There is no doubt that computer village in Ikeja Lagos is one of the best places to take your damaged or faulty device for repairs.
However, there are so many shenanigans that happen there that if you are not careful your gadget will be further damaged or it will never return home with you.
Some people have had bitter experiences. You do not have to go through this just because you want to repair your computer, phone or camera. Jumia Travel and Jumia Mobile Week shares tips that will ensure that you return home with your gadget fully repaired.
Get a trusted and experienced engineer
Do not go to computer village and give your MacBook or iPhone to a random engineer. You don’t know if he is trustworthy or experienced. You should talk to your friends so that they can recommend a very reliable engineer for you.
Never leave your device with the repairer
This is one mistake some people make when they take their device to computer village. They leave it with the repairer for two or three days. When they return, the engineer may have replaced nearly everything in your device with fakes. Fine, it will work, but when you get home, you will realise that your device will just collapse. The engineer is not at fault because both of you tested it and it worked.
Squeeze out a repair guarantee from him
Yes, you should squeeze a guarantee out of him after he has repaired your device. This will serve as a cushion in case the same fault develops again. Any engineer who is confident about his job will give you two or three days guarantee. Others may even give you a week.
Don’t hesitate to take your device if he is not straightforward
If you really want to return home with the device you took to computer village, do not allow the engineer to sweet-talk you especially when you know he is not straightforward. Just take your device and look for another repairer. It is better because you may be told cock and bull story when it is time to collect your device.
Shun touts
The best way to lose your phone or device is patronising touts. They are all over the place. As you saunter into the computer village, they beckon on you asking do you want to buy, sell or repair? Please shun them. Do not patronise them. Go to a proper repair shop where you get a receipt for repairs. Although it may be expensive, you are assured that your device will not be stuck.
Don’t do third party repair
What is third party repair? This is when you give your device to an engineer who passes it to another engineer that is unknown to you. When there is any situation, you disturb your own engineer who in turn talk to whoever he gave your device. Between the two of them, you may never get your device back and even if you get it, it may not be fully functional.
When there is any back and forth, go with a soldier
This should be the last resort. When you have done everything humanly possible to get back your device and it has proved abortive. The next thing you should do is to visit your engineer with two stern looking soldiers. Leave everything to them. Your device will come out within 5 minutes. And if it means he will buy a new device he has to.
Adeniyi Ogunfowoke is a PR Associate at Jumia Travel.
