December 9, 2025, 1:29 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Many users sell old smartphones through buyback platforms to quickly and easily get money. However, at Cleverbuy, customers report weeks or even months of delays instead of prompt payouts. The consumer center now explicitly warns against the provider and sees a significantly growing problem.
What Cleverbuy promises on its site sounds good: “Buy and sell tech smartly.” The terms and conditions even state that payouts occur within 14 business days. However, the reality is quite different. Since early 2025, complaints have been piling up at consumer centers. Many users wait much longer for their money—some have not received any payment to this day.
Why Criticism of Cleverbuy Is Growing
According to the “consumer center,” Cleverbuy has been receiving an above-average number of complaints for months. Between January 2024 and the end of October 2025, more than 900 reports were filed. The reports almost always sound the same: Devices are sent in, the purchase price is confirmed, but the payment is missing. Many users report being placated with excuses or that Cleverbuy does not respond at all.
Cleverbuy told the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) in January 2025 that internal restructuring and system changes were to blame for the delays and that the website would soon return to its usual quality. But that doesn’t seem to be true: Negative reviews and complaints continue to pile up, and the majority of the more than 900 reports come from 2025.
The problems occur regardless of the type of device. Both current iPhone models and Android smartphones of various price ranges are affected. The devices were properly sent in, delivered via tracking, and checked and confirmed by Cleverbuy—yet the payout is still missing. For the consumer center, the accumulation of reports indicates that this is not an isolated incident but a structural problem with the provider.
Amazon Prime Price Increase Unlawful! Is a Refund Possible?
Amazon Pays Customers for Years-Old Returns
What Users Can Do
Those who have sold their device to Cleverbuy should not be satisfied with empty promises. The consumer center advises:
- Set a clear final deadline for the payout to the provider.
- Do not be reassured by statements like “The accounting department is taking care of it” or “Please be patient.”
- If payment is not received, contact the consumer center for advice or hire a lawyer.
According to the consumer center, the same applies to buyback platforms: “Whoever buys something must also pay for it.”
Consumer Center Takes Legal Action
The vzbv already warned Cleverbuy in April 2025 for misleading advertising. The platform’s claim (“We transfer your money directly to your account”) is misleading. The payout is initially supposed to go to an internal virtual account. The case is now before the Düsseldorf Regional Court.
Additionally, the vzbv criticizes seemingly manipulative Google reviews. While users leave bad reviews, Cleverbuy advertises with a significantly better overall rating. The injunction proceedings before the Düsseldorf Regional Court have already been successfully concluded.
Cleverbuy is thus increasingly under pressure, and further legal steps are not ruled out. Users should continue to insist on their money and seek advice. Until Cleverbuy demonstrably pays out reliably again, it is advisable to keep a distance from the provider.