Anybody switching to iDevice support?

[bytebuster]

I have two junk iPhones on my bench right now, and I've already took apart and reassembled the 3GS. The 4 comes after I feel a little better (got sick). I figure that Apple is not going away, and the following (from CL) seems to be the competition:

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/sea...air&srchType=A

Half the ads are from the same shop. Considering that a couple other people have multiple ads, that's what, a half dozen shops? If you search for "laptop repair" you get DOZENS! And just reading through the ads, there are zillions of super cheap "computer repair" guys who are pitching incompetent $30 repairs. So, competing for PC repair: zillions. Competing for iPhones: a handful. I like those odds.

Why should I bang my head against the wall trying to convince the end user that the $30 guys are not the best guys to call when I can just fix iPhones? I have found that either 1) I get called after Mr. $30 has destroyed the end user's system or 2) the end users call around and end up going with the $30 guy anyway, then simply reinstall after that guy does his thing. I know that sometimes SEVERAL cheap guys have worked their "magic" before I show up, and by then the system is toast.

I know that some techs have a need/desire to make more money than iDevice fixes can bring in, but personally I'm just happy for ANY money. I've also noticed a lack of iDevice techs willing to tackle the iPhone 4. Maybe this is because junk 4's are expensive, I don't know, or hard to work on. Well, I have one, and I'm ready to tear it down. I'm not willing to go for the iPad market just yet, and iPod Touches are VERY hard to get apart (the 4 is apparently GLUED, why, Apple?). I'll stick to Phones for now. Anybody else fixing iDevices? (I don't want this to be pro- or anti-Apple, the fact is that it's an underserved market.)

[dgiles79]

I have been doing iPhones for a little while now, and it's been a very popular service. It's mainly been iPhone 4 and 4 S screens. I have also done iPod touch and iPad screens.

The iPhone 4 isn't too bad once you're familiar with it (although it does take longer than the 3). I can do an iPhone 4 screen replacement in about 45 minutes. The iPod touch and iPad take longer as they are both glued screens, but still not too bad once you're used to it.

[bytebuster]

Originally Posted by dgiles79

I have been doing iPhones for a little while now, and it's been a very popular service. It's mainly been iPhone 4 and 4 S screens. I have also done iPod touch and iPad screens.

The iPhone 4 isn't too bad once you're familiar with it (although it does take longer than the 3). I can do an iPhone 4 screen replacement in about 45 minutes. The iPod touch and iPad take longer as they are both glued screens, but still not too bad once you're used to it.

How is the 4S similar and different from the 4? Is it like the 3 series where there are minimal differences? How often do you encounter the Verizon CDMA version of the 4? I understand that there ARE significant differences between CDMA and GSM (AT&T, Sprint) 4's. I have a GSM on the bench. Also, how many times do end users with a 4S back out when you tell them that opening the phone nukes the warranty? A couple guys on CL are claiming that they can fix the phone without negating the warranty. (They are also claiming OEM parts. Usual CL honesty deficit. ) I don't like the idea of heat gun use right now, so no glued screens. Later I may change my mind.

[altrenda]

You shouldn't compare yourself to Craigs list guys unless YOU are a Craigs list guy. Forget about them and their prices unless you are doing this as a hobby.

How many people do you know that actually use services from Craigs list? No one except cheapskates.

Your competition is found by Googleing iPhone repair Sacramento.

The 3s is now a free phone, and 3 generations old. Not a high margin item to fix. Learn the 4s, its selling in huge quantities.

[bytebuster]

Originally Posted by altrenda

You shouldn't compare yourself to Craigs list guys unless YOU are a Craigs list guy. Forget about them and their prices unless you are doing this as a hobby.

How many people do you know that actually use services from Craigs list? No one except cheapskates.

Your competition is found by Googleing iPhone repair Sacramento.

The 3s is now a free phone, and 3 generations old. Not a high margin item to fix. Learn the 4s, its selling in huge quantities.

Gotcha. I resold the 4 I got-it was heavily damaged. I'm gonna put that money towards a 4 in better condition, albeit not working. I will see about buying a non-working 4s off Ebay. And yes, I will do some googling.

[dgiles79]

Originally Posted by bytebuster

How is the 4S similar and different from the 4? Is it like the 3 series where there are minimal differences? How often do you encounter the Verizon CDMA version of the 4? I understand that there ARE significant differences between CDMA and GSM (AT&T, Sprint) 4's. I have a GSM on the bench. Also, how many times do end users with a 4S back out when you tell them that opening the phone nukes the warranty? A couple guys on CL are claiming that they can fix the phone without negating the warranty. (They are also claiming OEM parts. Usual CL honesty deficit. ) I don't like the idea of heat gun use right now, so no glued screens. Later I may change my mind.

The 4S is almost exactly the same as the CDMA iPhone 4. The CDMA IPhone 4 has more screws to remove than the GSM version, so it does take a little longer, but the basic principal is the same. If you can do one, you shouldn't have trouble figuring out the other.

I haven't had anyone back out, as they don't have much choice, unless they want to pay apple's out of warranty price.

[bytebuster]

Thanks guys. My competition looks like about 6-8 shops. Lots of mail-order iPhone fixers in the results. Prices for 4 Series screen replacements range from ~$100-140. I am thinking of specializing in 4 Series phones, since that seems to be where the money is.

[bwhatley87]

Where are you all finding parts? Is there a decent vendor that we can rely on?

[bytebuster]

http://www.wholesalegadgetparts.com/

http://www.texasgadgetparts.com/

Two sites that have been posted by other TN users. Wholesale Gadget Parts will probably be the one I'll use.

['putertutor]

I've done a couple of screens and batteries for friends, mostly following the iFixit guides. I'm not yet comfortable enough to advertise it yet, though.

I'd like to know what additional sources there are for repairing mobile products, if anyone knows of good places outside of iFixit and podnutz, I'd love to see a link.