The inaccessibility of EasyCep’s website and social media accounts prompted a backlash on social media from users who claimed they had sent phones to the company but had not received payment and that its store stands were empty. The company refurbishes and sells phones purchased online or from stores according to certain procedures; in second-hand sales, restrictions apply to devices with battery capacity below 85%.
EasyCep Chairman Mehmet Akif Özdemir denied the allegations, saying that 18 stores were operational, including 6 in Istanbul and 12 in other cities. He said payment delays had occurred in January and February, but that no customers remained unpaid. He explained that the website and accounts had been taken offline for an update and that the website would reopen during the day. A scheduled maintenance message appears on the website.
Özdemir said the company’s tax certificate showed no tax base because of investments and that it had been running advertising campaigns for the past 3 years. He stated that the company had downsized in response to the global downturn, had kept expenses under control since February and had closed some stores. He added that Fiba Grubu and Ziraat Portföy were among the investors.
Why it matters
The development shows that trust in the refurbished phone model, under which consumers hand over their devices to the company in exchange for payment, depends on the continuity of digital channels and access to stores. There is a discrepancy requiring independent verification between users’ claims regarding payments and empty stands and the company’s statement that all payments have been completed and 18 stores are operational. The company’s downsizing due to the global downturn, efforts to bring expenses under control and closure of some stores provide context for why the disruption in access was interpreted as a sign of financial distress. This uncertainty concerns both those considering sending in their phones and those looking to buy refurbished devices. The outstanding questions are whether the website reopened within the stated timeframe, whether everyone affected by the delay received payment and whether the stores reported to be operational are providing services.