Companies that you didnt realise existed, but wish you had!

[8-P]

I recently cracked my iPhone screen, quite annoying, first time I've done it in years.

Needless to say, went online looking for somewhere to send it off to, or somewhere to go.

However, found these guys - https://wefix.co.uk/

They turned up on the same day, yes the same day at my work and fixed in in their van(more of a lab)

Brilliant, never realised such a service existed, neat booking system too.

Then started looking at other similar companies and found towbarexpress, same idea and tyresonthedrive which I suspect others will already know about.

Anyone got any more?

[Splats]

I've often wondered how businesses like that get off the ground. If anything, building a website and doing the marketing to bring in the interest/leads seems like the easy part. I guess if you have experience doing the work you can cover your own area but beyond that you need reliable staff/contractors. That's the bit that seems difficult as there's something of a chicken and the egg scenario forming:

1. You can't really get assured volume of work until you have a team of guys out there doing the job creating word of mouth, reputation and brand exposure.
2. You can't guarantee work to staff/contractors until 1. has been fulfilled.

Am I missing something or is this the kind of business where you need deep pockets and big commitment in the hope that it'll all come good?

A business like Blackcircles doesn't seem so difficult. After all, they piggybacked their fitting service onto existing garages already in operation. I'd imagine in the early days they approach lots of garages and said, "we will send you tires and customers and you fit them...deal?" The garages probably thought, "nothing will come of this...but we can get on with our day job in the meantime". Then as the business grew these garages probably came to rely on the BC custom.

[48k]

Splats said:

Am I missing something or is this the kind of business where you need deep pockets and big commitment in the hope that it'll all come good?

Looks that way - Wefix is a rebranding of Revivaphone, a company set up in Essex in 2012 backed by two angel investors.

Wouldn't be surprised if they take it down the franchising route.

Edited by 48k on Monday 8th January 08:59

[bristolracer]

8-P said:

I recently cracked my iPhone screen, quite annoying, first time I've done it in years.

Needless to say, went online looking for somewhere to send it off to, or somewhere to go.

However, found these guys - https://wefix.co.uk/

They turned up on the same day, yes the same day at my work and fixed in in their van(more of a lab)

Brilliant, never realised such a service existed, neat booking system too

Mind if ask what iPhone you have and what they charged. Were they genuine parts?
I ask as I’m looking to diversify in the next year or so, but looking at their website they must be running high overheads.
Looks quite a good idea, not sure about the customer tracking,but I guess that depends on your local geography, ease of crossing town etc

[anonymous-user]

48k said:

Looks that way - Wefix is a rebranding of Revivaphone, a company set up in Essex in 2012 backed by two angel investors.

Wouldn't be surprised if they take it down the franchising route.

Edited by 48k on Monday 8th January 08:59

It's looking like a Chipsaway kind of operation. The parent promotes the brand and lead generation services and the franchisee does the work.

Online advertising platforms are more or less sophisticated enough to you can restrict paid promotion to geography where you can offer the service.

[8-P]

bristolracer said:

Mind if ask what iPhone you have and what they charged. Were they genuine parts?
I ask as I’m looking to diversify in the next year or so, but looking at their website they must be running high overheads.
Looks quite a good idea, not sure about the customer tracking,but I guess that depends on your local geography, ease of crossing town etc

Wasnt the cheapest online but I used Fone Angels once and it was a horrendous experience - honestly the thing of nightmares. The point was, it was incredibly convenient, no sending your phone off with the risk of damage or fck ups. It only took the guy 30 mins, non genuine screen but I couldnt tell and I didnt fancy the Apple prices which were daft. Their Trustpilot score was very good which stacked up too.

You can get a price by putting you post code in the website, the price comes up within a few clicks or so, give it a go.