The first time, I managed to get a new phone through my mobile provider's insurance. Not free of course, the robbing so and so's slapped on a £70 excess. The second time was just before I went on my travels round Asia, no problems then, I waited until I got out to Thailand and had it repaired at a fraction of the normal price.
So, I get over to Spain and... yes, it happened again. This time my wife allowed it to fall on the stone tiles in our living room. It cracked the screen despite having a cover - it's an unlucky phone.
After a trip to La Marina shopping centre I was told it would cost 150 Euro, a bit steep. I contacted a shop in Benitachell who explained they don't carry those screens - too expensive to have on stock. Drastic measures were needed - I turned to the help of Javea Connect.
If you have a problem in Javea or the surrounding areas there are no better people to rely on than the good folk on this Facebook group. Sure enough I was given a tip to check out the "Telephone Shop in the Port area - on the same street as the cinema". I knew where that was.
Telefonos World, to give the business its proper name is indeed on the street with the cinema - Calle
The place is an Aladdin's cave of techie stuff. Cables, leads, printers, cartridges, mobile phones, electrical devices; you name it, they've probably got it. They offer four PC's for internet use, (1 Euro for an hour), they are also agents for a MoneyGram service. They sell second hand computers, mobile phones and have a phone unlocking service.
At the back of the shop is the technical service workshop. The magician that fixes all the broken phones, tablets and PC's is Jose Manuel. I handed over my broken iPhone, he gave me a pick up time and I went for a leisurely stroll around the Port until it was time to collect it (roughly an hour).
When I returned, Jose was on his break. His father was putting the finishing touches to the repair and for good measure I asked for a plastic cover to be sealed on top of the glass. The cost was below that quoted in La Marina - result. I walked out of the shop feeling I'd received good customer service and felt I could recommend them to anyone.
Fast forward three weeks...the screen was coming loose from the chassis of the phone and there was something lurking underneath the glass inside the guts of the device. Time to take a trip back to the shop.
Jose inspected my phone and the plastic intruder was the surround for the camera. He said he'd never seen anything like this in 15 years repairing phones; there is always a first time for everything! He was busy, a further five screens had to be repaired, he asked me to return in the afternoon.
I returned. Jose was just putting the finishing touches to the job. He explained that actually my chassis on the phone was slightly bent, thus causing the glass screen to rise, he did however waiver any payment - I was pleased with that. He candidly spoke about Apple selling expensive phones but using inferior materials to cut costs. I was advised maybe to change the chassis on mine for a much stronger one he had in his workshop - I will certainly be doing that soon.
Mobile devices can be a pain in the backside at times. You can never get the younger generation off them, they make you more contactable, even on holiday and the bills can sometimes be horrendous - but, what would you do without yours? I've had bad luck with mine but I now can thoroughly recommend this family business (Mum is the retail guru) for any tech issues regarding phones, tablets, laptops, etc.
Jose speaks very good English and is also a very friendly guy. Whether you are a local ex-pat or a holidaymaker check this place out if you have any tech nightmares. Now, how can I keep my phone completely safe?
Telephonos World is open Monday to Friday from 10am - 2pm & 5pm - 9pm (Not open weekends)
Tel: 965 792 657 - 687 721 754
Email: info@telephonosworld.es They are on Facebook!
You're a lucky man! You've find the best repair site in eastern Spain.
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