The SHIFT device deposit
Welcome to the information pages about our device deposit. Here you can find out everything about the history of the SHIFT deposit system, the many advantages that the concept brings with it and of course what you have to do to redeem your device deposit.
Our device deposit has been around since 2017 and is currently included in the following SHIFT products – in addition to the already sold-out SHIFT4.2, SHIFT5.3 and SHIFT6m phones:
SHIFT5me
Deposit: 22 €
SHIFT6mq
Deposit: 22 €
SHIFTphone 8
Deposit: 22 €
SHIFTscreen
Deposit: 22 €
SHIFTbook
Deposit: 22 €
SHIFTkeys
Deposit: 22 €
SHIFTsound BNO
Deposit: 22 €
SHIFTsound SP
Deposit: 11 €
I want to return my device. What options do I have?
Payment of the device deposit
In order to get back the full amount of your device deposit, we need to verify your purchase. When contacting our support team directly, it is sufficient for us to provide the original order number. If this is not available or the purchase was not made through us, we require a purchase receipt.
Please provide us with the bank details on the submission form to which we can transfer the device deposit.
Device deposit as a shop voucher
If you like another exciting SHIFT product, we will gladly refund your device deposit in the form of a shop voucher. In this case, we will even give you something extra as a loyalty bonus and thank you and increase the deposit amount as a voucher value to €25 (SHIFTsound SP: €13)!
The voucher is not tied to a minimum order value or specific products, but cannot be combined with other vouchers.
Device deposit as a donation
You don’t need a payout of your device deposit or a shop voucher? But it’s still important to you that something useful happens with your money? Then you can also transfer your deposit amount to us (SHIFT GmbH).
We keep the deposit amount you deposit with us and donate it to a non-profit organization of our choice. You will soon find a list of which amounts of money from device deposit donations have gone to which organizations on this page.
Upgrade instead of device deposit
If your current device is in a reasonable condition, you can also switch to a more recent SHIFT device with our upgrade option! We calculate the equivalent value of your current SHIFT device, include the device deposit and make you a fair offer to switch to a new device.
In this case, select the ‘Upgrade’ option as the reason for submission on the submission form.
For each of the options described above, we need your device, which you can send to us as described in the link below. Please enclose our submission form with your shipment, on which you can tick how we should proceed with your device.
Note: We no longer charge a processing fee for paying out our device deposit. You only have to pay the postage costs for returning your device. If possible, you can of course also drop off your SHIFT device at the SHIFT campus (by appointment) and save on postage costs.
Nice2Have: We like the original packaging of our devices and it is an important part of our sustainability efforts. We used to list it as an additional condition for the full refund of the device deposit. Even if this no longer applies, we would be happy if you take good care of your SHIFT packaging and use it to send your device back to us.
Attention: If you send your device back to us and want to claim your device deposit, you allow SHIFT GmbH to continue to use your SHIFTphone or SHIFT tablet in whole or in part, to prepare it for resale or to dispose of it properly. By returning it, you transfer ownership of your SHIFT product to SHIFT GmbH.
What happens to my SHIFT product when I return it?
A large part of our sustainability efforts includes the reuse, recycling and proper disposal of our products. If you would like to find out more about this, we recommend the overview of our 13 SHIFT cycles. It is therefore all the more important to us that you send back your defective or no longer needed device. A SHIFT device does not really feel at home in a drawer of oblivion as a storage place for electronic products that are no longer used. During production, we placed particular emphasis on using materials that can be recycled. Therefore, your old device is in better hands than with us.
Your SHIFT device will be saved!
Our team of experienced electrical engineers will get their hands on your SHIFT and try to repair it in our in-house workshop. If we succeed, it will be prepared for resale, which we are very happy about, because it is very important to us to produce as little waste as possible and not to waste any raw materials.
Your SHIFT device will be disassembled!
If your device can no longer be saved, we will remove all parts that are still working and use them to save other devices. Defective parts will be professionally recycled in the interests of reusing raw materials.
Motherboards and small parts
Mainboards and small parts such as microphones, speakers and irreparable displays are provided to our partner AfB (Work for People with Disabilities). Since 2004, AfB has specialized in refurbishing decommissioned IT hardware and reselling it where possible.
Plastics parts
Antennas, cables and batteries
Another partner receives antennas, cables and batteries. RU Recycling- und Umweltdienst GmbH is an experienced environmental company that offers a variety of ecological services. These include waste prevention, long-term use, repair and recovery of raw materials.
Your questions, our answers about our device deposit
Since when has the SHIFT device deposit been in place and how did it come about?
In 2016, the Sustainable Smartphones Innovation Network took place. Scientists, manufacturers and players along the smartphone value chain came together to analyze sustainability potential in the industry. This gave rise to the idea of charging a device deposit on smartphones as well. Short decision-making processes and independence from investors enabled us to develop the SHIFT device deposit from the idea a short time later. In moments like these, we are very grateful that we can act independently and implement innovative ideas of this kind. Especially when these ideas are simply right and important.
You can also find more information in our 13 SHIFT Cycles, especially in Cycle No. 8 on the topic of refunds.
The interview with Professor Erik Hansen is also exciting: “Real world laboratory using the example of the Innovation Network for Sustainable Smartphones (INaS)” Quote: “For example, the first mobile phone device deposit on new purchases was introduced by the young Hessian smartphone manufacturer ShiftPhones commercialized. Today, customers get their deposit back from ShiftPhones when they return their devices. The company thus secures a higher “value estimate” of the old device and an increased device return flow.”
Why aren’t there more manufacturers that offer a device deposit?
There is no general answer to this question, as we do not know the motives of other manufacturers. Nevertheless, we would like to try to answer this question from our point of view, as we know from our own experience the important challenges on this topic.
Unfortunately, the implementation of a device deposit is anything but simple, as the concept currently lacks any legal basis. When we approached our tax office with the idea, we were met with incomprehension. Only after many discussions and a lot of persuasion were we able to put our deposit system into practice. The administrative processing of the deposit should not be underestimated, which anyone who is familiar with the phrase “No booking without a receipt!” will probably understand.
Circumstances such as these therefore do not necessarily make the concept of a device deposit economically attractive. The price premium due to a deposit amount is also not advantageous. Although the amount is refunded after the device is returned, the higher price initially creates a competitive disadvantage.
If other manufacturers decide against introducing a voluntary deposit system for reasons such as those mentioned, we can understand that. Nevertheless, we would like to set a good example in this matter and also pay the price that this entails for us.
We can therefore conclude that it would certainly help companies and manufacturers immensely if a legal basis for introducing the deposit system were created.
Why do I have to pay postage to return my device? Will I not receive a free return label?
You can also bring your device directly to us in Falkenberg and therefore do not have to pay postage. Of course, this only makes sense if you are nearby. We are working on a concept to enable other drop-off points and thus save you the return postage. Until then, however, there will be shipping costs, which we do not have the financial flexibility to cover. It can be compared a little with the bottle deposit. Here, too, no one will reimburse you for the fuel costs that you may have to pay to get to the deposit machine. With the bottle deposit, however, the legislator has ensured that return machines are accessible everywhere. Something similar would of course also be desirable for electronic products.
Do you no longer charge a processing fee for the device deposit?
No. Due to a lack of feedback from the community, we no longer charge a processing fee. You keep the deposit with us for the duration of your use of your device. The money is yours and you should get it back when you no longer need your device.
How can I be sure that no personal data will be passed on to third parties when the item is returned?
Wir empfehlen dir, vor der Einsendung deines Gerätes alle Daten zu sichern und anschließend durch Zurücksetzen auf die Werkseinstellungen (https://www.shift.eco/hilfe_faqs/wie-setze-ich-mein-shift-in-den-werkszustand-zurueck/) zu löschen.
Unabhängig davon, ob du selbst dein Gerät vor dem Versand an uns auf die Werkseinstellungen zurücksetzt, oder nicht: Wir werden es tun. Und nicht nur das: Wir setzen dein altes SHIFTphone komplett zurück und sorgen außerdem dafür, dass keinerlei persönliche Daten auf dem Gerät verbleiben, bevor es an Dritte weitergegeben wird.
Möchtest du dennoch ganz sichergehen, dass du alle deine Daten selbst und vollständig von deinem Gerät entfernt hast, bevor du es an uns schickst, kannst du bspw. diese Anleitung nutzen.