Ask anything to a guy who runs a succesfull phone/tablet/laptop repair business.
It works like this: we charge the price of the product we have to replace plus 25 euro for repair and returning. At the moment, I repair 500 - 600 phones a month.
Recently quit my job, because doing it at night was getting really annoying. Now full time repairman with enough cash to buy a Tesla S.
Also, to keep it relevant, ask me anything about fixing your phone.
>>51862885
Do you have spare phone parts - as in, port covers/buttons that may get lost? Where you get them?
>>51862928
Yes, home buttons of i.e. Galaxy S6 and iPhone 5S, are all in stock. Pretty much everything I have in stock is from eBay sellers. I ofcourse get some great deals tho.
I'm planning on going to Shanghai soon to talk to a local seller to set up an import line. Not that I am a big business tycoon, but I just love Shanghai.
Callers hear an echo when we have a conversation on my phone. I dont. What is it?
>>51862885
I do the same thing. Are you re-using good LCDs you get in? Huge profit margins that way.
>>51863091
Don't buy LG next time.
>>51862885
How does your pricing work?
I'm not going to pay you the price of my HTC + £25 to repair said HTC when I can buy a brand new one for £25 less
>>51863091
nsa forgot to turn of the mic
>>51863154
I'm drunk, I realise you meant the price of a component eg digitiser, speaker, etc.
>>51863154
He'll fix it for free and suck your dick too
>>51863154
part price+labor
>>51863154
I was going wtf at that but I think op meant the part, i.e. the price of a screen +
>>51863127
It is actually a LG... So it is a common problem?
>>51862885
where did you learn it? do you have any certifications? do customers ask you for certifications?
>>51863189
Yes, it's rampant on the G2 and G4
>>51863154
My bet is they retrieve any kind of lost data from the old phone (since almost no-one crypto's the disk) and maybe give you some kinda warranty on the replaced phone.
>>51863208
I got an LG Optimus G Pro... how can I fix it? Replace the microphone?
>>51863204
you can learn it online. It's really really easy. You don't need certs and customers never ask for certs.
>>51863241
It's unfixable.
>>51862885
How often do you buy stolen iShit off niggers?
Have you successfully unlocked one yet or do you just harvest them for parts?
I have a somewhat similar night job, except I -only- repair Apple portables (don't mess with desktops), I repair probably 200 a month, have never had to purchase a standalone part--just the stolen phones/tables that are iCloud locked, then I disassemble them for parts.
>mfw a stolen iPad Air I can buy for $25-30 yields over $300 in repair parts
>>51862885
I cant make basic electronic replacements with my soldering iron, but if the piece is to small i cant make it. Could you pleace post pics of your equipment? like the soldering iron/gun, the tips you use? How hard its to use flux? Do you have rebailing machines?
thanks in advance.
>>51862885
i-is that you? c-can i be ur gf?
>>51863091
Sounds like a software/network problem on the other end, however I would need a productnumber to Google common problems with the model you have or your buddy has.
>>51863111
No. I re-use everything I can, but am also very honest to customers. If a phone is dusty inside, I'll get some compressed air and clean it out and every phone I clean before sending out, all for free. So if an LCD isn't broken, I won't take it out.
>>51863154
>>51863168
I love you to random stranger.
>>51863166
..or this.
>>51863204
My laptop broke so I fixed it. Figured I could do that with everything so I placed an add in a local paper and boom.. 22 phones and 2 laptops. It started from there. Honestly, with my background as a system engineer and a geek I needed no training.
>>51863208
>>51863241
>>51863260
This is why I need a productnumber.
>>51863301
Nah, I run a legit business and I take a shit load of pride in that. Not judging tho, to each his own.
>>51863318
I don't use any of that stuff. I replace parts, build computers or restore them. Once a month I replace a video chip in an old iMac using a gun and flux, I am shit at it tho. Others on this board could totally help you with that.
>>51863327
No. I am single tho. I am also Dutch and don't believe in long-distance stuff. Move to Holland and we'll have a date.
I wanna do something similar in the U.S repairing computers for old people, and what not, also building and selling gaming computers. Even bringing some machines back to life with Linux and just overall repairing shit. Do you think I can make a profit?
>>51863346
>nah, I run a legit business
So do I. Every stolen iShit I acquire I run past the local Apple store/genius bar, and if an owner can be ascertained I hand it over with no fuss. Fortunately that doesn't happen about 80% of the time and the "genius" bar tells me it's just a bricked iShit and to keep it. I'm 100% above board with them too.
>hey I bought this probably-stolen iThing on eBay, it's iCloud locked, can you tell whose it is?
>uh.....no. Keep it./yeh it's soandso's
>cool thanks/can you give it back to them?
Considering what I paid for dead (forgot to mention I also buy stuff listed as "for parts only" or "not working") or locked Apple products even if I only get to keep 1 in 5 I'm still turning a profit.
>mfw people will pay me $120 to replace a cracked screen in a $200 2nd-gen iPad when they could buy a flawless, fully-functioning one for $100
How much money did you borrow for startup?
>>51863534
Yeah, start with repairing phones/laptops/tablets. Building computers is saturated and the market is small as fuck man. Most people who want a custom PC are either gamers or enterprises, gamers want to do it themselves and enterprises rather choose HP or Dell because of contract prices.
>>51863557
You're making some valid points mate. If I had the time I would probably focus on buying models for parts, but right now I am happy buying, repairing and sending. It's all simple and plain, but yeah.. when I have an employee to do the repairs and sending I can focus on things like a new website, cutting costs at sending and buying secondhand phones for scrap.
It's time man, that the thing.
>>51863577
I bought an advert for 250 euro, sending material for 120 and a labelmachine for about 100. That's all. I started illegal tho.
>>51863634
I know how to code, and have a CS degree but due to unforeseen circumstances, I not allowed to legally work. Would you recommend repair work as a decent (as in livable), non soul crushing source of income for someone like myself?
>>51863634
yeah the time investment involved in acquiring parts phones on the cheap is significant.
Fortunately I have a LOT of downtime at my dayjob where I can sit there and scroll through the eBay app on my phone.
It also helps my dayjob is not even sort of related to tech in any way so I'm not burnt out by the time I get home.
>>51863634
Thanks buddy! Ik a lot on fixing PCs but not phone or tablets too much. What do you recommend?
fuck off louis
he he , een nederlander , waar vandaan als ik vrage mag ?
>>51862885
What do you do if someone brings in a cryptolocker'd laptop and asks if you could save their data
>>51863748
I would like to know why, but if you don't want to tell me I get that. People often call it dull and soul crushing.. I don't really get why. Today I fixed some phones, a laptop and an iMac. Yes, you get used to replacing certain parts, i.e. batteries on iPhones. But that isn't boring, it's skill. I can replace a battery in less than 2 minutes. I still need to focus on the work and think about what I am doing. Sometimes the phones don't work and you have to disassamble everything and work out the problem. Once a month I completely fuck up and end a customer a brand new phone.
It's not soul crushing, I really love the job. Also, I recommend starting your own company as you will make a lot more than working for a boss. Doing my job I would make 20K a year, but right now I make four times that.
Offer doing it for free for friends and see if you get bored by it. Maybe that will help you make a choice.
Which phone do yo have?
>>51863812
Watch some videos, you'll get the feeling and it should bring you energy. Then buy a cheap iPhone with a cracked screen or battery, replace it. Take it apart, assemble it. Don't do a four year course, that's a waste of three years and nine months. Fix a couple of iPhones, fix a couple of Samsungs and fix a couple of random things. That's all you have to do. In most cases, it's as easy as screwing, unplugging, plugging and screwing it again.
>>51863813
Nope.
>>51863818
Den Haag :)
>>51863832
Well, I am by nature a System Engineer so depending on the software I will take a crack at it.
>>51863941
iPhone 6S Plus, don't judge, I love being part of the botnet.
>>51863906
Thanks for the advice anon. I've done some laptop and PC repairs before, it wasn't so bad but because I don't know shit about h/w (relatively) I refuse to fix anything not s/w related.
The reason I'm not allowed to work is visa related, I just didn't want to trigger the /pol/tards.
>>51862885
Louis please I have already subscribed to you channel what do you want more.
>>51863969
Thanks brother! I'm inspired I'm gonna try it man! I wanted to ask you something message me on kik iranherover
Samsung specialist engineer here, can confirm fixing phones is a good job especially for a service center, OP do you use ESD protection?
>>51862885
I tucked up two capacitors in an iPhone trying to replace the battery connector for a friend.
Should I try to get the caps and attempt repair, or trash the phone?
>>51864162
Nope.
>>51864126
Don't have KIK. However, feel free to ask me anything on here.
Lekker bezig man ik wil ook zoiets beginnen.
Is audio static (trough audio jack) an issue you've encountered in moto g's (2013)? Is there a way to lessen this issue?
Do you have any professional training? (Electronics degree or related), if not how did you learn all this stuff?
How did you get started? Few small jobs and word spread?
>>51864222
Just replace the part the caps are on. RF12?
>>51864264
Try keeping it English. Which city are you from?
hoe de kanker leer je dit te kunnen? is het moeilijk of valt het heel erg mee
>>51864278
Disregard, didn't see you already answered. I should learn to read the thread more closely.
>>51864327
come on , ppl can learn all kind of stuff. its called dedication .
>>51864223
Alright. Well m8 I was wondering for some tips like shit that you do to make the buisness better, and just overall tips for healthy business and etc.
>>51864279
Mainboard...
Seems I'm fucked
>>51864277
All Moto's have that crap. You can try to trade it in, but they'll give you one with the exact same problem. No way to fix that stuff unless you want to replace chips.
>>51864278
I have degree in System Administration and worked as a System Engineer for a year. I am now 24 and started doing this when I was 22. The other question I have answered earlier.
>>51864327
Try keeping it English. It's not hard to learn to fix stuff at all, follow tutorials and fix some stuff and within no time you'll be able to fix all modern phones and tablets.
>>51864368
Exactly!
>>51864377
I actually read a Donald Trump book and got very inspired by that, haha. Ehm, a huge tip is quality. I just do so many small things that make me better than others. I.e. see the picture, that is my default packaging. It costs be 90 cent per phone, but every damn review mentions the great packaging. Also, for 50 bucks I buy 70 screen protectors. When people send me phones with cracked screens, I always put one on and include a card that says "We put a screenprotector on your phone to help you prevent dammage in the future.". One might say that is stupid as it costs be business, but I never did it different so it really doesn't.. and again.. every review mentions the screenprotector.
If I fuck up, which I do once or twice a month I send them a brand new phone. Right away, I drive to the nearest Media Markt and buy one. I call them and explain and I NEVER had a negative reaction. (ofcourse I save all the pictures on there and put them on a usb drive) Even the USB drive is free for them to keep. If people have 16Gb of pictures, that will cost me my profit. But the review they give me is worth ten times that.
The only real tip that I can give you, the only thing business books don't mention is quality. Quality is everything. Quality and reviews, which basically is the same thing to me.
Also, be willing to work your fucking heart out. I don't have a GF, that helps.
>>51864394
You can get a fake one very cheap on eBay.
>>51862885
I have an s6,
The touch screen is acting weird.
I have show touches on, and when I touch the corner/edge, it takes half a second to register. Sometimes it registers instantly and sometimes it doesn't. Usually the harder I tap the faster it registers, it's annoying because some times keys don't register, especially when switching from the alphabet to special characters. Also annoying because when I swipe the notification bar to view notifications, I have to do it slowly and precisely to get it to pull down, otherwise it doesn't register the swipe until it's halfway down the screen.
I've tried :
custom roms
Cases and no cases
Battery saving mode and non battery saving mode
I can't find the issue.
>>51862885
Hey op how hard is is to change a broken audio out 3,5 mm jack on an Acer 5750g (I know its a laptop) it has 5 feet
>>51864530
>I am now 24
Damn, and you've already accomplished more than me (still a wageslave at 30).
How many hours do you work? How do you deal with the stress (financially it seems sound by now, but how was it at the start?)
Main reason I don't want to go 'independent' is I'm terrified of losing everything in a wild goose chase.
>>51864530
hmm unfortunate, next phone sure won't be mototola. I'll just try and see if a mobile amp (fiio e6 probably, due for one anyway) can fix it for the time being. even if there's a silicon lottery involved I'd have to go through the arduous task of relocking and flashing a stock rom and making sure I don't leave any traces
anyway thanks, you reckon a mobile amp would have any impact or do you know little about that?
>>51864530
Congrats on a successful business. I honestly thought that computer repair/phone repair wouldn't work. I just never really imagined anybody searching for "cell phone repair" or the likes, but it's great to hear that somebody's made it work. My uncle still owns a television repair shop that I help out with every now and then. The problem he's facing is that televisions are now cheaper to replace than to repair. He provides an incredible quality of service, so he still gets a decent number of older folk and rich people, but he's more-or-less losing his business. While he/we used to get plenty of older CRT, Projection sets and DLP, we now get mainly LCDs, which usually only have one or two boards.
On top of the cost issue, most major brands have been making it more and more difficult to order replacement parts, with the exception of Vizio.
>>51864279
amstelveen
>>51864579
The iPhone screen is made up of small squares of touchscreen and then with software are combined into a big touchscreen. It could be that one of those is fucked and that is causing all your swipes to be terminated. It sounds like a HW issue with the touchplane.
>>51864592
In the picture you can see the motherboard inside. On the left bottom you can see the IO ports. I am assuming you pushed the jack inside of the chassis. You could:
a. replace the motherboard and be on your way
b. try to push the port back into its place, but it could brake and without soldering you cant fix that
If you plan to buy a new laptop soon I would recommend using a USB to jack converter as a temporary solution.
>>51864605
Don't, don't go all in right away. It could make you lose everything you worked for. Right now I work 10 hours a day, but don't really keep a track of that desu. I am the only employee so i come and go when I want. Generally I show up at 9AM (11AM deliveries come in but the guy has a key to the basement), answer all e-mails, open packages and put them on the to-do shelf, fix everything on that shelf. At 19:00 UPS picks up packages. Then I do all the things I have to do, financial crap, advertising crap, website crap, masturbating crap, whatever I have to.
The key is that all things that come in on a day have to be fixed and sent that same day. If it takes longer I have to put them on a different shelf and e-mail the owner with information and explaination and all that stuff. So between 11AM and 7PM it's always hard work.
Right now I am also fixing some iMacs from a local school, which is great because I can do that on the weekends and at night.
I see forward to hiring somebody to fixing stuff, it will give me time to streamline stuff and develop a better administration system.
There wasn't any stress in the beginning, I was living with my parents and working a daytime job so I had enough money for parts and enough redbull to work nights on fixing stuff.
>>51864689
Thanks man. I completely agree with what you are saying. As things get smaller and more advanced our work will get less and less. It's a fact that you just can't change. I can only recommend focussing on computers and laptops because generally you can buy the parts cheap and people are willing to get them fixed.
Sorry to hear about your uncle tho, I'm all for small businesses and craftmanship and it sucks to lose another one of those.
>>51862885
Where do you source your spare parts (mobos, screens, etc.)?
>>51865047
eBay, I have good contact with some of the sellers and thus some good prices
I sometimes buy from this Chinese dude who has cheap stuff, I'll visit him soon to buy a huge ass stock. (35K budget)
>>51865135
>eBay
So, you're not replacing with original parts?
>>51865204
Depends on the product/issue. I use original parts if there is a reason to do so. To be clear, I mention that to customers when they pay online.
I actually used to work in Shanghai for a while and met a manager at Foxconn. Guy ships me motherboards every month for bottom prices.
>>51863346
Where do I find the product number?
How do you figure out what goes wrong?
I know software, and I can usually deduce things step-by-step where the problem is, and even use strace/debugger if I really have to, but I don't understand how that works with hardware. There's like a thousand tiny different components/transistors/chips/whatever... How can you test them all?
>>58388736
>Why do nugunz think that "THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS OLD SO WE SHOULD REPEAL IT"
>>58388736
Mk Ultra dump
What's the worst phone to repair and why is it the HTC One?
(Groetjes uit Nijmegen)
>>51864920
I don't have an iPhone,
It's an s6
Does the same principal apply?
>>51865517
I meant model. If you google the model you can find the known issues for it.
>>51865529
I don't really. First, 90% of the things I do are replacing batteries, cameras, usb ports and screens. Basically, all of those the customer asks for. I mean, if the camera is shattered, obviously you need a new one. If the battery goes empty in two hours, you just need a new battery. Second, people order on the website, where they select what they want replaced.
The only times I really troubleshoot is when they send me a laptop that doesn't work. Whatever the problem is, I fix it if the customer wants me to. If they don't, they still pay 20 euro diagnostics fee. I do it for fun I suppose, because those people actually have to send an e-mail and ask if I can help them. My website only offers replacements, no help or troubleshooting stuff.
So, if i.e. an iPhone doesn't charge.. I won't check the printplates for chips that need to be replaced. I just replace the whole board.
Basically, a phone/laptop/tablet/pc is a big jigsaw and I just replace the parts, I don't fix them.
>>51865604
Good guess. I heard they are making the HTC Two from 80% pure glue. I actually charge 50 euro for any repeat of the HTC One. The risk of damage is just SO MUCH higher.
>>51865679
Yes, absolutely.
>>51865857
>90% of the things I do are replacing batteries, cameras, usb ports and screens.
>So, if i.e. an iPhone doesn't charge.. I won't check the printplates for chips that need to be replaced. I just replace the whole board.
Don't take this the wrong way... But that actually sounds easy, kind of like assembling a PC. I mean, obviously it's a lot of work (10 hours a day would probably drive me insane) and you provide great quality for your customers, but the work itself seems not that hard.
>>51864530
Damn thanks brother. I'll always remember what you told me. Quality. Thanks for being great and sharing your tips man, your a cool guy and definently sucessful. 1 more, do you recommend anything in specific in term of making profit like from all the things in that sector
>>51865959
It's simular yes, eventually it's all just modular and that makes it all quite simple. I work that much because I want to, I make about 10K a month, and I'd rather save that up and buy a house before I hire somebody. Honestly, if I was willing to pay 3K a month to an employee, I would only have to work four hours a day.
>>51866022
My first advert was in a local paper with 30K people a day. It got me about 20 customers, which was amazing to me. All the money I made in the first six months I spend on advertising. I advertised a lot on local television, because the audience is very broad. Also, use I use Facebook quite a bit. I plan on giving away an iPhone next month, that will get me 5K likes and atleast 50 new orders. That means 50 people who know me, who spend an average of 62 euro and, which already is a big profit. But all those people liked the give away page and all their friends saw that.. etc.. etc..
Giving away a single iPhone will bring me 50 directly related orders, and will increase orders for the six months after by 30 - 10.
-
Also, I forgot the picture of my packaging in the last picture. Another tip: make sure to make it easy for people. I tell my customers to only send me their phone and a paper with an ID number. No charger or crap, just the phone and an ID they get when filling out the order form online.
Make it easy. Customer is king, never forget that. A negative review can cost you 2K a year.
>>51866272
Awesome! But how do people trust you enough to send you there shit like that?!?! I taught it was local pick up
>>51866447
Thank you for you offer, but no thank you.
>>51866022
Also, always stay nice. :P
>>51866327
I highly recommend using insured sending for one, because if UPS loses the package/enveloppe, they will end up blaming me. But other than that, I give people the address to send it to, and they could always come there if I end up being a fake. Other than that, in Holland we also have a chamber of commerce, where you can find all my details by just typing in the name of my company.
If the touchscreen of my phone randomly "touches" itself around the middle now and then, is it a faulty screen, or is it a software issue?
What is the best smartphone on the market and why is it the Galaxy Note 4?
>>51866513
Ill always be nice brother especially with people like you in this world. Sir, do you have an email or something? Something that can be used to contact you out of here.
>>51866272
Wait, don't you need the phone's code to turn it on? (At least, with regards to the camera) to check whether it's working properly?
I replaced an iPhone 5 screen recently that I bought from eBay. Now the screen keeps turning off after a couple of seconds. It won't turn on when I press the Home button. Could it be faulty screen or logic board?
Do you have a solid supplier or you buy from eBay all the time?
>>51866573
If the touches are random and not something like:
open safari -> go to website -> f5 continuesly then it's probably a hardware issue. Before you replace the digitizer/whole-fucking-thing-if-apple make sure to reset the phone, because it might be software related.
>>51866536
I know, but I'd rather not. Before I start adding services I should make sure the current services are optimalized.
>>51866615
Haha, don't know why because I am an Apple fanboy.
>>51866637
I can't really see what you are replying to, but yes. During the order proccess online I explicitly tell people to disable all locks on the phone, if the phone isn't unlocked I just call them. Also, the answer is yes: I have seen naked pictures back when I was a curious little asshole.
How often do you break more stuff than you repair?
I do always tend to break things while repairing.
I repaired my sisters TomTom GPS this week because the touchscreen was broken. So I ordered a new one, removed the broken touch layer on top of the diplay, soldered the now one to the connections where the old one was connect, started the GPS and it worked fine. Now I only had to put the case back together. The front part of the case is almost symmetric. I accidentally put it one the wrong way round and it wouldn't fit. So I pressed a little bit on it, still didn't snap in, pressed a little harder and the touch screen I just had repaired broke again. So I had to order one more touchscreen, but now the soldering joints are almost broken because I had to desolder and solder on them times.
Assuming your still answering questions.
Be honest, do you ever snoop through people's stuff? And if so, what are some of the best things you've found?
>>51862994
You could probably just look at Alibaba or Aliexpress instead of eBay and there you have your Chinese import line.
Can't find a cheap headphone socket for my Galaxy Nexus though, it has a loose connection on one side.
>>51866447
can you fix my iemi id? Somehow it was set to all 0s when i flashed cyanogen onto my galaxy s 2
>>51866738
I have a solid supplier, which also uses eBay. Currently setting up import lines with a Chinese bro.
It definetly isn't the logicboard, I would go ahead and replace the screen. I feel like your digitizer might be stock somewhere?
Weird diagnostic tho.
>>51866753
Haha, damn that sucks. Always make sure to double check, especially with brand new models. I break a phone about once a month which costs me about 600 a month on average. I sometimes fix iMacs for the local school, a month ago I had three standing on a desk. I walked back from the bathroom, tripped accross a wire and grabbed an iMac to keep me from falling. I fell, the iMac fell and the power plug pulled the other two down. - That day cost me 1K in parts and 1.5K in a brand new iMac.
>>51866795
People ask this a lot, and I always say no. However, the answer is yes. I am 24, and a lot of phones I get are from clumsy girls. They all have the homescreen of them with their boyfriend.. and then I just know there are naked pictures on there. Once.. a week?.. yes.. I take a look.
>>51866849
Well, I lived in Shanghai for a while and have a buddy who lives there. He can get me stuff a lot cheaper than Alibaba.
>>51866740
The touches happen at random moments but are always at the same place, right in the middle of the screen.
Already factory reset it, same issue.
How many software problems do you fix?
>>51866882
I'm quite sure it's your digitizer.
>>51866880
>People ask this a lot, and I always say no. However, the answer is yes. I am 24, and a lot of phones I get are from clumsy girls. They all have the homescreen of them with their boyfriend.. and then I just know there are naked pictures on there. Once.. a week?.. yes.. I take a look.
clumsy, hot, tech illiterate grills are truly a gift from above
>>51866880
>>51866880
>>>51866738 (You)
>I have a solid supplier, which also uses eBay. Currently setting up import lines with a Chinese bro.
>It definetly isn't the logicboard, I would go ahead and replace the screen. I feel like your digitizer might be stock somewhere?
>Weird diagnostic tho.
Thanks for a quick reply. The only thing I changed was the screen which came with the digitizer/LCD. The Home button, camera, and ear piece are original.
Do you recommend iFixit for parts?
>>51866903
So, sometimes people send me stuff labelled "camera needs to be replaced" and I always turn it on and see what the problem is. Couple of weeks ago, an old lady send me her iPhone which was "stuck crashed" in the videocamera. So she paid me to replace the camera module.. but the camera worked fine.. so after thinking about it I figured out that the woman accidentally switched to filimg mode from picture mode. I called her, explained the problem, she was embarressed. I tranfered her the money back and included a small paper with screenshots of how to switch between filming/camera/hdr. She was happy, I felt good.
Other than that, the local school recently decided to switch to SSD's to make their Mac's stretch the usual 5 years. So I open them up, wreck the CD drive, insert a caddy, install SSD and close it up. Then I install OSX, do the initual setup and then go to the school to add it to the local active directory. So yeah, I do a little bit of software on the side.
>>51866996
Amen brother. (if you were wondering what label writer i was using.. brother! :P)
>>51867015
I'm not from the States, so I don't know anything about iFixit. However, I am confident it's the screen module now.
>>51862885
This is a pretty nice thread, OP. Gj
>>51862885
Did you start from home? How did you advertise to start?
Most useful tools? Soldering and screwdrivers?
I have mild electrical repair knowledge and have worked on computers for years, would this get me started?
I'm starting a small CNC business soon and would love some tips on getting a business started out of the home. May end up doing computer repair on the side which generally leads to phone repair as well.
My goal is go full self employed in the next 2 years. I love the benefits of working in the corporate world, but promotion to a position that isn't a micromanaged nightmare seems impossible unless someone dies of old age and you get lucky.
So its a matter of fuck it I'll build my own business, with blackjack and hookers. Should have a few IT certs and degree before then too as a fall back. Hopefully that is smart rather than wasting time I could use to get started.
Sorry if you answered these before and I missed it. You made a really great thread.
>>51867211
A lot of this I have already answered, but I'll summarize it.
The most usefull tools are just a shit load of screwdrivers. I literally have a drawer full of them. My other favorite is my Dymo 450 printer (I said Brother before.. as a joke), it saves me a shit load of time and it makes the package looks super profesional.
With the experience you described I am certain you'll be able to replace parts in modern phones, yes.
I recommend doing just that, starting a computer repair business and just expanding as you go. Most companies start doing something completely else than what they grow up to be doing. Except Budweiser, they still make piss after a 100s of years.
One of my favorite quotes is "The biggest obstacle for starting a business is starting a business.". In my case that was true, I was scared and kept thinking and bla bla bla, just do it.
Shia LaBouf - "JUST DO IT!!"
It's not like by starting a business you immediatly get invoices and debt, you can start it and work while you get customers. Start small, dream big.
Read the whole thread, if you're still here thanks for all the advice nederbro.
I was planning on starting phone repairs as a side thing when i graduate since there's not many local shops in my shithole but wasn't 100% sure, i share all your input about delivery and advertising so so it kinda makes me worry less about fucking up on that side.
Now i gotta start watching vids and buying some busted phones to practice with.
>>51867674
Still here, will still be posting for half an hour. If people want me to, I can make a new thread tomorrow.
The best thing to do is definetly fix busted things you can buy online for a bargain. Also, it's good to hear you agree on me about delivery and advertising.
Right now, I send everything back in a white foamed box. I then tape it around vertically to seal both sides from opening. I then put an addresssticker right in the center. It looks professional as fuck and people compliment on it all the time.
It's the details that matter. Really.
People open the box and take out their phone. In there is the phone and a paper describing what is fixed and by who. If the screen is replaced we also give them a free screenprotector and then we also include a card that tells them that.
Again, details.
Also, if you're just starting, make sure to send stuff away with inssurance from PostNL.
How do I get a job at a repair place
>>51868055
>I send everything back in a white foamed box.
Do you get these custom-made? Or do you buy them in bulk somewhere?
>>51868241
I just buy them at a dutch webshop. See picture.
>>51868069
Apply.
Bump for justice
What is the legitimate best way to handle water damage
>>51868909
Well, first, immediatly turn off your device. Then put it in a big bowl of race and leave it there for a full week. Power on the device and see if it's alright.
I get requests from people who have water damage on the screen, which is easy to replace. I use a blowdryer to remove all the moist and then replace the screen.
Other than that, if people really want to I can replace the motherboard, but generally I always tell them it's a lost cause.
>>51862885
Do you have a raspberry pi zero I can use?
i'd be curious to see your workstation
is ups picking up the shit from the clients for free, or do they send it to you?
are you advertising/working only locally? if so, why not nationwide, scale this bitch up
>>51868989
Ehhhh, no.
>>51869009
I'll try cleaning up tomorrow and taking some pictures.
>>51869112
Customers send the phone to me. I plan to advertise more in areas where there is no local replacer. I promise customers their phone back within 48 workday hours, so I can do that nation wide.
So yeah, future plans definetly include a ad on national tv or more small tv ads in small counties.
>>51869138
in my country DHL can pickup items from people and ship to you, so that you can offer a free shipping. This way you remove effort, so I've been wondering why not do that.
>>51869009
its just a few small screwdrivers, most of them from wallmart
>>51869173
Actually did not know that, thanks. I use a Dutch company, PostNL, for sending stuff, they don't have that option.
The biggest thing to overcome for the company is actually to get people to send their phone. I think I have lost millions in profit because people are afraid to send it. It's also a plus, because it means I can fix phones nation wide and nobody does that here yet.
I'll contact DHL tomorrow, thanks bro. Free pickup would be great.
>>51869174
Nah, my workstation is pretty cool. Loads of phones coming in and out every day, expensive stocks. Great speakers and great Pink Floyd art on the walls.! :)
>>51868972
Not him, but I saw on a website that there are much better materials for soaking up moisture from a phone than rice. Those desiccant packets were one and something else i forgot.
>>51867408
Cool thanks. I've set myself some dates to start different parts of the business, mostly just waiting for some equipment that is on a long back order.
>>51868909
>>51868972
Oh here it is:
http://smartphones.wonderhowto.com/how-to/myth-debunked-uncooked-rice-isnt-best-way-save-your-water-damaged-phone-0154799/
A sponge apparently
>>51869282
What did you order then?
>>51869269
Yeah I believe that, but rice will do the trick and most people have that on hand instead of desiccant packets.
>>51862885
Whats your plan when the world inevitably moves on?
>>51869299
Oh well a CNC laser actually. Not really related to repairs just another hobby I want to take pro.
>>51869298
Ah thanks, I guess from now on I'll recommend sponges! :)
>>51869300
Currently I have 70K in savings, I think I can keep the company growing for another two years. I think within five years I can sell the company for whatever it's worth and take my savings. Hopefully my savings will be well above a million.
>>51869352
Ah cool, that most be expensive as fuck.
>>51869209
The fear of getting scammed is 100% the biggest obstacle.
The second obstacle is most likely the effort. By offering a pickup service, you remove friction and increase your legitimacy."There gonna be a guy coming to my house from a big carrier? Look Hilda, this looks legit"
Kudos for giving out the small but very useful items, this works. When I order vitamins from iherb, every time I get a small, completely unadvertised gift (notebook+pencil, pen, rubber, eraser) and it does feel nice. As you know already, this gives you more and better reviews, and that increases your legitimacy even further.
Do you get a lot of calls, or do people just suck it up, fill out the form and pay online?
What are you doing to lower the people's fear? Do you maybe have a video with you showing your work place or stuff like that, curious.
Have you made any decisions that have been impactful (specific advertising approach for example) or did the orders increase n a linear way?
Thank you
>>51869173
Ah damn, I just found out that for 2,50 extra they will pick up something. That is fucking awesome, it will be a huge boost.
Thanks man.
>>51863346
>No. I am single tho. I am also Dutch and don't believe in long-distance stuff. Move to Holland and we'll have a date.
Mijn broeder.
>>51869422
cool mang
>>51869417
Damn, awesome questions, here we go.
First, yes, I agree. The biggest obstacle is simply the fear of getting scammed. I think the effort is just as big. What I do to get customers is simply be cheap. I.e., replacing the screen of your iPhone 5 will cost you 80 euro everywhere but I only charge 67.
I get two or three calls a day, most people ask about a product that isn't on the website. Right now, loads of people call about the iPhone 6S. because that isn't on the site yet because I have no stock. FFS.
I lower people's fear by putting an address on the website, a phonenumber, loads of reviews. Again, the price is the big one here.
So far, the best advertising has been giving away an iPhone on Facebook. It gives me 50 orders, which is about a 1400 profit and two days of work. The six months after that I get an extra of 25 orders a week.
Devices coming in a week have been increasing for a full year. Right now I get 580 phones a month, every month about 10 more and more.
>>51862885
can you take the guts out of an alarm clock and put it in a small rectangular case?
>>51869601
That depends on the alarm clock and on the rectangular case. Also, if you carry a black box that is ticking.. you might get shot.
>>51869616
pretty much required if you claim to know about electronics these days.
>>51869601
You don't know? OP's already gone to the white house and gotten free stuff from microsoft.
>>51869638
Ah, the 15 million usd kid. Yeah, fuck that cunt.
>>51862885
I'm in the U.S. And I recently destroyed the screen, the digitizer and the camera lens on an almost brand new Samsung Galaxy S6 Active.
I have shopped around online and places advertise they can fix it but two have gotten back to me stating that parts are not available anymore. What do you think? I haven't found any parts for it with a quick Google search.
Also what's a fair price I should pay to have those problems fixed? I already bought a cheap replacement phone but I'm just curious.
>>51862885
What would you do if I brought my BB Passport in?
>>51869701
>Samsung Galaxy S6 Active
http://www.ebay.com/itm/White-LCD-Screen-Touch-Replacement-Assembly-For-Samsung-Galaxy-S6-Active-G890A-/171924775956?hash=item280783e414:g:Ya8AAOSwiLdV7luC
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRUE-GLASS-Camera-Lens-Cover-Adhesive-Tape-ATT-Samsung-Galaxy-S6-Active-SM-G890A-/331628265995?hash=item4d3695c20b:g:wD0AAOSwu4BVzTNG
That wasn't so hard?
>>51869718
Depends if it's broken or not. However, I have zero experience with that model so I'm not sure if I'd fix it.
What's your thoughts on just buying broke phones online, fixing and then reselling? Worth the trouble or not?
>>51869989
Definetly, go for it. I did it in the beginning to make a profit too.
>>51869526
one more thing, why do you think people send the phone to you, instead of going locally? Any reason besides the price?
Asking, because I'd imagine people needing their phones repaired asap, and it's faster to go to the local repair shop and have it done same or next day.
>>51869526
Expanding on that guys questions who do you use for web hosting?
I mean making a small site with some html/javascript is easy, but finding hosting with the tools to make it nice, add forms, smooth transitions, paypal, creditcard shit, etc. Basically not look like 90s MySpace, but not cost a whole lot either.
>>51864530
Kek whatt trump book did u read?
>>51870060
Well, the price is the main thing. Also, there is no local shop here, they have to go to a nearby city. Other than that, I always promise people that they have their phone back within 48 hours after sending it.
>>51870092
I happen to be a damn qualified webdeveloper and develop everything myself. I host everything at a high quality Dutch hoster called TransIP.
>>51870097
Think Big. Most is bullshit but he has valid points. People can say whatever they want, but the man is a good businessman.
>>51870022
Plus I'm not really looking to make it a job, just make money on the side ontop of my part time job and school. Don't have the time do a repair service like you I guess. Any tips for me?
>>51870227
Not really, if I were you I'd focus on replacing logic boards and buying iCloud locked iPhones. I'd also use Chinese fake parts instead of Apple ones.
>>51870176
Ah damn. I have skill with html, js, css, and can use enough php to adapt shit to my uses, but no Java, node, anything advanced basically. I'm in the US so probably have to find one myself. People here get nervous if it has a county extension at the end sadly.
People seem to recommend squarespace though I worry they may get costly, they look nice though. Could learn for myself and find a VPS to host I guess, but my dumbass may leave off a semi-colon and put myself out of work.
Oh and yes laser cutters are butt fuckingly expensive if you want something good, but I look wood working and CNC is the pinnacle of toys in that department.
>>51870358
Don't setup your own VPS or dedi or whatever. It can only fail. Just look for a high quality host. Be willing to pay 50 bucks a year and you're fine.
>>51870266
>iCloud
Why buy locked ones, do you have a method to unlock them when find my iphag is on?
>>51870266
Yeah I was looking at phones on eBay. And there's already a lot of screen repair services. So the locked ones are just bricks, so replace the board and then it'll be sellable?
>>51870480
The lock is IMEI based, which is on the logicboard. If you replace the logicboard, no problem.
>>51870527
gotcha, nice
Do you have a warranty violation form or anything they need to sign as proof that they won't do anything if something goes wrong?
I noticed you said you replace the phone entirely. Do you leave it up to them to handle everything on the service provider side?
>>51870734
Not OP, but I would at least have a disclaimer on the website or something.
Probably good to have one for data loss as well. Having worked on computers a long time many people will bring things in when its so far on its last leg it may die while in your care. I imagine its the same for phones. I'm sure a few people bring it in the last chance on a password before it factory resets or otherwise infested with no backup.
OP are there models of device you just won't deal with because of repair difficulty?
>>51863204
Fixing phones is easy shit generally, also if someone asks for a cert just lie and say yes. 99.99% of the time they will believe you lol.
What time would you open up a thread tomorrow repair man? Also when repairing a iPhone 6 do you put the flap under the LCD shield plate or not? Sometimes if I do, there is a dark light at the top of the screen when turned on.
>>51863557
>I'm 100% above board with them too.
Buying and trafficking in stolen merchandise is a crime in most jurisdictions.
Apple don't accept stolen items, they direct you to police, nor would they tell you if it is stolen or not.
Nice try with the holier than thou attitude, but you're still scum.
>>51862885
Is your name Jeremy?
>>51862885
What are the most typical things you have to fix?
I'm guessing busted screens and wiggly charging ports?
How to change the wifi module on the note 4?
Whats your main source of business?
do you have a website?
Damn, this thread is still alive, that's amazing. So, I took a five minute break to answer some questions. I'll be off later today to answer some more and might have some pictures too.
>>51870734
>>51871322
Yes, there is a disclaimer you have to agree to. Also, you have to have a backup before you send the device to me, if they don't that's their own fault.
>>51871463
HTC phones are very hard, I sometimes turn them down. I generally don't even try to repair water damage. However, since people can only submit phones I have listed on my website I don't get many of those.
>>51871676
I am a System Engineer so if people ask if I am certified I just say yes. Not completely fair, but fuck it.
>>51872029
I do, what you are desicribing is light leaking through. It means you didn't cover up the edges good enough.
>>51872796
My name is Eddy.
>>51873386
Those two, plus iMac's right now, also replacing batteries on year-old iPhones.
>>51874031
Googled it and it looks like the wifi module is on the motherboard, which means you'll have to replace the whole mobo.. which sucks.
>>51874547
I have a nice website yes, main source of business are adverts on local TV.
I have a nexis 7 tablet with a loose mini USb port. How do u fix this?
>>51876749
First open up the phone and see what the problem is. It could be just a loose screw you need to tighten. More likely, the port slowly got wiggled all the time and isn't attached to the printplate anymore. If that is the case you can either repair the printplate with some tin or even glue, or you can replace it with a new one(see image).
The module that houses the USB port also housed the jack plug for your headphones. The module has one single 20-pin-like plug which connects to the motherboard.
Replacing it should be super easy because the module is on top of everything as seen on Google.
bump because valueble information
>>51862885
I've got an Alcatel onetouch idol 3. It fell of my bed and got this crack across the midle of the screen and now the upper half of the screen doesn't work. Does it mean that I only have to change to digitizer? And if so, how do I separate the LCD from the digitizer?
>>51877533
All modern phones have the digitizer and LCD glued together. Honestly, the chance of you being able to seperate those two is almost zero. I recommend replacing the whole screen module.
Tutorial:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWmuVFr8iGI
>>51862885
If two cars travel at equal speeds towards each other (60 ks/ph) and a driver of one of those cars drops a 500grams tennis ball out of the window, what is the speed, mass, and force of the tennis ball when it is is drop motion?
hop OP is still here.
I don't get it, if you replace same day, how do you get so many parts so fast? do you live in a big city?
I live in a shitty city full of poor people that pretend to be "rich" (that is, in their mental model of "rich", i.e., full consumerism) but this people wouldn't pay a dime to fix shit... should I really move from here?
a few more q:
- what do you do when you get blamed wrongly?
- what do you do when you break something by accident?
>>51862885
Hi, OP! Got a nexus4 with a partially unresponsive screen. It became like this after an attempt to undervolt. I know that it sounds weird, but that's what happened.
So, do you think that I should replace only the digitizer, and I will be good to go? Or it is some kind of mobo bug?
Note that part of a screen does not respond to input even while in recovery.
>>51877632
Never said I would answer all questions.
>>51877645
I have a stock of the stuff I use. Every monday I check what's left and order new stuff.
First day: people send their stuff
Second day: I get the product and fix it and post it
Third day: people get the package
> what do you do when you get blamed wrongly?
It happens. A couple of weeks ago I fixed the screen of some guy's Samsung Galaxy S4. A week later his headphone jack stopped working. I took the time to explain that the chance that this is because of the reparation is extremely unlikely. However, I also realize that a review like that could ruin my reputation. So I told him I would fix his headphone jack for the cost of a new headphone module ex sending. He agreed.
I wasn't very happy with it, but sometimes you just have to give in.
> what do you do when you break something by accident?
Replace it. Once or twice a month I fuck up a phone completely, last month I dropped a cup of coffee on a laptop and a couple of days ago I dropped a phone that was disassabled and I cracked the whole frame. That cost me a new Asus notebook and a new Nokia Lumia.
>>51877676
The digitizer is fucked, definetly.
>>51877731
>>51877645
>I have a stock of the stuff I use. Every monday I check what's left and order new stuff.
oh, right stock, I'm dumb...
>I wasn't very happy with it, but sometimes you just have to give in.
I fucking hate when people blame me for their shit. And cheap people will "cheat" you to do what they want. plus, they won't even thank you if you do it for free or for cheap. that's why I don't want to work repairing shit anymore.
>Replace it. Once or twice a month I fuck up a phone completely, last month I dropped a cup of coffee on a laptop and a couple of days ago I dropped a phone that was disassabled and I cracked the whole frame. That cost me a new Asus notebook and a new Nokia Lumia.
hah, yeah, shit happens.
more Qs:
you said you work 10 hrs/day, and sometimes weekends at night. how many days/week do you work? do you feel like it's a lot of effort? I suposse you enjoy fixing stuff as much as the rest of us, but, do you feel like you work too much?
How do you get started in getting yourself out there? I am excellent at repairing at a component level, but have trouble marketing myself. How do you do it?
>>51877788
I never really keep track of what the hours I make. Yesterday I had a lot of work, today a little less which gives me a chance to buy a shit load of stock. Some days I get 30 phones and they all have to be fixed before UPS comes to pick them up. Sometimes I only get 5.
I just work until what has to be done is done, because I really like my job. Yes, I realize that I work too much because I don't even have time to find a girlfriend or to meet up with friends.. however I would feel terrible saying that I work too much. I am 24 and have a succesfull company and enough money to buy a Ferrari, me saying I worked too hard would be very dishonest to people who work 60 hours a week just to pay the fucking bills.
I am very gratefull for what I have, and even if I worked twice the hours I do normally, it wouldn't justify the money I have made.
>>51877818
I started with putting an add in a newspaper, why don't you try that?
Do you know how to build a clock from scratch?
>>51877731
>Never said I would answer all questions.
Like I care what some claiming employed person has stated on 4chan anyway.
Hey look at me, I can speak bullshit on the Internet as well.
"Ask a pro hacker who hacks anything"
I have my own cell phone repair business as well, though I mostly stick to the big ones Apple and Samsung. I was wondering when you branch into. Repairing a new type of phone do you purchase the phone ahead of time and practice on it. Or do you just experiment on a customer's new phone? Such as starting on the Samsung s6 edge, would you reccomend trying on a customer's phone first or buy one my self before repairing any S6s?
Thanks op for the thread
>>51877874
Don't think so. If you give me a Arduino or Rpi I might.
>>51877895
Alright then.
>>51877911
Great question. The Galaxy S4, S5 and S6 are pretty much the same inside when you are only changing the screen.. so there isn't really a need to train. However, when I get a phone I have zero experience with, I tend to look on Youtube at tutorials. If there are no tutorials, only happened once so far, I'll go out of my way to buy one and take it apart.
By now I replaced so many stuff that there really are no suprises anymore, I feel condident taking apart a phone I have never seen before because they are all more or less the same.
I would never recommend using the customer's device as a lab rat. However, it depends on your skills and knowledge if doing that is risky or not.
For you, as somebody who has experience and might want to get into repearing HTC's and Nokia Lumia's I would recommend buying a cracked HTC One and Lumia 700 and replacing the screen, battery, camera and home button. If you can do that without issue, I am sure you can replace those modules on all modern models.
thanks for this thread, and thanks for replying, OP!
>>51878170
Sure man
>>51864072
BUILD
How do you git gud at electronic repair? It's still like a black art to me even though I'm a professional programmer
>>51879442
"repair" these days means replace. there is no way to repair things anymore. and since electronics are modularized, you can simply look for the part number, buy it online and change it.
>>51879442
Hey man, just buy a fucked iPhone 4S. Replace the screen, battery etc., just stuff you can easily do.
When done, you'll be able to replace stuff in every iPhone or iPad and you'll have all the screwdrivers to do so. It'll cost you about 200 USD on eBay. A small investment to be able to fix Apple devices, and the more you fix the better you get.
>>51879488
Exactly
>>51863301
You're pretty scummy and you're fueling niggers niggery.
>>51863346
>tho
>tho
>tho
MAKE IT STOP
>>51879718
I'm not a native English speaker, sorry tho.
>>51877632
>If two cars travel at equal speeds towards each other (60 ks/ph) and a driver of one of those cars drops a 500grams tennis ball out of the window, what is the
>speed
In what reference frame dumbass
>mass
For all practical purposes 500 grams.
>and force of the tennis ball when it is is drop motion?
What force? It doesn't have a force. There are forces of gravity and air drag acting upon it, if that's what you mean.
>>51864072
>The reason I'm not allowed to work is visa related, I just didn't want to trigger the /pol/tards.
So you're illegally or on a tourist/studen visa in some country and you want to break the law? Do you really think you have to be a /pol/tard to think you're scum?
>>51864592
Easy as pie. You need a soldiering iron though. The solder points are fairly large.
How badly is it broken?
>>51879718
>being this mad about tho
stay salty senpai lmao nigga
OP is still here, if there are any more questions go ahead. Didn't make the pictures, forgot about it.
Please keep it ontopic guys.
>>51877859
Out of pure curiosity I did some estimations about you business. Care to comment if I'm right?
>5 and 30 being a maximum and minimum
On an average day you do around 10-15 phones, very likely around 12.3. That gives around 283 phones (or other devices) a month.
>63€ average invoice
12.3 p/d x 23 d x 63 €/p = 17.8k € revenue
>10k profit, no idea if you excluded breakage, I assume you are taking that out of your own pocket after those 10k
So around 8k in running costs or around €28.5 in box, parts and freebies per phone. I have no idea how much is shipping but let's assume 8.5€ go to all things unrelated to the parts. This is 13.5% of your revenue. Can you get some sort of a better deal for shipping, considering you are using them a lot? What about finding a better source of the boxes, buying screen protectors in bigger bulks, stuff like that. If you could do that and reduce costs by 20%, you'd save almost 500€ a month.
Now the parts, of course, your biggest cost. Finding a good supplier isn't easy, but if you can manage a bigger purchase (you mentioned a 35k ish budget), you could get them at least 10% cheaper, which gives you another 550€ a month of profit, for the same amount of work.
As you said you are doing this from your parent's home, I'm not including any rent, electricity etc.
>Your insane workload
You are spending around 2-3 hours doing management and 8 hours repair, plus a few hours on the weekend. It seems you either spend a lot of time jerking off or a lot of time googling - it takes you almost 45 minutes to fix a phone. I can't help you here, you have to diagnose yourself and find if it's something you can fix. Do you spend 5 minutes looking for a screwdriver or a part that you put somewhere on the shelf? Surely those minutes add up. Better organisation is always better.
>>51881019
>Should you hire somebody?
If you cloned yourself, same efficiency and stuff, should you hire you?
Assume the following dynamic: you now spend 4+ hours management, 4 hours part time repair, clone spends 8 hours repairing only for 3500€.
First of all, you'd need a more aggressive marketing campaign. You need more phones, 1.5 times more, or around 18.5 phones a day. It all comes to if 50% more profit > 3500€. Obviously, after hiring and paying yourself, you'd earn 11500€ a month, which is fine, but not stellar. I wouldn't recommend it, in fact, unless you can get someone better than yourself to work for you. Training a possibly clumsy person from scratch will be painful and very expensive in both time and broken shit. Wait until you literally can't do more work yourself and only then, very carefully, get somebody to help out.
>>51880769
i suck at advertising. but i have an honest question here, could you share one of your advert you used on paper or tv? i just like to know what to sell on it though
thanks for the thread
>>51880558
No dumbass, I DON"T want to break the law which is why I'm not working.
Self employment however, is a totally different kettle of fish.
>>51881019
Nice, you are spot on, even the margins are very close.
The thing you are doin wrong is taking an average. Because that would mean I actually repair 12 phones a day. I don't. I mentioned 15 as a max before, that should be more towards 25.
On a monday and tuesday I get about 20 phones. On wednesday I get about 25. Thursday and friday average low at 15, because people hate to wait the whole weekend, fridays usually 5 or 6 for the same reason. So that's about 100 devices a week. November I had over 500.
I can't take the phones from wednesday and fix them on an easy day like friday. The phones I get in I need to fix the same day. So on a wednesday I only have an average of 18 minutes per phone. That might seem like a lot, but I'm doing everything myself and it really isn't.. Also remember that if a single phone doesn't work, it might take me a full hour to get that fixed.
Some phones I can't get working so I call the customer and I need to talk to them and find a solution. Sometimes I have to spend another hour to fix that in the weekend.
I also upgrade iMac's, which takes me about half an hour and I make 120 usd per iMac. That adds up fast aswell.
-
About parts, I am currently trying to setup a private line with a mate in China, it will get me stuff for 15-20% cheaper than anything I've found on eBay or AliExpress.
Oh, and I live with my parents but have an office for repairing. It costs me 850 euro a month all included.
-
My office is actually pretty organized, if you don't count all the empty boxes and random stuff. The parts and phones are organized.
Ofcourse I realize I could make thousands more by talking to suppliers, UPS etc., but I don't have the time nor real need. I make plenty of money and really.. I am not that greedy. If the company keeps growing like it does, I might actually be a millionaire in 2018.. that is insane.
>>51881046
You are definetly right, but again.. it really isn't all about the money for me. If I can get somebody to repair everything that means that I can focus on all the prices, then I can talk to UPS and suppliers and stuff. Get some new furniture for the office, and all that stuff. So yeah.. I think I will. It will give me time to focus on growing and advertising. I know I'll end up spending more money and working less hours myself.. but that's worth it for me. I am 24, I want to enjoy life a little too.
If I would be able to be a manager 8 hours a day and have a normal scheldue and focus on management things like marketing, website, sales, helpdesk, calls, it would really help the company.
-
I wish I could give you a better answer but I lack professional English skills to do that. Thank you very much tho, I really appreciate your insight.
>>51881062
Actually, this whole thread I have been trying to stay as anonymous as possible and I want to keep it like that. And honestly, the only thing I could show you is the newspaper ad which is literally "Phone/tablet/laptop repair, the cheapest in the whole city. www.mootisgay.com".
>>51862885
You say you charge "the price of the product plus x"
Does that mean you charge just the price of, for example, the speaker? Or do you charge the price of the product plus 25 euro?
>>51881471
Well, I think you get the point and you can redo the calculations yourself.
>parts, 20% cheaper
That's fucking great m8. As long as the quality doesn't suffer, you'll be enjoying higher margins and more money.
>Ofcourse I realize I could make thousands more by talking to suppliers, UPS etc.,
Do it nigga.
>but I don't have the time nor real need. I make plenty of money and really.. I am not that greedy. If the company keeps growing like it does, I might actually be a millionaire in 2018.. that is insane.
Congrats on your success m8. The reason I suggested all those little optimisations isn't for you to get greedy and you should stay the way you are. It's just that it speeds up your journey to financial independence. If a few tweaks mean the millionaire barrier coming 6-9 months closer, why not. Even if you end up selling your business in a couple of years, you'll have almost two millions, which properly invested will yield enough passive income to allow you never to worry about money again. Not having to worry ever again about rent or food or bills and having a modest income to pursue hobbies (new business? Sports? Travel?) is pretty cool.
>>51881562
Nah your English is fine. Like I said above, it's not about greed (and it shouldn't be), but if you can do it in 50-75% of the time, why not. Oh yeah, if you have the time to shift through bullshit and memes, lurk on /biz/ sometimes. Alternatively investopedia. You are young, if you invest it wisely and keep working you'll be pretty well off and more importantly, no matter what, you'll never have to care about money again. Shit's liberating, yo.
Anyways, good luck with your life anon, we all gonna make it.
>>51881242
>Self employment however, is a totally different kettle of fish.
you are not allowed to earn income
at all
self employment rules are more strict, not less strict
>>51862885
>It works like this: we charge the price of the product we have to replace plus 25 euro for repair and returning. At the moment, I repair 500 - 600 phones a month.
Are you retarded?
What's you're overheard? Because, at a hypothetical 15 minutes per repair, that's $100 euros an hour, per person. That ends up being $500 a day, per person.
3,000 a week, before overhead and costs and shit.
I'm not trying to shit post, i'm just wanting to make sure you've ran the numbers and are not pricing at a price that just gets you tons of business and no real profit.
>>51881918
Generally I charge the price I have to pay, but on some products I have a margin yeah. I.e. I buy an iPhone 5S screen for 60 euro, and charge 75 on the website.
>>51881968
Oh definetly, ofcourse the money matters. Being financially indepentend is definetly a dream, and I really want to be. Actually, right now I plan on getting my PPL and buying a small Cesna! :) Selling the business is definetly the end game, zero out and take the money. I actually already lurk on /biz/ already and learned a lot.
>>51882113
Please read the thread man, a lot of the things you want to know are answered. I work by myself and most phones are easy fixes.
Halp.
I replaced a battery in a 5s. At first it didn't charge. I opened it up and fiddled aroubd with the battery and it started charging for about 3 weeks. Last night it stopped charging.
What could the problem be? I'm reasonably competent with repairs: I've torn down 30-40 computers completely and reassembled them. Is it a quality issue with the battery?
Also, how many times do you bend those iphone digitizer pins on the logic board.
>>51863166
Kek
Glad to see you're still answering, OP, definitely one of the best threads on /g/ in a long while.
With regards to the 'tress-hold fear' of customers: have you considered opening a small storefront? I think they raise the 'trustworthiness' of an on-line store by quite a bit. Do you think it would be worth the cost (you'd also need an employee to man the counter and talk to customers).
Can you do anything about bad IMEI?
I want to buy a broken phone on ebay so I can fix it and resell it, but every fucking phone on there is bad
And googling it just gives me "You should return the phone to it's owner ;^)"
>>51882020
>you are not allowed to earn income
>at all
But that's where you're wrong.
Independent contractors aren't subject to the same level of scrutiny since they aren't employees. Hell they can even pay taxes, since the IRS gives zero fucks.
>>51882523
Sounds like the battery is broken inside of it's shelling, DO NOT OPEN IT. Or you didn't connect the battery well enough. Also, your last question makes no sense?
>>51882631
I think about that a lot, but right now it would be a huge waste of money. But in the future I'd love to.
>>51882688
Yeah, so far nobody has been able to get around the iCloud lock. Apple did a good job.
>>51882780
Do you have any screwdriver brand you recommend? Or any tips on equipment in general.
OP: if you could buy old and/or broken (but moslty functional) phones from your customer, how much would you pay, w.r.t. the original price? do you think some people would give you their phones for free?
and related to ^:
what do you people think about this idea?
- buy old and/or half broken phones for cheap, or ask people to "donate" them
- install a chrooted linux partition/partition file in the phones
- run some service that uses the phone hardware and software stack
- sell for 2x+ of the cost
key here is "run some service"... one would have to find a service that would cost at least 2x of what the phone itself costs.
I've been thinking about this for long, but I just can't find a service which would defeat cheap chinese hardware in terms of price :/
>>51862885
do you re-rip screens you take in or do you buy full assembly screens to install?
>>51882780
HTC 8x with shattered screen, good device to wet my feet with or no?
>>51882961
btw, I was talking about android phones, and these phones would have to be root-able, otherwise you won't be able to run a linux chroot, at all...
>>51882961
You mean selling phones as dedicated machines or something? Please ellaborate.
>>51882981
Right now I buy assembled screens and fit them on phones. I do keep the cracked screens that have a working LCD/digitizer. I need to buy a seperating machine to seperate the glass from the LCD/digitizer. It would be a huge increase in profit, but again.. it takes a lot of time.
>>51883039
HTC glue the shit out of their phones, but good luck! :)
>>51882951
I always recommend this:
http://nl.aliexpress.com/item/53-in-1-BERYL-Screwdriver-Set-Precision-Screwdriver-Set-Telecommunication-Tool-Repair-Apple-iphone-mobile-phone/32434920543.html
It's basically all I need for replacements on any model.
>>51884239
>You mean selling phones as dedicated machines or something? Please ellaborate.
yes. for (a perhaps weird, but useful) example, I've read that phones have been used to detect earthquakes. you get my point? you could use them as security cameras, although the shitty phone cameras won't be good, and will be useless without light. or you could use them as wireless routers, or... there is a shitload of possibilities.
I used to own a Break/Fix computer gadget shop. The shit is so not worth it.
Make way more money now with less hours freelancing.
>Testing, never mind this... <center><center><center></center>
>>51884623
I can't really see any good use, but if you can get free hardware and start a concept.. why wouldn't you.
>>51884737
Alright, so what do you do as a freelancer?
>>51862885
Probably the best thread we had in awhile. Good luck in life OP
>>51862885
From reading this thread, I'm almost certain you're breaking import laws of your country. I'd advise you to lawyer up once and make sure your practices are legal lest the tax man come for you.
>>51862885
Any advice for someone interested in doing the same thing?
Do you do this out of your home?
Also what's the most typical thing you have to fix?
>500-600 a month
yeah nah no one with a brain should believe that. good job trying to act smart though
>>51885539
read the thread, retard
>>51885568
fuck no, im not going to waste my time with that shit when someone is just trying to impress people on 4chan. the best part is there isnt even one picture in this thread
who the fuck chagres $25 in labor for shit like replacing a screen when that shit takes a long fucking time to remove the glue and stuff?
you fucking children will believe anything
>>51885622
ok, tard.
that you are useless and retarded doesn't mean other people are...
I'm gonna spoonfeed you: the guy started his business by constantly buying ads in newspapers, and he already had experience doing this.
>>51885722
and naturally you believe it like a moron. 500-600 is still a bullshit number grow a brain
>>51885539
>>51885622
I think you are imlying that I actually fix LCD/digitizer modules.. which I don't. I only replace parts. Doesn't take too long.
Feel free to leave this thread now.
>>51885487
It's all legal, my sis happens to be a lawyer. But you are right, ever quarter I have to pay about a grand in import taxes.
>>51885531
Buy a phone with a shitty battery or screen and just replace it. Once you are confident, take some phones apart and put them together. Offer to fix your friends phones for free. Just keep doing it and doing it, and before you know it you'll feel confident fixing pretty much any device. If you offer to fix stuff for free, you'll also end up having all the necessary screwdrivers, etc. when you make it into a business.
I have a small rented office I work out of. It's organized, but full of shit. I didn't bother to take pictures today, I'll put some up tomorrow in a new thread.
The most common thing I fix is broken screens for iPhones without a doubt.
OP, you should totally get a trip and make a thread like this, say a year from now to let us know how your business has grown.
OP here, found this picture on the FB. I have another one too.
Don't fuck up my company's FB please.
>>51885902
This is the second, clearer.
>>51862928
Hello anon,
is it possible to save my laptop?
>>51886031
It looks like only your screen is cracked, just replace it.
>>51886051
Thank you.
Are the liquid crystals also destroyed? Or should I just replace the screen?
Also, is there any way to recover my data? There are important documents on the Laptoo..>>51886051
>>51885925
its pretty sad when your job only needs 3 common tools and a macbook
>>51862885
Can you confirm that iPhones are buit like shit? Cuz it seems like 3 in 5 iphones are broken... Plus the other stuff like the antenna thin, bendy phone, Mic and waterprotetion-sensor at the same place etc
>>51886146
Yes, LCD means liquid crystal display. The LCD is broken and needs to be replaced. You data is fine, because it is on the hard drive inside. The only thing that is broken is the piece of plastic that shows stuff, the monitor.
How did you break it? If it fell down hard on the floor it might also have more internal damage.
>>51886146
>liquid crystals
Only a few of the liquid crystals a broken, Pour some water on the keyboard to repair the crystals.
>>51886196
Fist met screen.
>>51886199
No.
>>51862885
How often do you tell Jamal to give it back?
![s-l1600[1].jpg](https://i.imgur.com/9REPph4.jpg "s-l1600[1].jpg")
Looking to replace my laptop's power jack because it can't charge if the adapter is not put in at a right angle.
The part is $15 in ebay and $6 in amazon.
Do these power jacks have like different quality metal or something?
>>51886266
Ah, in that case you're a sploit cunt and a new LCD panel will fix it.
>>51886283
Never really get stolen stuff. Once got an offer from a muzzie, he wanted to steal phones on command. So if I need an iPhone, he would steal one. Told him to fuck off. I believe in being honest and contributing to society. Fuck muzzies.
"FUCK EM ALL TO DEATH" - Mr. Garisson
>>51886306
Haha, how would I know? They might be better than the original stuff your make puts in their devices. They might be shit. I don't know. Also, do you realize that you'll have to install it onto a printplate with tin?
>>51886199
Lel
>>51886446
Screw management. I have a terrible time with keeping track of which screws go where when doing repair work. How do you fix this?
Is there any way to remove the blacklist on an iphone 6?
>>51886915
buy big, shitty magnets and leave the screws there. also, if you have problems remembering where each screw goes, have them separated by size, and, if you really need to, take pics.
If an iphone is icloud locked what parts can I use ?
>>51886915
>>51886980
OP here, whenever I work on a phone I draw the shape on a paper and lay the screws on the location they belong in the phone.
>>51886962
You mean the iCloud block? No.
>>51887084
OP here, everything except the logicboard.
>>51887108
Have you considered buying a magnetic sheet under the piece of paper to better hold the screw in place?
>>51887186
Yeah, just haven't got around to ordering it yet.
Can i use a phone with a bad IMEI or is there a fix ?
>>51887367
I answered this question about five times now.. no.
Hello, i replaced my ipad mini digitizer last month and installed a tempered screen protector. Now the screen in the top and bottom are popping out how can i fix this?Thanks
>>51887565
Did you replace the entire assembly or did you actually only replace the LCD/digitizer?
>>51887613
I replaced the entire assembly
>>51887630
Sounds like you didn't heat up the edges of the screen after you replaced the digitizer. You should do that and it should be solved.
>>51887630
>>51887785
Just wanted to make myself clearer: the "glue" under the bezel gets activated under heat, so when you place the screen back on top of the iPad you need to put some heat on the bezel to get the "glue" to solidify again.
Use a hairdryer and make sure not to heat it up too much, you should always be able to touch the glass.. if you can't it's too hot and you risk fucking up the digitzer.
I want to start repairing phones and tablets.
I live in the US and I have $300 to start. Is this enough money or should I try to get more.
How should I start? Buy broken phones and repair them?
What phones/tablets should I start with? Where should I get the phones Ebay? What should I look for in the descriptions when buying? Where should I buy the parts Amazon/Ebay or is there another store you recommend? When buying digitizers should i buy the whole assembly?
Off topic don't have to answer if you don't want too.
Looking to buy a laptop should I get a new or used one? Which laptop would you recommend? Thanks in advance
