Cellular Distribution Strategies

Review: I sent my Iphone 4 to Totem for agreed upon offer of $105.00 by check and they received it 11/4/2013, order # [redacted], and their website says payment will be mailed out 48 hours after receiving it. after waiting for two weeks, on 11/22/13, I contacted totem to see what the status of my order was, as the status portal remained unchanged.

They responded the same day saying that a check was issued 11/13/13 and to allow time for delivery.

after three weeks, no check had arrived, so I contacted them again, on 12/3/13 and 12/6/13, to inform them that my payment had not arrived and seeing how we can resolve this.

their help desk says that they will respond within 48 hours. it has now been a week, and I have yet to get a response.

in total, this process has taken over a month to deal with, when they promised a quick turn around.Desired Settlement: I would like to receive payment immediately, as promised by the company.

Review: Selling my iPhone 4 to Totem. They received it on Nov 7, 2013 and promised to respond within 48hrs. After several attempts I have not heard back.

I received an online quote from Totem to purchase my [redacted] iPhone 4 8GB for $100 on October 19th. On October 21st Totem sent me a pre-paid box to ship the phone to them. I sent Totem by iPhone 4 and received confirmation from them that they received it on Nov 7th. According to Totem I should've received a response back within approximately 48 hours. After waiting a few days, I did not receive any feedback from Totem. As a result, I sent a follow-up e-mail to them on Nov 11th asking about the status of my iPhone 4. Again, I never heard anything back from Totem. After a few days passed without a response I decided to open a resolution ticket through their online help desk. I opened a ticket (ticket #[redacted]) on Nov 13th. Again, no response. On Nov 18th I attempted to send another e-mail to Totem but still have not received a response. I am at the point where I feel completely helpless. Totem does not have a telephone number that customers can utilize to speak with someone concerning issues. They are not responding to e-mails or their following their customer complaint process (open a help ticket). I live in [redacted] and am unable to physically go to their place of business. Totem has been completely unresponsive and reckless in the way they treat customers. Their actions are bordering on criminal as it appears to be misleading and stealing expensive products from customers by making false promises. The owner(s) should be investigated and shut down as I am not the only customer who has been mislead.Desired Settlement: Very simple, I want my iPhone 4 sent back to me. Or they can send me $100 for it as promised.

Review: I was quoted by this company (Hellototem.com) for payment for sending in my Iphone - additionally payment was promised in 2 to 4 business days. Not only have I received no payment, I also have received no response to my several emails to their website.Desired Settlement: I either want to be paid the amount quoted or I want my Iphone back.

Review: I mailed in two iPhone 4s devices and was quoted a price for each. The website advertises payment to Paypal will be processed within 48 hours. I devices were shipped in the Totem provided boxes and received by Totem on December 5, 2013. A requote was sent on December 11, 2013 and I approved the new quote on December 11, 2013. I have not received payment for these mobile devices. I have sent seven or eight requests for status updates and begged someone to contact me via phone to discuss. I have not seen any communication and have not received any phone calls (as of January 22, 2014). I have an Order number from Totem, but no payment.

I would NEVER use this service again. At this point I'm considering my devices STOLEN.Desired Settlement: I am begging for the payment I am owed ($305). Ideally, I'd want an explanation of delay and a formal apology, but I'd settle for receiving the money I am owed.

Review: They quoted to pay me $215 for my iPhone 4S. I mailed it to them over a week ago and have received no response to my emails. I also selected PayPal as the method of payment, yet they changed the payment method to 'check.'

I am getting worried since I have received zero response. In researching this company, I am also finding that not only do they steal your phone, they also steal the information from of your phone (from the hard drive) even after you reset it.Desired Settlement: I want them to pay me $215 via PayPal, as promised.

Business

Response:

Our database information shows the device was just received 10/31/13 and the attached screen shot shows the customer selected check via our website. We have reached out and asked for a paypal address to make the payment.

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. They have paid me $215 via PayPal and this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: I read about Totem via the internet regarding buying back your old cell phone for money. The company states how easy it is to collect your money, You send back the pre-paid shipping box containing your phone and they will evaluate your phone in 48 hours. They will then deposit the money owed to you via PayPal or by a check. I was given an offer of 215.00 for my mint condition Apple I phone 4s [redacted] 16GB. The offer was valid for 30 days. I mailed the shipper on 10/15/13. I knew there would be problems right away when the box took 8 days to travel 35 miles from [redacted] to [redacted] ! They received by phone on 10/23/2013 ( [redacted]. tracking # [redacted]). I waited and waited but never heard back from the company concerning my money. I sent three emails to them asking about my phone and did not receive one reply. I tried calling their phone number, but it is not in operation. The company states that they will follow up on all "tickets" which are emails for assistance, within 48 hours. At this point, I feel they will never respond to me and have stolen my phone that I sent them in good faith for the money I was promised. My Totem order # is [redacted].Desired Settlement: I want Totem to live up to the agreement I have with them and issue my payment via PayPal for $215.00 for my Apple I phone 4s 16gb [redacted].

Business

Response:

Check was sent to customer and customer has acknowledged receipt. We believe this issue to be resolved.

Review: In late October, I contracted with Totem (as they are known as) to sell them my iphone 4 for $110. They sent me a box, I sent my phone and on their website it showed that they received it on November 8th. The order number is #[redacted]. I have not received any payment from them and they have not responded to phone calls or emails. I am now aware that they are a scam operation.Desired Settlement: I either want the $110.00 I was promised, or my phone back. Thank you so much for your help with this!

Business

Response:

Payment has been issued Dec 17. 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 have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint yet. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

Totem states that they have paid, and that the issue is resolved by payment, but the status of my phone on their site still says pending. Additionally, there is no tracking number if they mailed payment, nor any indication that they deposited the monies to my PayPal account. As they have been responsive and lied up until now, until I have received the check/deposit to PayPal, I cannot say that I accept the offer. I look forward to receiving the payment and would like to know how the transaction will occur. Either PayPal or a check sent with a tracking number is acceptable.

Kind Regards,

Review: I have been quoted by this company to sell my band-new iPHONE 4S for $165 dollars. The phone was in perfect condition with cover protection front and back. It has been two months since I sent in my iPHONE and I have yet received my check. The [redacted] and [redacted] keeps telling me that my iPHONE was broken. I denied their offer and asked to get my PHONE back. Then I was told that my iPHONE was in "good conditions" and re-quotes. I was also told that my check was sent out more than two weeks ago. First, I did not get the chance to know how much they offered me. Second, I never got the check.

I have repeated sent them email to them. They simply don't respond to my email.

Here are some examples of our useful email conversation. These people are criminals who deserves to be in jails.Desired Settlement: Please give me the $165 dollars which was first offered to me in Sep.

Business

Response:

New check #[redacted] was issued 11/14/13 to customer. 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 have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

I was quoted $175 for my iPHONE 4S as indicated on the Totem's website. However, I only got a check of $145.

Regards,

Business

Response:

[redacted] - did you not receive payment for this? I think this was resolved?

Review: I turned in my fairly new phone to the company via the shipping receipt and box provided. I verified that the item was received 4 weeks ago, but I have not received a check. The phone numbers and information listed on their website it not correct and when a ticket is submitted no one responds. There are several complaints on the internet regarding the company and yet NO ONE has done anything about the issue. This company is committing consumer fraud and getting away with it and no one is holding them accountable. I will be looking into legal action if I cannot get this resolved through the normal methods.Desired Settlement: I would like my check of $165 as I was promised for the iPhone 4s.

Business

Response:

Payment has been issued today. We believe this has been resolved.

Review: Cellular Distribution Strategies (via www.hellototem.com) offered to send me a check for $480 in exchange for two iPads. The company sent me a box with postage paid, and I used the box to ship the iPads. I shipped the iPads to the company in early December, and the company acknowledged that they had received the iPads in late December. However, despite promising to process my payment within 48 hours, my payment still has not been processed, and the company has not responded to me after multiple attempts to contact them.Desired Settlement: $480 check

Review: Totem guarantees payment when you ship your Iphone within 2-4 business days. They do not respond to your emails or when you submit a troubleshooting request. I have sent an email to the owner, a message on facebook, and on twitter and with no response. They are thieves and need to be arrested.

Product_Or_Service: Selling my Iphone

Order_Number: listed under my emailDesired Settlement: Replacement

I would like for my phone to be sent back to me or for payment to be processed. Hundreds of customers have had their phones basically stolen from them with apparently no intent to process payment.

Review: I went to the hellototem.com website around October 16, 2013, to sell three old iphones after reading about the site in a review article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/20/how-to-sell-iphone_n_3957791.html. I researched competitors and found Totem offered the highest price for my used phone, appeared to have a professional website and was recommended by the article mentioned above, so I accepted their offer of $605 for my three Verizon iphones (iphone 4S-64GB, iphone 4S-32GB and iphone 5-32GB) [Totem Order No. [redacted]]. These phones were in good condition and I confirmed that they were working properly before I sent them. Totem sent me packaging material and reminder emails to package and send my phones. I packaged and sent my phones in late October or early November. I received an email from Totem ([email protected]) on November 14 indicating that Totem received my devices, that they were inspecting them and that "assuming everything checks out, your payment of $605.00 will be processed within 48 hours." Totem's website offers a status update on your order, which I checked regularly, but after indicating that my order was received on the 14th, the status did not change. On November 25, 2013, I contacted Totem through its website to request information on the delay in sending my payment and received an automated email response indicating that I should submit a ticket to them and I would get a response within 48 hours. That same day I followed the directions on their website to submit a complaint to "[email protected]" and received a response on November 26, 2013, indicating that someone would look into the status of my payment and give me an update as soon as they had more information. The email was unsigned, but came from the email address "[email protected]" and I was assigned a ticket number (#[redacted]) for my complaint. On December 6, 2013, I followed-up to ask for an update and received no response and indicated I would need to contact authorities if I didn't receive my payment or an update promptly - my reply appears on the webpage for my ticket number at https://hellototem.zendesk.com/requests/[redacted]. I have also called the ###-###-#### number that appears on their website, which is an inactive number. December 13, 2013, I sent another email requesting a status update and indicating that I intended to file complaints with the FTC and the attorneys general of the states of California (where Totem is located) and New York (where I reside). I have since filed all three complaints. On December 16th I followed up again through the support desk ticket, I started a new complaint through Totem's website and I tried several phone numbers I found through web searches hoping to reach someone at the Company, but all were disconnected or otherwise incorrect. I followed up again today, December 17th. I have yet to receive any response since the first cursory response to my complaint on November 25th saying that someone would follow-up.Desired Settlement: I would like either the $605 quoted to me or return of my phones in the same condition I provided them promptly. I'd also like Totem to commit that they will not continue to solicit people to send in their phones until they have paid for the phones already received from various other consumers who used the Totem service.

Review: I send my practically new iphone 4s to this company after receiving a quote to buy my phone for $180. They sent a box and mailing label to my house for me to pack and ship my iphone to them. They have received my iphone over a month ago and have not processed payment. I have sent several emails inquiring about the status of payment and have not heard anything from them. The company has deleted all its social media accounts, yet seems to still have a live website. I believe this company is fraudulent!

Also, the original quote was revised and a new quote was sent to my email. Someone at the company responded to the email, acting like me and approved the new (and lower) quote. I never approved the update quote and the email was in my spam.Desired Settlement: I would like payment of my iphone as promised or the return of my phone.

Review: hellototem.com (TOTEM is a ussed cell phone buying complany) has accepted my cell phone (iphone 4s) but not provided me with payment.

To see order details

Visit: http://hellototem.com/track

Enter: [redacted]@mail.com

Notice that requote accepted by 12/13. They state. "As soon as your device arrives at Totem, a member of our technology team will inspect it and confirm that it's consistent with the quote we provided online. If everything checks out, your payment will be processed within 48 hours. Track your device on our site and get paid via check or PayPal."Desired Settlement: I would like payment of $135.00 or my iphone returned asap.

Review: I mailed my IPhone 4s in great condition and never received $180 as aggreed. Was supposed to be paid in 48 hours.Desired Settlement: Write me a check for $180 and mail it to me.

Review: I received a quote on two iPhones. The company sent me a mailer and I sent them the phones. The company said that one of the phones was not in the condition that I had said; I decided to go ahead and accept the lower amount they requoted. That was on March 28, 2013. It has been over two months, and I have not received any money from the company. I have sent numerous emails and talked to customer service via live chat. The phone number is not working.Desired Settlement: I am simply asking for the requoted amount.

Business

Response:

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

Review: Hello Totem advertises a quick way to sell your used smartphones. I requested a quote for an iPhone 4S, which was competitive. The materials and instructions arrived promptly and I sent the phone off for evaluation on 28 Sep. I did not receive an acknowledgement via email until 09 Oct. Attempts to call the number listed as "Customer Service" failed, as the number does not exist or function. Sent two inquiries via the online ticketing system -- no response.

I was given a "[redacted]" number to track my shipment, but the box is sent via [redacted] and thus I had no way to know whether the phone had arrived. It does not take 10 days for the [redacted] to deliver within [redacted]. This is unacceptable.

Additionally, the web site gave me the option to be paid via [redacted] Despite selecting this option, it finished the transaction stating I would be paid by check. When I opened a ticket to have this changed, I received no response.Desired Settlement: Either promptly return my phone in the condition it was sent to you in (mint) so that I can sell it to a different service, or issue my check no later than 15 Oct. Your website claims service "with the confidence that comes along with a reputation for doing right by our customers." Do right by me, and send me a check for the quoted price of $215.00 by 15 Oct.

Business

Response:

This payment issue has been resolved with the customer. Customer was paid via [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. I consider this complaint resolved.

Regards,

Review: I sent my iPhone to hellototem.com (Cellular Distribution Strategies) to trade in for cash on September 17th, 2013. During the trade-in process I have had four questions which I asked, as directed by their website, through their help ticket system; once on September 11th, September 18th, September 26th, and October 14th. I have yet to receive answers to any of those questions I have submitted. I have also even tried to use [redacted] as a form of communication between myself and the company, but still no response. According to FedEx, my iPhone was received in San Diego by the company on October 4th, however I have not received payment yet for my iPhone nor have I been told when I can expect payment. The original automated-email I received said that I should expect payment within 48 hours of them receiving my iPhone. It has now been 9 business days. I have kept records of all attempted communications for your reference if needed.Desired Settlement: I would like the $175.00 that was quoted for my iPhone delivered to my home by check, please.

Business

Response:

Customer was sent payment with tracking number. 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: I sent to Totem cell my iphone 3s on 8/5/2013 for the quoted price of $140. I was given a tracking number, they usual process but never a email telling me the payment was sent. I even was told my phone was broken even though I change cell phone only b/c of a pending upgrade. I put in over 5 tickets, countless emails to them, it keep telling me my ticket is being looked at by they support group. I even accepted the requote price just to end this process even though they advertising even on they site said payment sent out within a week. I believe this company is a scam , I am very surprise from reading all the complaints that you haven't did a class action lawsuit on behalf of many many consumers. I work here in corporate law , I am angry at myself from not doing my usual due diligence on this company. I strongly believe this company is a scam , a fraud on all levels including false advertising. I am also looking into contacting the attorney general in California for this issue more on principal . Thank youDesired Settlement: To be sent either half or full payment ASAP , for you all to protect the consumers...

Business

Response:

New check has been sent and also emailed customer confirming payment has been sent.

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,

Good Morning

I do thank you Revdex.com of San Diego for your quick action regarding my matter. Can you please pass a message to them to email me at [redacted] to confirm the check was sent, also for what amount? They website is showing nothing was sent, I gave them a month ago my updated email info.............................They claim my phone was broke I say no so how much was the payment. But as of right now I accept the business response . Thank you?

Business

Response:

We have emailed the customer explaining that we have sent a payment which we believe is fair for the phone condition we received. We believe this complaint to now be closed and resolved.

Review: I sent my perfect iphone 4s to Hello Totem mid November 2013 - they received it 11/26/13 - I was supposed to receive payment within a few weeks. I have submitted multiple emails requesting status of payment and received no responses whatsoever. It is now 2/26/14 - 3 months later, and no emails, no status update, no return of phone - nothing!Desired Settlement: Payment of $175 via my paypal [redacted]