Question about the new repair kiosk at the mall in Springfield

I walked past that new phone and laptop fix-it spot at the mall yesterday and saw they had a big sign advertising a $79 flat rate for any screen repair. I always thought those places were a total rip-off, but that price is actually less than what I charge for parts alone on some models. What's the catch with these flat-rate shops, and how are they getting parts that cheap?

3 comments

3 Comments

lewis.mila1mo ago

That flat rate is the bait. The catch is usually the parts quality. They're using the cheapest aftermarket screens you can find, the kind that fail in six months. I tried a similar shop once for a quick iPad fix and the color was off from day one. They make their money on volume and by hoping you don't come back when it breaks again.

dixon.james1mo ago

Actually know a few shops that use decent parts for those flat rates, lewis.mila. They just cut labor costs by doing one type of repair all day. The real catch is usually no warranty if you walk out the door.

max2231mo ago

My friend's iPhone screen lasted three weeks.