How to Handle Unauthorized Computer Buyback at Your Repair Shop

Hey Repair Shop Owners!

Imagine walking into your computer repair shop and learning one of your employees has bought a MacBook without your permission. Shocking, right?

You trusted them to represent your business and stay honest. Now, it feels like a betrayal. This kind of behavior isn’t just wrong, it’s dangerous for your brand reputation.

Unauthorized Apple computer buyback by employees and technicians is not just a poor decision. Instead, it’s often theft in disguise. Whenever any customer walks into your shop, they choose you, your brand, and your reputation. If someone takes advantage of that trust, it directly affects your sales, and brand image.

In the US, businesses annually lose $50 billion to employee theft. This is not a small number and yes—it happens in repair shops too. The amount is enough to fund an entire small country’s economy. Also, employee theft makes up about 30% of business bankruptcies. So, you need to be very careful with what’s happening at your computer repair shop and it all depends on who you hire.

How to Prevent?

Set Clear Boundaries: The first step is to set clear boundaries. Your employees and technicians must understand that you get the first say in every buyback. Don’t allow them to purchase. However, if you have to allow them, it must go through proper channels. No exceptions. Ever.

Have a Clear Policy: Make sure you have a written policy for computer buyback. Include it in your employee handbook. Create a checklist and approval process.

• Manager and employee signatures
• Camera monitoring
• Owner approval
• Photo records
• No side deals

Use laptop repair shop software to log all the details of repair tickets, transactions, and employee performance. Its buyback widget allows you to send customers an instant quote on used, working and fully damaged computer systems with pre-set buy prices. This makes the entire process hassle-free.

How to Handle?

Act Accordingly: If any of your employees break this buyback policy, act immediately. Ask them to return the device. Pay them what they spent. Then if you can’t trust them anymore, you can fire them.

Give a Second Chance: Some shop owners choose to give a second chance and that’s okay. But it should happen only if it’s truly a one-time mistake. You must have a serious conversation with them, and make it clear this won’t be tolerated again. Also, you can give them a written warning to ensure you are not losing your grip on control.

Remember, this situation isn’t just about one Apple computer buyback. If they did it once, they may do it again. Your repair shop runs on trust, and you should never compromise on that.

Acquiring and processing buybacks is one of the best ways to make more money at your repair shop. Yet, it must be through proper channels, and by an authorized person.

Don’t let emotions take over. Handle unprofessional behavior in the best way possible and don’t ignore the damage. Remember, even one unauthorized computer buyback can hurt your business and peace of mind.

So, fix the holes, use repair shop software, and always remember—your brand is worth more than any MacBook.