Cellular Distribution Strategies

Review: I sent the company (HelloTotem) a new phone which they contracted to buy for $200.

I have not received payment. Numerous attempts to contact them have been unsuccessful. They have not responded.

Order # [redacted] Phone: new HTC One

Quoted amount: $200

Fedex tracking# [redacted] Phone delivered to company in San Diego on December 20,2013

check should be delivered to: [redacted]Desired Settlement: I wish a check be delivered to the following address as originally agreed upon. [redacted]

Review: I sent my iPhone 4S to HelloTotem under the agreement that they would appraise its value and send me a check for $220 in return. My device arrived at Hello Totem on 11/05/13. Totem claims that it processes payment within 24-48 hours, yet I have not received a check, and on the "Track Your Device" page, the status is still "Pending." I have submitted two trouble tickets on totem's support page, but have received no response as to why there is a delay in payment.Desired Settlement: My desired outcome is that Totem does the job it agreed to do and deliver a check fro $220 to me. If this settlement cannot be realized, then I want my iPhone 4S sent back to me as soon as possible. I also want a phone call to discuss the delay of service.

Review: I sold my iPhone 4S to HelloTotem. The company acknowledges that they received the phone Nov. 8, 2013 but as of December 12, 2013, the company has not send me a payment for the phone. I requested information on the status of paymentDesired Settlement: I want payment for my iPhone 4S.

Review: Sent in two devices. One they received 12/10/13 (order [redacted]) and one 12/9/13 (order [redacted]). No payment has been sent or received (their web tracking shows everything except happening up until them paying, e.g. it acknowledges they received the devices). They have not responded to multiple inquiries via their help e-mail and they do not have a phone number or any other contact info on their website.Desired Settlement: Would like full amount quoted for both devices plus some sort of penalty/interest for the delays.

Review: I agreed to sell the company an iPhone 4S for $155. The phone was received by the company on 11/12/13. Payment was supposed to be sent to my PayPal account within 48 hours, but over 2 months have passed and I still have not received the payment and they still have my phone. Several attempts to contact customer service have been unsuccessful. The phone number provided to me has been disconnected and several e-mails and support ticket requests have gone unanswered.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive the $155 that was promised for my phone or have the phone returned to me.

Review: Sent two cell phones to company; quoted 310 in payment for items. Company shows items were received but never sent payment. Tried contacting via websites help/ticket system but no reply. Tried reaching by eMail but no reply. All known phone numbers and social media sites led to dead end.Desired Settlement: Payment for items sent to company.

Review: Cellular Distribution Strategies offers to buy used cell phones via an online service, [redacted]. They offered to purchase 2 used phones (both in good condition) for #[redacted] total ($50 for a Blackberry, and $250 for an iPhone). On 3/25/13 they e-mailed that they had received the devices in the mail. Also on 3/25, they said the Blackberry would need to be recycled for free or returned at a cost to me of $28.00 (while this seems steep, it was acceptable, because I had mistakenly selected an incorrect phone model when I requested the service). On 4/1/13, I began to ask about the status of the iPhone return, by direct e-mail. I did not receive clear or satisfactory replies in that manner, and so opened a "ticket" on their web site on 4/2 (ticket # [redacted]).After a couple of early exchanges (first, they asked me to check my junk mail folder for any missed information - I told them I had done that already; later, they said the issue was being passed up to a higher level), they ceased replying to my requests for information. Now, I seem to have no way of receiving payment for my iPhone, and no way of recovering it.but have not been able to find out if and when they will send payment for it. (My requests were submitted by direct e-mail and also by using a form provided on their order tracking web site.)Desired Settlement: I would like Cellular Distribution Strategies to either send me a check for $250 for the iPhone (this amount is what their web site declared as the value for the particular model) or return the phone to me.

Business

Response:

A check is being processed for $250 and sent to customer.

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 sent in my Apple iPhone 4S, with the expectation of getting paid. Cellular Distribution Strategies (CDS) received my phone, which I verified using the [redacted] tracking number on the box they sent me for shipping, and also through their website. It has been two months since then; which in my opinion is an obnoxious amount of time to send a customer their payment. On their webpage, CDS claims that my phone is still being evaluated. All my attempts to contact the company directly have failed.Desired Settlement: PAYMENT OR RETURN OF MY PHONE

Business

Response:

We researched this order and I have reissued the payment today 6/18/2013. Can you please change this complaint to resolved?

Review: My iPhone was received by Totem in October and I have yet to be reimbursed the $75 allotted for through the online process. I have attempted to reach out to customer service multiple times and have gotten no reply. Additionally, the phone number listed on the website is disconnected.Desired Settlement: Totem needs to either send my my phone back or pay me the $75 owed.

Business

Response:

Customer payment has been sent Tues Dec 17. 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.

Regards,

Review: I used Totem to sell my iPhone 4S. I received the shipping materials in a timely manner and sent my phone to them but, never (and still have not) received payment as promised. I have emailed/submitted tickets (as no phone number is provided) numerous times and have NEVER received a response. When I check the status of my ticket it says "waiting to be assigned" and that was 3+ months ago! I believe this company to be a scam now...Desired Settlement: I wish this company to either send me the check for the phone I sent them or return the phone to me ASAP.

Review: I sent this company my IPad 3rd Generation. They received my device, on April 11, 2013. I cannot seem to have my money, that was quoted to me of $320.00 deposited to my PayPal account. I have sent numerous emails, tickets, ect. I can not phone them, because there is no phone number, that I can find on their website. I just want my IPad back, or my money, asap.Desired Settlement: I would like my money deposited to my Pay Pal account, asap. If not, I want my IPad back.

Review: On 11/08/2013, the business acknowledged receiving my old phone and provided a $205 quote for it that I accepted. Over a month later, they still have not sent payment, are not responding to any email or phone calls.Desired Settlement: Payment of the agreed upon quote + damages for poor business practices.

Review: Totem (HelloTotem.com) claims to purchase used [redacted] for cash. According to their tracking system they received my phone 11/27/13. I have yet to receive payment, and they have not responded to my repeated requests for an update.Desired Settlement: Pay me the $165 you agreed to pay.

Review: On September 24, 2013 I was quoted $205.00 in order to purchase my [redacted] from Cellular Distribution Stategies d/b/a Hello Totem ("CDS"). [redacted]) The vendor promptly mailed me a cellular phone mailer on 9/25/13. As instructed, I wiped my phone of the memory and mailed it to CDS and the company did recieve my packgage on 10/15/2013 @ 2:35PM EST. This is in compliance iwth the offer that was open for 30 days. CDS indicated on their website that they sent me a "requote" on 10/18/13, however I never received any such quote via e-mail or U.S. Mail. I sent 3-4 emails to various customer service addresses and employee names, along with trying to call their non-functioning customer service number. I do not get any response from any method that I tried. When I track my phone on the website it just states that "Status information is pending." My phone was given the choice of Perfect, Good or Broken condition. The device was neither Perfct nor Broken so I selected the proper condition of "Good". This company does not behave in good faith and I feel has stolen my iPhone and not made good on any of their promises other than sending me a very nice box to take my phone.Desired Settlement: I want a check for $205.00 as offered from the company with nothing less than $205. They have held my phone and payment hostage for over 3 months and this must be resolved ASAP.Thank you.

Review: I received a quote of $96.25 from Hello Totem for my Apple iPhone 4 16GB on 3/3/13. I sent in my phone and it was received on 3/18/13. Totem promised to process and send my payment within 48 hours of receipt of the phone, but they still have not sent my payment (4/13/13). Numerous attempts have been made to contact this company through live chats and my husband has even called the CEO and texted and emailed him about this issue.During the chats (on 4/5/13 and again on 4/9/13), the technician checked my order and promised to issue requests for prompt payment for my phone. However, nothing has happened since these requests. My impression is that no action is planned for payment for my phone.I am very concerned about the lack of response. The phone is in excellent working condition, so a payment of $96.25 is very reasonable.Desired Settlement: I would like payment of $96.25 sent by check. This payment was promised in the quote received from Hello Totem.

Business

Response:

Check will be reissued for full quoted amt to customer.

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.

Please note that there is no indication, yet, on the company web site that any payment to me has been initiated. So I'm looking forward to prompt payment and resolution of this matter.

Regards,

Review: They agreed to buy my iphone 4s for $210,when they received my phone they said it was in poor condition,which it was not, and offered me $160 for it. I accepted the $160 offer on 4/27/2013.They will not send me the money or return my phone, they also will not reply to my emails.There phone number is also disconnected so there is no way to contact the company.Desired Settlement: I either want my phone returned to me in the condition I sent it to them or a certified funds check issued to me.

Business

Response:

We researched this order and I have reissued the payment today 6/18/2013. Can you please change this complaint to resolved?

Review: Business states that check will be mailed within 48 hours of acceptance of device. My device was received by the company 20 days ago. I contacted them via email and their help ticket system on the website. I have not received a response to either inquiry. I also sent them a second device which was received 6 days ago. Phone number provided by business is not in service.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive my payment of $345. $155 for my first device and $190 for the second.

Business

Response:

Emailed customer asking if they have Paypal acct to get paid today.

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. The business contacted me today and they sent me payment using PayPal. I consider this complaint resolved. Thank you for all your help! I really appreciate it!!! Happy Holidays!

Regards,

Review: On 9/30/2013 @ 6:02 PM EST I received a quote from Totem for $125 for my good condition iPhone 4 via the Internet. [redacted]

On 10/1/2013 @ 11:52AM EST they sent me a prepaid shipping box.

On 10/8/2013 I dropped the box into a USPS postal box as instructed by Tote,

On about 10/14 I tracked the [redacted] tracking #s on the form on they label they sent me. The tracking number does not exist on [redacted]. I called the phone number on the label they sent me ([redacted]). It does not work. The Totem order # they gave me is [redacted].

On 10/16/2013 @ 5:33PM EST the Totem website says they received my device and to wait 2-4 business days.

On 10/22/2013 I emailed Totem and and filed a "ticket" as instructed by their website and have received no response. A response was promised in 48 hours.

I am worried this website is a scam. I learned of this website from and article in the [redacted]. I hope you can help me get the money I was promised. Thank you.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive the $125 promised me in return for my iPhone.

Business

Response:

We believe this payment crossed in the mail as consumer had placed this complaint, however our records show this check was sent 10/30/13.

Review: I sent in 2 iphones with the understanding that I would receive compensation for the value of each phone. To date I have not received any payment. They have had my phones for weeks, I have made repeated attempt to "create a ticket for resolution" and still nothing to date has been communicated to me. Please find below the only communication I have received from Totem.

Sincerely,

J. [redacted]

Apple iPhone 4s 16GB (Sprint)Order: [redacted] Payment Type: Check

Condition: Good

Quote: $155.00

Current Status...

Status information is pending.

The Totem™ Process

Original Quote Provided 10/21/2013 @ 11:25PM EST

Pre-Paid Shipping Box Sent 10/22/2013 @ 12:20PM EST

Device Received by Totem™ 11/7/2013 @ 1:49PM EST

Payment Sent

Apple iPhone 4s 16GB (Sprint)Order: P130920

Payment Type: Check

Condition: Mint

Quote: $165.00

Current Status...

Status information is pending.

The Totem™ Process

Original Quote Provided 10/21/2013 @ 11:22PM EST

Pre-Paid Shipping Box Sent 10/22/2013 @ 12:20PM EST

Device Received by Totem™ 11/7/2013 @ 1:47PM EST

Payment SentDesired Settlement: All I am looking for is a check in the amount of $320 for the 2 phones ( $155.00 and $165.00 respectively). I would appreciate anything you can do to help resolve the non-payment issue.

Business

Response:

Payment has been sent 12/10/13 for $320. Emailed customer and we believe this to be resolved.

Review: Hello,My name is [redacted]. I greatly appreciate the service that the Revdex.com offers. I am writing you today because I am having an issue with Totem (Cellular Distribution Strategies LLC). On their website they advertise monetary amounts that they will pay for used phones. I sent 2 i-phones to their office. I have a fedex tracker that proves they received the phones on 4/16/13. I have I'd and emailed them several times since then and have not received any response other than a generic message stating that they have noted my concern and will get back to me. After reading several reviews that claim this company scams potential sellers I am worried that I will never see the phones again or receive the agreed upon compensation. I'd one of their agents to ask for a customer service number and was informed that they currently are not available to the public via phone. Here are my order and tracking numbers for each phone (iphone 4 and iphone 4s)Totem order #: [redacted]; FedEx tracking #: [redacted] Totem order #: [redacted]; FedEx tracking #: [redacted] Again, thank you so much for the services that you provide.[redacted]Desired Settlement: I am requesting that I be reimbursed in full the amount agreed upon between myself and Totem: $155 for my iphone 4 and $255 for my iphone 4s or for both phones to be returned immediately.Thank you.