Apple's Parts Store for Do-It-Yourself Repairs Will Be Operated By a Third Party

[ApfelKuchen]

I'm certain Apple sees iFixit as an unfriendly entity. Driving iFixit out of business is probably not the point of this move but would be a happy side-effect as far as Apple is concerned.

Regardless of how Apple feels about iFixit, I don't see a partnership in the cards. Of course, Apple has done huge amounts of business with Samsung, so I don't see why Apple would automatically rule-out working with iFixit. It has more to do with whether it would be to iFixit's advantage to partner with Apple.

Overall, I think it's better for iFixit to not partner with Apple.

Apple's normal practices with vendor/partners argue against iFixit choosing to become Apple's official dealer.

Apple would undoubtedly require their dealer to go "by the book" - no alternate repair manuals/procedures. No parts or manuals for products or repairs that Apple has chosen to not support. Would iFixit abandon support of older Macs and iPhones? Not very likely, considering it has to be a very substantial part of their business.

Further, iFixit's existing manuals and procedures revolve around the tools that iFixIt sells. It's doubtful that Apple would allow iFixit to sell iFixit-branded tools for Apple repairs, and iFixit probably makes more on those tools than they could on marking-up Apple's tools. Plus, the iFixit branding on the tools has promotional/marketing value.

I also can't see Apple allowing iFixit to sell alternately-sourced parts, even if clearly labeled as such to distinguish from official Apple parts.

Altogether, regardless of how much new business a dealership arrangement with Apple might bring, the negative impact on iFixit's current business could be substantial.

An independent iFixit can compete effectively by selling parts at a (slightly) lower price, offering manuals/procedures for far more Apple products, and publishing competing procedures that may require fewer/less expensive tools. Since people always shop around for parts you can be sure that as the word spreads that iPhones actually can be repaired ("Apple says so!"), more people will find iFixit than ever before.

 

[JM]

“will be operated by an unspecified third party.”

IFixit!

 

[JM]

Regardless of how Apple feels about iFixit, I don't see a partnership in the cards. Of course, Apple has done huge amounts of business with Samsung, so I don't see why Apple would automatically rule-out working with iFixit. It has more to do with whether it would be to iFixit's advantage to partner with Apple.

Overall, I think it's better for iFixit to not partner with Apple.

Apple's normal practices with vendor/partners argue against iFixit choosing to become Apple's official dealer.

Apple would undoubtedly require their dealer to go "by the book" - no alternate repair manuals/procedures. No parts or manuals for products or repairs that Apple has chosen to not support. Would iFixit abandon support of older Macs and iPhones? Not very likely, considering it has to be a very substantial part of their business.

Further, iFixit's existing manuals and procedures revolve around the tools that iFixIt sells. It's doubtful that Apple would allow iFixit to sell iFixit-branded tools for Apple repairs, and iFixit probably makes more on those tools than they could on marking-up Apple's tools. Plus, the iFixit branding on the tools has promotional/marketing value.

I also can't see Apple allowing iFixit to sell alternately-sourced parts, even if clearly labeled as such to distinguish from official Apple parts.

Altogether, regardless of how much new business a dealership arrangement with Apple might bring, the negative impact on iFixit's current business could be substantial.

An independent iFixit can compete effectively by selling parts at a (slightly) lower price, offering manuals/procedures for far more Apple products, and publishing competing procedures that may require fewer/less expensive tools. Since people always shop around for parts you can be sure that as the word spreads that iPhones actually can be repaired ("Apple says so!"), more people will find iFixit than ever before.

I like your argument. I have a counter.

Ifixit’s mind could be changed with enough money.

Two great companies benefitting from each sound completely plausible.

Also, Apple would bury iFixit if they compete like-for-like. Who is the general unknowing public going to trust more: Apple Repair Program for the People, or iFixit? (The answer is the first choice)

 

[Freeangel1]

Probably won't even be worth it then.

I only think this came about as many countries were after APPLE over RIGHT TO REPAIR.

announcing do it yourself repair is kinda a big PR move.

 

[Le0M]

I don't care who's gonna be selling tools and parts, as long as these last are original, and prices are good (as in, LOWER than what iFixit charges.

 

[scottishwildcat]

Apple should partner with ifixit. They always have the infrastructure in place to sell parts and tools and are a trusted member of the DIY repair world.

Apple has been selling parts and tools to Authorized Service Providers for decades. I doubt they need much help.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

I like your argument. I have a counter.

Ifixit’s mind could be changed with enough money.

Two great companies benefitting from each sound completely plausible.

Also, Apple would bury iFixit if they compete like-for-like. Who is the general unknowing public going to trust more: Apple Repair Program for the People, or iFixit? (The answer is the first choice)

Of course things could go either way.

However, most Apple vendors will tell you that Apple is not very generous with the money - they drive very hard bargains. The wholesale discount will likely be quite low. Apple would have to dangle a very handsome sales projection. "You won't make much on every sale, but you'll make it up in volume" is not always a persuasive sales pitch.

Certainly, there will be a significant portion of the public that will prefer "official source," but if you spend any time around forums like this, you also know there's a lot of suspicion of Apple. Between that and the tendency of every handy person to alternate-source parts (after all, DIYers tend to be very cost-conscious), I think there's plenty of business left over for iFixit.

Another factor I hadn't mentioned is that iFixit gets huge publicity and business from its tear-downs. I'm willing to wager Apple would want none of that going forward.

 

[scottishwildcat]

iFixit already sells the tools and stuff. Why waste the time, Apple?

Apple already sells the tools and stuff too. Where do you think Authorized Service Providers get them?

 

[Yammabot]

This is a publicity stunt, just make all products reasonably fixable and parts available at a low cost. No BS just do it. Not this model or that model, all models all information and all tools.

 

[InGen]

Please stop using this style of image to represent Apple’s Self Service Repair. There are a plethora of other images that could be used to represent the repair of an Apple Product.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Please stop using this style of image to represent Apple’s Self Service Repair. There are a plethora of other images that could be used to represent the repair of an Apple Product.

For what it's worth, that's Apple's illustration, attached to its press release. You may want to send your comment in Apple's direction.

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Forget the manual. We want repair videos, please. Step by step.

A bazillion people will be posting such vids on YT, all is good.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Please stop using this style of image to represent Apple’s Self Service Repair. There are a plethora of other images that could be used to represent the repair of an Apple Product.

But... that's the image Apple uses...

Check it... apple.com:

Apple announces Self Service Repair

Apple parts, tools, and manuals — starting with iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 — available to individual consumers.

www.apple.com

 

[realeric]

Parts price: LCD screen $250, screw driver set $200, water proofing seal $150, battery $150, paper tissue $20.

 

[BKNJ]

They design their products not to be repaired or even easily disassembled, although it is cool that they may now be selling parts, it would be cooler if they made stuff you could fix when necessary.

 

[BuddyTronic]

Forget the manual. We want repair videos, please. Step by step.

It will be funny to see the wonderful repair jobs that people do . They will let the magic smoke out of the chips and oopsie - just parts now.

A certain small group of enthusiasts will benefit - but I don’t think repair is worth learning unless you are headed to becoming a repairman.

You are what you eat. Learn to repair iPhone - end up becoming an iPhone repair professional.

 

[svish]

Waiting to hear more about the new self repair options and the pricing for various parts.

 

[beeftick]

Just waiting for parts costs and equipment requirements. I don't think the average techie has a display calibration unit at home, assuming they're still needed.

Apple got rid of those machines about 2 years ago. Calibration is now done by plugging in the iphone to their Apple Software Gateway laptop and downloading the firmware. Done.

 

[laptech]

Regarding battery changes, it will be interesting to see how long it takes for someone to ignore all the repair advice and use a metal object to remove the battery with said metal object piercing the battery causing a short resulting in the battery going on fire and that person then lying through their back teeth saying they used all the right tools and did everything according to the repair instructions and then go on social media blaming Apple for damaging their iphone.

This is not as daft as it sounds because there is tons of evidence on social media of people showing pictures and videos of iphone batteries going up in flames because someone tried to use a metal tool to remove the battery, pierced it causing a short which set it on fire.

NOTE: It can happen if you use a plastic tool but it's not as common as using a metal tool.

 

[laptech]

Apple got rid of those machines about 2 years ago. Calibration is now done by plugging in the iphone to their Apple Software Gateway laptop and downloading the firmware. Done.

Remember also, once the iphone is opened it loses it's waterproof/water resistance IP rating. I doubt home users are going to have the tools to properly seal the iphone again so it passes it's IP rating.

 

[varsity]

Apple should partner with ifixit. They always have the infrastructure in place to sell parts and tools and are a trusted member of the DIY repair world.

While I love ifixit and what they have done with their guides, their parts sales division absolutely does NOT have the infrastructure in place to handle the volume of orders that will be placed. They wouldn't even be able to handle 5% of the total sales. We would need companies like Mouser, Digikey, D&H, MobileSentrix, etc.. I would be surprised if just 1 company sold all the parts. There will likely be a few for logistical reasons.

 

[laptech]

While I love ifixit and what they have done with their guides, their parts sales division absolutely does NOT have the infrastructure in place to handle the volume of orders that will be placed. They wouldn't even be able to handle 5% of the total sales. We would need companies like Mouser, Digikey, D&H, MobileSentrix, etc.. I would be surprised if just 1 company sold all the parts. There will likely be a few for logistical reasons.

I would have thought it be the company who already does stock control and distribution of Apple parts for their authourised repair centres. I doubt such a thing was done directly by Apple themselves but a company they contracted the work to. Is just that there was no need to know this until now, hence why Apple refers to using a 'third party'.

 

[beeftick]

Remember also, once the iphone is opened it loses it's waterproof/water resistance IP rating. I doubt home users are going to have the tools to properly seal the iphone again so it passes it's IP rating.

Good point. However, as long as they sell the part with the water resistant bond strips that hold the display on (I forgot the proper name of it), it should be fine. But putting that stripping on requires some practice. They would also need a display press. No idea how customers are going to get a display press. lol.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Good point. However, as long as they sell the part with the water resistant bond strips that hold the display on (I forgot the proper name of it), it should be fine. But putting that stripping on requires some practice. They would also need a display press. No idea how customers are going to get a display press. lol.

Yeah, I don't think Apple is going to sell display presses for consumer repair. I also have my doubts about Apple publishing a repair procedure that asks them to build a makeshift press from household items, but you never know.

The goals of the press are to exert smooth/even pressure. Not only does this help to ensure that all parts of the seal have adhered, but it avoids applying high point pressure to limited areas (like pressing hard with a fingertip or small-diameter tool), which could cause new damage.

I could imagine putting the phone under a heavy, hardcover book for about a half-hour as one way of applying smooth, steady pressure. I don't know how well that would actually work, but it seems plausible.

 

[laptech]

Good point. However, as long as they sell the part with the water resistant bond strips that hold the display on (I forgot the proper name of it), it should be fine. But putting that stripping on requires some practice. They would also need a display press. No idea how customers are going to get a display press. lol.

This is the thing that everyone who get's their iphone repaired by a 3rd party forget or are just not bothered with. When a 3rd party repairs your phone they are not obligated to adhere to iphones specifications whereas Apple, the manufacturer of the iphone who repairs their iphones via Apple care is. So, when you look at an iphones specification and it states that the lcd is of a certain lumens, Apple have to make sure the LCD's they use conform to the iphones original specification, same with the water resistant/waterproof rating or if the battery is stated to charge at a certain rate and discharge at a certain rate and will hold it's charge under x conditions and if none of them do and they fail, the customer is protected under consumer law to get their iphone fixed. This is not the same with 3rd party repair because they do not have the repair tools and other equipment to do what Apple does and thus the consumer takes all the risks.