Cellular Distribution Strategies

Review: Using [redacted] I was quoted $340 for 2 [redacted] 16GB ([redacted]) phones in good condition.

The business promptly sent me a supplies to ship the phones to them. Using their tracking page at [redacted] the phones were received on 11/7/2013.

On 11/26/2013, the tracking page was not showing Payment Sent, so I opened ticket #[redacted] through their contact page ([redacted]) asking for a status update.

I received this response dated December 02, 2013 09:19 AM.

Payment was mailed 11/15/13 to the address you provided. Please allow some time for the post office to deliver that to you.

Unfortunately we have been experiencing some technical issues where some customers are unable to see their status updates. I apologize for any confusion.

Thank you for your patience.

I had not received a check as of 12/17/2013, so I opened ticket #[redacted] stating that I had not received payment.

12/26/2013 no response from the company, so I updated the ticket again asking for an update.

12/31/2013 no response, and I added the following to the ticket:

Since it has been well over 3 weeks since payment was sent I am requesting a new check be mailed.

[redacted] no response, so I again updated the ticket asking for an update.

The only phone number I can find was at [redacted]), but the number isn't active.Desired Settlement: I would like the company to promptly honor the quote they provided for order #[redacted].

Review: This company made me an offer for my iPhone 4 for $130 ( Order: [redacted]) on 10/12/13, they sent me a pre-paid mailing box and I sent them my phone, according to their website the phone was received on 11/04/2013 and according to their advertisment it takes about 48 hrs for them to send the money but it has been 12 days and I have not heard anything from them. When I go to track my phone on their website it keeps saying current status pending, I have also submitted a ticket on their website #[redacted] on 11/09/13 but it has been 7 days since then and the ticket it still open without any further progress.Desired Settlement: I just want the company to honor their promise and send me my $130 that they have quoted me initially and to stop the false advertisement that the money is send within 48 hours of the receipt of the phone.

Business

Response:

A new check was reissued today and sent to customer. We believe this to be resolved.

Review: This company quoted me a price of $194 for my iPad 2 Wifi 16GB Black that I sent them per the quote agreement. According to HelloTotem's website, using my email address [redacted], the status shows that the company received my iPad 2 on 12/13/2013 @ 3:48 PM EST, but I have not received my payment for over 3 weeks. The website ([redacted]) states that payment will be processed within 48 hours. I have made numerous attempts, including creating tickets and sending emails to contact the company to resolve this issue but they have not responded.Desired Settlement: I wish to be compensated for the agreed quote of $194 for my iPad 2.

Review: I sent my phone in for their sell-back program after being quoted $130 for my iPhone 4 16GB. The $130 quote was estimated for a phone in "perfect" condition and a $125 in "good" condition, my phone was in "perfect" condition and I would have accepted a "good" condition quote. However, the"techs" at Totem returned with a quote of $40 for a "broken" phone, which is completely inaccurate as I took photos of the phone before I sent it off (just in case). I rejected their offer and have continued to request my phone back via e-mail because the company's customer service phone number is not in service. My fourth/last attempt to resolve this issue took place on October 28th and I have not received a reply since.Desired Settlement: I need the company to return my phone in the condition that I sent it or a check for the $125-$130 that was quoted for the condition that my phone was in before I sent it.

Business

Response:

The customer has been contacted and a check is being processed for payment. Customer verified address as well.

Review: The company guaranteed $150 for my iPhone4 and sent a shipping box. I shipped my iPhone to them over a month and a half ago, sent multiple complaints (with no reply) and still have not received my check or any re quote.

My order number: [redacted]Desired Settlement: I would either like my check or the return of my phone.

Business

Response:

Sent new check to customer and also emailed confirming payment has been sent.

Review: I received a quote to sell them my Iphone 4, with a promise to send payment 2-3 days after they receive the Iphone in the mail. I have tracking to prove they received the phone. A month has gone by and they will not return my numerous emails or phone calls.Desired Settlement: This company must send my Iphone 4 back or send me a check for the product.

Review: Hellototem offered cash for my iPhone after a reportedly quick appraisal by its staff. The website was easy to use and they sent a mailer quite quickly, but after I sent in my phone, they have lost communication. Their website does not give a status of my order, the FedEx tracking number does not work, their customer service line doesn't work, and they do not reply to their emails. I did send 4 emails but no response.Desired Settlement: I just want my phone back.

Business

Response:

[redacted],

Do you have a paypal account where we can process payment? We have emailed you directly as well.

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: Hellototem.com offered to buy my iPhone 4S 16Gb [redacted] for $205. They sent the box, took delivery, and I never heard from them again.Desired Settlement: payment of $205 to my PayPal account

Business

Response:

Paypal payment sent and confirmed with customer. 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 consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: On 10/28, I sent my iphone 4S into hello totem, a website operated by this company. That day I sent them an email after noticing an error on their behalf listed on my invoice. I had originally requested a paypal payment (since it was much faster) rather than a check. Although I sent them an email, they never responded to my request. I waited until my phone was delivered before contacting them again, and once again, no response. My phone, in great condition, was quoted at $150. Their social media accounts have been closed, their phone number does not work and they have yet to respond to my emails. I even sent them an invoice for the $150 using the paypal email they had supplied a year before when I had used their services with no problem. As of 11/19, they have had my phone and although they have it, I have received no contact from them and no payment. Their website guarantees payment within a few days of delivery and yet I have no check and no contact which makes me think I've been scammed. This is beginning to get very frustrating and it's unfortunate that a company I trusted AND referred to my friends in the past has abused that trust in this way.

My order number was [redacted]Desired Settlement: I would like the original $150 they quoted me for my iPhone 4S.

Review: Totem's payment timeline is unreasonably longer than their website advertises. I used their service based on an article written in [redacted] (which has since been updated) ([redacted]) Totem website says payment will be processed in 48 hours. I was quoted 10/18, I mailed my device on 10/25 after waiting for my shipping box to arrive. My device was received on 11/5 and the status still says that payment is pending as of 12/1. There is no customer service number available to contact the company so I submitted an email correspondence on 11/15 to which I received a ticket number #[redacted]. On 11/19 I received an email back saying:

[redacted],

On Friday, 11/15/2013, a check was mailed to the address you provided. Please allow some time for the post office to route that to you.

Thanks again for your patience.

Have a great day!

November 19, 2013 07:55 AM

I have still not received a check two weeks later and my status on their website still says "payment pending". I emailed again on the same ticket on 11/22 for an update with no response. I have since read a lot of comments from other Totem users online that state that even after a year, they have not received payment [redacted]).

I believe Totem is scamming people out of their devices, promising cash payments and stealing their property. They are falsely advertising, slow to communicate (if at all) and providing fraudulent information and have not paid my quote or returned my device.Desired Settlement: I would like my payment of $185 quote in the next 48 hours (as advertised).

Review: Hello Totem cuts you a check for cell phones that you sell to them and I mailed mine off to the company and my phone was worth $75. They supposedly issued a check in my name of $75 and was supposed to been mailed out on 6/21/2013, I have not seen the check or heard from anyone about my check. The contact number that I have says, "this phone number is not in sevice". I want the check I was promised for $75 or my phone back!Desired Settlement: Either they give me the money for my phone or mail my phone back to me!

Business

Response:

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

Review: I sent my phone to this company back in February. They received it on February 25,2013. I have tried numerous times to contact this company. They have two phony numbers. They never answer their emails. I even found a number for the CEO and he doesn't answer the phone or call any one back. I do not even want the money any more. I want my phone back and I want it back working. They never sent me a check or my [redacted] payment. I have put in two complaints. And none have been resolved. On one they stated they were going to re send me a check that was never sent out. I want my phone back. My order number for it is [redacted]. It is an iPhone 4 for [redacted] 16gb.Desired Settlement: I want my phone back in working condition. If they don't want to pay up what they owe me that's fine. But I want MY phone back and it better be working.

Review: I sent an iphone 4 into [redacted] and (according to them) they received it on 3/26/2013 @ 5:16PM EST. My id number there [redacted]. They quoted me $165.00 for the device. It's now been over 2 months and I cannot get any update on the status of the money or the device.I submitted a complaint through their support portal on Apr 18 10:25 pm.On April 28, 2013 12:08 pm "[redacted]" assigned the case to "[redacted]" who has yet to respond in any way.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive the money ($165.00) for the device as their service promises.

Business

Response:

Check issued 10/1/13. We believe this issue 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: Hello Totem (Cellular Distribution Strategies) advertises a cash for iPhone service. I contacted this company and they gave me a written quote (10/22/13) for $180 for my iPhone 4S. I agreed and they sent a prepaid box to mail them the phone. I sent it. Their online site records that they received it (11/12/13). they were suppose to send me a check quickly. I have not heard from them regarding payment. I called their phone number and it said that their numbers is not activated yet. I contacted their email address and it loops back a standard automated email response. I noticed online a lot of complaints about this company not send the payments to people so I'm very worried.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive a cashers check for $180, and an email and phone call.

Review: I sent my used iphone 4s to Hello Totem in October of 2013 and they recieved the phone a week later according to Fed Ex tracking. My order number is [redacted]. They quoted me about $300 for my phone. It is now Jaunary 23rd 2013 and Totem has not made any attempt to pay me for my phone, or send me any communication. I have tried to e-mail them at [email protected] 4 ties to check on status, but no answer. They have no phone information on their website.Desired Settlement: Pay me the quoted amount or send me my phone back

Review: The company operates a website [redacted] the states they will purchase used cell phones. I went to their website, entered my phone information, and was quoted a payment of $176.00 for sending it in to them. I agreed to the amount, entered my address and the company sent me a pre-paid mailer to send my phone to them via [redacted]. I packed my used [redacted] in their mailer and mailed it back to them. This was in late October 2013. After I did not receive payment after two weeks I sent three emails to them asking about my payment - none were answered. As of 1/7/14, I have heard nothing from this company and they are still in possession of my [redacted].Desired Settlement: Either payment of $176.00 or return of my used [redacted].

Review: Totem quoted me a price of $110 for my [redacted] 16GB [redacted]) that Totem received on 11/8/13. I have tried tracking my phone via their website, but they have yet to evaluate my phone, a process that per their email and website should only take 48 hours. I have made numerous attempts to contact the company to resolve this issue, via their limited support application, but I have yet to receive a response. I chose the company because they claimed the process was quick and efficient.Desired Settlement: I would like my check for the quoted price of $110 dollars, or have my device returned immediately at no cost to me.

Review: I sent my excellent condition iPhone 4s to them (dba Totem) on November 4th for an agreed in writing payment of $145. It took them several weeks to recognize that they had the phone in their possession. Last time I heard from them was November 19th. Since then, I can no longer search for my phone through their website, and I have not gotten response from email requests.Desired Settlement: I would like to either have my money by Christmas, or get my phone back in the perfect condition I sent it to them in. I took multiple pictures of my phone from the post office moments before I sent it, so I have proof of exactly what it looked like when I sent it, and I also had verified at the Apple Store the day before that it was not water damaged and in perfect selling condition.

Review: I've sent my iPhone in to Hellototem and have since not received payment for it. The estimate was for $205. I've contacted the company on November 25th and they have told me that the check was mailed on November 17th but I still have not received payment. My second request gave me a response that they would send it to a Mr. [redacted] for review. I didn't get a response. My 3rd request gave me no response as well. The status on all three of my "tickets" show closed or solved.Desired Settlement: I either want my payment or my phone back.

Business

Response:

This was resolved with [redacted] on Dec 19. Payment was sent via [redacted].

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 mailed in my iPhone after getting quoted a price of $175 that I would then be mailed in the form of a check. My order number was [redacted] and according to their website, my iPhone was received on 11/4/2013. I was told that my phone would be evaluated and a check would be sent within 48 hours. A few days later, there was still no change to the status of my phone. I submitted a ticket to try to contact them and never got a response.Desired Settlement: I would like Totem to process my phone and send me my check for $175. Otherwise I'd like my phone mailed back to me.

Business

Response:

We have reissued this check today Mon Dec 15. We believe this issue 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,