iOS 11.3.1: Why you should update!

Hello everyone, I hope you all are enjoying some warm spring weather!

There will always be challenges when owning a small business and navigating the various rules and regulations the manufacturers build in to their device or legally build into software to deter various consumer activities. It’s around us in every aspect of the things we buy from cars to homes, computers and phones. The warranty restrictions, the ability to repair replace, the limitations on insurance etc… in the case of the iPhone 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X there is been much debate and speculation about the screen issues and the ability for any 3rd party repair shop to replace a broken screen.

The latest iOS update made things much more clear to anyone paying attention to the details of the update.

“iOS 11.3.1 improves the security of your iPhone or iPad and addresses an issue where touch input was unresponsive on some iPhone 8 devices because they were serviced with non-genuine replacement displays. 

Note: Non-genuine replacement displays may have compromised visual quality and may fail to work correctly. Apple-certified screen repairs are performed by trusted experts who use genuine Apple parts. See support.apple.com for more information.”

Basically… until this update Apple has a software block to attempt to render any non original, (original vs OEM, another topic all together!) or in this any screen not applied by Apple or it’s prefered partners, useless. Disabling touch screen functions, sensors etc… When Apple basically tells you to replace your out of warranty (12mo/1 day) $800 to $1,000+ iPhone for a new one? Great sales model huh? Well plenty of us in the repair community have felt this impact and have to turn customers away as long as manufacturers hold all the cards they will continue to milk the customer base for cash. That iPhone 8+ that was $900 just over a year ago can be repaired by OEM quality parts for just over $100, but they would rather see you pay $399, take your iPhone 8+ and give you a new one. Trust me when I say they don’t just toss that $1000 phone aside…it is refurbished and resold, in fact you may have just spent $399 on someone else’s 1 year old iPhone with a new screen and back housing so it looks all shiny and new.

Now you may say this is just self serving to the repair shops? I’d say yes and no. Sure we want to be in business so not only myself but thousands of customers don’t have to spend nearly $1000 a year for the “privilege” of having a smartphone. The real question I have is at what point do companies that make their entire campus run off solar/renewable energy powered give the consumer the ability to use a phone more than a year without the risk of a major ($400) charge for dropping an all glass device?

I continue to fight for the right to repair and always give a big “Thank You!” to the team at iFixit.org for the continued efforts to help small repair shops keep the ability to repair everyone’s devices with quality parts at a fair price.

IF you do own an iPhone 8, 8+ or X please update to 11.3.1 ASAP. If you then happen to drop your phone, know there is a much more affordable option to repair it.

Have a great day!

Mission Repair: Spring Price Drops!

Good afternoon all!

I know many of you, just as I do, look for a good deal on about anything you purchase these days. I found myself over the past few weeks talking with Groupon about their services and what it could do for Mission Repair. I look for competitive pricing but at the same time refuse to use the bottom of the line parts as the quality just doesn’t hold up. I research my competitors as well and finding some of them offering Groupon deals. Well I will save you the time and effort to buy the groupon.. We already have prices as low as those so called “deals”, simply walk in, or mail in your device and enjoy the Mission Repair difference. Fast friendly service and quality repairs at prices the other guys have to  offer “discounts” to match.

Mission Repair has parts in stock and technicians ready to serve you, simply come in to one of our retail locations and get your device back in working order asap! You can also mail your device to us, or call toll free 844-459-0105 for assistance.  We back all of our parts and labor with a 1 year guarantee and always willing to help out repeat customers. I know the feeling of replacing my windshield on my car and literally within 24 hours have another crack from a rock! We feel your pain and will help you out if you luck just doesn’t go your way and you need a 2nd repair.

We look forward to serving you and helping you get your phone, computer or tablet back in like now condition. Please don’t hesitate to call us (844-459-0105) or email (sales@missionrepair.com) us for any questions you may have!

Have a great day!

 

Taxes, Phone Repair, and eBay

Hello everyone!

It’s that time of year when tax time is approaching and the possibility having to pay additional taxes to the IRS is never a fun proposition. However, remembering you have an old device sitting in a drawer maybe worth more than you think. Most people don’t realize that a 2 year old device is still worth a considerable amount of money. While the new smartphone you received over the holidays is awesome and has you distracted… that two year old device is still worth a good sum of cash. While sites like Craigslist are handy to sell items locally, you can appeal to a much larger audience on eBay. eBay also offers you a bit more personal security if you are worried about meeting someone in person to sell a device. I have no issues with CL and have sold many items on the site, but I understand the hassles of no shows, meeting a stranger in a parking lot and hoping they show up at a given time. Not to mention the safety concerns.

If you have seen a commercial for Gazelle or any number of sites offering to buy your old phones, know this. They are likely offering you about 30% or less of it’s value. That’s if it’s in perfect working order. Broken screen? Expect to get maybe 15% to 20% of what you could sell it for. Here at Mission Repair we are happy to quote you a price to repair your iPhone, Samsung or other smartphone and let you decide if it’s worth while. We can usually give you some guidance on what a device would sell for on sites such as eBay or Craigslist.

Current example: Gazelle offers $135 for an iPhone 6S 64gig Verizon. eBay, first page search results range from $329 to $359 for the same device and storage capacity. Now consider if that same iPhone has a cracked screen. Gazelle will now offer you $55. The real decision comes down to simple math. Broken iPhone 6S at Gazelle is worth $55, Mission Repair charges $109 currently (see below for savings code!). Given that fact you can either make $55 or pay the $109 and sell it for at least $329 on eBay. Yes they do take 8% on the first $50 and 5% on the balance up to 10k. That still is going to net you $310+/-. Then subtract repair cost, currently $109 ($91 with coupon), leaves you with $201+! vs $55 for a gain of $146+! Not bad for a quick drive to Mission Repair or simply mail it in to us and we will get your phone in top condition for resale! Clearly we cannot guarantee what you sell it for or the profit gained but this is an example based on what I have seen from my research. Bottom line, it’s more profitable to fix and sell than dump it for $55 to an online site.

Since you do need to either drive it in or mail it to us, I’m offering you a discount code to help you out even more! Simply use the coupon code “2018TaxTime” will get you $18 off any iPhone 5 thru 8 Glass/LCD repair or iPad/iPad Mini Glass and/or LCD repair!

I hope this has helped clarify if you old device is worth fixing or not and puts a few $$$ in your pocket!

Have a great week!

 

When is the right time to purchase Applecare?

Good morning everyone!

It’s Friday! Sun is shining and and going to be a beautiful day in here in Kansas City. I know the east and west coast have some formidable weather happening today and this weekend so stay safe for those of you impacted by those conditions.

I know the title may throw you off that Mission Repair is talking about Applecare, but give me a minute to explain. First off, I own an iPhone X, it’s just in my nature to be an early adopter of technology. When looking to buy any new device I am always curious how they can be repaired, or in this case IF they can be repaired. The answer is a bit more complicated than yes or no. The vast majority of past iPhones were a simple repair with a few screws and getting a quality part to replace the broken one. Granted there always seems to be a bit more complicated issue depending on the damage, but in general terms the older iPhones were 100% repairable. With the iPhone’s introduction of the Touch ID on the home button we have seen various issues keeping the Touch ID (fingerprint reader) working if the original one is damaged. Now with the iPhone X it appears that even opening up the device, disables the Face recognition ability of the phone.

So with that being said I do realize these are $1,000 iPhones and you should protect your investment by either having a local shop to handle your repairs, just as Mission Repair has done now for nearly a decade, or Applecare or some sort of insurance policy. This is the unicorn case of a device that currently is not repairable due to Apple’s security measures, or some other reasons I won’t go into, to keep 3rd party repair facilities from doing the repair. New technology brings new challenges, be thinking about your options before the worst may happen and your brand new iPhone X has issues. As a side note, basic Applecare does not cover “accidental damage”, that is drops, or physical damage to the device. You will need Applecare+, while not cheap, it’s currently the only sure way to have an iPhone X repaired from a drop/crack/accident and keep your face id tech working properly.

I hope this helps and possibly prevents an upsetting day if you should need to have an iPhone X repaired. Full disclosure, this is the first and only iPhone I have purchased Applecare+ on for this very reason. I wrote this as there have been a number of customers call in to ask if we can repair the device and then very disappointed that they would lose facial ID. As technology evolves we try to stay at the leading edge, but at this time the manufacturers, in the case Apple, has taken a path that currently prevents anyone outside their own facility to repair the iPhone X. While I love Apple products and will continue to use them, there are some challenges as technology and security evolves.

While I greatly appreciate all the support from the local community and across the country, please make a note if you do own an iPhone X that you may want to look into options for repair if you use the Face ID on a regular basis.

Have a great weekend!

 

Prices are falling in Kansas City!

Hello everyone!

I hope this Tuesday finds you having a great week so far! The week started out on a high note for us here at Mission Repair with some great news on our shipment getting out of China just in time before Chinese New Year shuts down the supply chain. We have inventory inbound and plenty in stock to lower our prices on iPhones, iPads, and iPods!

We have lowered prices across the board on all of the iPhones series 5 through 7, iPad Air 2’s as well as others. Check out our iPhone pricing and get those old phones repaired and ready to sell. I know many are waiting for your tax returns to buy that new phone and selling your old phone can recoup needed cash! Don’t let that broken device collect dust in a drawer, send it in and we will have it looking like new!

While many companies are afraid to publish their pricing, Mission Repair continues to pave the way by letting our customers know up front what the cost of repair will be. No hidden fees or phone call after you drop off the device with a price hike! When the worst happens… trust Mission Repair help you get your device back looking like new! Call 884-459-0105 or stop by one of our two Kansas City locations.

 

Thanks for stopping by!