Is Repairing Your Smartphone an alternative to buying a new one?

As you may already know from reading previous blog posts or watching my you tube videos, I do repair smart phones for a living. it has been a growing trend the last 2 years. There is smartphone repair shops popping up everywhere.

The reason the trend is growing is because in reality it is a great idea. It will save you a lot of money, especially if you are on contract and are stuck with that phone. Also if you are pay as you go it will save you money also because instead of buying a new iPhone 4 for example for $500 +, the repair may only be $100-200. Or even less in some cases. So you can see the savings could be huge. I will go into more details in what can be repaired generally and what to look for when looking for a shop.


Below I will list a number of things that most shops will be able to repair on a phone.


Repairable Problems with your smart phone and services commonly available:

• LCD Screens/digitizers and Lenses, This I would say is the number one repair I do. Every breaks their screens these days. Especially on touch screen phones.
• Trackballs, Track Pads (Blackberry's) 
• iPhone Batteries
• Charger Ports. 
• Housings
• Keypads
• Camera/Antenna/Headphone Jack
• Sim Card slot/Memory card slot
• Software Issues
• Unlocking/Jailbreaking
• Water damage

These are the main things you will see being repaired at most shops. 

None of the repairs above go over $200 For any of the phones I have ever fixed. The only one that may go higher are iPads. Also if it needs a new motherboard.In most cases if it needs a new motherboard you may as well get a new phone.


What to look for in a repair Shop and what to do when you are there:

1. Read all their policies! They may be written on the wall on a paper. Or on the counter, or in the invoices. 
2. Avoid shops that offer no warranty. Warranty should always be given on a repair no matter what .As a shop owner I know that I have to back my products and services. Some repairs you can't get more than 7 days warranty but on labor I offer 90 Days. Make sure the shop offers some kind of protection. 
3. Be skeptical if they tell you the parts may take 3 weeks or more to arrive. It may be okay but ask why it will take so long. Also ask around other shops to see if this is normal expectations. In most cases parts never take over a week to arrive if they need to be ordered. 
4. Look for a receipt after your phone is ready. Always. This will ensure you have proof of what was done to your phone. 
5. Try not to offer to pay cash for a discount. This will guarantee you poorer service and you will negate your right to get a receipt. Also you are putting the shop at risk with the government as it is illegal to not charge taxes. 
6. Make SURE you pick up your phone before 30 days! Most shops as a policy will reserve the right to recycle your phone after 30 days! It will be considered abandoned.
7. Ask if the parts are good quality. But don't expect 90 percent of parts to be OEM . Reason being is RIM, APPLE, ETC do not sell parts! it's common sense that real parts are not around unless they are pulled from dead phones or refurbished. But don't be afraid there is high quality after market parts out there.

SHOPS OR WORK FROM HOME TO AVOID

Me personally wouldn't recommend leaving your phone at someones house for any reason. But there are some respectable people working from home out there. I will point out this warning signs. 

1. They don't let you step inside their house
2. They don't offer recieits
3. They do not have a legal business name or license!
4. They ask to meet at a Tim Hortons ETC!!!(common sense)
5. They ask you to pay before it is repaired
6. They ask for an advance on the money for repairs.

These are the main things to look for and avoid, it will save you tons of headaches and lost phones. 

So now that you are more informed on deciding whether you will have your product fixed I'd like to tell you that YES Having it repaired is the responsible thing to do for your wallet and for the environment! Thousands upon thousands of these things go to waste when they don't have to!. Keep some money in your pocket and instead of buying a new one, help out your local businesses and have your phone repaired.


For an example. An iphone 4. Costs starting at $599. Plus tax for a new one. Oops you dropped it. Screen is cracked. Guess what. The repair at most shops is not more than $179!. I have seen them being repaired for as low as $129. Thats a quarter of the price you'd pay to buy a new one. 


The new Blackberry bold 9900. $649 Plus tax. For a new one. You broke your screen? guess what, The repair is between $120-180! Again...it is a no brainer Start repairing your broken smart phones. In doing so you will do 3 things. 

• SAVE MONEY
• HELP OUT LOCAL BUSINESS(CREAT JOBS POTENTIALLY)
• HELP THE ENVIRONMENT. 

Thanks for reading!