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A new epidemic is on the horizon and it’s plaguing smartphone users everywhere. It’s called unprotected text and we’re here to warn you of its dangers.

Ever used a phone with a cracked screen? Chances are you have, and that makes you an unprotected text offender. But guess what? You’re not alone. In fact, you’re one of millions. At Gazelle, we see thousands of broken screens each day, some in quite hazardous conditions. We found that users who engage in unprotected text often don’t consider the risks. And that’s why we’re putting an end to the debate about cracked screens.

Engaging in Unprotected Text is dangerous. So, first consider the facts before you send a risky text:

No one is having ‘the talk’

Rarely are they replaced

And yes, you are in danger

While some users are afraid of risky text, others defy the odds – placing themselves at risk for injuries. Many of our own customers reported injuries like glass cuts in fingers and nicks to the ear while unprotected texting.

Well, we’re here to prevent this problem. And it starts now.

Do you have a shattered screen story? Now is your opportunity to stop this epidemic from spreading. Go to our Facebook page and tell the world your shattered screen story and prevent others from doing the same. You’ll be automatically entered to win a Gazelle Certified pre-owned iPhone or iPad, which will be awarded weekly. And don’t forget to share your story on social media using #UnprotectedText and @Gazelle.

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The post Gazelle is Putting an End to Unprotected Text. Your Story Could Win you an iPhone or iPad Kevin Walther appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

It goes without question that the iPad transformed the future of mobile, and to mark this celebration, we’ve compiled five facts showing just how disruptive the iPad has been over the years.

1. Over the past five years, more than 225 million iPads have been sold. That’s enough to equip every citizen in the UK, France, Peru and Thailand with a shiny new tablet!
2. It has improved education in the classroom. Twenty percent of students scored ‘proficient’ or ‘advanced’ using tablets over textbooks in an Algebra 1 course, according to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
3. iPads have also helped the future leaders in medicine. UC Irvine Medical School reported that 23% of medical students who used iPads in learning performed higher on national exams than those without.
4. It’s altered (and possibly saved) the publishing industry, forcing magazines and newspapers to create tablet-ready versions for digitally savvy consumers.
5. iPads have pushed pop culture to become more innovative. Modern Family recently shot its “Connection Lost” episode entirely on an iPad 2 and iPhone 6. The episode’s inspiration came from executive producer Steven Levitan to show how families communicate today.

From Gazelle’s iPad Lab

We pulled together some of our own data to show how iPads have been traded-in over the years.

1. Since starting iPad trade-ins in March 2011, Gazelle customers have sent in nearly 4.3 million iPads of all generations (see chart below).
2. To date, we’ve paid out nearly $20 million to our customers for their iPads.
3. According to Gazelle’s stats the iPad 2 16gb (Wifi) is the most popular traded-in iPad. (see pie chart below). The iPad 2 also happens to be the most commonly broken one.
4. In total, 9% of iPads traded into Gazelle are broken.
5. Gazelle customers are not just trading-in, they’re buying too. iPads represented 19% of all transactions for Gazelle Certified pre-owned since launching in October 2014.

Kevin Walther is a communications specialist at Gazelle and editor for The Horn. Reach him at kwalther@gazelle.com and follow him at @waltherkevin. Connect with Gazelle on Twitter and Facebook.

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The post Happy 5th Birthday, iPad. Five Years Old, Five Reasons to Celebrate Kevin Walther appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

I waited a few seconds before bending down to recover my fragile iPhone. Flipping it over revealed a spider-man crack smothering the glass, leaving me on a mission to find out how to fix my iPhone screen – and my key to the outside world.

Most of us have gone through this fiasco, unfortunately so. After a slight breakdown at the sight of my shattered screen, I awoke to reality: Living in the age of technology, we have more fixing options than ever. So before you have “phantic” attack, consider your options (just to name a few):

• The Apple Store: The Genius Bar can replace your screen if it’s not too damaged underneath the glass. This option is cheaper than an out-of-contract replacement from your carrier, but if they take off the screen and can’t replace it, you’re out of luck.
• Certified pre-owned: When you aren’t due for an upgrade and $600 at the Apple Store is too expensive, Gazelle offers a variety of smartphones at low-cost – no contract and risk-free. You might also want to consider which option is more bang for your buck, the cost of a used iPhone or replacing the screen.
• DIY: Tech-savvy users may want to take care of the damage themselves. There are varieties of online resources that provide instructions to self-replace an iPhone screen, though not recommended for the everyday consumer.

Next time you’re iPhone screen breaks, know that you’re not alone. When it happens (because it probably will), research your options before going into full-fledged phanic.

Kevin Walther is a communications specialist at Gazelle and editor for The Horn. Reach him at kwalther@gazelle.com and follow him at @waltherkevin. Connect with Gazelle on Twitter and Facebook.

Image via Flickr.

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The post The Tale of a Broken iPhone Screen. Is There Hope for You? Kevin Walther appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

As Tim Cook wrapped up his September 2014 Apple event, he uttered the famous words, “One more thing.” That’s when we first officially learned about the Apple Watch. This is Cook’s first product launch since taking over as Apple’s CEO in August 2011, and it has received the same high level of buzz and interest that we’ve come to expect from Apple. Gazelle has kept our eyes on this gadget and we knew back in September that it would be a must-have device. It’s no surprise, the Apple Watch is a beautifully designed product, falling right in line with iPhones and iPads.

Apple’s history has shown there is an insatiable demand for its products, due to their unparalleled design and overall ease-of-use. The wild popularity of Apple products has helped Gazelle become the leading gadget trade-in site. So we looked back into our own data archives to explore how the first generation iPad maintained its value over time.

Gazelle’s history with first generation iPad 16GB WiFi:

As the numbers suggest, the first generation iPad held its value remarkably well over the years, even after Apple announced subsequent versions. We expect a similarly strong market demand for second-hand Apple Watches. Bring on the trades and the sales.

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The post Apple Watch Enthusiasts, Rejoice! Kevin Walther appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

Meet Sarah. She’s a busy working mom of three young boys. And like many parents, Sarah barely has time to keep track of sons’ whereabouts, let alone their toys and gadgets. So when it came time for laundry one fateful afternoon, crisis struck:

“In an irritated sweep through the house, I scooped up my son’s new iPhone along with a mountain of dirty clothes. Into the washing machine went the clothes, and the phone. That was that.”

Many customers have asked the question – is there hope for a drowned smartphone? There are some immediate measures to take – found here with our Immersion Therapy how-to guide, which includes instructions to give your phone its best chance of surviving a water attack. For Sarah, there was no resuscitation for her son’s dretched iPhone.

Sarah frantically turned to her wireless carrier, only to discover that none of the four devices on her family plan were eligible for an upgrade, leaving her at a very costly and unwanted replacement. That’s why she sought alternative measures.

“I also checked eBay, but the prospect of getting a phone that didn’t actually work with my carrier or that wasn’t actually ‘like new’ were big concerns. When I remembered that Gazelle was now offering used Apple products for resale, I was thrilled.”

Once again, a household uprising prevented.

“The best thing about using Gazelle is the quality of the experience and the product itself. You know it’s been tested and you know it’s going to be what you thought you were getting.”

Visit buy.gazelle.com to shop Gazelle Certified smartphones.

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The post Call the Doctor: What to do When Your iPhone Drowns Kevin Walther appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

Devyn is an avid fitness guru and marathon runner, and like most of us, travels everywhere with her
iPhone. So when her phone began showing signs of water damage from stashing it in her sports bra while running, she needed to find a replacement – and fast. Devyn first went to her wireless carrier, but learned she wasn’t eligible for an upgrade for many months. A phone out of warranty would cost an upwards of $600. Constantly on the go, Devyn simply couldn’t wait.

After seeing a commercial for Gazelle earlier in the year and at the recommendation of a friend, Devyn decided to give Gazelle’s Certified Pre-owned store a try. She describes the whole process seamless. Even during Juno (the great blizzard of 2015!), Devyn received her phone in a few short days and has been happy ever since.

“I trusted Gazelle to provide a decent, fully functional phone,” Devyn says. “However, I was still surprised at how new my phone appeared! There was a ‘like new’ option I declined to save money – and my phone still looks brand new.”

Devyn says her experience was so positive that she even convinced her husband to purchase his iPhone 6 from Gazelle, noting that the store is a great new way to save.

“Low risk, high reward. If you want a ‘new’ phone but don’t want to splurge – buying a used/refurbished phone is a great option. You can save hundreds. Plus, if you aren’t happy with it, Gazelle gives you ample time to return it.”

Need a ‘smart’ replacement? Check out Gazelle at buy.gazelle.com.

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The post ‘Low Risk, High Reward’ – Gazelle’s Customer Experience Kevin Walther appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

What about buying used? Not only is it significantly cheaper, but is also an easy solution to many common smartphone problems, like a lost or broken device. But is it possible to find a refurbished iPhone up to your standards? The answer is yes, and it can go return- and risk-free with a few simple considerations to make.

Here are three critical questions you need to ask before pulling out your credit card for a used gadget.

Where is it coming from?

Step one in the used buying process is to know who you’re dealing with. Before you open your wallet, be sure your cash is in good hands. We all know that the Internet is rife with scammers. Research the seller on Better Business Bureau and Yelp and see what their customers are saying. A presentable website and social media channels also go a long way toward peace of mind.

Does it work?

There’s nothing worse than wasting money a gadget that slowly turns into an expensive paperweight. On the provider’s site, check out how they inspect and process used or refurbished devices, especially what “used'” means to them (it varies widely from business to business.)

And always, always choose a retailer that provides a worry-free guarantee. Gazelle offers a 30-day risk-free guarantee on all purchases as well as a 30+ point inspection to ensure quality.

How does it look?

Looks do matter. Get a device you’re proud of – cosmetic quality is just as important as functionality! There’s no need to sacrifice appearance for a low-cost smartphone.

So get out there and start exploring! If you recently lost or broke your smartphone, check out Gazelle’s new certified pre-owned store at buy.gazelle.com.

Kevin is a communications specialist at Gazelle and editor for The Horn. Reach him at kwalther@gazelle.com and follow him at @waltherkevin. Connect with Gazelle @Gazelle and Facebook.com/Gazelle.com.

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The post 3 Things to Consider When Buying Used Gadgets Kevin Walther appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.

Ever considered buying a refurbished iPhone? Here’s why you should.

1. It’s cheaper – significantly

A friend of mine recently purchased a brand new iPhone 6 from her wireless carrier. Just one week later, her phone became a pricey paperweight after going through a cycle in the washer. Without an upgrade discount, a replacement iPhone would cost her a mind-blowing $649.

Purchasing a refurbished iPhone saves consumers hundreds of dollars. Used smartphones come in ‘like-new’ or ‘good’ condition, with minor cosmetic blemishes.

2. Lost, stolen or broken? No need to worry.

Twenty-five percent of Gazelle’s customers cite a lost, stolen or broken device as the main reason for replacing their phone, making older models not only a practical solution, but also a cost-efficient one. Buying used also spares the constraints wireless carriers place on their customers (e.g., no contract needed). And by buying used, you don’t have to sacrifice quality for cost.

3. For children, it’s about responsibility

A study revealed that 60% of parents offered their children cell phones at ages 10 or 11, a number that continues to skew younger. At six, seven and eight years old, children do not understand the responsibility of owning a new iPhone, let alone comprehend the cost of replacing it when it breaks.

For parents looking to fit their child with his first cell phone, a brand new, fragile iPhone may not be the best choice – and for good reason. A refurbished iPhone is a no harm, no foul approach to suiting children with their favorite shiny object.

Convinced? For more information visit Gazelle’s Certified pre-owned store.

Kevin Walther is a communications specialist at Gazelle and editor for The Horn. Reach him at kwalther@gazelle.com and follow him at @waltherkevin. Connect with Gazelle on Twitter and Facebook.

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The post Low on Cash? 3 Reasons to Buy a Refurbished iPhone Kevin Walther appeared first on Gazelle The Horn.