Your phone holds your photos, your banking and most of your day, so handing it to a stranger with a screwdriver deserves a little thought. The good news is that a few quick checks tell you most of what you need to know. Here are seven of them, in the order we would use ourselves.
1. Is the price clear before work starts?
A good repairer tells you the full price up front and sticks to it. Be wary of a vague estimate that only turns into a real figure once your phone is already in pieces. Ask whether the quote covers both the part and the labour, and whether there is a charge just for looking at it.
The easiest test is whether prices are published. If you can see the cost for your exact model on the website before you leave the house, there is very little room for surprises at the counter.
2. Which part are you getting?
Two shops can quote very different prices for the same repair because they are fitting very different parts. With screens in particular there is usually a budget option and a premium one, and they differ in brightness, colour and how long they last.
Neither choice is wrong, but you should be told which one you are paying for. Our guides to budget and premium screens and genuine versus premium parts explain the difference in plain English.
3. What does the warranty cover?
Ask how long the warranty lasts and what it covers, then check it is written on your receipt. A warranty normally covers faults with the part and the workmanship, not a second drop, so be suspicious of anyone who promises to cover everything forever.
It is also worth asking whether the cover differs by part. A cheaper screen often carries a shorter warranty than a premium one, and that is fair as long as you know before you choose.
4. What do recent reviews say?
Star ratings are a start, but the detail matters more. Read the newest reviews, not only the best ones, and look for people describing the same repair you need. See how the business replies when something has gone wrong, because that shows you how you will be treated if your own repair needs a second look.
5. Can you go back if there is a problem?
A repair is only as good as the shop standing behind it. A real address with regular opening hours means there is a counter to return to. Ask how long the phone shop has been trading in the town, and whether the person you speak to is the one doing the work.
6. What happens if it cannot be fixed?
Not every phone can be saved, especially after liquid damage. Find out in advance whether you still pay if the repair fails, and whether the diagnosis itself is free. "No fix, no fee" is the fairest arrangement, because the risk sits with the repairer rather than with you.
7. How long will you be without your phone?
Common jobs such as screens and batteries are often done the same day when the part is in stock. Others need a part ordering or time on the bench. An honest shop gives you a realistic timeframe at the start instead of a promise it cannot keep.
If getting to a shop is the hard part, ask about a home visit. We compare the options in doorstep, post or walk-in repair.
Five questions to ask first
- What is the total price, with nothing added later?
- Which part will you fit, and is there a cheaper or better option?
- How long is the warranty, and what does it cover?
- Do I pay anything if you cannot fix it?
- When will it be ready?
Back up your phone before any repair if it still switches on. A careful repairer will not wipe it, but a backup costs nothing and protects you whatever happens.
How we measure up
We would rather you hold us to the same list. Instant Mobile Fix has been repairing devices at 150 Desborough Road, High Wycombe since 2012, and we are open 7 days a week from 8am to 10pm with no appointment needed. Prices for most phone models are on our website, the diagnostic is free, and if we cannot fix it you pay nothing.
On screens you choose between a budget option with a 6 month warranty and a premium one with a lifetime warranty. If you cannot get to us, we offer doorstep visits across the town and nearby for a £10 callout fee. We are an independent shop, so for anything we are not the right people for, we will tell you.
You can check the price for your model in under a minute, or read more about our iPhone, Samsung and Google Pixel repairs.
Need it fixed for real?
Instant Mobile Fix repairs phones, tablets, laptops and consoles in High Wycombe. Free diagnostic, upfront quote, no fix no fee.
