The longer it takes them to figure out how to process, for example, a discarded Treo 600--a 32-megabyte gadget with phone, e-mail, Web access, an organizer and a camera--the less ReCellular will be able to resell it for.
Even figuring out who to consult for advice can pose a problem: Should you trust reviews from full-time gadget reviewers or consult the ever-growing number of Web sites that solicit opinions from their amateurs?