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PRE-ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS

Coming to an event? Please read this first!

Thanks 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 following steps:

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​Step 1: Have one of these items? We recommend the professionals: ​

  • Phones, tablets, laptops, and printers are very difficult for us to repair because they are usually locked behind company hardware and require proprietary tools to fix. 

    • Jewelry and watches are also hard for us to repair since we do not have jewelry solder or small watch part tools. 

    • Additionally, we do not have any parts on hand to fix things like broken screens or buttons

  • For all of these items, we recommend a paid repair service!

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

    • ​(Upset about this 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!) 

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Step 2: Google your problem, find your item’s manual

  • Check Google first to see what the issue might be.

  • Try to find the product manual for your item, which helps us understand it. Have it pulled up on your phone for the event.

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Step 3: Try and buy any needed parts 

  • If you need a new screen (see #1) or need 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 at an event so you can get the item and come back next time to install it! 

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Step 4: Try these tried and true repair methods 

  • While you wait for a second Saturday, we recommend: 

    • Turning your item on and off again

      • ​We’ve had multiple items arrive and they’re not broken! Sometimes this is all it needs. 

    • Cleaning your item:

      • ​Dusty DvD players, vacuums/Roombas 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. 

    • Get excited!

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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.

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Need help finding a repairer? Check out this map!

Because of our suggestion to find a professional repairer for phones, tablets, laptops, printers, jewelry, and watches, 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!

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