Community comments

Everytime I receive a broken phone I should run to jozi from Orlando east to buy LCD nor parts, which I apply the rule no deposit no repair due to financial constraints

The cost of parts is very high and which causes us technicians to buy them at that retail price and make small profit, we can't buy directly from manufacturer.

I run a small mobile phone repair business and often struggle to access quality parts at reasonable prices. In many cases, I have to rely on third-party suppliers, which can affect both cost and consistency. For certain brands, especially Apple devices, parts are either too expensive or difficult to obtain, which limits the services I can offer. These challenges affect my customers directly. Many of them are students who cannot afford high repair costs or new devices. When repairs become too expensive or delayed, they are left without essential tools for communication, learning, and work. Greater access to affordable parts, tools, and repair support would help small businesses grow, improve service quality, and make repairs more accessible for everyday people.

Good day I have a huge challenge with my spares for the repairs because I have to use untrusted online stores or go to Johannesburg from klerksdorp which is costly,and some of my restrictions are the high rate of crime in my location as a female it is so challenging because you end up being forced to help those gangsters by force and pay some certain fees to them called protection fee to operate your own hard earned business but we are thankful for the skills cause that can never be taken away.

My reason for closing down my repair business was not because I couldn't repair electronics. I have the skills to do repairs, although I’m still learning and improving. The bigger problem I experienced was access to reliable replacement parts. For example, you can spend money buying a replacement phone screen from a third-party supplier, only to install it and discover that the screen doesn't work properly. Sometimes getting your money back can also be difficult. At the end of the day, the technician carries the cost and the customer still expects their device to be repaired. This is a real challenge for electronics repair businesses in South Africa. We often have to rely on parts recovered from old phones, laptops and other devices because getting new, reliable replacement components can be difficult or expensive. This makes it extremely difficult to price repairs consistently and build a sustainable repair business. Television repairs are another example. Finding replacement panels for modern flat-screen TVs can be extremely difficult. Even when you manage to source the correct panel, you can still encounter software, firmware, configuration or compatibility issues. The software side isn't necessarily impossible. A lot of the technical knowledge required could potentially be shared openly and developed within the South African technician community. For me, this is where organisations such as SAMDDRA could play an important role: not only representing repair businesses, but helping create a stronger repair ecosystem through reliable parts networks, technical knowledge sharing, training, supplier relationships and access to repair information. I believe South Africa has technicians with the skills to repair many of these devices. The bigger question is whether we have built the infrastructure that allows those technicians to do the work reliably, affordably and sustainably. That's the part of the repair industry I would like to see improve.

From Ben Mokgothu Since I received my certificate I've unable to get started as I don't have the capital to buy the necessary tools or equipment so I am forced to take my repairs else where at a charge meaning I make nothing so please advise

I run a Cellular repair in Kamaqhekeza Naas, Mpumalanga. • I spend a lot on transport to Mbombela/Nelspruit just to buy 1 or 2 LCDs, charging boards, back covers, sim trays. Sometimes taxi fare is more than the profit on the screen. • Suppliers sell us low or medium quality parts. No guarantee. Customer comes back after 2 weeks with same problem, but supplier refuses to exchange the part. I end up losing money and arguing with customer. • For software, I paid R4000+ for unlock tools and schematics. If OEMs make it more expensive or block us, we cannot survive. Small businesses cannot grow. • When we replace battery or screen, phone shows "Unknown Part" message. Customers think we put fake parts, even when we tried to put original. I support Right to Repair because: 1. We need access to original spare parts at fair price with warranty 2. We need affordable software and diagnostic tools 3. OEMs must not block us with software locks 4. Suppliers must allow exchanges for faulty parts Please help small repairers in rural areas like Kamaqhekeza. We create jobs and help poor people fix phones instead of buying new. Xolani Sizo Msimango Cellular Clinix Dr - 0791432282

Please open another application opportunity for cellphone repair technician please around Durban kzn Kindly regards Ayanda Mngadi

I run a small business. The equipment I have is working, and my business is profitable. I have not had repair cost or parts access problems so far. The main cost I have paid is $387 for software. I also need more equipment so l can expand and serve more customers. If equipment or required software is too expensive or restricted, it becomes harder for smal businesses to grow. I support measures that improve access to equipment, software, spare parts, and fair repair options

*I spend a lot on transport for a 1 or 2 LCDs ,sometimes charging board,buttons ,body ,back cover and sim trays. *Suppliers sell us low or medium quality parts that doesn't have guarantee. *Sometimes suppliers they refuse to make a exchange ,for what I bought from them, end up coursing unnecessary arguments,even they know that their parts is not good.

Firstly, access to genuine parts from the original manufacturers are impossible to source. Moreover, it is very diificult to get good quality screens. The competition is also none-existant as there is one supplier in my area; not a lot of bargaining can happen. This actually limits our work and sales are not were they should be given the market we serve/target.

I would like to thank you for the opportunity and support we gave us during training is would be great full if you can provide us with workshop and more cellphones repair practicals. Thank you

We bought it. We own it. Let us fix it. 💯 Full support for true ownership and ending repair monopolies

The right to repair will help us get quality parts/software at an affordable price which creates an eco cycle economy and convenience to us as technicians

Access to parts and affordability is a bit difficult as I have to spend a lot on transport and sometimes getting faulty parts which end up costing us more with transport

It is important because some of us dont have a clue to cheap parts

Customer should have the right to repair their cellphones where ever they want and it also makes competition easier for retailers and technicians

In order for us to succeed and make money in this industry, we need to be able to access cellphone parts at good and affordable prices, as well as reliable software and tools at little or no cost. That is how we can keep our prices competitive, increase our profits, and ultimately stay ahead of our competitors. We need to find ways to reduce our costs while maintaining quality service.

My name is Christinah, I run a small cellphone repair business in Pretoria.The high cost of original parts and lack of access to quality parts has affected me badly. Many times, suppliers sell us low-quality copy parts at almost the same price as originals, and original parts from brands like Samsung, Huawei and iPhone are either not available to us or are restricted to authorized dealers only. Because of these restrictions, we cannot get repair manuals, diagnostic tools, or software to unlock certain faults. Even when we know how to fix a phone, we are blocked by the manufacturer. I lose customers because I have to charge high prices or tell them I cannot repair their phone.My income is unstable because I cannot guarantee parts will be available. Customers are forced to buy new phones instead of repairing, which is expensive for them and creates more e-waste. If we had fair access to affordable original parts, tools and repair information, I could repair more phones, charge less, grow my business and employ more people. Thank you

Good day,it is going to be much easier for us as small business to have access to all parts for cellphone repair.using original screens, batteries e.t.c will have a good impact in our daily business.we will also supply our customers with quality parts.

REPAIR COST TOO MUCH I GET PARTS AT A HIGH COST FROM THE PAKISTAN STORES OR WAREHOUSES SOME OF THE PARTS I DONT GET BECAUSE THEY KEEP THEM FOR THEM.

I now have a wholistic understanding of why we are currently battling with certain supply of products/components and softwares, How this negatively impacts the work we are trying to achieve in order to service our clients{ from buying primary product,lifecycle of product to repairing and maintenance-extending product life etc) and why there is scarcity and in most cases high costs associated with acquiring certain components/spares/tools and softwares.Whether, this is achieved through certain discriminatory practices from OEMs,legalities,biased or other ways limiting ISPs or SMMEs from disadvantaged background, whether through accreditation or certification requirements. My understanding and take out of how markets operate/work, is much solidified, and my role(ISP) and what SAMDDRA is doing as a key-player within the industry, is some-what Extraordinary, and very crucial to bringing about a change within the industry, community and consumer behavior towards certain products and lifecycles thereof. Lets Keep fighting a good fight, and educate where information is limited to a certain-few

As a small independent phone repair business, I have experienced challenges with access to affordable spare parts, repair tools and equipment. These challenges make it difficult for small businesses to provide complete repair services at affordable prices to customers. One of my biggest challenges is that I currently do not have a professional soldering/rework machine. This limits the types of hardware repairs I can perform, especially repairs that require board-level work. The cost of acquiring the necessary equipment is also a challenge for a small business. For now, I am still providing cellphone software-related repairs and services, but I would like to expand into more complete hardware repairs. Better access to affordable parts, repair equipment, technical information and tools would make a significant difference to small independent repair businesses like mine. I believe independent repairers and customers should have fair access to the parts, tools and information needed to repair devices rather than being unnecessarily restricted. This would help reduce repair costs, extend the lifespan of devices and create more opportunities for small businesses.

Most of my customers bring the Samsung S-Series phones and getting the screens for those phones is kinda impossible...just to think of it fixing the S23 you charge a customer R4.3k that's where a lot of money is....I have 2 phones now I'm struggling to get screens. I also have a Huawei nova 10 that screen is expensive meaning if I can get the screen and fix the phone I'll have 4x the usual repair pricing. Please let the sourcing of part be made easier to access so we can run our businesses smoothly.... We buy We fix Don't stand on our way....we need to assist our communities . We want to create more jobs

As a cellphone repair technician it very hard to make in this business, because I spent more money on supplies for parts that is needed for the business, as a member of SAMMDRA I am pleading for support and reliable suppliers to partner with us to make our business successful.

As a cellphone repair technician it very hard to make in this business, because I spent more money on supplies for parts that is needed for the business, as a member of SAMMDRA I am pleading for support and reliable suppliers to partner with us to make our business successful.

I would like to receive parts and components of Iphones as well.and also take part in practical session so that I can enhance my skills in cellphone repair even though I have graduated i am not confident enough to fix cellphones

I think having access to cheaper parts for cellphone will help a lot especially if we can buy near to where we live because transport is also expensive for traveling just to get one part and come back for instance Bronkhorstspruit to Johannesburg it's Whole lot and even more than what you must earn. And about the marketing strategy, it would be much best for us who don't have containers for now to atleast sponsored us with gazebos and posters. Thank you

It's not easy to access proper repair spare parts, we buy from 3rd party stores and they're expensive, our township market is not ready to pay a lot for cellphone, instead they would leave the broken device to go get a Foneyam phone where they'll pay little for a new smart phone, that makes us loose clientele. It is important for technician to attend refresher training as technology changes all the time and we need to keep up with the times and changes.

Original screens and batteries are very expensive from official suppliers. Sometimes the price is almost the same as a new phone. So customers think we are overcharging, but it's the supplier cost. We are forced to use compatible parts to keep prices affordable.

Good day. This is a good move by the Competition Commission. We will be able to repair cell phones in our communities when we have access to parts at a cheaper price and also sold in our own communities. Going to town for one part and to repair one phone is very expensive for us here from the township. Changes are welcome. Thank you.

Right to Repair can help extend the lifespan of products by making repairs easier and more economical, reducing unnecessary replacement and electronic waste.

Manufacturers should make spare parts, diagnostic tools, repair information, and software reasonably accessible to independent repairers. This can increase competition and reduce repair costs.

Consumers should have the right to choose where and by whom their products are repaired, rather than being forced to use only manufacturer-approved repair centres.