Chicago Gadgets — Local services in Jefferson Township

TLDR; If you have a newer Apple product, just spend the money and take your device to Apple. My device is in worse condition after I took it back for a second time because I was unhappy/had issues with the initial repair.

I took my iPhone XS for a screen repair in the beginning of July. The screen had randomly stopped working. I had them also replace the battery (they offered a packaged price for screen and battery replacement). My original battery's performance wasn't the worst, but it had definitely degraded in performance from when I first got the phone, so I thought why not. I REALLY regret having them replace the battery. They took my APPLE battery and gave me something generic. My fault for not asking and I should have known better.

When I received my phone back it was in working condition, but it was definitely not the same quality. Some things were off. My screen no longer adjusted from warm to cool and vice versa, which I could live with, BUT the two BIGGEST issues were the battery performance and my phone would overheat after extended use. Once the battery hit 20% it was basically done for. I do use my phone a lot and for a lot of different things (it's not like I am sitting on Facebook and Instagram all day scrolling) but it was very obvious that this battery could not keep up with the original APPLE battery I had.

I took it back, explained what was happening/why I was unhappy (they offered a 30 day warranty). The gentleman at the front seemed to understand, but the manager (or whoever the other man was) said, in a nutshell, that it couldn't possibly be the replaced items, that they would take a look just in case something was defective, and that if they couldn't resolve the issue I could just take my phone to Apple. This comment really got under my skin. If I knew that this was their attitude, I would have just done so from the start.

So they took a look at my phone again, said they replaced the screen and the battery to make sure they weren't an issue and that ultimately it was the motherboard that was damaged. They said they tech tried to fix it (but they didn't say what he did) and recommended I use my phone less. Okay, that's fine and I accepted that. My motherboard could very well be damaged. The only NOW my screen won't stop scrolling!!! My phone is useless when I am on certain apps. For example, if I am looking at my photos on my phone it will just continue to scroll to the very first photo. The best way I can explain it is that it acts like when you get something on the screen and it jumps around. My phone is even worse than when I took it to them the first time.

I didn't bother taking it back to them. I don't feel like they would do the best work they possibly could to repair. They just do quick easy fixes.

I gave them two stars because the two people at the desk were very nice and they looked at my phone/abided by their warranty, but other than that there wasn't anything impressive about them or their service. I will not be using them again. I really wanted to like this place and I wanted to support a local business in my area, not go straight to Apple, like the one guy who worked there...

Five stars! I dropped my brand new Google Pixel 8 Pro and cracked the screen, after buying a fake "OtterBox" from some jerky scammer on Amazon. Chicago Gadget fixed the screen, and when they were testing the phone after, they noticed that the camera wasn't working either. Since he already had the phone open, he did not charge me labor to replace the camera, only for the part. They also returned the broken screen and camera to me when I picked up the phone, so I knew they weren't trying to scam me. Also, I bought a Google Pixel 6 from them to use while my 8 Pro was being repaired, only $165. 😁 I unfortunately have cell service through Xfinity, and if you know their customer service, you know that it's horrific. I was in the Chicago Gadget store for at least 2 hours on the phone with the morons at Xfinity trying to get my phone number transferred over to the Google Pixel 6 that I had just purchased, and the staff at Chicago Gadget repeatedly stopped what they were doing to step in and help me out. Last but not least, when I came in to pick up my repaired 8 Pro, they took the time to explain to me that Amazon has a lot of people selling fake OtterBox cases, and then recommended some really good cases like LifeProof, so I can be sure that my phone is protected properly going forward. They also recommended internet and cell phone service that they personally had good experiences with, since I had such a terrible experience dealing with Xfinity for 2 hours in their store. They really went above and beyond. I highly recommend them, and when I inevitably drop my phone again...

I have been relying on Chicago Gadgets for years, mostly to repair and/or upgrade iPods and a Pioneer mp3 player. They have always delivered quality workmanship well within the estimates provided for time and cost. Last night, I dropped my cellphone and damaged the touch input beyond use. My screen already had cracks so I decided to have both situations dealt with at once. However, I require my phone for work constantly throughout the day, and I already knew that replacing the glass on my particular model was a 3-5 day operation, and a quite expensive one at that, so I prepared myself to be without my phone for some time. Upon arriving at Chicago Gadgets, the prognosis was indeed grim. After explaining the urgency of my situation, the technician offered suggestions on ways to work around my dilemma, and, in the end, delivered on all items that very same day. Not only that, they brought it in earlier than estimated and under the budget proposed for the repairs. Lastly, the technician provided meaningful consultation on smaller issues I had questions about related to maintenance and protection. The front-of-house person could not have been friendlier or more accommodating during my visits. Each experience I have had with Chicago Gadgets has been delightful, and this last one was a crowning achievement. Thanks to all at CG for their diligence and fine service. Looking forward to the next...