Repair Tech
[phone repair] Back glass laser machine — ROI for small shops?
As a small shop owner, I've been considering investing in a back glass laser machine for phone repairs. I see a lot of larger shops using them, but I'm trying to figure out if the return on investment (ROI) would make sense for my business. Currently, we do a decent volume of repairs, but I’m worried that the upfront cost of the machine might outweigh the benefits. I’m curious about how other small shop owners have fared with this investment. What kind of pricing can I expect for the machine, and how much additional revenue can I realistically bring in by offering back glass replacement services? Also, any tips on workflow integration or reliable vendors for purchasing would be greatly appreciated.
2 Answers
I've had a back glass laser machine for about six months now, and I can definitely say it's been a worthwhile investment for my small shop. I purchased mine from a vendor that specializes in repair shop equipment, and I spent around $3,500. Since adding back glass repairs, I've seen a significant increase in customer requests—about 10-15 additional jobs a month. In terms of workflow, it was a bit of a transition at first, but I integrated it into our existing repair process seamlessly. I recommend using shop management software like RepairShopr to help keep track of your jobs and inventory for glass replacements. Just ensure you have a good supply chain for the parts because the last thing you want is to have to turn down jobs due to lack of materials. Overall, I believe the ROI has been positive as I cover the machine's cost within the first few months.
Investing in a back glass laser machine can definitely be a double-edged sword for small shops. I looked into it but ultimately decided against it due to the costs involved, which can easily exceed $4,000 for a decent model. Even with increased demand for back glass repairs, I wasn't confident that I'd see enough volume to cover the initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs. If you're considering it, I suggest doing a trial run with a local shop that has one or possibly partnering up for a few jobs just to gauge the demand in your area. It might also be worth exploring alternative repair methods that don’t require such a hefty upfront cost, especially if your customer base is still growing.