Cellular Distribution Strategies

Review: On 10/23/2013 I entered into an agreement with Hello Totem (Order # [redacted].) I would send them my phone and if it was in mint condition I would receive a check for $110.00. If it was not in mint condition I could accept a lower dollar amount or have my phone returned to me. Totem received my phone on 11/05/2013. It says that the phone will be evaluated in approx 2-4 business days. To date I have heard nothing from Hello Totem in regards to my phone. I have submitted two requests on 11/27 ticket # [redacted] and 12/7 ticket # [redacted] and have heard nothing back...even though they say you will get a response in approx 2 business days. Having heard nothing in response to my two requests and not having a phone number to call has caused concern that this is a scam.Desired Settlement: I would either like my check for the agreed upon amount or the return of my phone without being charged a return shipping fee. If they can not return my phone for some reason (it has already been refurbished, resold or recycled) then I expect to be reimbursed the agreed upon amount $110.00.

Review: I contacted the company to have them e mail me a shipping box to send them 2 verizon droid phones cause they say they buy used cell phones I sent them 10 months ago I have complained in the past about this same issue and they told me on more than 1 occasion they were sending me my payment for which I have not recieved I have tried contacting you 1 other time since last december but noone got back to me so I am placing another complaintDesired Settlement: all I am asking for is hello totem to live up to their promises

Review: In early Nov 2013, I sold my iPhone 4 to HelloTotem.com (Cellular Distribution Strategies) for them to recycle after receiving a quote of $130 for this phone in mint condition. When they received it on 11/19/13, they sent a requote price of $55 which I rejected via submitting a ticket on their website. Their customer service contacted me and noted the original quote of $130 was still showing as valid and they would send me a requote email with the corrected amount. I never received an email and after contacting them again via their website, I received a short message apologizing for the delay and they would look into it on Dec 13, 2013. I have not heard anything since after repeated attempts to contact them on their website and not finding a working phone number for this company. Could you please help resolve this situation? I understand my phone may not be considered "mint" condition, but it was definitely good condition, which was quoted as $105 at the time. However, in addition to contesting this drastically reduced requote, my current issue is that I am not able to contact HelloTotem to resolve this issue. (order #[redacted], ticket#[redacted])Desired Settlement: HelloTotem has my iPhone and I expect to receive fair payment per the quotes they were posting in November. Since they have told me the original quote of $130 was valid, I am expecting to receive that amount. Thank you for looking into this for me.

Review: I received a quote for $215 for my cellular phone on 10/14/13. The company sent me a box to send in my phone, which I did two days later. According to their website, they received my device on 10/31/13. I have yet to receive payment. There is no way to call this business. I complained in an email and was told on 12/16 that they were experiencing technical difficulties and a payment would immediately be issued, which did not happen.Desired Settlement: I want $215 deposited into my paypal account or via check.

Review: I placed two orders online at hellototem.com, once approved I send my two iPhone 4s phones to them and waited for payment. Received an email that they had received them, but never received the amount they promised back. I have emailed them, called them and even opened a service ticket on their site, no response.Desired Settlement: Want them to pay me the amount they promised.

Review: I sent my iPhone into [redacted] to receive cash back for my phone. They quoted me $15. I still have not received the check. I've emailed their customer service and on 11/25/13 they said they are looking into it. I have emailed them since then and they do not respond. I am seeing several complaints about this company on Twitter where other people have not received their payments, not get proper responses from customer service.Desired Settlement: I either want my $15 check, or I want my iPhone mailed back to me.

Review: I was quoted / offered $180 for my Apple iPhone 4s 64 GB ([redacted] in good condition on October 21, 2013 at 5:13pm EST. I accepted this offer and sent my Apple iPhone 4s (Serial No. [redacted]) in perfect working order to HelloTotem and it was received on November 7, 2013 at 12:55pm EST (according to HelloTotem's website). It is now December 7, 2013, one month later and I still have not received my check for $180. The HelloTotem website indicates "Status information is pending" and no check has been sent. I contacted HelloTotem via email (there is no way to contact them by phone) on November 27, 2013 regarding My Totem order number [redacted]. HelloTotem's website response email indicated I would hear from them within 48 hours, however it has now been 10 days without a response. I have made additional attempts to contact HelloTotem without success.Desired Settlement: To receive a check for $180 from HelloTotem. Otherwise, HelloTotem must return my exact iPhone 4s (Serial No. [redacted]) in the same exact condition and in perfect working order as I sent it to them.

Review: I sent in two iphones for payment, which were quoted at $119.34 each. The company acknowledges (on their website tracking system) that two iphones in good condition, at this quoted price, were received on 3/20/12, yet I have received no payment. I contacted the company by phone on 4/26/13, requesting payment. I received the following response: "Thank you for patiently waiting. I have reported your issue to the in-charge department and I'm very thankful that they're working on it now, then we will send the payment to you once we're done with it as soon as possible. I hope you are able to bear with me through that information."

I have still received no payment or further communication from the company.Desired Settlement: I would like payment for the two phones I sent: 119.34 x 2 = $238.68

Business

Response:

Customer has been sent payment via paypal. We believe this matter to be resolved.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: On 10/22/2013 I logged onto hellototem.com after reading a yahoo news article that championed them as a fantastic [redacted] buyback program. After filling out my information, I was given a quote of $170 to send my [redacted] to them via a prepaid shipping box and they would then either send me the funds via [redacted] or via check. On 11/7/13 I sent my phone to their offices using the correct system. On their website, they show all dates and times of receiving my information, however, the "payment sent" check box has not been completed.

I contacted their company via email ([redacted]) multiple times requesting updates on the status of payment and received no response. In addition, there were multiple tickets created on the hellototem.com website in their "new and improved" customer service portal. With these tickets, I received two responses which stated that the "check had been mailed to to the address on file on 11/13/13" and to allow time for the post office to deliver this to me. There was no additional information provided. I waited another two weeks and began issuing more tickets to request that the check be sent to my home address (they wouldn't provide me which address the check was originally sent to). No tickets have been responded to since 12/2/13 where they apologized about the frustration caused and to "be patient".Desired Settlement: I would like my check of $170 to be delivered to me at my home address at [redacted] It would also be nice if the company would issue me an additional amount to cover the interest and late payment since if I didn't pay my credit card bill that's what the penalties would be ($25 charge plus interest). There should be accountability here for providing a sham service with no compassion for the consumers who are trusting them with their phones. My main concern, however, is the original $170 that was promised.

IF the money or check is not provided, I would like my brand new mint condition [redacted] returned to me.

Review: totem received my cell phone but has refused to pay me for it which violates there contract with me.Desired Settlement: they must pay me $180 for the cell phone that they confirm that they received.

Review: Totem buys used electronics. After agreeing on a price, I sent them my iPhone in a prepaid mailer.They acknowledged receiving it but adjusted their estimate to $100 after saying it was broken. I accepted the new price. I haven't heard from them since October 25. emails go in answered. Their phone is disconnected. I treated them to see if they were still operating by offering to sell an iPad.They promptly sent me a prepaid mailer. after researching them on the Internet, I have since found numerous similar complaints of people sending in items and never hearing from them.Here is there correspondence up to last communication:Your most recent Totem transactions are listed below. To make the process easy we document your steps from start to finish. If you have any questions you can reach us anytime by sending us an email.Order: [redacted] Payment Type: Check Condition: Broken Quote: $315.00 Current Status...Status information is pending.The Totem ProcessOriginal Quote Provided 10/9/2013 @ 9:56PM ESTPre-Paid Shipping Box Sent 10/10/2013 @ 12:48PM ESTDevice Received by Totem 10/24/2013 @ 3:29PM ESTRequote Sent 10/25/2013 @ 12:56PM EST Requote Accepted 10/25/2013 @ 6:12PM EST Payment SentDesired Settlement: I'd like my $100. Also I'd like to see them shut down to prevent them from ripping others off.They proudly display the Revdex.com on their website, so should want them shut down also!

Review: Cellular Distribution Strategies provided an online quote for my used [redacted] and promised to make payment within 3 business days once I shipped the phone and they evaluated it's condition. I selected the option to print a mailing label online but the website function failed. The following day a representative called me and offered to email the postage paid label and increase the quote by an additional $10 if I would ship the next day.

I shipped the phone the next day & it was received by Cellular Distribution Strategies on 7/24/13 - I received confirmation both via email and by using the tracking method on their website - but I have not received payment.

I have submitted online support tickets to the twice and emailed twice but not received a response. There is no phone number on their site so I have no further method to contact.Desired Settlement: Make the payment of $160 as promised

Business

Response:

Check issued 10/1/13. We believe this issue to be resolved.

Review: I sent my phone to be sold to hello totem and they quoted me $155 for it. They sent me an email saying they had received my phone in the mail on April 18th. On their website it says they send you payment for your device within 2-4 business days. It has been 12 business days. They do not respond to my email inquiries or ticket claims. There online chat person just told me they would send me an email update. They basically stole my phone.Desired Settlement: I would like the quoted $155 or my phone back.

Review: I send my IPhone 4 16 (GB) to HELLOTOTEM.COM and it is difficult to contact them. I send TOTEM my cell phone and they said that since it was broken all they could give me was 40 dollars and I know for a fact that it was not broken when I send it. I used the packaging I received by mail from TOTEM. I send TOTEM emails and all I get is automated emails saying to go to their FAQ page to see if my question can be answered on their website; however I do not get an actual response from a person. Their customer service number is no good.Desired Settlement: I dont want their 40 dollars which is for a broken phone because I did not send a broken phone. I want the $140 quoted for my phone that is used, but not broken or my phone back.

Review: Hello Totem quoted $200 for my virtually new iPad, with payment to be made within 4 days of receipt. I sent the iPad to them with their shipping box and label on March 25th, 2013. The company confirms receipt on April 11th. Since then I have submitted tickets, as well as used the online customer service chat feature to demand payment as promised. The customer service reps are obviously in [redacted] or another foreign country, and after repeated statements that a Mr. [redacted] was reviewing, I still do not have payment as promised or my iPad.Desired Settlement: My Totem order number is [redacted]. I have a copy of the screen showing receipt of the iPad and payment pending, as well as of the tickets and online chat. Hello Totem must pay the promised price of $200.

Business

Response:

Payment in full is being issued today, 5/29/13

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

My concern is whether or not the company actually sends the payment as promised, and if they do, that their check clears for the $200 as agreed. I will await receipt and confirm funds. If there are any delays or issues with payment, I will contact you again.

Thank you for your assistance.

Regards,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

My concern is whether or not the company actually sends the payment as promised, and if they do, that their check clears for the $200 as agreed. I will await receipt and confirm funds. If there are any delays or issues with payment, I will contact you again.

Thank you for your assistance.

Regards,

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Dear San Diego Revdex.com,

I received payment from Hello Totem/Cellular Distribution

Strategies, LLC on June 14th in the full amount of $200. The check has

cleared my account and I would now consider this complaint closed.

Your help in receiving payment is greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Review: In November of 2013 I was seeking an outlet in which sell my iPhone 4s. I discovered HelloTotem.com and they offered the highest price for my phone (when compared to similar websites). They sent me a quote, and I sent them my phone. And nothing. The following message exchange was had:

11/19/13 Me

Greetings! About a month ago, I sent my iPhone 4S off to Totem and haven't heard anything back. When I went to the website, it says REQUOTE SENT 11/08/13 @ 10:20 AM EST. This is news to me, as I have received nothing via neither email nor post. Please advise. Thank you in advance!

11/19/13 Totem

Thank you for contacting us here at Totem! We at Totem have been working hard to put together a new, easier and more accessible Customer Service portal for our customers to use to help get their questions answered quickly and efficiently. To submit a question regarding placing an order, an existing order or any payment inquiries, please visit our FAQ page on our website www.HelloTotem.com. Please read over the information provided on that webpage to see if you can locate the answer to your original question. If you still have further questions please submit a ticket to us and we will respond to your ticket within 48 business hours. Thank you and have a great day!

11/19/13 Me

Greetings! About a month ago, I sent my iPhone 4S off to Totem and haven't heard anything back. When I went to the website, it says REQUOTE SENT 11/08/13 @ 10:20 AM EST. This is news to me, as I have received nothing via neither email nor post. Please advise. Thank you in advance!

11/19/13 Totem (automatic reply)

Your request (#[redacted]) has been received and is being reviewed by our support staff. To add additional comments, reply to this email or click the link below: http://hellototem.zendesk.com/requests/[redacted]

12/4/13 4:19 p.m. Me

On October 13, I sent my iPhone 4S off to Totem and as of 11/19 hadn't heard anything back. When I went to the website, it says REQUOTE SENT 11/08/13 @ 10:20 AM EST. This was news to me, as I had received nothing via neither email nor post. I submitted a ticket (Request #[redacted]) and received the following response on 11/20: I have sent the re-quote out again to the email address you provided. If you do not see it in your inbox please be sure to check your spam/junk mail. I replied: I have checked in my spam/junk mail; I have located the original quote, but not the resend. When I click on the links in the original quote, I receive a note that says, "Our records indicate that you already responded to our revised quote request. Please email us at [email protected] if you require further assistance." I have not yet received a response. Please advise.

12/4/13 Totem (automatic reply)

Your request (#9123) has been received and is being reviewed by our support staff. To add additional comments, reply to this email or click the link below: http://hellototem.zendesk.com/requests/9123

12/9/13 Totem

I'm sorry you have not received the re-quote. Basically, your original quote was for $215.00 for an Apple iPhone 4s 64GB (AT&T) in good condition. We received that device and have classified it as broken because there are white spots on the LCD screen and the phone is locked with an icloud account. For these reasons the re-quote is for $60.00. We can move forward once you let me know if you accept or reject this offer. Thank you.

**At this point, I rejected the offer.**

1/18/14 9:27 p.m. Me

On December 4 I submitted the following ticket (Q[redacted]): On October 13, I sent my iPhone 4S off to Totem and as of 11/19 hadn't heard anything back. When I went to the website, it says REQUOTE SENT 11/08/13 @ 10:20 AM EST. This was news to me, as I had received nothing via neither email nor post. I submitted a ticket (Request #[redacted]) and received the following response on 11/20: I have sent the re-quote out again to the email address you provided. If you do not see it in your inbox please be sure to check your spam/junk mail. I replied: I have checked in my spam/junk mail; I have located the original quote, but not the resend. When I click on the links in the original quote, I receive a note that says, "Our records indicate that you already responded to our revised quote request. Please email us at [email protected] if you require further assistance." On December 9 I received the following message: I'm sorry you have not received the re-quote. Basically, your original quote was for $215.00 for an Apple iPhone 4s 64GB (AT&T) in good condition. We received that device and have classified it as broken because there are white spots on the LCD screen and the phone is locked with an icloud account. For these reasons the re-quote is for $60.00. We can move forward once you let me know if you accept or reject this offer. Thank you." The same day, I replied: "Thank you for your reply. I would like to reject this offer." At this point, I have not received a reply. Please promptly return my iPhone to me as I have no desire to continue this transaction.

1/18/14 Totem (automatic reply)

Your request (#9634) has been received and is being reviewed by our support staff. To add additional comments, reply to this email or click the link below: http://hellototem.zendesk.com/requests/9634

3/28/14 Me

Greetings. In October of 2013, I sent my iPhone 4S to Totem. The process has been excruciatingly frustrating, as neither have I received any money (for either the quote or the requote) NOR can I acknowledge the return of the device (after declining the offers made by Totem), EVEN after several failed attempts to reach out to Totem. (Should you desire, I can forward copies of my correspondence with the customer service.) Please return my iPhone as I have no desire to continue this transaction. Let me know how to proceed. Thank you.

3/28/14 Totem (automatic reply)

Thank you for contacting us here at Totem! We at Totem have been working hard to put together a new, easier and more accessible Customer Service portal for our customers to use to help get their questions answered quickly and efficiently. To submit a question regarding placing an order, an existing order or any payment inquiries, please visit our FAQ page on our website www.HelloTotem.com. Please read over the information provided on that webpage to see if you can locate the answer to your original question. If you still have further questions please submit a ticket to us and we will respond to your ticket within 48 business hours. Thank you and have a great day!

3/28/14 8:12 a.m. Me

Greetings. In October of 2013, I sent my iPhone 4S to Totem. The process has been excruciatingly frustrating, as neither have I received any money (for either the quote or the requote) NOR can I acknowledge the return of the device (after declining the offers made by Totem), EVEN after several failed attempts to reach out to Totem. (Should you desire, I can forward copies of my correspondence with the customer service.) Please return my iPhone as I have no desire to continue this transaction. Let me know how to proceed. Thank you.

3/28/14 Totem (automatic reply)

Your request (#[redacted]) has been received and is being reviewed by our support staff. To add additional comments, reply to this email or click the link below: http://hellototem.zendesk.com/requests/[redacted]

And here it stands. No money. No reply. No iPhone.Desired Settlement: I wish for the return of my iPhone 4s, or the original quote of $215.00.

Review: I submitted my phone to hellototem.com after they sent me a prepaid mailer. According to their website, they received my phone on 4/8/2013. It is now 5/7/2013 and I haven't received payment. Every time I've contacted them, either via email or via online chat, nothing is resolved. They never respond to email inquiries and the online chat person just said that they would escalate the matter... that was a week ago and I still haven't heard anything. They have an iPhone 4 in mint condition. They quoted me $220. Their website says they value customer service and reduction of waste in the community; however, they seem to be more interested in disrespecting their customers through lies and lack of contact or communication. It's rather simple, contact me and tell me the status of my payment. Their website also says that the phone should be inspected and a payment cut from their office within 48 hours. It's now a month. After realizing these issues, I took it upon myself today to do some investigation of this business. I have found several reports of scams and issues regarding their level of service. I see that Revdex.com has revoked their support of the business and that over 277 complaints have been made, most of which were in the last 12 months. How can this company continue? If it's not resolved, I will contact the greater chamber of commerce in [redacted] (which I just returned from on a business trip) and let them know about the terrible scam this company is performing. I will also call a news station here in my home town and tell them about this scam... they'll likely air it as a "channel 6 help" segment and hold the company accountable.Desired Settlement: I want my $220. I would say that my phone returned to me would be sufficient; however, there is no guarantee that they would send it back to me in the condition which they received it. I want a check of the promised amount sent to me ASAP. Within 5 business days.

Business

Response:

Customer was paid 5/24/13 check # [redacted] for $220. I have reached out to customer to mark this complaint as resolved once they cash their check.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: I have been involved in a transaction with HelloTotem.com, doing business as Cellular Distribution Strategies, LLC (hereinafter "the Company"). The Company is in the business of buying consumers' used cell phones. On November 2, 2013, the Company provided me a quote for my used iPhone 4 (hereinafter "the device"). On November 4, 2013, the Company sent me a pre-paid shipping box, which I used to mail my device to the Company. The Company received my device on November 26, 2013. On November 27, after inspecting my device, the Company issued me a revised quote, which I immediately accepted. As of today (January 20, 2014), nearly two months after I accepted the revised quote, I have still not received the Company's payment.Desired Settlement: Payment from the Company for my device in the amount of the revised quote

Review: This company buys used cell phones. I got a quote from the company for $165 for my iphone 4s and sent such phone to them. They received my phone on October 31, 2013, and their email to me said payment would be processed within 48 hours. I have not gotten any payment. I have sent multiple support tickets to the company, but never get a reply. I either want my phone back or my payment sent immediately.Desired Settlement: Send my payment or return my phone to me.

Business

Response:

Check was sent Friday Dec 13. We believe this to be resolved.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved.

Thank you to the Revdex.com for help in resolving this matter.

Regards,

Review: I sold my old iPhone 4 to Totem (Cellular Distribution Strategies) and was quoted $165 for it. I mailed my phone using the packaging they provided and confirmed it was received November 7. I have sent multiple inquiries regarding the status of my payment with no response. My order number is [redacted].Desired Settlement: I would like to get my check for $165.