Local tech startup purchases used tech devices 

A new local tech startup, Flip Phone, aims to provide South Africans with an easy and safe method to sell their used smartphones and purchase other tech items. 

Users are able to sell their items safely via the use of Flip Phone with instant EFT payments received

Founded in 2018, Flip Phone aims to be the largest trusted marketplace for selling and purchasing tech products in Southern Africa. 

Founded by entrepreneur, Conor Copas, Flip Phone was birthed in 2018 and took off like a rocket ship during 2020. 

Creating his tech startup during moonlight hours while working at a popular eCommerce wellness platform, Faithful to Nature, Copas explains that he decided to take the business on full time during the lockdown. 

“During this time of working full time and moonlighting, Flip Phone was gaining steady traction and I made the jump to grow Flip Phone on a full-time basis at the end of May 2020.”

The 28-year-old Cape Town-based entrepreneur has had a wealth of experience in the eCommerce sector, working with Groupon and as a founding member of Hyperli. His previous work experience spurred on the idea of creating Flip Phone. 

In an interview with Ventuerburn, Flip Phone explains that the company has been bootstrapped by personal and private funding. 

“To date, it has been privately funded. We were approached by interested investors at the beginning of the year, but due to Covid-19 related factors on their end they had to pull out.”

Compared to other competitors, Flip Phone utilises machine learning algorithms to determine valuations of tech products. In addition, users who are looking to sell their tech items will be provided payment immediately with a predetermined quoted price. 

“The reason we can do this is that we’ve built up a large dataset to model consumer behaviour and match supply and demand,” explains Flip Phone. 

How does it work 

Utilising an online platform, Flip Phone allows users to access instant quotes on their used devices.

 If users choose to sell their items on the platform, the device is collected by the company’s courier service and inspected. Users can expect payment for their device once inspected within a single business day. 

Users are able to choose the date of the collection of their devices. Flip Phone advises potential users that the collection of devices may be delayed due to the impact of Covid-19. 

“Please note that due to COVID-19, our courier companies might experience some delays. We’ll be sure to keep you informed every step of the process, and your phone is always paid out on the same day that it arrives.”

The on-site technicians and developers will thoroughly check each device to ensure that it is in working condition. 

Flip Phone is currently the only online platform that pays out via instant EFT when users sell their used devices to the platform. 

Not only does Flip phone provide a service for locals to sell their used smartphones in an easy method but it refurbishes the devices and lists them on their online store.

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Featured image: Conor Copas, founder of Flip Phone (Supplied)