Doctor of calls

Device Doctors expands to Summerside, hires more employees

Device Doctors has expanded to Summerside.

Device Doctors has expanded to Summerside.

Cory Rusk, owner of the Charlottetown company, knew when he opened the business in the capital city that the demand was there.

“Things have been growing,’’ Rusk said. “We’ve grown to three extra employees (over the) summer and we’re starting to expand to another location in Summerside, which will hold two employees.’’

The business has seen it all. Mobile devices have been dropped down toilets, run over by vehicles, dropped in the tub, bent almost in half and, earlier this year, ones that had shot out the snowblower. And, they’ve managed to fix every one of them.

Device Doctors opened in April on Kent Street in Charlottetown in the former Music P.E.I. location. Mason Gong was hired as the technical support manager. The Summerside location is at 3 Summer St. “We’ve been asked by many other customers when are you coming to Summerside, but again, we’re looking at a place that doesn’t have a dedicated cellphone/tablet repair place in Summerside.’’

Since Device Doctors opened its doors, at least one other business has surfaced fixing mobile devices in Charlottetown, but Rusk doesn’t worry about the competition.

“There’s lots of work. At the end of the day, it’s making sure that device gets back in (the customer’s) hands properly fixed with quality parts. That’s what we’ve always focused on – a fair price and good, quality work.’’

Device Doctors also does screen refurbishing now for the iPhone 8 and 10.

“We’ve taken the next step on how we can keep our costs of the screens lower for the repairs.’’

One big thing Rusk has seen since opening in April has been people bringing devices in that are iCloud locked, ones that have been sold on the secondhand market such as Kijiji or Used P.E.I.

“You should make sure you take the right steps of knowing that the phone is unlocked and ready for you to use and purchase. We’re finding that people are not doing this, buying a phone that is iCloud locked and getting stuck with something they can’t use.’’

Rusk stresses if people are buying a phone on the secondhand market they take it to one of the major carriers, such as Bell, Rogers or Eastlink or a place like Device Doctors before making the purchase.

“Do the background of the device and get a thumbs up that it is good to purchase.’’

DAVE STEWART/THE GUARDIAN Cory Rusk, owner of Device Doctors in Charlottetown, says demand has been so great since opening his doors in April that he’s had to hire more staff and open a second location in Summerside.