News about the tech repair industry

Tech Repair Leaders Unite at GRE2025 in Miami

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The Gadget Repair Expo 2025 transformed the Miami Beach Convention Center into a vibrant hub of repair innovation on May 7-8. With approximately 70 exhibitors and an estimated 500+ attendees, the event demonstrated the strength and innovation of our repair community. As TCA’s representative, I had the opportunity to introduce many new faces to our association and share our important industry initiatives.

Competition Highlights

The competitive events drew the largest crowds, showcasing the incredible talent in our industry:

Beau Dorsey , 2025, GRE 5.0, Micro Soldering Competition Winner

Beau Dorsey, Micro Soldering Competition Winner at 2025 GRE 5.0

  • Samuel Lansberry dominated the competitions, winning the LCD Swap “Show Down On South Beach” and securing runner-up in the Micro Soldering Competition, taking home over $1,500 in cash prizes
  • Beau Dorsey claimed the Micro Soldering Championship title after an intense double face-off in the finals, earning over $2,500 cash, a PACE Soldering Iron, and the coveted GRE Title Belt
  • Rebekah Kenney took first place in the ProtectionPro Installation competition

Industry Innovation Spotlight

The most buzzed-about announcement came from the launch of Basile, a groundbreaking universal graveyard marketplace and diagnostics database system. This platform aims to revolutionize how repair shops handle donor devices and parts sourcing. Key features include:

  • A searchable system connecting shops’ donor device inventories across cities, states, and countries
  • Analytics-driven pricing and inventory management
  • Universal diagnostics database with bounty system for component-level data
  • Integration with popular POS and ticketing systems
  • Structured B2B board repair framework

Expert Presentations

GRE2025 had four presentation rooms that offered attendees lots of options, here are some highlights

  • Martin Organista (EZ Fix Smartphone) delivered an enlightening micro-soldering demonstration
  • Jessa Jones of iPadRehab showcased critical data recovery techniques
  • Christian Kelley (My Tech Bench) demonstrated diverse repair skills across TV, drone, and e-mobility sectors
  • Timothy Phelps, COO of Techy, shared strategies for optimizing customer interactions and store operations
  • Christopher Smith’s packed session received enthusiastic audience response, particularly resonating with attendees who brought their families

Evening Events

The networking continued beyond the show floor with a cocktail party and laser light show, providing valuable opportunities for industry professionals to connect and share experiences. Many groups continued discussions outside of the convention center over dinner and drinks, strengthening the community bonds that make our industry unique.

TCA Impact

As your TCA representative, I used this opportunity to connect with shops facing challenges from recent tariff increases (up to 54% on China-origin products) and discuss how our association can support them. The conversations reinforced the critical importance of having a unified voice in our industry, especially as we navigate significant supply chain changes.

Community Connections

What truly makes these events valuable is the incredible sense of community that emerged both during and after show hours. As repair professionals, we often work in relative isolation, facing similar challenges with OEM restrictions and parts availability. However, at GRE, these shared challenges transformed into opportunities for collaboration. During the cocktail reception and even over dinner and drinks afterward, I witnessed countless conversations where shop owners exchanged solutions for common repair issues, shared supplier recommendations, and discussed strategies for navigating recent tariff challenges.

One particularly powerful moment was watching Christopher Smith’s presentation with his children in attendance – a reminder that we’re not just building businesses, but creating legacies in the repair industry. These personal connections are invaluable, especially considering that 42% of repair shops frequently have to turn away customers due to restricted access to parts and materials.

By building strong networks at events like GRE, shop owners can help each other find solutions, share resources, and strengthen our collective voice in advocating for right to repair. The after-hours networking proved just as valuable as the daytime sessions, with many attendees forming lasting connections that will serve as ongoing resources for their businesses.

Looking Forward

Innovations like Basile’s marketplace platform show how our industry continues to evolve and adapt to challenges. With an estimated 40 million original parts sitting in repair shops across the U.S. alone, solutions that help connect and mobilize these resources will be crucial for our industry’s future.

TCA’s Industry Support

The energy and collaboration witnessed at GRE2025 perfectly aligns with TCA’s mission to strengthen our industry through connection and advocacy. While events like GRE provide valuable face-to-face networking opportunities, TCA continues to build digital bridges between consumers and repair professionals through WhereToRepair.org – the internet’s only dedicated directory of repair shops.

This platform, highlighted in our recent Earth Day initiatives, emphasizes repair over recycling and connects consumers directly with local repair professionals. As our industry faces challenges revealed in our 2024 annual survey – where 48.1% of shops identified parts availability as their biggest threat and 38.5% expressed desire for more business from insurance and warranty services – TCA remains committed to developing tools that address these needs.

WhereToRepair.org represents just one of our efforts to increase consumer awareness of repair options, particularly important given that 70-80% of consumers don’t even know about repair services. By combining the in-person connections made at events like GRE2025 with our digital initiatives, we’re working to create a stronger, more connected repair ecosystem that benefits both consumers and repair professionals across all 50 states.

More TCA Resources

You can find additional tech repair industry resources on our website: Tech Care Industry Resource Hub

Join the TCA today to get your company listed in one of our professional directories:

Join as a Repair Business

Join as an Industry Partner

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How Much Should Your Tech Repair Shop Charge? 2025 Diagnostic Fee Survey Results

Results form the 2025 TCA survey on diagnostics fees in the tech repair industry

 

The State of Diagnostic Fees in Tech Repair:

Industry Insights 2025 – A Comprehensive Analysis

In an ever-evolving tech repair landscape, setting the right pricing strategy is crucial for business success. Our recent industry survey reveals interesting trends about diagnostic fees and upfront charges that could help shape your business decisions. We’ve focused a lot on pricing this month in an effort to help you figure it all out and be more profitable.

At the beginning of this month we published: Simplifying Your Repair Shop Pricing: The Parts + Labor Formula

Which was followed by: How 2025 Tariffs Will Hit Tech Repair – And What Shops Must Do Now

Phone Diagnostics: A Clear Industry Standard The data shows that a significant portion of repair shops (40%) charge between $20-$50 for phone diagnostics. Interestingly, about 23% of shops don’t charge any diagnostic fee, while a smaller percentage implements higher fees ranging from $50-$100. This suggests that while diagnostic fees are becoming standard practice, there’s still room for businesses to evaluate their pricing strategies.

Console and Computer Repair Trends: For gaming consoles, approximately 33% of repair shops charge between $20-$50 for diagnostics, matching similar patterns seen in phone repairs. Computer and laptop diagnostics show a more diverse pricing structure, with 33% charging $20-$50, 20% charging $50-$80, and only 10% implementing fees between $80-$100.

Industry Best Practices

Based on our historical data and member feedback, successful shops typically implement diagnostic fees in several ways:

  • Charging an initial diagnostic fee ($25-$50) that gets waived if the customer proceeds with the repair
  • Using an hourly rate model (example: $75/hour with a minimum 1-hour charge)
  • Implementing tiered pricing structures that include diagnostic services

Additional Upfront Service Charges

Beyond basic diagnostic fees, successful repair shops are implementing various upfront charges for specialized services:

  • 40% charge for liquid damage assessment
  • 27% collect full parts and labor fees for common repairs
  • 20% charge for virus/malware removal
  • 17% implement secure device wipe fees
  • 17% charge upfront labor fees based on repair estimates

Pricing Strategy Evolution

Our research shows that shops are moving away from simple cost-plus pricing to more sophisticated models:

  1. Tiered Service Levels
    • Standard repairs with basic warranties
    • Premium services with extended warranties and OEM parts
  2. Bundled Services
    • Combined services at discounted rates
    • Membership plans that include free diagnostics
  3. Transparent Labor Calculations
    • Clear separation of parts and labor costs
    • Professional time valuation for complex repairs

What This Means for Your Business

While approximately 43% of shops don’t charge any upfront fees, the trend is clearly moving toward implementing structured diagnostic and assessment fees. This approach helps:

  • Value your time and expertise
  • Filter serious customers from window shoppers
  • Create a more sustainable business model
  • Cover initial assessment costs
  • Protect against potential losses on complex repairs

Making the Transition

If you’re considering implementing or adjusting your diagnostic fee structure, consider starting with the industry standard range of $20-$50 for basic devices. For more complex repairs or specialized services, higher fees between $50-$100 might be appropriate, especially when dealing with liquid damage or data-related services.

Remember: Your time and expertise are valuable. A well-structured fee system not only helps cover your operational costs but also positions your business as a professional service provider in the tech repair industry.

Pro Tip: Consider implementing a diagnostic fee waiver program where the fee is applied to the final repair cost if the customer proceeds with the service. This approach has proven successful for many shops in our network.

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How 2025 Tariffs Will Hit Tech Repair – And What Shops Must Do Now

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Essential Guide for Local Tech Repair Businesses

Are the 2025 Tariffs a financial crisis or an opportunity for tech repair people

Important decisions need to be made now!

  Important Note: Regardless of your political views, the new tariffs are a market reality that demands immediate business planning and strategic decisions. This isn’t about politics – it’s about protecting and growing your tech repair business in a changing market. The Current Situation (April 8, 2025)
  • New tariffs range from 10% baseline to 54% (updated: Just announced 104%) on Chinese imports  • Vietnam (46%), India (26%), and South Korea (25%) tariffs • Additional increases have been proposed • Tariff policies could shift based on diplomatic negotiations or elections • Apple projects a $33 billion impact (they have a plan, do you?)
Immediate Market Response
  1. Panic Buying Wave • Apple stores seeing holiday-season-level traffic • Consumers rushing to buy before price increases • Apple has stockpiled inventory to temporarily maintain prices • This creates a challenge and a unique opportunity for tech repair businesses
  2. In the short-term expect a brief lull in repairs as panic buyers opt for new devices • Prepare for increased repair demand once stockpiles deplete and prices rise • Use this time to upgrade skills and inventory for newer model repairs
  3. The Refurbishment Opportunity Based on insights from Tony Baker at GSMWarehouse and other industry experts: • Refurb prices are lower now because of recent inventory shifts to the US market • Prices expected to rise in 1-2 weeks • Buyback market for second-hand devices is surging • Current panic buyers will need to sell their old devices • Shops should actively buy devices from customers upgrading now • Consider offering competitive buyback programs to build inventory
Strategic Business Opportunities
  1. Device Acquisition Strategy • Target customers who just purchased new phones due to panic buying • Offer competitive buyback rates for used devices • Create trade-in programs with store credit incentives • Build relationships with local retailers for referral programs
  2. Cost Management Through Parts Harvesting • Begin systematic harvesting of parts from older devices • Create inventory of commonly needed components • Reduce Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) through parts recovery • Focus on high-demand components likely to be affected by tariffs
  3. Refurbishment Business Development • Expand refurbishment services • Create tiered pricing for different quality grades • Build relationships with wholesale buyers • Develop quality testing and certification processes
Inventory Management
  1. New Parts Strategy • Strategic stockpiling before price increases • Multiple supplier relationships • Focus on high-demand components • Monitor tariff changes and adjust purchasing accordingly
  2. Used Device Strategy • Increase used device purchasing now • Create grading systems for bought devices • Establish testing protocols • Build repair/refurb inventory • Find strategic partners to buy handsets
Market Positioning
  1. Customer Communication • Educate about value of repair vs. replacement • Highlight quality of refurbished options • Transparent pricing communication • Emphasize environmental benefits
  2. Service Diversification • Repair services • Device sales (refurbished) • Trade-in programs • Parts recovery and recycling
Risk Management
  1. Tariff Considerations • Monitor proposed tariff changes • Plan for potential increases • Maintain flexible pricing strategies • Keep cash reserves for market shifts
  2. Supply Chain Adaptation • Develop domestic supply relationships • Build inventory buffers • Create alternative sourcing strategies • Consider vertical integration opportunities
Action Items for Next 30 Days
  1. Immediate Actions • Launch buyback program for used devices • Set up parts harvesting system • Review and adjust pricing strategy • Begin strategic parts stockpiling
  2. Business Development • Create customer education materials • Train staff on refurbishment • Develop quality control processes • Establish grading standards
  3. Marketing Focus • Promote trade-in programs • Highlight refurbished device quality • Emphasize repair cost savings • Build environmental messaging
Looking Ahead The market is entering a period of significant change. Shops that adapt quickly and position themselves correctly could see substantial growth. Focus on: • Building inventory before price increases • Developing multiple revenue streams • Creating efficient parts recovery systems • Maintaining pricing flexibility Remember: These aren’t just market changes – they’re business opportunities. The short-term could be tough and the shops that make smart, strategic decisions now will be better positioned when prices stabilize at higher levels.  

This article is © 2025 by the TCA: Tech Care Association. All rights reserved. Please do not copy or reproduce any part of this content without permission. Sharing with attribution is always appreciated.

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Simplifying Your Tech Repair Shop Pricing

Stop juggling complicated pricing formulas for your repair shop. The secret to profitable, transparent pricing isn’t in complex calculations or random discounts – it’s in this simple formula: Parts (with markup) + Labor (hourly rate × time) = Final Price. We’ve analyzed hundreds of TCA member experiences to bring you this streamlined approach that’s revolutionizing how successful repair shops price their services. Whether you’re struggling with multi-component repairs or looking to boost your bottom line, this proven system will transform how you price repairs…

Read more
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Supercharge SEO: Elevate Your Tech Repair Business Now

Supercharge Your Tech Repair Shop’s Local SEO with TCA’s Expert Guide

Introduction: Welcome to the World of Local SEO!

Hey there, tech repair wizards! Ready to boost your business’s visibility and attract more customers? You’re in the right place. Let’s dive into the exciting world of local SEO, where your tech repair shop can shine like never before. 🚀

1. Google Business Profile: Your Online Shopfront

First things first, let’s talk about your Google Business Profile. Think of it as your digital storefront. To make it pop:

  • Complete Your Profile: Make sure your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are consistent everywhere. For example, “Tech Fixers, 123 Main St, Springfield, (555) 123-4567.”
  • Post Regular Updates: Share exciting news or promotions, like “Now offering same-day cracked screen repairs for $29!”
  • Add Photos: Showcase your shop, repair work, and team with vibrant images. A picture is worth a thousand words, after all!
  • Specify Service Area: Clearly define the areas you serve, such as “Serving Springfield and surrounding areas.”

2. Crafting Local Content: Tell Your Story

Next up, let’s get creative with content! 🎨 Creating engaging content that resonates with your local audience is key:

  • Service Pages: Develop location-specific service pages. For instance, “Springfield iPhone Repair” or “Data Recovery Services in Springfield.”
  • Local Blogs: Write about local tech events or community involvement. A post titled “Tech Repair Tips for Springfield Residents” can attract local readers.
  • Customer Stories: Share success stories or testimonials from satisfied customers in your area.

More Resources: BrightLocal’s Local SEO Resources are a great place to find tips and ideas.

3. Review Management: The Power of Word of Mouth

Moving on, let’s harness the power of reviews. 🌟 Positive reviews can significantly influence potential customers:

  • Automate Review Requests: After a successful repair, send automated requests for reviews. A simple “We’d love your feedback on our service!” can encourage responses.
  • Respond Promptly: Address all reviews, positive or negative, within 24 hours. Thank customers for positive feedback and offer solutions for any issues raised.

4. Building Citations: Get Noticed Locally

Now, let’s talk about citations. Building citations on local directories can improve your online presence. 📍

  • Local Directories: Ensure your business is listed in local directories like the Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
  • Industry-Specific Listings: Add your business to tech repair directories and platforms like Yelp or Angie’s List.

5. Technical SEO Tips: Optimize for Success

Last but not least, let’s dive into technical SEO. 🛠️ Technical SEO ensures your website is optimized for search engines:

  • Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as many customers search for repair services on their phones.
  • Schema Markup: Implement schema markup to help search engines understand your services better.
  • Fast Loading Times: Optimize images and scripts to ensure your site loads quickly, especially important for users seeking urgent repairs.

More Resources: Check out Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO for more help and ideas!

Conclusion: Your Path to Local SEO Success

By implementing these local SEO strategies, TCA members can enhance their visibility and attract more local customers. Remember, local SEO is an ongoing process, and regular updates and engagement are key to maintaining a strong online presence. 🌟

Call to Action: Let’s Grow Together!

For more resources and support, explore TCA’s webinars and the TCA industry blog. Let’s work together to elevate the tech repair industry and empower small businesses!

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Leveraging Your Socials To Make Your Tech Repair Trend

Repair People, you might be doing your socials all wrong… in fact most of you are 😁

First of all, social media is a tricky beast at best. Most tech repair businesses are just doing them flat out wrong. The biggest mistake? A lack of original and/or creative content! The second biggest mistake is giving up on it too easily! The third… wasting your time on forums (GO GET NEW BUSINESS!!!).

So stop reposting or copying content, don’t use templates either and stop wasting time. PRO TIP: whatever you do DON’T post offensive content that will piss off potential customers. Think before you post, but don’t think too hard! Please save your offensive/controversial comments for personal posts on personal accounts. Bottom line: Get out there as often as possible and post across multiple platforms about your work.

Here’s the Big Secret to Success

Talk about repair. That’s the big secret. Talk about

You repair things, right?! So that’s what you should be posting about every day. Post the stuff you repair. Your success stories.

Right?! Think about what you do. You repair stuff. You have so much original content that walks into your shop every single day! You might not think it’s a big deal but it’s pretty freaking amazing what you do. You improve peoples lives. You save them money. You save their data (don’t call it data, btw. You save memories, pictures, videos, contacts, etc.).

Viral Success Stories

Money Talks Wireless in Bridgeport, CT. is a master at what he does. Click on his page and then check his content. I know not every one can does these kind of videos and that’s okay. The point is he’s talking about repair and how it impacts people. That is what you need to do. His shop has over 1,200reviews on Google with a 4.9 rating. He is the star of his town because he talks about repair!

The dude has almost 600K followers on Instagram, almost 6M subscribers on YouTube & Tiktok. All he really talks about is repairing peoples tech. This is what you do and what you should be talking about each and every day. Talk about repairing tech that others said can’t be repaired.

Here’s a great example. Apple said no, he proved them wrong.

Proving Apple Wrong is a Winner

Here’s another great example from Computer Repair Doctors in Cleveland, OH. That I reposted on LinkedIn and it blew up overnight. They posted about fixing a MacBook that the Apple Store said couldn’t be fixed. It went from a thousand dollar loss to a cheap repair for their customer. PEOPLE LOVE THIS KIND OF CONTENT!

Not every post you make will be a winner. In fact most will not be. The goal is to help people imagine what could be with repair. That will lead them to your door. That will equal more business.

IDEAS OF CONTENT TO POST

-Tell your story! People want and need to hear it.

-Before & After shots of devices that you fix.

-Like the story above, someone said it couldn’t be fixed… but we fixed it.

-What you think is mundane (battery replacement, new screen, etc.). It educates folks!

-Unique things that you fix or unique fixes for tough repairs.

-Community members that you have helped out (the mayor, local biz person, etc.).

-Great reviews that you get on any review site. Simple screen grab & post.

-Stories about your staff and how great they are!

-Contests & giveaways each month.

This isn’t just about getting likes and views. Your posts will help educate your customers who are thinking about using your business. Social media can help you to do that, but you have to post.

Don’t make it one-sided

Be sure to follow others and like what they do. Repost what they are doing in your community — other businesses that is — reposting your partners cat videos might not help. Unless you’re On The Geaux Repair, who incorporates cats into their repair business. We posted about them recently on LinkedIn.

You can also find a list of Tech Repair Content Creators on our website at: https://techcareassociation.org/tech-repair-content-creators-boost-your-business-with-expert-help/

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A Trade Association For Serious Tech Repair People

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The TCA is a Member Based Group for Serious Tech Repair People

The TCA (Tech Care Association) launched in November of 2000 with the primary goal of helping to unite the tech care industry — those that take care of tech after it’s sold. In other words, people in: tech repair, tech reuse/refurbishing. tech support, and tech recycle. The vital businesses in tech circularity that care for tech from the cradle to the grave and keep it in the market longer.

Organized as a not-for-profit corporation in the state of Virginia and recently recertified by the IRS as a 501(c)(6) organization. Founded by Rob Link who got into the industry in 2000 after a successful career in the wireless industry. He was inspired to start the TCA by the Auto Care Association, a longstanding and successful trade association for people that take care of automobiles after they are sold. The similarities of the two industries is uncanny and only separated by the price of the product (cars v. tech) and the time in market (over a century v. decades).

One of the biggest similarities in the two industries is the common cause of fighting for Right To Repair legislation across the country. The Auto Care Association fought and won its first battle in 2012 and they have been fighting the OEMs ever since. The other similarities in the two industries are the number of products that they support in the market (288M cars v. 310M phones). Repair and reuse is a major part of both industries, as well as recycling. Aftermarket accessories are a big part of each industry as well.

In addition, other similarities are the distribution model: cars are serviced mainly by independent community based shops and so is tech repair. The industry structure: cars have parts distributors that offer various types of parts – so does tech repair. As with most repair industries the repair techs that work in these two industries are, to quote a friend, “fiercely independent”.

What Sets Apart The TCA from Other Organizations?

First of all, we support anyone and everyone who is serious about helping tech repair people. In fact, we even list other organizations on the TCA website and invite them to partner with us to help further the industry. We don’t see any of these groups as competition to our mission and goals. Our industry can support multiple groups. Additionally we invite our members to join and support other organizations. We work closely with many of them and hope to work with more.

So in no particular order, here are some of the ways we help the industry:

  • The TCA www.WhereToRepair.org is the only nationwide directory of community based tech repair businesses that anyone can join.
  • We offer FREE resources in the TCA Resource Hub that are available to anyone.
  • Your TCA works daily to promote the industry to more people in order to help you get more business.
  • We are actively seeking unique partnerships that will drive business into your shops.
  • The TCA works on matchmaking companies within the industry to help everyone get better and more productive outcomes.
  • We help support and promote Right To Repair legislation so that we can all have an even playing field to succeed.
  • Your TCA is working on software products in collaboration with other companies to help further the industry.
  • The TCA is zealously searching for companies outside of the traditional phones, tablets, and computers that need and want our member services.
  • We invite you to visit our website for more information at www.TechCareAssociation.org

Why is it The Tech Care Association and Not the Tech REPAIR Association?

This is a question we get a lot and one of the reasons we have grown so slowly. People get confused and we’ve had to work on raising awareness in the industry itself.

To complicate things even more, others use different names to refer to the industry. Some still call it the “cell phone” repair industry — which is outdated and simplistic. Others want to refer to it as the “wireless” repair industry — kind of limits what we do to just wireless devices. And there are other names too. We believe our industry is complex can can serve many areas that includes smartphones/wireless devices and so much more. Consumer electronics is a great place to start but if it has a cord and a board then consider it TECH!

Let’s start with why the word TECH. Tech is a higher category that encompasses so much more and leaves a lot of opportunity for the future. Cell phones and smartphones are tech. Tablets and computers are tech. Consumer electronics are tech. Using the word “Tech” leaves open many more opportunities than one specific category.

Now the tricky one, the word CARE. Again, let’s think big picture. Repair is a form of care for tech. So is tech support, which many of our members do each day. Reuse and refurbishment are also forms of tech care. Many of our members participate in this process, from buyback to reselling devices and the repair/refurbishment process in between. In fact, I could give you a long list of companies that started as repair shops and moved into refurbishment of devices and now process millions of devices a year.

And what about the missing word REPAIR? First off, our founder coined the phrase Tech Repair almost two decades ago when he switched the name of his “cell phone repair” company to “Tech Repair” and then continued to promote the phrase on his industry blog, The WiGoMan for years. During his time as an industry consultant he worked with companies to adopt the phrase, which culminated in Asurion renaming UBIF stores in 2021. Since that time, many other repair shops have adapted “Tech Repair” into what they name their business. And in a recent trend, Google search serves up multiple results within the industry when using the search term, “TECH REPAIR”.

While Tech Repair is a big part of what we do, Tech Care is all about device circularity, or taking care of tech after its sold — Repair, Support, Reuse, and Recycle = Tech Care.

In the End, Tech Care is All About Reducing eWaste!

Outside of our main goals of supporting the industry and helping our members thrive the TCA wants to promote the reduction of e-waste, a global crisis according to a recent UN report. We firmly believe that if more people participated in tech care we could reduce e-waste significantly.

In our industry that starts with tech repair people, who are on the front lines of the industry. These are community based repair people who take care of tech every day by fixing broken devices in their communities. Recent estimates have the number of tech repair businesses in the US alone at somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 locations. As demand increases that number grows almost daily. These shops, stores, mobile techs, and depots often participate in all four areas of tech care (repair, support, reuse, & recycle). The TCA seeks to unite these locations to build a network marketplace to service more devices, thus reducing eWaste.

A local model works because it is community based. Easy. Simple. Convenient for the customer. When these goals are met by a network of maybe only a quarter of the total number of tech repair shops in the US they could help collect tens of millions of devices each year that could flow into the reuse market. Devices could also be mined for parts to repair more. At end of life, they could be properly recycled and kept out of local landfills — improving the lives of people in that community.

Put simply, reducing e-waste benefits our industry while saving our planet and improving life for us all!

How & Who Can Become a Part Of the TCA?

The TCA is open to anyone who wants to help move the industry forward. We welcome any business from any part of the industry (repair, support, reuse, and recycle), as well as anyone who wants to partner with our members. Let’s breakdown membership categories:

Tech Repair/Retail Businesses – Shop, Store, or Mobile

We make adding your tech repair business to our network easy and affordable. You select the plan that works best for you, starting at FREE. We hope you will find value in what we do and want to upgrade your membership to a paid plan. But we want to eliminate any second thoughts you might have and get started now.

Membership gets you listed in our consumer facing http://www.WhereToRepair.org directory that will do two things for your repair business, 1) Get you more business when someone searches for a local repair business in your area, and 2) Increase the SEO of you existing website while adding legitimacy to your business.

Click on the link above to join and find out additional benefits of membership.

Tech Care Industry Partners

This is an exciting way to support the industry while promoting your business to our members. Industry partners are listed in various categories in the TCA Resource Hub so that our members can find you and do business with you. Basic listings are free (email us for inclusion) but membership gives you a lot more exposure and opportunity to get your name in front of more potential customers.

We also can help you develop a unique program to expand your business into thousands of member locations across the country. We know our programs can help you grow!

To join click the link above and find the right investment for your business to help support our mission and grow your bottom line.

Tech Care Alliance Organizations

Alliance organization membership is designed for organizations that want to participate in the Tech Association and are aligned with the TCA mission. Membership is restricted in each of these categories to organizations that are described below. All applicants must be approved before becoming members.

Click the link above to find the right membership for your organization.

Let’s all work together to make the a difference!

~~ Unity without Conformity ~~

Join the TCA Today and we can change the world!!!

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All Tech Repair People Are Welcome Here

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The TCA Welcomes Former Members of the Now Defunct ACRBO

While the ACRBO website is still live it appears as if they have stopped all operations sometime in the last 3-4 years. The site was last copyrighted in 2014, but the last blog post was in 2019. We reached out to all of the ACRBO board members and only got a response from two of them. One said he knew for sure they shut down and the other said they had not heard anything in years.

For those of you who are not familiar with the ACRBO, it stands for the Association of Computer Repair Business Owners and was founded in 2009. The site states, that “the Association was formed by Daniel Hand owner of Computer Medics of Northern Virginia LLC after realizing that there were no professional Associations for the smaller computer business owner to become part of. With the increase in membership the Association created a “Leadership” team to help maintain the site and promote the industry.” At one point serving more than 2,000 members.

By all accounts ACRBO was successful in its efforts to help its members during it’s time in operation. We would like to thank Daniel Hand and the other folks at ACRBO who moved the industry forward and welcome any former members to join the TCA to help us carry on the legacy of the ACRBO.

WHO SHOULD JOIN THE TCA?

The Tech Care Association (TCA) is non-profit 501(c)(6) trade association founded in 2020 by Rob Link that is designed for professionals in the tech care industry. Tech Care is defined as any one who “takes care” of tech after it’s sold or people who repair, support, refurbish, and recycle tech. “Tech” is loosely defined as any consumer electronics with a (mother) board and a (power) cord — the tip of the spear here are phones, tablets and computers. It is our belief that more consumer electronics need to be taken care of to reduce and eliminate e-waste in the world.

TCA members are made up of small businesses across the country that help take care of tech in their communities. These small business people are on the frontlines of the industry and, although small in size (mainly mom & pop type shops), they number in the tens of thousands across the country. Making them our largest and most important resource for tech care.

What was once considered the cell phone and computer repair industry is now the Tech Repair Industry, which falls under the larger Tech Care Industry. The TCA seeks to serve any business interested in furthering the industry to moving it forward for greater success for all. The TCA welcomes any and all companies that operate in this space into its body of members.

WHY CALL IT TECH?

In our modern society all things are becoming tech. More and more of the products we buy each and every day are becoming infused with technology. From IOT connected appliances and personal electronics (toothbrushes & sex toys) to furniture and electric vehicles. Everything is becoming TECH!

Those that learned to take care of cell phones and computers are leading the way in this new and vital industry of tech care. These community based helpers are changing the way we look at the world and the products we buy. They help keep this massive wave of new products in the market longer, which again reduces the amount of waste that enters our ecosystem.

Tech Repair People have learned — in most cases — how to service and repair tech without the help of OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), as the Right to Repair Movement has pointed out for more than ten years now. These are brilliant people who have learned to reverse engineer tech and even fix it on a board level — a process called micro-soldering.

WHY IS TECH CARE SO IMPORTANT?

As our society relies more and more on tech these community based tech care people become even more important to our world. Our world only has so many resources to make new tech and if and when supply chains are disrupted they will be relied upon even more so.

The other main reason to support and use tech care professionals is the looming e-waste disaster that our planet is facing. An ecological nightmare is looming form all of the electronic waste our world is producing. In 2024 the United Nations declared e-waste to be a world wide crisis.

Consumer electronics make up most of this waste. E-waste can leak harmful chemicals like lead, mercury, and cadmium into the soil, which then contaminate ground and surface water. This contamination can lead to serious ecological problems, affecting not only land but also nearby water sources.

JOIN THE TCA AND SUPPORT OUR MEMBERS!

If you are a Tech Care professional please join us at: https://techcareassociation.org/become-a-tca-member/

Support our members and get you tech taken care of at: https://wheretorepair.org/

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The Way We All Succeed In Tech Repair

The tech repair industry is so much more than phones but that seems to be almost everyone’s focus. Fix more phones. Sell more phones. Get Apple & Samsung to give us better access to more phone repairs. Make Google easier to market our phone repair business to more people. Phones. Phones. Phones

Phones are the bright shiny object that every repair shop lusts over. Cracked screens are the low hanging fruit (pun intended) that gets everyone into this business.

So much so that Allstate Protection Plans recent Mobile Mythconceptions Survey declared it an $8.3billion market. Just for CRACKED SCREENS, the overall market is much bigger

But what if I told you that there is a better way?

The inspiration came to me over a year ago during a call with a major OEM (I mean a big one that sells a lot of phones). We were speaking to an influential contact that offered to help get us to the right person to get more repair work. He said to us, “have you ever considered small appliances. Because EVERYONE tries to get the phone business.”

Of course. Every repair related company in the world wants the phone business! And it’s nothing but a race to the bottom to offer the lowest prices. Whether you’re a repair shop fighting against 20 other shops in your area or a wholesaler trying to compete. Everyone wants the lowest price, which makes it tough to make any money at all.

Friends, the consumer electronics (CE) industry is a trillion dollar industry, and yes phones make up about half of it. So of course everyone’s attention is focused on phones. But think about it this way. If half of the CE industry can create a $40 billion phone repair industry (my estimate) what can the other half create?

You’ve heard me say it many times in the past. More and more products are becoming tech. That’s on display every year at CES. Workout equipment. Kitchens (pots & pans, cutting boards, small appliances, etc.), vacuums, pet products, and so much more! All of it needs to be repaired and serviced. Right now too much of it gets destroyed because it has to be shipped for service/repair.

This creates e-waste — which has become a global nightmare. If companies can get their products serviced easier, without shipping it, it’s more likely to stay in the market.

The consumer electronics industry is diversifying!

I wrote a very short piece back in July last year that got a ton of responses. A lot of repair people wanted to know how to diversify their business. I even noticed a few other people in the industry claim they had the answers. It’s an important question. Beyond that it is also an incredible opportunity.

An opportunity that one person or one company will never fully capitalize on. But one that a collaboration of companies will be able to seize. This is what I mean when I encourage the industry to work together — which some, unfortunately, never will. But that’s okay. They will just simply get left behind cleaning up the shards of glass in their shops.

Independent tech repair has all of the advantages to be able to service more diverse products. But no bigger advantage than it’s network of locations across the country (some estimate more than 25K locations). These are what I like to call community based tech care locations.

Two important points here on naming: 1) the word TECH is more ubiquitous (it covers more than phones), and 2) the word CARE includes repair but covers so much more. More means troubleshooting, support, diagnostics, setup, etc. We are the tech care industry, and tech repair is one of the biggest segments for us. AND we can be more!

Working Together – Staying In Our Lanes

We can ALL succeed if we ALL stay in our own lanes and appreciate what others do. It’s important too to have an attitude of win/win when working with partners. In other words, I win if you win. Meaning sometimes you have to give up something for someone else to win too.

For local TECH REPAIR BUSINESSES that means focusing on what you do best: Repairing tech. Advance your skills, stay focused on repair, and taking great care of customers. You are the frontline!

For ADVANCED TECH REPAIR that means opportunities to support more devices and create more solutions. Find ways to help OEMs fix their products that can scale. Fix things and post videos that help everyone learn how to do the work.

For national WHOLESALE/DISTRIBUTORS you play an important role here. Be ready to manage different parts and support more products. You are the lifeline for those in the tech repair business.

For REPAIR DEPOTS realize that your solution is a legacy one and not what customers want as a first option. There is still a lot of demand that can and will flow into your channel from the frontline.

For REFURBISHERS & RECYCLERS help design systems to pickup products from the frontline. Either using a regional hub model or a simple pickup and delivery system. Lots of opportunity for the companies that get it right.

Some of you just simply need to stay out the way. You don’t need to be a part of everything or pretend you know what you’re doing. It’s best if you ask yourself and others how can I help.

The strength here is THE NETWORK! It is all of the different segments of the industry working together to help lift up the industry. It is having a win/win attitude that is more focused on the greater good than selfish deeds.

For the TCA it means we are the glue that brings everyone together. Join us (literally become a member) and let’s all work together to make the tech care industry into what it can be!

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Unleash Business Growth: Say Yes to Repairing All Tech

Want More Repair Business? Say Yes!

As a guy who ran a multi-shop tech repair business and did a lot of consulting work I know the true secret to success. SAY YES MORE OFTEN! Okay, it’s not really a secret it’s really just a good business practice. Successful companies, in any industry, find a way to say yes to their customers more often.

How many times does a customer call or come into your business and ask, “Can you fix…?” And how many times do you and your staff not say yes immediately or even worse you say no? I promise if your honest with yourself you will realize how often this happens or how often your staff says no.

Listen I saw it all the time in my repair business and I had three shops that grossed over $1million in revenue. It would drive me crazy! My most successful shops were confident and said yes. My least successful shops doubted and said no.

Friends, you operate a REPAIR BUSINESS. Every time some one asks if you can fix something you say YES — without blinking — without hesitating — without doubting. And don’t you dare ever say NO.

This philosophy should exist in all circumstances!

Why Say Yes, Every Single Time?

Because it’s true. Everything can be fixed. The only variable is how much is the customer willing to pay to fix it. That’s not your job to decide — let me say that again. It is NOT your job to decide if a customer should fix something or not. Your job is to fix things. Determine a price. Deliver the price to the customer. Always be honest and let them decide.

You have to have the attitude that everything can be fixed (for a price) if you want to succeed in this business. You have to establish this as your mantra and drill it into your employees. Otherwise you’re going to say no, or maybe, and then you’ll lose more business than you win.

Find partnerships that can help you succeed in the short term and then learn the skills you need to bring all of the business in-house.

Now I’ve been at this for 20 years and my shops repaired tens of thousands of devices. Could we fix everything that came into our shops? NO, of course not. But that’s not what’s important here. It’s the attitude you have to have to win. People who win have a winning attitude. I could list dozens of examples (sports, business, arts, etc.), but I think you know what I mean. But seriously, do you think a guy like Elon Musk ever doubts what he can do??!! In repair that means saying yes to your customers with all of the confidence you have.

If you want to win you have to have a winning attitude!

How Do You Back It Up?

First of all, you are going to surprise yourself. You are going to challenge your staff or yourself to fix something unfixable and you’re going to win.

Maybe it’s a repair above you or your companies capabilities — keep learning! In that case you can ship it off to another shop. In my early days we couldn’t micro-solder so we shipped all of those jobs off to another shop for repair. We didn’t make a lot on those transactions but we got a reputation in the market that we could fix anything. Once we learned how to micro-solder the profit followed.

You get one shot to win a customer — they aren’t going to check back with you in the future to see if you can do new things. Say yes and then figure it out! When you do you will win more business, they come back, and they will refer you to others.

NEVER SAY NO! Offer the customer a solution even if it doesn’t make sense to you. Super old phone? Might make sense to you to upgrade. But what if they have a special rate plan that they would lose if they switched devices??? I’ve also seen people that have a sentimental connection to a device. Doesn’t make practical sense but it’s what they want. JUST SAY YES!

In the startup world there is an expression called “Fake it till you make it” — I’m sure you’ve heard it. Here’s a good definition: to consciously cultivate an attitude, feeling, or perception of competence that you don’t currently have by pretending you do until it becomes true.

Sometimes you have to fake it till you make it!

“I Only Want To Fix __________ !”

When uBreakiFix started they quickly adopted the motto, “We fix anything with a power button.” Then morphed that into a question directed to their customers of, “What can we fix for you today?” Brilliant! Because in one sentence they communicated to their customers they could fix anything.

When a customer came into a UBIF store they said YES!

A lot of times when a new repair business opens up they only focus on phones. It happened to me. We refused to even fix related devices like computers. Well UBIF sold their company for around $250 million dollars and I didn’t.

A repair all tech strategy is the best strategy! Why? Because it builds your customer base and gives you more repeat customers. Acquiring customers is expensive. Customers are the lifeline to your business. Build a strong customer base that knows they can come to you whenever their tech needs repair and you win!

Here’s the best part. Many tech items these days are very similar when it comes to repair. And EVERYTHING is becoming tech! Demand for your services is only going to grow if you adopt a repair all tech philosophy.

UBIF had it right when they said anything with a power button. I will take it a step further and say anything with a power button and a circuit board. Once you advance your skills you will be surprised what you can fix.

Every tech repair shop should be repairing computers, laptops, TVs, robo vacuums, small appliances, and so much more. Demand for the repair of these devices is only going to grow.

Say YES to more customers and you win!

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