PRE-ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS

Coming to an event? Please read this first!

NEW! We have a new repairer that specializes in phones, tablets, and computers. If you would like to request an appointment slot with them to fix your item, please email tucsonrepaircafe@gmail.com. Appointment slots are first-come, first-serve, and we will confirm that you have a slot via email. Please show us this email when you arrive at the event!

Thank you for your interest in coming

to a Tucson Repair Cafe event!

To give your item the best chance of a successful fix, please follow the steps below:

Step 1: Google your problem and/or find your item’s manual

Check Google first to see what the possible issue(s) might be.
Try to find the product manual for your item, which helps us understand the item and its components and to diagnose possible issues more efficiently. Have the manual pulled up on your phone for the event.

Step 2: Try and buy any needed parts

If you need a new screen (see note below regarding computer electronics) or a new specific part installed, try and buy them beforehand so we can help you install it.
Don’t know what to buy? Don’t worry, we can help you identify parts and components at an event so you can get the item and come back the next time to install it!

Step 3: Try these tried-and-true repair methods

While you wait for a second Saturday repair event, we recommend:

TURNING YOUR ITEMS OFF AND ON AGAIN:
- We’ve had many items arrive for repair, and they’re not broken! Sometimes this is all it needs.
CLEANING YOUR ITEM:
- From dusty DVD players to vacuum cleaners with hair caught around a spinning part, we’ve seen a lot of items that just need a little bit of cleaning! For electronics, try canned air or 70% isopropyl alcohol to clean.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING COMPUTER ELECTRONICS,

JEWELRY, & WATCH REPAIRS

COMPUTER ELECTRONICS:

COMPUTERS, LAPTOPS, TABLETS, PHONES, and PRINTERS are often difficult for us to repair because they are usually locked behind company hardware and require proprietary tools to fix. Additionally, we do not have any parts on hand to fix things like broken screens or buttons. While appointments via email for computer electronic repair are available (see Note above), we may or may not be able to diagnose your issue due to a variety of factors.

If you would like us to look at your item anyway, we recommend finding and buying a repair kit from Amazon. Make sure it has a tutorial video!

JEWELRY AND WATCHES:

These items are difficult for us to repair since we do not have jewelry solder or small watch part tools.

If we are unable to diagnose or fix your item, we generally recommend contacting a paid repair service. Please see the Local Resources tab to find a map of local professionals specializing in computer, jewelry, and watch repair.

Questions or concerns about our repair policy? Read up on the Right to Repair Act and learn about what you can do to make it easier for items to be repaired!

Remember, we will always look at your item,

although we can’t guarantee a fix. We’re happy to help you!

See you at an event soon! See here for upcoming events

Need help finding a repairer? Check out this map!

Please see the interactive map below to sort and find the repair you need.

NOTE: We do not endorse any of these shops, this is just a list of what's in Tucson!

Own a repair shop or service? If you would like to partner with us please contact tucsonrepaircafe@gmail.com!