Top Questions You Must Ask Your Mobile Phone Repairer
Introduction
If you have ever had to get your mobile phone repaired, then you are probably aware that the process is not always straightforward. Getting a broken phone fixed can be stressful and inconvenient, so it’s important to make sure that you choose the right repairer. Here are some questions that will help guide your decision:
1. What do you charge?
The first question you should ask your repairer is what they charge. Costs can vary widely, depending on the type of repair and whether you have an insurance policy that covers it. Make sure you know exactly what it will cost to fix your device before handing over your smartphone or tablet!
a. Does the price include the cost of the parts? If not, how much will they be?
b. Is labour included in their quote? If not, how much more would it be if I needed my phone repaired by a professional?
c. How much am I paying for shipping since my device isn’t working at this time (and therefore cannot be sent back)?
2. How long will it take to fix my phone/tablet?
When you bring your phone in for repair, you should ask the repairer how long it will take. There’s no fast and easy way to answer this question, as it depends on the problem. If your phone isn’t working at all, then it will obviously take longer than if there’s just a minor problem with the screen that only needs to be replaced. The same applies when ordering parts: if they don’t have them on hand or need to order them directly from their manufacturer, repairs might take longer than usual.
If possible, call ahead of time so you can plan accordingly and get an idea of how long things are likely to take based on your particular situation (and don’t forget about holidays!). But even if this isn’t possible—if there’s no way around dropping off your device unannounced—don’t worry too much! Just make sure that whoever is helping you understands exactly what kind of situation they’re dealing with and can give an estimate based on their experience with similar issues.”
3. Will you tell me what’s wrong with the device before starting work?
Before you hand over your phone to a repairer, ask them if they’ll be able to diagnose the problem. If you don’t know what’s wrong with your device, then there’s no way of knowing whether it will be worth fixing or not. The more information that the repairer has about what’s wrong with your phone, the better they can make an informed decision about how best to proceed.
4. Will you tell me how much it will cost before starting work?
Before you start any work on your phone, it’s important to know how much it will cost. This will give you the chance to stop the process if the costs are more than what you can afford. It also means that if there are any unexpected charges, such as parts not being in stock or extra time spent on the job, then these won’t come as a surprise later down the line.
If they refuse to give an estimate before starting work and put pressure on you to commit immediately (which could result in them charging more than necessary), then this is clearly a warning sign that they are not trustworthy or professional enough for your needs.
5. If a repair is more expensive than the value of the device, will you let me know in advance?
With regards to repair costs, you must make sure the repairer will let you know in advance if it is more expensive than the value of your device. If this happens, they will require payment for the difference between what they are charging and what it would cost to replace your mobile phone. You can then choose whether or not to have this done, and if so how much of a deposit you want to make beforehand. If after all that you decide not to have your mobile phone repaired, then repairers should refund any money paid towards repairs into your bank account within seven days.
6. Is your company insured?
If the business is not insured, find out if they have any financial protection in place to protect you as a customer. It’s worth asking what happens if something goes wrong while they are repairing your phone, or whether they would be able to offer some kind of discount when you are having an accident with your phone at no fault of theirs. The last thing you want is for someone else’s shoddy workmanship and lack of insurance policy to cost you more than just money! If they do have some sort of insurance policy in place, getting it independently verified can give peace of mind that should an issue happen during repairs then at least there’s something in place to help get things sorted out quickly and efficiently.
7. Are you VAT registered?
You have a few options when it comes to VAT. You can find out if the repairer is VAT registered, and if not, ask them what their pricing model is. You may be charged or asked to pay tax on the repair—if you’re not happy about this, it might be worth going elsewhere for your repairs.
You should also note that if you choose to send your phone in for repairs and end up with a different model than what was sent out (for example, if your iPhone 5s gets fixed as an iPhone 6), then this is classed as secondhand goods and in some cases may mean that you are liable for VAT yourself!
8. Do you offer a warranty on your repairs?
a. If a repairer offers you a warranty on their repairs, what does it mean?
A warranty is a promise to repair or replace your phone if it breaks down within a certain period. The length of time varies from business to business and can be anywhere between 1 month and 3 years.
b. What is the difference between a repair and an insurance policy?
An insurance policy covers accidental damage like dropping your phone in water or scratching the screen with keys, but it won’t cover wear-and-tear problems like broken buttons or charging ports that stop working after prolonged use. Repairs such as these will be covered by warranties if they fall outside of what’s covered by insurance policies offered by mobile carriers (or other service providers).
Conclusion
It may be tempting to just accept what you’re told, but we recommend that you always ask questions. It’s your phone after all! And if you don’t feel comfortable with the answers given by your repairer, then go elsewhere.
