Bringing in device’s requiring repair

Please note that Micro Fix does not operate from a retail storefront, but a residential address in a gated estate. An appointment for drop offs are an essential requirement. This can be done via e-mail or phone call to establish a specific time for drop off/pickup during our trading hours. An admin form must be filled in and signed too.

In regards to inspection, most devices shipped in for possible repair requires a fault analysis fee if the quotation is declined. Once the electronic device is here, basic inspection carries no cost BUT detailed fault-finding requires a deposit to be paid before troubleshooting can commence. It is so that we can evaluate its fault with on-site testing equipment and advanced electronic diagnostic tools at our external lab. In instances where electronic equipment is shipped from outside of South Africa, please ensure that the shipping cost (duties, taxes, etc.) to us and back to you does not exceed the value of the item you wish to have fixed.

For drop off clients of normal device repairs (including but not limited to laptops; gaming consoles; smartphones; etc.) and it still turns on, it needs to be booked in and its problem will be diagnosed before the client will be contacted with options. If the client opts to have the repair done, the fitment fee may be waived, and a diagnostics fee plus parts will be due.

For clients with drop off or shipped in DOA (Dead on Arrival) repairs (including but not limited to laptops, MacBooks; gaming consoles; smartphones; etc.) – an upfront check-in fee is required before the work order can be processed. The fee is R500.

For clients with drop off or shipped in control PCBs, driver boards, solar inverters, inverter trolley units or other similar electronic equipment – an upfront fault analysis fee is required before the work order can be processed. Significant engineering time and specialized equipment is needed which is the reason for this stipulation. The booking fee starts @ R850.

If the device cannot be fixed or the client declines the repair quote, the consultation fee covers the processing of the work order, it’s reassembly (if needed) and return to a client.

Courier delivery is accepted, as a representative is usually available to receive your device here. Micro Fix also accepts faulty devices at our local POSTNET. It is a prerequisite to have a filled in admin form in the package so that we can identify the device owner and communicate accordingly. If no signed admin form is in the package, it will be held here for a further 30 calendar days. If we receive no communication from the device owner, it will be donated to our electronics recycler.

Estimates and quotations

The accepted definition of the difference between an estimate and a quotation is the following: an “estimate” is a rough approximation of a cost (often based upon limited information), while a “quote” is a fixed price for a specific service or product (usually provided when all details are known and considered final). In the context of electronic repair, an estimate is a rough price guide based on the symptoms described over the phone or on e-mail prior to a device being handed in here. A quotation is a solution for its primary fault once a device has been bench tested so as to ascertain the replacement parts and labour cost needed to complete a repair. A quote can be revised should other parts and labour be required after the initial diagnosis.

Please note, in general, viable electronic repair is for devices with a new retail value of R5000 or more, as the average total repair cost here is R2000. Once diagnostics is completed and an official quote has been sent, the client must approve the quote in writing before we process it. Approval, in most cases, requires a deposit to be paid before the replacement parts are acquired from the local supply chain and the repair can be processed. For quotes requiring its parts to be ordered from overseas, the client will be liable for an expedited delivery cost. Due to the unreliable nature of the local postal service, special orders can no longer be shipped via standard airmail for approved client repairs.