Looking for feedback on an electronics idea

[ProjectPoint]

So I have been looking at the more vibrant electronic forums I could find, and I see this one is pretty active so I am going to post this here. I hope I am not in violation of any TOS or anything, as I am not a spam bot, but an aspiring entrepreneur. Electronics are hot these days and I am simply looking for a few posters to give me some feedback on an idea I have been working on regarding electronics repair.

I want to know if any of the posters on here would ever consider repairing electronics as a hobby or for a living?

If you have previously considered any kind of internet business to work on and repair electronics?

And if you yourself would ever consider submitting items online for repair?

Thanks in advance, and I apologize to the mods if I broke any rules. Just trying to do some research here. Look forward to your answers.

 

[KrisBlueNZ]

As long as you don't try to promote a commercial venture here, you should be OK.

I repair stuff as a hobby. I did an apprenticeship at a repair company when I was younger and that put me off doing it for a job. And nowadays I don't think it's viable except as a hobby, unless you're working with high-quality high-cost equipment that is designed to be repaired. Most electronic products are commodities that are designed to be thrown in the landfill and replaced with something else cheap and nasty.

I do think there's a bit of a trend towards people making an effort to repair things themselves, if just for the personal satisfaction. That's a big reason why I enjoy helping at Electronics Point.

 

[Gryd3]

So I have been looking at the more vibrant electronic forums I could find, and I see this one is pretty active so I am going to post this here. I hope I am not in violation of any TOS or anything, as I am not a spam bot, but an aspiring entrepreneur. Electronics are hot these days and I am simply looking for a few posters to give me some feedback on an idea I have been working on regarding electronics repair.

I want to know if any of the posters on here would ever consider repairing electronics as a hobby or for a living?

If you have previously considered any kind of internet business to work on and repair electronics?

And if you yourself would ever consider submitting items online for repair?

Thanks in advance, and I apologize to the mods if I broke any rules. Just trying to do some research here. Look forward to your answers.

I see where you might be going with this. An online repair depot.
Well. As an individual, I would be a little intrigued in something like this, simply because it breaks down the geographical limitations of having a physical store front. I would be interested in actually repairing items supplied in this fashion. (Mind you, I have no professional experience with this, so it would be a good learning experience)
I would certainly recommend submitting electronics online IF the repair service was reputable, but the problem in my opinion would be shipping. Many of the electronics worth fixing in my opinion are usually automotive components, appliances, or larger AV equipment. I would be nervous spending $$$ to ship something two ways to hear that it's unserviceable or too expensive to repair.

 

[ProjectPoint]

Thanks for the responses! I agree, ensuring that the item(s) can be repaired is essentiall as well as that the repairer would be reputable like you said. These are issues that I think could be addressed, but I am open to suggestions. I feel like with enough hobbyist,s it would be a viable way for people to get items repaired at a reasonable rate. But there would have to be enough participants for it to ever get off the ground. Is it okay if I PM you Gryd? Maybe you could help me get a better handle on where this thing needs to go.

Looking forward to more responses as well.

 

[Gryd3]

Thanks for the responses! I agree, ensuring that the item(s) can be repaired is essentiall as well as that the repairer would be reputable like you said. These are issues that I think could be addressed, but I am open to suggestions. I feel like with enough hobbyist,s it would be a viable way for people to get items repaired at a reasonable rate. But there would have to be enough participants for it to ever get off the ground. Is it okay if I PM you Gryd? Maybe you could help me get a better handle on where this thing needs to go.

Looking forward to more responses as well.

Ideally, I'd like it to stay in this thread.
If it contains content that you don't want shared, then by all means PM it over, but you will get a wider audience and possibly better answers if more members see it. (Of course, we try to avoid promotional material as well, so try to keep that out as well )

Edit: Also, thank you for checking with me about a PM.

 

[ProjectPoint]

Cool, thanks I will keep all of that in mind

 

[davenn]

I would certainly recommend submitting electronics online IF the repair service was reputable, but the problem in my opinion would be shipping. Many of the electronics worth fixing in my opinion are usually automotive components, appliances, or larger AV equipment. I would be nervous spending $$$ to ship something two ways to hear that it's unserviceable or too expensive to repair.

^^^ And therein lies ALL the problems ^^^
anything that is easily shipped wouldn't be worth its replacement cost to ship and repair
Gosh for 75% of electronics these days its not even worth taking them to a repair shop yourself ... The quote cost ( time taken to assess the equip and determine the fault) alone can make it uneconomic.
Its really only for specialist and very expensive equip, like with what I deal with, where it becomes worthwhile repairing it

Domestic electronics .... computers, CD, DVD players, ipads, mobile phones etc almost a waste of time
And the avg Joe Bogs out there wont be able to access the parts anyway without some service repair accreditation from the suppliers

Dave

 

[KrisBlueNZ]

It might be better to start a contract repair service as a subcategory of some general "services offered" web site - something like freelancer.com but maybe more regional. Rather than trying to get a new web site off the ground, that is.

Edit: And I agree with the other concerns raised - what happens if it's uneconomical to repair; what happens if the repairer is out of his depth; what happens if he accidentally damages something, etc.

 

[ADRT]

I do it as a hobby. Don't think there's much money in it nowadays since simply buying the electronics new is not much more then what you would have to charge to make a viable living. I have people ask me to repair stuff all the time. Mostly friends and coworkers who have seen or heard about my work. Usually don't charge them too much. Depends on the project. I've repaired tv powersupplys, pellet stove controlls, battery chargers etc. thought about doing it professionally, but just don't see the demand or feel that it would be a good way to make a living. But, for a few extra bucks on the side... Plus I like doing it anyway.

 

[KrisBlueNZ]

I'm the same, ADRT. Another advantage of doing repairs: it forces you to stay up-to-date with technology - manufacturing, display technology, interface standards, modern components, etc.

 

[ProjectPoint]

Thanks for the responses everybody. You raise some interesting points. Oddly enough the electronic repair industry is booming right now, but some of you feel its not economically viable to ship and get things repaired,

 

[davenn]

Oddly enough the electronic repair industry is booming right now

DOMESTIC OR COMMERCIAL ?

in Australia and New Zealand at least, the domestic servicing trade is close to dead

but some of you feel its not economically viable to ship and get things repaired,

well consider a $50 DVD player it may well cost $25 to ship to and from the repair place = $50 and that's before repair/quote charges
cheaper/easier to just buy a new one that has 6 - 12 months warranty

you do the maths on other common domestic items, you will find the same sort of situation

Dave

 

[KrisBlueNZ]

Oddly enough the electronic repair industry is booming right now

Like Dave, I seriously doubt that's the case. The only exception would be niche repair services for high-quality high-value commercial products that are designed to be serviced.

 

[KJ6EAD]

Horrible, This Idea:

 

[ProjectPoint]

I love that movie. Thanks guys.