Frequently asked Questions
There are two ways for us to service your device:
Mail it to our store.
Fill out the form on our mail in page, and follow the instructions on our mail in page to send your device in for repair. We will repair your device and send it back to you. If you simply want an estimate, you may send it in requesting an estimate and type in the description that you want an estimate, not service. We will not perform a service before you approve it unless you explicitly request otherwise.
Bring it to our store.
For our Austin location, come by between 11 AM to 7 PM on weekdays for a free consultation. We will diagnose the issue with your machine and give you all of your options.If you don’t know what service you need, feel free to email us, call us, and talk to someone about your problem. Calling is quickest although live-chat and email options are available.
What are your hours, when can I come to your store?
We are open from 11am – 7pm Monday to Friday. We do not have appointments, so you can just walk in anytime we are open so we can take a look at your device!
What does it cost for you to look at my Mac?
NOTHING! We feel diagnostic fees are predatory in the laptop repair industry, and do not charge them(except for PCs, which to be honest with you, are better serviced by D&Q on Avenue B between 12th and 13th Street).
How long does getting an estimate on what cost of repair take?
This depends on your issue. We can usually give you an estimate while you wait, unless you have liquid damage, in which case you would have to leave it for an estimate.
Should I wait for my Macbook to dry out before bringing it to you? Maybe it will work again!
I go over the reality of that in this video. You will see what happens when liquid “dries out” inside a laptop motherboard, what it looks like, and how we deal with it. I will leave you to come to your own conclusion!
Are you only Mac?
Yes and no. For data recovery we can help with any platform.
While we can work on PC laptops, we are limited in the services we offer. It’s nothing elitist; we wrote this entire site on a Thinkpad T520! It is feasible to stock most Apple laptop parts that we need, but not feasible to stock every single PC part there is, there are too many models. Considering the time constraints of our customers and the lack of ability to stock every PC laptop part there is, we’re just not best suited to servicing most PC laptops. If we feel we’re not the best fit for your issue, we will refer you to someone who is.
Are you Apple certified?
Absolutely not. Being Apple certified would tie my hands to the point where even replacing a fuse would get me in trouble. I go over that in a tongue in cheek fashion in this video in response to the idea that unauthorized repair technicians are “idiots.” Being Apple authorized would tie my hands to the point where I have to charge you $750-$1250 to replace your motherboard because of that one component!
Doesn’t a lack of certification mean you have no idea what you’re doing, or that my repair has a chance of premature failure?
No. To be an Apple certified warranty repair center, to the point that repairs are 100% officially covered under an Apple warranty, the service center must buy their parts from Apple. This gives Apple bargaining power in setting prices of parts, which results in unnecessarily expensive repairs. In order to make a profit, a repair shop must set a very high price for any given service. I am sure some of you who have been to Tekserve have heard “your machine is in warranty, so it will be $600.”
At the time of this email, that LCD cost $68 from a Taiwanese vendor of Grade A LG panels. Apple does not manufacture any of these parts they resell to the repair shops. Apple sells the part to a service center for 3-6 times its actual cost, which is the reason Apple Authorized service centers are so expensive. Apple knows that customers prefer shops that are Apple authorized service centers. It has little to do with getting you better service or a better repair.
But doesn’t Apple rigorously test those parts to ensure quality?
No. Are you curious as to what “Apple Authorized” means? One might assume this makes it a better part, but they’re the same parts we purchase. As one can see from forums such as macrumors, Apple has no real high tech process to weed out displays with issues such as dead pixels, as a lot of people receive displays with them. Look up the issues with the LG display on 15″ Retinas.
The Rossmann difference is that we test parts the old fashioned way, by plugging them in before using them. The personal touch can’t be beat.
How will your repair affect my warranty?
Anyone who isn’t a fully Apple authorized warranty repair facility is technically voiding your warranty.
However, in reality, if Apple can’t tell the machine’s been opened or repaired, there’s no problem. Our meticulous workmanship ensure they’ll never know we were there. Will the next housecall repair person use a magnetized tray to ensure each screw is saved?
If you have liquid damaged your laptop and are having us repair your logic board, you will likely be laughed at by the Genius Bar if you ever return for a warranty issue. The methods we use to repair corroded circuit boards are highly reliable and effective, but leave a mark, similar to installation of a pacemaker. It will be obvious we were there.
Drying out liquid damaged macbooks is a bad idea
Top Reasons To Have Your Repairs Done By Us
