Comparing The Big Phone Store vs Phones Direct
| Feature | TBPS | Phones Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Selling Refurbished Phones Since 1999 | ā | ā |
| Trustpilot Rating |  |
 |
| Google Review |  |
 (also says permanently closed?) |
| Country of Ownership |  (UK) |
(UK) |
| Type of Ownership | Family Owned | Corporate Owned |
| 12 Month Warranty | ā | ā |
| Flexible Purchase Options | ā | ā |
| UK-Based Customer Service Team | ā | ā |
| Recommended by Which.co.uk? | ā | ā |
| Recommended by MoneySavingExpert | ā | ā |
| Certified with 90+ Quality Checks | ā | ā |
| Ability to Purchase in Person | ā | ā |
| Wide Selection of Brands and Models* | ā | ā |
| 6 Conditions to Choose From | ā | ā |
| Instant Quotes, No Purchase Necessary | ā | ā |
| Option to Upgrade to New Battery | ā | ā |
| Option to Add a Fitted Screen Protector | ā | ā |
*Wide Selection of Brands and Models includes Apple iPhone, Samsung, Google, Huawei, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, Motorola, Sony Xperia, Nokia, Honor, and CAT. (All information is up-to-date as of 03/07/2024).
Comparing The Big Phone Store vs Phones Direct
Both Phones Direct and The Big Phone Store are UK-based companies where you can sell your old mobile phone. Phones Direct opened its digital doors eight years ago. Beyond that, youāll find a lot of differences between the two mobile phone recyclers.
We believe The Big Phone Store is the best alternative to Phones Direct. Keep reading below for more!
Recycling Mobile Phones since 1999!
The Big Phone Store first began recycling phones and other electronics in 1999 - long before the invention of the smartphone! Weāve now been recycling phones for over 25 years, and we are able to transform that expertise into more money in your pocket! Meanwhile, Phones Direct has only existed since 2012.
Despite being well-established, weāre still on the rise. The entire mobile phone refurb and recycling industry is in a time of rapid growth, and in 2023 The Big Phone Store was identified as the UKās fastest-growing refurbisher (according to 3rd-party traffic estimates).
Who pays more for your old phone?
The Big Phone Store currently offers better trade-in prices on a range of smartphones. For example, as of 08/03/2024, The Big Phone Store is offering Ā£55 more for trading in a 128GB iPhone 15 in perfect condition.
Donāt just take our word for it, though - always compare our prices before you sell your phone with Phones Direct!
At The Big Phone Store, we adjust our prices each day to ensure that we are always offering you a great price for your phone. However, we canāt guarantee that our trade-in prices are always the best price available. Customers should be aware of the initial offer and the possibility of a revised offer based on the phone's condition. There are many sites whose business model is to lure you in with a good price, then unfairly downgrade your phone when it arrives with them. On the rare occasion that we have to adjust our prices after a trade-in, customers may request evidence.
Which company do customers prefer?
While you are comparing prices with Phones Direct, you should also compare our customer reviews. Through our commitment to providing excellent customer service, The Big Phone Store has an incredible customer reputation. Our reliable service giving, which includes buying, selling, refreshing, and recycling over a million devices, has contributed to high customer satisfaction. One way you can read customer reviews for yourself is through TrustPilot. At the time of writing, Phones Direct has a Trustpilot rating of only 3.8 out of 5, compared to The Big Phone Storeās 4.7!
Instant Quotes With No Sign-Up
When trading in your phone with The Big Phone Store, you won't have to give your email address or sign up to our mailing list to simply get a quote for your device! If you want to know how much your phone is worth, there's no faster way to find out. Simply enter the details of your device, and you'll see a quote appear right before your eyes!
We Sell Refurbished Phones
The Big Phone Store is one of the UKās most trusted names when it comes to selling great quality devices, which has been a core part of our business since we began recycling devices in 1999! Not only that, if you spend more than Ā£150 on a refurbished phone at The Big Phone Store, weāll upgrade you to next-day shipping for no extra cost.
Phones Direct has also begun selling their own refurbished devices in recent years.
Unlike Phones Direct, We Sell Brand New Phones
The Big Phone Store offers an impressive range of phones in six different conditions, from āPoorā to āBrand New.ā As a highly trusted seller of refurbished phones, we also provide discounts on brand-new, sealed-in-box devicesāsomething you won't find at Phones Direct.
The Big Phone Store also sells Like-New phones!
Phones Direct sells phones in three refurbished conditions, with their highest grade being 'Excellent' (which matches our āPristine' condition). This is a phone with scratched screen marks that can only be seen when viewed close-up.
Meanwhile, The Big Phone Store offers phones in a 'Like New' condition. When we say "like new," we mean it! These phones have no visible marks, and the only difference between a brand-new and a like-new phone is that it does not come in its original packaging.
Sell Your Phone With Us & Receive:
1.Instant Quote:
Simply check out our Sell My Phone page and search for your device, let us know what condition itās in, and get an instant quote right before your eyes!2.Free Postage:
The Big Phone Store offers completely FREE shipping for your old phone when you send it to us! Find out more, such as how to print your postage label, when you check out. Selling old phones to The Big Phone Store not only helps you earn money but also contributes to environmental sustainability by recycling.3.Fast Payment:
If your phone arrives with us in the correct condition, you could receive a payment for it straight into your bank account on the very same day!
We offer a unique battery replacement service
The Big Phone Store is proud to offer a truly unique service when you're buying a refurbished phone. On selected models, we offer battery upgrades! Choose this add-on at checkout to make sure your refurbished phone reaches you with a fully healthy battery!