriately.
If, during the quarantine period the red flag is removed, your mobile phone/device will be processed and paid for in accordance with these terms and conditions and will not be returned.
However, if after the quarantine period has expired the red flag has not been removed then we are required by law to dispose of it and you will not receive any payment. UK legislation states that we cannot under any circumstances return the mobile phone/device during this 28 day period unless the red flag has been removed. If we become aware of any issues you will be required to co-operate with the authorities and we reserve the right to withhold or cancel the payment.
If you have received payment from us for a mobile phone or device which we subsequently become aware of an issue relating to ownership, you agree to immediately reimburse us in full, within 3 business days following a written request by us, for any such payment pending an investigation by us or any law enforcement body into ownership of the device or mobile phone.
We shall be entitled to set-off any sums properly due and owing to us under any contract made between you and us incorporating these terms and conditions against any sums owed by us to you under the same or any other contract between us. We will inform you in writing of any set-off carried out by us pursuant to this provision.
1.7 Activation Locked Devices
If your device(s) is activation locked we will contact you with instructions on how to remove the lock. If you fail to respond to this email within 7 days, we will return the device. If the delivery failed on the first attempt, we will contact you by phone and email before returning for a second time. If the second attempt is failed you the customer must contact UR.co.uk to arrange a third delivery at your own cost. If there is no contact for 7 days, we will automatically process the sales order at the amended price for Activation Locked phones which is £0.
1.8 Data Risks and Precautions – Important
Please remember that by sending your device to us, you agree to release us from all and any claims, losses or damages with respect to the device, any data stored or contained therein or on any media used in conjunction with the device (whether in the form of personal details, SMS, photos, games, songs or other data (“Data”)). We accept no responsibility in relation to the security, protection, confidentiality or use of such data and it is your responsibility to ensure so far as practicable that Data is removed from the device prior to you sending it to us.
Although in our experience the risk of Data left on your device being accessed by us or by any third party to whom we subsequently sell the device are very low, we draw to your attention the following points which will help you decide whether to accept the risk of selling us a device which may contain accessible Data.
If your device is functional, we strongly advise that you delete all personal data from the device prior to sending it to us. Please follow your phone/device manufacturers guidelines, for a step-by-step instruction on how to delete personal data from your device.
If your device is non-functional and has a “remote wipe” function, then we strongly advise that you attempt wiping the device prior to sending it to us.
If your non-functional device cannot be data wiped but has a PIN lock (a password or combination which needs to be entered to access the phone when switched on) then this will block third party access and mean that anyone repairing the device will be required to return the phone to its factory settings, in the process wiping the Data held on the device.
Please note it may not be possible to delete Data directly from a non-functioning device. If you send us a non-functioning device you are therefore accepting the risk that it may still contain Data which may be accessible to any person who repairs the phone. This may include third parties to whom we have sold the device for spare parts.
Please note that while (as stated above) we do not accept any liability in respect of the security, protection, confidentiality or use of Data included on any device, as a matter of practice we do not transfer any device to any third party except on terms which require them to wipe that Data.
1.9 Payments
We offer an option of cheque or bank transfer. You will be required to select a payment option when placing each online sales order. Unfortunately, this payment option cannot be changed once the sales order is placed.
When we receive your sales order, we will check that it is complete, and that it meets our terms and conditions. Providing it does, we will send payment by your chosen method.
Under no circumstances will payment be dispatched before we receive and process your mobile phone/device. We will pay by faster payment transfer directly into your account on the same day we process your device.
If your payment date falls on a weekend or public holiday payment will be made on the next working day. If your bank account does not accept faster payments, a BACs payment will be automatically made.
Payment processing depends on third parties which we do not control. For payment by cheque, this involves a postal service and for BACS payments, a bank. We will not be liable for delay in your receipt of payment as a result of third-party action or inaction.
All valuations include VAT (or other applicable tax) at the prevailing rate.
Please Note: We will not be liable if you fail to receive a payment or suffer a loss (including, without limitation, if a payment is sent to an incorrect account) as a result of your failure to input all payment and other details correctly, completely and accurately. Payment can only be made to the name, address, payment and account details provided upon registration and incorrect details may result in delay or non-payment.
1.10 Cheque Payments
Cheque payments can only be made to the name and address given when you register.
If you have damaged your cheque, you can have it reissued, free of charge, by posting us a written request and including the damaged cheque to the following address:
The People’s Operator– Accounts Department
Units 2 & 3 Road Two Business Park
Road Two
Winsford Industrial Estate
Winsford
CW7 3RX
If the damaged cheque is not received by us, a cancelation fee will apply and will be deducted from the re-issued cheque value.
If you have lost your cheque, you can request for it to be cancelled and re-issued. A cancellation fee will apply and will be deducted from the re-issued cheque value.
Cheques must be deposited within 6 months of the issue date. Please note, your bank cannot and will not accept your cheque if it is over the 6 month period. A replacement cheque will not and cannot be issued after 6 months.
1.11 Rejected Offers
If you reject an amended offer for your sales order, we will return your device/s. Please allow 3-5 working days. If the delivery is failed on the first attempt, we will contact you by phone and email before returning for a second time. If the second attempt is failed you the customer must contact www.frift.co.uk to arrange a third delivery at your own cost. If there is no contact for 7 days we will automatically process your payment at the amended price.
1.12 Postage and Returns
You send your mobile phone/device to us at your own risk. Please ensure that you are happy to send the device to us in accordance with these terms and that it is within your rights to do so.
We will send you a reminder by email if we have still not received your mobile phone/device within 7 & 14 days of your sales order. We will not be liable if the mobile phone/device is subject to loss or damage before receipt at our warehouse. Equally, if for any reason your mobile phone/device is returned to you, you retain responsibility for risk in the mobile phone/device and we shall not be responsible for any damage in transit.
We do not receive deliveries on weekends and bank holidays. We strongly recommend that you pack the mobile phone/device carefully to minimise risk of damage. We use Royal Mail as the carrier for our free postage services in most cases and this regulates how you must pack and send your device(s).
Royal Mail regulations state that you must pack the phone in a strong, rigid package, ensure that it cannot move or be turned on during transit. For example, using a cardboard box and encasing each device in a material which prevents movement in transit e.g. bubble wrap and then packing out the box should be suitable. In addition, you can only pack a maximum of 2 devices in any one package. If you have more than 2 devices to send then please contact Customer Service. Our Customer Service details are set out at the end of these terms and conditions.
The label we provide to send in your device(s) must be used on one package only – do not use the label on more than one package. You must take the package to a Post Office and hand it in at the counter where you will receive a 13 digit tracking number and receipt of postage.
The label and tracking service we provide with Royal Mail is insured up to the value of £100 for the package. If you require additional insurance then best option is to arrange and pay for your own service with Royal Mail or another carrier which provides the level of insurance you feel is suitable.
If your mobile phone/device is lost in the post we will advise you how you might claim against the Royal Mail but we cannot guarantee this to be successful.
If we receive a damaged package, the package and mobile phone/device (if we received it) will be returned to you so that you may claim for the loss directly from Royal Mail if you wish. By sending the package back to you we do not guarantee that the claim will be successful and we will not have any liability for any claims which are refused by external parties.
For more information about making claims with Royal Mail, please visit www.royalmail.com. This information is provided for your information only.
If we return your mobile phone/device, we use a carrier at our cost. If the carrier cannot deliver the mobile phone/device, we will ask them to return it to our Head Office, The People’s Operator, Units 2 & 3 Road Two Business Park, Road Two, Winsford Industrial Estate, Winsford. CW7 3RX and we will contact you by email to check your address. Once we receive confirmation that the address is correct, we will resend the mobile phone/device. If a mobile phone/device is returned to us for a second time or if we have emailed you and we do not receive a response within 14 days, we will treat the mobile phone/device as our property, retain it and process the sale and will send you payment at the revised mobile phone/device value that applies on the date of the second return receipt by us or the fourteenth day after we have emailed you.
1.13 Consumers
By placing a sales order through our site, you warrant that:
You are resident in Great Britain or Northern Ireland;
You are accessing our site from that country;
You are legally capable of entering into a binding contract;
By submitting an order with The People’s Operator you agree to creating an account with us unless you’ve told us otherwise by selecting the appropriate option on the order form.
You are at least 18 years old; or
If you are under 18 years of age, that you have obtained your parent’s or guardian’s consent to sell your device to us for the sum indicated via our website.
You and your parents or guardians release us of any liabilities or claims that may arise if you send the phone/device to us in breach of this warranty.
If you deal as a consumer any provision of this contract which is of no effect to a consumer shall not apply. Your statutory rights are not affected by this contract. For the purposes of these terms and conditions, “consumer” means an individual who neither makes this contract in the course of a business, nor holds himself out as doing so, as defined by the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.
Please note:
You are responsible for cancelling any airtime contract linked to each handset. We are not responsible for any call costs arising before, or after, receipt of your handset, or arising from any other circumstances whatsoever.
Please remove SIM cards before sending us your mobile. Any SIM cards received by us will be destroyed, and so obviously cannot be returned. (We will dispose of them appropriately.) We accept no liability in the event that any phone/device that has been sent with its SIM card is lost and charges are then incurred. You shall continue to be responsible for such charges.
Please ensure all personal data is removed from devices before sending them to frift.co.uk. This includes but is not limited to all personal details, SMS, photos, videos, games, songs or other data. The People’s Operator will not accept responsibility for the security, protection, confidentiality or use of such data. By sending your device to us you agree to release us from all and any losses, claims or damages with respect to the data enclosed or stored therein or on any media used in conjunction with the device.
1.14 Businesses
By placing a sales order through our site, you warrant that:
You are authorised to act on behalf of the registered business; and
You are based in Great Britain or Northern Ireland; and
You are accessing our site from that country; and
You are legally capable of entering into a binding contract.
Please note:
You are responsible for cancelling any airtime contract linked to each handset. We are not responsible for any call costs arising before, or after, receipt of your handset, or arising from any other circumstances whatsoever.
Please remove SIM cards before sending us your mobile. Any SIM cards received by us will be destroyed, and so obviously cannot be returned. (We will dispose of them appropriately.) We accept no liability in the event that any phone/device that has been sent with its SIM card is lost and charges are then incurred. You shall continue to be responsible for such charges.
Please ensure all personal data is removed from devices before sending them to The People’s Operator. This includes but is not limited to all personal details, SMS, photos, videos, games, songs or other data. The People’s Operator will not accept responsibility for the security, protection, confidentiality or use of such data. By sending your device to us you agree to release us from all and any losses, claims or damages with respect to the data enclosed or stored therein or on any media used in conjunction with the device.
1.15 Selling – How the Contract Is Formed Between You And Us
Our site is only intended for use by people registered with us and resident in the UK. At our complete discretion we may accept or reject sales orders from people outside of these territories.
You must own all rights, title and interests in any phone(s) and/or devices (inc. Tablets and Watches) that you send to us.
Ownership of the device(s) will pass to us when we receive them in accordance with these terms and conditions and we have dispatched payment to you.
During the online process, you will be asked to agree to these terms and conditions. You must read them carefully as they form the contract between us and you and you will be bound by them. If and when you agree to them, we will then send a confirmation that we have received your sales pack request. The contract between us is formed when we send that confirmation to you. Any terms or conditions referred to in a sales order by you, anywhere or at any time, have no effect. Any variation to these terms and conditions must be confirmed in writing by us. If you do not agree to our terms and conditions, we will not progress your trade.
A full explanation about how to place a sales order is in the FAQ section of our website.
The contract between you and us is binding on you and us and on our respective successors and assigns. You may not transfer, assign, charge or otherwise dispose of a contract, or any of your rights or obligations arising under it, without our prior written consent We may transfer, assign, charge, sub-contract or otherwise dispose of a contract, or any of our rights or obligations arising under it, at any time during the term of the contract.
1.16 Cooling off Period
You may cancel the contract with us at any time up to the time when you send us the device (“cooling-off period”), providing:
the contract was negotiated and concluded exclusively by means of distance communication (including, but not limited to, telephone, letter, fax or email); and
you are a natural person acting outside the purposes of any business. When cancelling during the cooling-off period, you need not give us any reason for cancelling the contract, nor will you have to pay any administration charges.
We begin to undertake activity and perform services to fulfil our contract when we receive your mobile phone/device. Therefore, we will not return your mobile phone/device and you will not be able to cancel the contract once we receive your mobile phone/device except as provided in these terms and conditions.
By sending your mobile phone/device, you agree that we may begin work immediately in order to deal with your mobile phone/device sale, which may affect cancellation rights and that once you send a mobile phone/device to us, your cooling off rights will no longer apply.
We will however return your mobile phone/device if, when we receive it, we find that it has a lesser value than originally stated such that we revise the value and you confirm that you do not wish to sell your mobile phone/device. These rights are explained in the sections above.
To exercise your cooling off rights, please tell us in writing (including email but not telephone) that you want to do so within the cooling-off period. Our customer service details are set out at the end of these terms and conditions. If you inform us during the cooling-off period that you no longer wish to send your mobile phone/device, we will remove your sales order from our system so that we know you will not be sending your mobile phone/device and so that you are removed from our reminder system. In those circumstances, you will not be entitled to any payment from us whatsoever.
1.17 General Terms
The People’s Operator terms and conditions apply issued by TPO a UK registered company. We reserve the right to change these terms and conditions from time to time in our discretion. All terms and conditions are applicable to the extent permitted by law. Any disputes or claims arising out of or in connection with the redemption will be governed by the laws of England.
1.18 Events Outside Of Our Control
We will not be liable or responsible for any failure to perform, or delay in performance of, any of our obligations under a contract that is caused by events outside our reasonable control or due to our compliance with any applicable laws or regulations.
1.19 Privacy Policy
The People’s Operator takes data protection very seriously and we do everything in our power to ensure your data is handled and processed securely. If you would like to know more about what data we hold on you, how your data is handled and how to have your data removed from our systems, go to our Privacy policy
1.20 Complaints
Please note we have a complaints procedure. If you have a complaint or other enquiry please contact our Customer Services.
1.21 Customer Services
Our contact details for all purposes are:
The People’s Operator
Customer Services Dept
Units 2 & 3 Road Two Business Park
Road Two
Winsford Industrial Estate
Winsford
CW7 3RX
Email: support@mobilereborn.co.uk
Tel: 01625 556688
Last Updated 22nd September, 2021