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Why Should You Care About the United We Repair Coalition?

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Every day, you face the same frustrating questions: Why can’t I advertise my business effectively? Why are parts so expensive and hard to find? Why do manufacturers like Apple and Samsung seem to work against me and my business? Why does it feel like the deck is stacked against independent repair shops?

Here’s why you should care: These aren’t just inconveniences—they’re systematic barriers designed to squeeze out independent repair businesses and funnel customers toward expensive manufacturer programs and new device sales.

But what if I told you there’s a proven way to tear down these barriers? That thousands of repair shops working together can force real change? That’s exactly what the United We Repair Coalition is designed to do.

Why Should You Care?

Because These Problems Are Costing You Serious Money

Google Ad Restrictions: Your Customers Can’t Find You

Why You Should Care: 73% of consumers search “phone repair near me” on Google first, but Google’s 2018 advertising ban means your shop is invisible while “authorized centers” and new device ads dominate search results.

What’s At Stake: Access to Google Ads could increase your monthly revenue by 25-40%. If you’re making $15,000/month, that’s $3,750-$6,000 you’re leaving on the table every single month.

Industry Impact: This advertising lockout costs independent repair shops at least $3.4 billion annually based on our comprehensive industry analysis—money that should be flowing to businesses like yours.

Right to Repair: You’re Locked Out of Profitable Services

Why You Should Care: Manufacturers deliberately restrict access to parts, tools, and repair manuals, forcing 60% of potential repairs toward their expensive programs or new device sales.

What’s At Stake: Washington State’s new right-to-repair law (effective 2026) will give shops access to previously forbidden iPhone and Samsung repairs. Early projections suggest this could double repair volume for participating businesses.

The Big Picture: Right to repair could unlock $50 billion in repair revenue nationwide—but only if we fight for comprehensive legislation everywhere, not just piecemeal state victories.

Tariff Threats: Parts Prices Could Explode 145% or More

Why You Should Care: The administration’s 90-day tariff pause expires August 14th. Without repair industry exemptions, parts costs could skyrocket, making repairs uncompetitive against new device purchases.

What’s At Stake: Your profit margins and customer retention. When repair costs approach new device prices, customers stop repairing—and you lose business permanently.

The Opportunity: The administration wants to support small businesses while encouraging domestic manufacturing. Repair industry tariff exemptions align perfectly with both goals, but we need collective voice to secure them.

Parts Availability: The $20 Billion Supply Chain Stranglehold

Why You Should Care: OEMs control 80% of parts distribution, creating artificial scarcity that forces you to turn away 35% of potential customers due to parts unavailability.

What’s At Stake: Every customer you turn away represents lost revenue and damaged reputation. Limited parts sources also inflate costs by 20-40% compared to competitive markets.

Our Integrated Approach: The TCA will work with existing parts providers to integrate new supply programs, including forcing OEM programs to open up, partnering with emerging manufacturers, establishing industry-wide parts standards, supporting platforms like the Basile Network for used parts, and collaborating with 3D printing companies. We’re not replacing your current suppliers—we’re expanding your options.

Why Should You Give?

Because Individual Action Gets Individual Results

The Hard Truth About Going It Alone

You can’t negotiate with Google as one shop. You can’t influence tariff policy as one business. You can’t force Apple to open their parts program as one repair service. Individual companies lack the scale and resources to create meaningful change.

The Power of Collective Action

Proven Model: The Auto Care Association represents 3,000+ automotive repair businesses and regularly wins policy battles that benefit the entire industry. They succeed because they speak with one unified voice backed by substantial resources.

Our Target: To start with, our goal is to find 1,300+ repair businesses and 100+ industry partners, growing to thousands of repair businesses and hundreds of industry partners—companies that sell into our industry—creating the largest advocacy force in tech repair history.

Why Your Investment Matters:

  • For Repair Business Owners: We’re only asking you to invest what you can afford—starting at $10/month. If you can afford to give more, additional support levels are available.

  • For Industry Partners: We’re asking parts, software, accessory, tool, and marketing providers and other repair adjacent companies to invest $100/month (or more if they can afford it) because they have greater capacity and benefit from industry-wide growth.

  • Tax deductible as a business expense through our 501(c)(6) structure

  • Immediate ROI: Even small wins on any single issue could generate thousands in additional annual revenue

What Your Investment Buys

We know you’re busy running your business—that’s exactly why the TCA exists. Your membership dollars go toward organizing comprehensive campaigns, executing strategic plans, and hiring full-time professionals dedicated to solving these problems so you can focus on what you do best: running your repair business.

Professional Advocacy Team: Full-time staff conducting executive-level lobbying with Google, Apple, Samsung, and other manufacturers who currently ignore individual shop concerns. We’ll also bring in consultants and attorneys as needed to strengthen our efforts.

Strategic Campaign Execution: Coordinated policy influence in Washington DC, state legislatures, and regulatory proceedings where your business interests are decided.

Industry Leadership: A unified voice that commands respect from policymakers who currently address repair concerns on a fragmented, case-by-case basis.

Transparent Operations: As a 501(c)(6) non-profit, the TCA maintains full transparency in all activities. Members receive regular updates on campaign progress, fund utilization, and strategic developments affecting the industry.

The Bottom Line:

This Is Your Fight, Whether You Join It or Not

These four barriers will continue costing you money every single day whether you participate in the solution or not. The only question is whether you’ll help tear them down or watch from the sidelines while others determine your industry’s future.

The United We Repair Coalition launches July 7, 2025. Over the next month, we’ll be working hard to find the right people, finalize our comprehensive strategy, and prepare for launch. Following the July 7th launch, we’ll spend July and August building our membership, finalizing a board of advisors from a list of respected industry leaders, and holding our first in-person meeting at the All Wireless & Prepaid Expo in August. We’re also open to working with any other organization that will fully endorse our goals and work with us on this important project. Full program implementation begins in September 2025. This isn’t just another trade association—it’s the most comprehensive advocacy effort in repair industry history, backed by the established Tech Care Association and built on a proven model of collective action.

Your business faces systematic challenges that require systematic solutions. Individual action gets individual results. United action gets industry transformation.

The choice is yours: Continue fighting these battles alone with limited success, or join thousands of repair businesses in the largest advocacy effort our industry has ever seen.

United we repair. Divided we struggle.

Ready to stop losing money to systematic barriers? Contact the Tech Care Association in Washington, DC. Coalition membership drive begins with our 60-day campaign launching July 7th, with program implementation starting September 2025.

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United We Repair: Solving Tech Repair’s Biggest Challenges

The tech repair industry stands at a critical crossroads. While consumer demand for repair services continues to grow, several significant barriers prevent our industry from reaching its full potential. At the Tech Care Association (TCA), we believe that by uniting our 1,700+ members and thousands more independent tech repair professionals across the nation, we can overcome these challenges and create a thriving ecosystem that benefits repair businesses, consumers, and the environment.

TCA Logo

WHY THE TCA SHOULD LEAD THIS FIGHT

As the leading non-profit trade organization for tech care professionals, the TCA is uniquely positioned to champion this industry-wide movement. Our 501(c)(6) non-profit status means we’re not driven by shareholder demands or profit motives—our sole purpose is advancing the interests of our members and the broader tech care ecosystem. This structure allows us to focus entirely on advocacy, industry unification, and creating tangible benefits for repair professionals across all 50 states. Unlike for-profit entities, every resource we generate goes directly toward fighting for right to repair legislation, negotiating with tech giants, developing alternative supply chains, and creating new business opportunities for our members.  By uniting under the TCA banner, repair professionals gain a powerful, mission-driven advocate whose success is measured not by profits, but by the prosperity of its members and the sustainability of the tech care industry.

It is important to note that we already partner with other likeminded organizations and seek to partner with any and every organization that is working to make the industry stronger.

Let’s examine the four most pressing issues facing our industry today—and how collective action through TCA can help us overcome them.

Right to Repair Tech

RIGHT TO REPAIR: Building on Recent Momentum

The right to repair movement has gained significant traction, with Washington State recently becoming the sixth state to pass comprehensive legislation—and the strongest to date. This landmark victory provides companies like yours with greater access to parts, tools, and documentation needed to repair their devices.

However, most of us still lack these basic rights. Major manufacturers continue to implement software locks, parts pairing, and other tactics that make repairs unnecessarily difficult and expensive. These restrictions affect 54.3% of repair shops according to our recent survey, limiting your ability to serve customers effectively.

By working together through TCA, we can amplify our collective voice in state legislatures across the country. Our growing membership gives us the legitimacy to testify before lawmakers, share real-world impact stories, and demonstrate how repair restrictions harm small businesses and consumers alike.

GOOGLE AD RESTRICTIONS: Following the Locksmith Playbook

Many repair shops struggle with Google’s restrictive advertising policies, which often treat legitimate repair businesses like potential scammers. This significantly impacts customer acquisition and drives business toward manufacturer-authorized options.

There’s a proven path forward. In 2017, locksmiths faced similar challenges but overcame them by working together as a formal industry organization. Through collective action, they established the “Local Services” certificate and “Advanced Verification” process, allowing legitimate businesses to prove their credibility through business licenses and proper documentation.

TCA is positioned to negotiate with Google on behalf of the entire tech repair industry. By establishing industry-wide standards and verification processes, we can help legitimate repair businesses regain visibility while protecting consumers from actual scammers. Our collective bargaining power is far stronger than any individual shop or agency could achieve alone.

TARIFFS: Navigating Rising Costs While Creating Opportunities

The recent tariff increases on imports from China (34-54%), Vietnam (46%), India (26%), and South Korea (25%) present significant challenges for our industry. These tariffs directly impact the cost of devices and repair parts, potentially forcing price increases that could deter customers.

However, this challenge also presents an opportunity. By working together through TCA, we can:

  1. Advocate for specific exemptions for repair parts, arguing that they support small businesses and extend device lifespans, reducing e-waste, and making our economy more resilient
  2. Push OEMs like Apple and Samsung to increase domestic manufacturing, creating more accessible supply chains
  3. Develop group purchasing power to negotiate better terms with suppliers

The data shows consumers are increasingly turning to repair rather than replacement as device prices rise. With historical pricing trends showing aftermarket components becoming more affordable as device models age, our industry is positioned to thrive despite these challenges—if we work together.

PARTS AVAILABILITY: Creating Alternative Supply Chains

Parts availability remains one of the most significant barriers to repair, with 48.1% of shops identifying it as the biggest threat to the industry in our recent survey. OEM restrictions, serialization, and error messages continue to limit access to quality components.

At GRE2025, the TCA announced an exciting new initiative by one of our partners to address this challenge head-on. By leveraging our collective purchasing power and industry connections, we’re working to establish alternative supply chains that provide reliable, high-quality parts at fair prices.

Additionally, as right-to-repair legislation continues to advance, we’re positioned to negotiate directly with manufacturers as a unified industry voice. Rather than thousands of individual shops facing these giants alone, the TCA represents a powerful coalition that can demand fair access to parts, tools, and documentation.

But only if we all work together!

UNITED WE REPAIR: Tackling the Tech Care Industry's Biggest Challenges

United We Repair

BUILDING A COALITION FOR CHANGE

The challenges facing our industry are significant, but they’re not insurmountable. By uniting under the TCA banner, repair professionals gain strength in numbers and a powerful voice in shaping the future of our industry.

In the coming weeks, the TCA will be announcing several major initiatives to address these challenges directly. We’re building coalitions with environmental organizations, consumer advocacy groups, and other stakeholders who share our vision of a sustainable, accessible tech repair ecosystem.

Together, we can transform the tech repair landscape, ensuring that local repair shops thrive while providing consumers with the affordable, accessible repair options they deserve.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT TODAY

The time for action is now! As the challenges facing our industry intensify, so does our resolve to overcome them—together. The Tech Care Association invites your business to become an integral part of this growing movement by joining our 1,700+ members nationwide.

Whether you operate a repair shop that could help by becoming a CAPACITOR ($100/yr) level member, RESISTOR ($250/yr), or higher membership tiers, or maybe you are an industry partner that can strengthen our ecosystem by starting at the MANGANESE ($1,200/yr) level, the NICKEL ($5,000/yr), or maybe you want to go all in and become our first COBALT ($20,000/yr) level member, your participation directly empowers our collective voice. Every membership strengthens our ability to advocate for right to repair legislation, negotiate with tech giants, develop alternative supply chains, and create new business opportunities that benefit us all. Our recent survey shows that 92.3% of our members rely on repair work for the majority of their revenue—your livelihood is exactly what we’re fighting to protect and enhance. Don’t face these industry challenges alone. Visit our website today to select the membership tier that’s right for your business and join the thousands of tech care professionals who are proving that united, we repair not just devices, but an entire industry’s future.

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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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