Diversify with Apple?
September 3, 2019
Apple now offers customers even more options for safe, reliable repairs with its new independent repair provider programme, expanding access to genuine parts to more third-party repair businesses.
Apple announced a new repair programme, offering customers additional options for the most common out-of-warranty iPhone repairs. Apple will provide more independent repair businesses, large or small, with the same genuine parts, tools, training, repair manuals and diagnostics as its Apple Authorised Service Providers (AASPs). The programme is launching in the US with plans to expand to other countries.
“To better meet our customers’ needs, we’re making it easier for independent providers across the US to tap into the same resources as our Apple Authorized Service Provider network,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer. “When a repair is needed, a customer should have confidence the repair is done right. We believe the safest and most reliable repair is one handled by a trained technician using genuine parts that have been properly engineered and rigorously tested.”
The new independent repair provider programme complements Apple’s continued investment in its growing global network of over 5,000 AASPs that lead the industry for customer satisfaction and help millions of people with both in- and out-of-warranty service for all Apple products.
There is no cost to join Apple’s independent repair programme. To qualify for the new programme, businesses need to have an Apple-certified technician who can perform the repairs. The process for certification is simple and free of charge.
To learn more and apply, visit support.apple.com/irp-program. Qualifying repair businesses will receive Apple-genuine parts, tools, training, repair manuals and diagnostics at the same cost as AASPs.
Over the past year, Apple has launched a successful pilot with 20 independent repair businesses in North America, Europe and Asia who are currently offering genuine parts for repairs. This announcement follows Apple’s recent major expansion of its authorised service network into every Best Buy store in the US, tripling the number of US AASP locations compared to three years ago.
Editor’s Opinion: As the market for technology starts to mature, it is a bold move by Apple to embrace the reuse and repair economy that will keep their devices working longer. It would be better if the printer OEM’s took the same bold steps, which they will have to do as the consumer becomes more savvy about the benefits of reuse and the negative impact of single-use.
Categories : Around the Industry
