Beware of Cowboy Phone Repair Shops

Not all repair shops are equal. We occasionally receive devices that have been through a poor-quality repair elsewhere — and the extra work involved is costly for the customer.

A real example

Back cover: glued shut with the wrong adhesive

The back had been stuck down with generic glue rather than the correct manufacturer adhesive. When we applied standard heat to soften it, the back glass shattered — because it was completely rigid. We spent 10–15 minutes removing it before we could even start.

Display: filled with household glue

Instead of the correct pre-cut adhesive strip, the previous repairer had used generic glue — left set and hardened. Another 20 minutes of careful cleaning before we could fit the new screen.

How to spot a cowboy shop before you hand over your phone

• No warranty — reputable shops offer at least 90 days. We offer 1 year.
• No fixed price upfront — you should know the cost before work starts.
• Cash only — not always a red flag, but combined with other signs, be cautious.
• Market stall or van-based — nowhere to return to if something goes wrong.
• Suspiciously low price — quality parts cost money.
• No reviews or fake-looking profile — check Google and look for specific repair details in real reviews.

Square Repair has completed over 70,000 repairs at our Liverpool Street workshop since 2013. Every repair comes with a 1-year warranty and is tested before you collect.