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Picture this: You're getting out of the car and forget your cell phone was on your lap. It goes flying onto the pavement the second you step out. Panic ensues as you pick up your phone to see a series of jagged cracks covering the black screen and the power button won't work.
Sound familiar? Or maybe you can imagine walking too close to the door frame with your phone in hand and banging it against the wall, only to look down in horror as your iPhone screen shatters. Other relatable, all-too-common cell phone tragedies include dropping it on the hardwood floor, jumping into the pool while realizing mid-air that your phone is in your pocket, or attempting to slide your phone into you back pocket only to hear it *plop* into the toilet. We've all done it.
Tuesday, May 30th
Repair Sharks has been in the business of repairing Apple products for over 10 years. There are many reasons we are more impressed with their services than their competitors. Customers who send in their devices will receive free diagnostic services by Repair Sharks. Once they identify the issue and what parts are needed to fix it, customers will receive an accurate estimate.
Unparalleled variety of devices
Devices may include non-warranty iPhones, iPads, iPods, Androids, Macbooks, Xboxes, the Playstation, Wii consoles, drones and quadcopters. The variety of devices available for repairs compared to the services offered by competitors of Repair Sharks are unparalleled.
Four easy steps are all it takes for customers to get their devices fixed by Repair Sharks:
60 day warranty
Once Repair Sharks has received and fixed a device (usually within 1-2 business days), they will ship it back to you for free. In addition, all repairs come with a 60-day warranty in case something goes wrong again. If you decide that you'd rather sell your broken Apple product to Repair Sharks instead of paying for the repair, this is an option if Repair Sharks is accepting them at the time.
Send it in, or do it yourself
In addition to mail-in repairs, Repair Sharks has a variety of parts for sale to enable customers to do minor repairs themselves. We like that you're able to use a search function for these parts rather than having to sift through page-by-page to find what you're looking for. Costs for parts range from $0 - $180. A few phone and XBOX accessories can be purchased here as well. You can buy cases for older generations of phones, XBOX controllers, and different cables and charging kits.
Minor glitch
We did find one minor glitch on the Repair Sharks website. Throughout the site we see that they will repair all models of iPhones (including the very newest), but the newest iPhones were not available for selection when going through step #2 of the ordering process. We confirmed that Repair Sharks is able to handle repairs on the newest generation of mobile phones, but their website needs some updating in order to keep their information consistent.
Reliable and professional
We feel confident that Repair Sharks is both a reliable and professional option for iPhone repairs. It is not often we find companies willing to provide services for devices with water damage, so if this is your particular issue, you'll be glad to see that Repair Sharks will give fixing it a try. They have so many different devices they work on, so most people should be able to find the help they are looking for here. The Better Business Bureau gives Repair Sharks an A+ rating, which makes us feel even more confident in rating them #1 among iPhone repair companies.
True to their clever name, iResQ specializes in fixing both old and new Apple products. When you reach their website, you can choose from a variety of repair options including iPhone, Smartphone, iPad, Tablets, iPod, Notebook, and Desktop. iResQ has options for fixing really old Apple products like the iPod Nano Generation 1. As far as their phone repair options go, they are about one generation behind, so you might not be able to get your newly-released iPhone fixed here... yet.
Free estimate
Pricing is dependent on the specific issue your device has, which is the case with most of iResQ's competitors as well. Until they have conducted a free diagnosis, it's hard to give an exact price for labor and repair parts. However, they do give an estimate so you know what to expect before mailing in your phone.
Pricing example
Let's use the iPhone XR as an example of how the pricing is laid out. Once you select the phone/product you need worked on, you are taken to a list of potential issues you might be experiencing and the cost for that repair. For the iPhone XR, we can choose to get the screen replaced, front glass repaired, the battery repaired or replaced, the charger port serviced, the camera repaired, the volume buttons fixed, and a series of other issues repaired. These repairs range from $89 - $229. If you aren't sure what exactly is wrong with your phone, you can send it in for a free diagnostic and iResQ will let you know the issue and cost of repairs.
Veto the job
We like that you have the option to veto the repair job once you've received your quote from iResQ. If they have your phone and you decide you want it back instead of getting it fixed, they will ship it back to you at no extra charge or recycle the device for you. What seems to be most impressive about iResQ is how fast their turnaround time is once you give the green light on the repair. They receive between 200 and 300 products per day and are done fixing them all within about 24 hours. Once you receive your phone back from iResQ, a 90-day warranty goes into effect just in case there is a problem with the repair job.
Strong choice
In addition to positive articles in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Fox4 News, Washington Post, and more, iResQ also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. They seem to be an honest company that understands the urgency of getting phones and other frequently-used electronics repaired quickly. Since they don't offer individual do-it-yourself repair parts, we are glad to see that they don't waste your time by making you wait on their service center. For repairs on Apple products from past generations, we feel confident in recommending iResQ for the job.
Joe's offers both mail-in electronic repairs, do-it-yourself parts, and even 3D printing. They offer repairs for headphones, earbuds, speakers, smartwatches, phones, consoles, controllers, tablets, and iPods.
A bit behind
If you have the newest generation of any of these products you probably won't be able to get it fixed right away at Joe's since they seem a bit behind on their ability to fix the newest gadgets. Joe's also features very few specific products within some of these categories. For example, the only console they can actually work on is the PS4 and the only controllers are for the XBOX.
5 simple steps
To use Joe's mail-in return service, five simple steps are laid out for customers to follow:
100 day warranty
To find out pricing for your order, you can view an estimate of the costs within each device issue page in the repair catalog. The end cost will depend on what the diagnosis shows. A prepaid shipping label is provided to get your phone to Joe's and back, which is a great deal when compared with their competitors' shipping prices. Once Joe's has your broken phone, you have 30 days to pay for their service, otherwise they will keep your device as payment. Once you receive your device back from Joe's (2-5 day turnaround time), they offer a 100-day warranty on the repairs.
Repair parts
Joe's also sells repair parts if you choose to fix your device on your own rather than mail it in. Within their blog they have some useful articles on how to fix headphones and other devices. What is not helpful is the disorganization of the repair part inventory on the website. There is no rhyme or reason to how they are displayed, so you'll have to go page by page until you possibly stumble upon repair parts that might be relevant to you.
Limited range of devices
We are not overly impressed with Joe's range of devices they are able to make repairs on. However, if you're just concerned about your iPhone from a year or so ago, you'll be fine using Joe's for repairs. Most importantly, customers have very good things to say about their experience with Joe's. That tells us that they do a good job fixing broken electronics and that they return them within a reasonable amount of time. If you're looking for a dependable place to get your iPhone issues resolved, Joe's comes highly recommended by their customer base.
Rockit Repairs does repairs on iPods, iPads, Samsung Galaxy, Kindle Fire and some gaming consoles. They do not sell do-it-yourself repair parts, so you'll need to use their mail-in services to get your device fixed.
4 step process to send in your phone
Mailing in your phone takes four simple steps:
Staying in touch
Once Rockit Repairs receives the device, they will call you to confirm they have it. From there the repair usually takes 24 hours and they will ship it back for free with 2-day USPS Priority Mail. Guaranteed pricing is decided once the device is received and issue diagnosed. Estimates for pricing are available on the website ranging from $20 - $120 for iPhone repairs. For the newest models, customers will need to call in for pricing. Rockit Repairs claims they will beat all competitor pricing by $5.
Newest models may not be listed
The newest models of iPhone may not be listed on the website for repairs. We suggest calling in and talking to customer service if you have an iPhone newer than what you see on the website.. That way you can know for sure if they will be able to help before mailing in your device. Rockit Repairs lists repairs for cracked screens, back glass, water damage and small parts. If you're experiencing issues like volume malfunction, a broken charging port, or a camera glitch, we would again suggest calling Rockit Repairs to see if they can help with this
Lack of warranty information
One concern we have with Rockit Repairs is that we didn't find any information regarding a warranty on the repairs they provide. This is something we like to see so we know they back up their services and that customers can get refunded if there is an issue with their iPhone after it gets repaired. Besides this, customers generally have good things to say about their results after using Rockit Repair, which is a good sign.
Room for improvement
Their website is outdated, but it looks like they are working on changing that, so hopefully other aspects of their business are also getting updated. Rockit Repairs has some considerable pros and cons, so they have fallen in the middle of the iPhone repair services we evaluated.
Ontrack's full list of services include data recovery, email extraction, ediscovery, data destruction, tape services, mobile phone repair, and disabled mobile device services. Within the realm of mobile phone repair services, they only offer screen and/or battery replacement options. If you're having issues with the volume buttons of your phone, experiencing a camera malfunction, or synchronization issue, you will have to look elsewhere for these repairs.
4 steps to repair your device
If you're needing your battery or screen replaced on either your iPhone X, 7, 8, 6, 6s, 5, or 5 SE, you'll follow four steps to get this resolved. First, tell Ontrack the problem by filling out an online form. Second, Ontrack will send you a free shipping label to use for getting your device to and from their service center. Third, the lab experts will work on your device with the goal of a 24-hour turnaround time. Then lastly, return shipment will be arranged.
90 day parts warranty
You can see the exact cost of your repair based on the model of your mobile device, and type of replacement (screen and/or battery). The iPhone X is the newest model available for repairs, so they aren't quite up-to-date with being able to fix the newest Apple phones that have been released. Screen replacements are between $99 and $499, while battery replacements cost between $79 and $109. Ontrack offers a 90-day warranty on parts they replace.
Limited repair services
The Better Business Bureau gives Ontrack an A+ rating for their services. We have no doubt that they complete their battery and screen replacements in a timely manner that satisfies customers. Their services are professional and their mail-in process is smooth. The main reason Ontrack has not earned a higher rating is simply because they cannot compete with the wider variety of repair options offered by their competitors. There are many issues one might experience with an iPhone that go beyond a simple battery or screen replacement, so customers will need to use one of our higher-rated sites for those repairs.
Cellphone Repair Shop provides do-it-yourself cell phone parts and mail-in nationwide cell phone repair. Customers can choose from a variety of cell phone damage issues that fit their problem and are then instructed to mail their phone, battery, battery door cover, and order confirmation to the provided California address for repairs. Our main concerns with Cellphone Repair Shop are their lack of pricing transparency, outdated website, and scarce customer feedback.
Don't be fooled
On the repair services page where customers select their phone issue, everything says it is on sale for between $0 and $10. Do not be fooled thinking this is the actual cost of the repair service. These prices do not include parts or shipping.
Pay to get your phone back
Once Cellphone Repair Shop receives your phone, they will run a diagnostic test to identify the issue, then contact you with the cost for parts to fix it. If you choose to move forward with the repair, you will purchase the part(s) required and the specific installation fee associated with the part. If you choose not to move forward with the repair of your cell phone, you have the option to recycle the phone for free, or pay Cellphone Repair Shop's bench fee of $25 plus return shipping and to get your phone back.
Feels like a trap
We feel that the process for sending your phone in sounds a bit like a trap. Once they have your phone, they will give you an unknown price to fix it, possibly on the high end hoping you will not want to go through the hassle of getting your phone back to go elsewhere. If you don't want Cellphone Repair Shop to fix it, they still make money off of you. We don't like the lack of transparency with their pricing. A 30-day warranty on all cellphone repairs conducted by Cellphone Repair Shop starts the day your cellphone ships from the repair facility and is limited to the exact repair performed on your phone.
Lack of commitment for do-it-yourself repairs
When it comes to do-it-yourself repair parts, inventory is very limited. It is obvious that Cellphone Repair Shop does not keep a full selection of parts on new phones. There is not a single part available for Apple phones and very few options for all other types of phones. Most of the parts look like they were made for older models. It seems like the owners of Cellphone Repair Shop might not be committed to keeping their services current as shown by their most recent blog post written in 2012 with a discount code that also expired in 2012.
Outdated website
In general, the Cellphone Repair Shop website seems outdated. Very few reviews (if any) are available for the different repair services. They were all written between 2012 and 2014. We would advise using one of our higher-rated iPhone repair services rather than sending your phone into Cellphone Repair Shop. The pricing is a mystery and we don't feel confident that they know how to work on new phones or have the resources to do it.
Rapid Repair is not a company that keeps up with new technologies. They do not provide mail-in repair services or do-it-yourself parts for any iPhones newer than the iPhone 6 Plus. Older generations of iPhones are available for repairs and parts, but for newer phones, customers will need to get their repairs done elsewhere. Rapid Repair has a confusing website that doesn't clearly lay out the mail-in process or pricing.
Lack of upfront pricing
iPod and iPhone repair services are listed at $20 with no product description. We can assume this means that you'll pay $20 regardless of if Rapid Repair does any work on your mobile device. Once they have your phone, they will run a diagnostic and contact the customer with the actual pricing. We don't like the lack of transparency, since it feels like it could be a waste of time to send in a phone to them and decide that the cost for repairs is unreasonable.
Policy discrepancies
Parts such as flathead tools, mini USB chargers, adaptors, and batteries can be purchased for some of the iPhone models. The parts that are available are completely random, and vary widely depending on the phone. One section of the website says a 15% restocking fee is charged for any merchandise that is purchased and then returned, while another section says that all parts for self-install are non-refundable and non-returnable. This is another example of the lack of clarity from Rapid Repair.
No stated refund policy
If customers are unsatisfied with the work done by Rapid Repair, they say they will work with them to make sure they are satisfied. It doesn't sound like refunds are part of this company's policy. If you purchase a part that doesn't correct the problem with your iPhone, you will have to send the device into Rapid Repair so they can diagnose the issue (initial diagnostic fee will be waived in this case). Mail in iPod/device repairs are final.
Just can't trust
We felt discouraged after reading through their testimonials - dated all the way back from 2010 and 2011. Without any recent feedback, we can't trust this company to take care of our devices. Since many customers will likely have phones newer than an iPhone 6 Plus, it is safe to say using Rapid Repair won't even be an option for most. However, if you need an older model of a mobile device fixed, we recommend using a higher-rated, more trustworthy iPhone repair service.
It's likely that the reason you are reading this right now is because you've accidentally broken your phone one way or another and urgently need it fixed. Nowadays it seems nearly impossible to live without a cell phone, so when something happens to it, frustration arises and it seems life completely comes to a halt. Thankfully there are many online options for iPhone repairs to get us back on track after a phone calamity.
When browsing different services, it is not a matter of if they are able to fix your phone, but more a matter of how well they fix it, what they charge, how prompt customer service is, and other important factors. iPhones are some of the most expensive phones on the market, so rather than pitching it and buying a new one, you'll need to carefully weigh your options and find the best service to get your phone up and running again.
Before choosing an iPhone repair service, we suggest you keep the following criteria in mind:
To help you identify the best iPhone repair service, TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked a variety of options. We hope this information helps you find the best place for you to get your iPhone repaired quickly and professionally!
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