SMASHED IT — Attraction in Waitematā

I had my Macbook Pro repaired here not too long ago. I am typing this review to reflect upon the exceptional level of service I received at Smashed IT Parnell.

I suffered a clumsy fall and knocked my MacBook. I Thought it was just screen damage but it also stopped turning on. Concerning considering I had a deadline approaching for work……...at the time.

I took my MacBook to an Apple store and they told me that they could not fix it, Supposed motherboard damage, and I would have to buy a new laptop. Lol?!

I have had questionable experiences with 3rd-party repair shops in the past and with an important deadline approaching for work, I asked my IT buddies if they could recommend anyone that could help.

They pointed me to SMASHED IT, the Parnell branch. I called up Parnell in the early afternoon and the lad there said that he was fully booked out for the day and he was on a tight schedule as the solo tech with evening appointments.

He said that he could take a look at it the following day but insisted on grabbing my details in case he frees up his schedule for me to bring it in on the same day that I called.

I get a call an hour or so later from the tech saying that he would be able to look at it so I drove up and dropped it off.

I really wasn’t expecting an update on the diagnostic on the same day given the time i had brought it in (close to 4pm) and how long they had until they closed for the day.

After about 45 minutes of dropping off he called up saying that my MacBook needs a new screen and also a new battery which he can install at the same time as the battery was quite worn out. (My Macbook is from 2019)

He also pointed out that my MacBook was missing lot of screws and a few retaining plates from previous repairs performed at other shops and that he replaced them for free at no extra charge. He expressed how important these retaining plates were for Macbooks and how they help keep the connection secure.

Overall Exceptional service. From the initial call to the moment i left the door with my fixed Macbook, i felt like I was looked after and I am very grateful for the speed and quality of work. The tech at this shop is knowledgeable and has excellent customer service, something that other shops in Auckland lack. He was also very understanding of the situation i was in with my work deadline.

Im never the type to leave lengthy reviews however, after careful consideration, I think Anuk and smashed it...

Auckland is infested with unreliable, dishonest repair shops. Given my experience with several different places in the past, I do not expect much when it comes to professionalism. This place is an exception and I am genuinely happy to say I will not bother looking elsewhere for required repairs in the future.

Called up around 4.50pm (a month or so ago, maybe longer) to get a screen replacement quote for my iPhone. Needed this done URGENTLY as I required the phone for an important family event later that night. The young lad on the phone said it usually takes about an hour for the repair so I was unhopeful if it could be done that day but he confidently reassured me that he will get the repair done and have it ready for pickup by the time they close at 5.30 if I brought it in by 5.10pm.

I brought it in and wandered off down Parnell road for about 15 minutes before going back to collect my phone just before they closed at 5.30pm. He said that as soon as he opened my phone to begin the repair, he noticed that half the screws and connector brackets were missing from prior repairs on my phone from other places. This was quite saddening to hear given the quality of work I was promised, for the price that I have paid for at a different repair shop (that I probably should name and shame but I will confront them directly).

He told me to not worry about anything because he found the correct replacement brackets and screws required for my phone's specific model and that smashed IT screen replacements are backed by a 4 month guarantee.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff providing professional and crazy fast service. Going over and above to correct the blunders of other Auckland repair shops! He even slapped on a free screen protector to go with the black case that I bought too. What else can you ask for mate? No complaints at all. Thanks again Amook! thanks to you I did not make a fool out of myself haha (I could finally access my notes for a...

DO NOT TOUCH THIS COMPANY!

The owner Nick acted very hostile towards me and got extremely defensive and verbally aggressive when I tried to have a discussion with him regarding a decision he made around a warranty issue.

He claimed to his staff (I overheard him talking while he didn't realize I was in the shop) that I was harassing him and not to replace my faulty battery. Facts - my husband spoke to him ONCE over the phone for an initial inquiry. Later that day, I spoke to a staff member (who was very polite and professional) to see if I could speak to Nick about his decision not to replace the battery. He said he would follow up and get back to me. I received a phone call later in the afternoon from another staff member who recommended I bring the phone in. Which I did. The battery was checked and a fault was found. I asked to speak to Nick regarding the warranty. He comes in from another room and before I can even say hello he states (very defensively and aggressively I might add) "I have nothing further to say to you, I would like you to leave these premises". I try to say to him I have not even had the opportunity to speak with him yet, can we not have a normal conversation about this, but no chance. He is ranting and raving about the fact that I am trespassing and needs me to leave. Then while he storms off he suggests to me "why don't you go and smoke something"! Bizarre!!

The battery was 2 days out of warranty. I understand that yes, in theory, he is under no obligation to replace the battery. However, I don't think a normal conversation around this was too much to ask.

After some inquiries, I discovered that Apple expects its batteries to last 2-3 years depending on use. Not the one year warranty that Smashed IT provides.

Smashed IT claims they use 'genuine parts' which I initially believed. However they are not an authorized dealer and after this experience I would not believe a word that comes from this...