Discover what our Device Pitstop franchise is all about in this TV spot featuring Josh Powell of Lexington, KY.
Receive Cash On the Spot at Device Pitstop Overland Park
Ready for a new phone? Get rid of your old devices and earn cash on the spot at Device Pitstop Overland Park!
200 Stores and Counting: NTY Franchise Knows How to Build Resale Businesses
With the opening of its 200th store, NTY Franchise Company continues to grow and be a leader in the upscale resale industry. Check out the great article about the company and its five innovative resale brands from the January issue of Global Business North America:
Click here to see the article inside the digital issue of Global Business North America.
New 2016 Device Pitstop Commercial: Sell Your Devices for Cash
Repair Your Smartphone, Tablet and More at Device Pitstop. Check out this quick video, one of our 2016 TV commercials, to learn more:
Device Pitstop is Making a Splash in Minnesota and Beyond
Check out an excerpt from a startribune.com article below, which explains the growing used-electronics retail market and features Device Pitstop as an up-and-coming franchise serving this market in the Twin Cities and beyond.
Used electronics retail market boots up in the Twin Cities
By John Ewoldt
Amanda LaGrange dumped the title “Tech Dump.”
When the CEO of the nonprofit Tech Dump, a St. Paul-based collector and recycler of used, obsolete and damaged electronics, decided to open a new retail store to sell them, she figured “Tech Discounts” would be more enticing.
“We’d been selling refurbs for years in a corner of our Golden Valley warehouse, but when we decided to get serious about it, we rebranded,” she said.
Getting serious means that the new Tech Discounts store in Bloomington operates strictly as a store. The two locations in Golden Valley and St. Paul will continue to use the Tech Dump name for collection, recycling, repairing and refurbishing. The Bloomington location and the store within the Golden Valley facility are called Tech Discounts.
By recycling and reselling used electronics for 50 to 75 percent less than new, the company has kept more than 75 million pounds of electronics out of the waste stream. Fifteen percent of that amount is refurbished.
Tech Dump is one of more than 270 electronics recyclers in Minnesota, but it is in rare company selling used electronics.
Device Pitstop, a for-profit franchised business owned by the same company that franchises Clothes Mentor, debuted last year in the Twin Cities. It now has locations in Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Maplewood and Minnetonka with plans to expand in Woodbury and Edina next year.
“Our store revenue is up 20 percent over 2015,” said Michael D. Smith, vice president of operations. “There’s always been resistance buying used electronics so people need assurance the product will work.”
Device Pitstop offers a 30-day warranty and just instituted an optional recurring warranty for $3.99 to $9.99 a month. Tech Discounts will repair or replace any item that fails within six months. Customers can get a refund for any reason within 30 days.
Giving consumers confidence to buy used, LaGrange hopes Tech Discounts can expand its Twin Cities presence to five locations. Another reason that used electronics retail stores are popping up is the collapse in commodity prices for metals, plastics and aluminum.
Besides selling used electronics at the Bloomington and Golden Valley locations, Tech Discounts will also do repairs and accept electronics donations.
It is a Microsoft registered repair shop that uses R2 certification for data destruction and compliant with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Department of Defense.
General Manager Brian Bernhardt expects laptops and any Apple product to be best sellers. In a sampling of used products this week, the store had a 55-inch Samsung plasma TV for $599, a 13-inch MacBook Pro with 8GB memory, retina display and last year’s operating system for $999, a Dell desktop tower with Windows 7 Pro for $219 and an iPhone 6 Plus for $349.
Tech Dump and Tech Discounts operate under the umbrella of the Jobs Foundation, a nonprofit started in 2010 to employ adults with barriers to employment. Last year the foundation, which is 98 percent self-funded, employed 68 adults who had been incarcerated or treated for chemical dependency. […]
Upgrade, Repair and Repurpose Electronics at Device Pitstop Anchorage
Device Pitstop franchisee Scott Stansbury talks about all of the products and services customers can find in his store. Don’t throw out your no-longer-needed or broken devices, sell them for cash or get them fixed at Device Pitstop Anchorage. Watch this video to find out more:
Device Pitstop Attends the Super Mobility Trade Show in Las Vegas
Earlier this month, Device Pitstop sent a couple of staffers to the Super Mobility trade show facilitated by the CTIA. Read about what they saw and learned in this blog post by Robby Molberg, Device Pitstop’s Inventory Sourcing Specialist:
Definition: CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) is an association of companies that specialize in all things wireless, i.e. carriers (Verizon, AT&T, etc.), suppliers (Apple, Samsung, etc.), accessories and many more aspects of wireless technology.
Benefits: CTIA advocates for all of their members through avenues in government as well as helping facilitate education for consumers in relation to wireless technology. In addition, the organization is heavily involved with voluntary efforts to self-regulate the recycling and reuse of wireless product.
Super Mobility: They also facilitate the Super Mobility trade show held annually. This year it was in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Sands Expo & Convention Center.
Super Mobility is the MUST ATTEND event for everyone who’s business revolves around wireless technology, whether that be the sale of said devices, their accessories or the repair aspect. The convention brings together all of the biggest names to facilitate industry collaboration between not only the well-known companies but the startups as well; plus, it offers educational opportunities for all.
1. Wireless Connectivity
4G Advancements/5G: We were able to attend several keynotes and listened to key industry leaders such as John G. Stratton, the Executive Vice President and President of Operations for Verizon.
Mr. Stratton spoke of many advancements still to come in the 4G LTE Internet connectivity we enjoy with our smartphones today. He also touched on 5G speeds and how Verizon is working furiously to develop the infrastructure and put in place the technological requirements to see it realized by the year 2020.
5G is predicted to bring about widespread usage of the Internet of Things. Quite simply, this would mean our everyday devices, i.e. refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc., would all become connected devices and controlled through such interfaces as smartphones and tablets.
5G could very well replace fiber optic lines being laid in select cities to increase the current average speed (30mbps) to 1GB (1,000 mbps) of download speed! In laymen’s terms, that’s replacing the average consumer’s mini-van with a Ferrari! This is specifically relevant to IoT (Internet of Things) and having more devices than ever connected to the web and their subsequent draw on current bandwidth availability.
Summary: With new technology just around the corner to help facilitate faster connection speeds and connecting more of our everyday devices as an aggregate, Device Pitstop’s role in their customer’s lives will greatly increase!
As we become more reliant on technology to perform the most basic of tasks around the house, we may very well see our customers bringing a “smart” microwave in for repair or perhaps their “smart” thermostat (already in existence). This brings even more opportunity for education, repair services and saleable devices to the DP inventory.
2. Vendors – Parts
Wholesale Vendors for Repair: We were able to meet with countless companies that offer a vast array of repair tools and parts to encourage growth and streamlining the repair process that we currently engage in on an everyday basis.
Quality vs Cost – Meeting in the Middle: With a vast array of potential suppliers of mobile repair parts out there and highly visible at Super Mobility, discerning which vendors to utilize is a monumental task!
We have come away from the event with more than we could possibly utilize and are working quickly to ascertain which are here to stay and those that won’t have longevity in the marketplace.
This means determining quality product that meets our expectations as well as affordable costs to effectively compete in each and every Device Pitstop location. These vendors are vetted in our corporate location before their recommendation is made to the franchisees for their daily usage.
Innovations in Repair: Super Mobility is the best and brightest in the industry, bringing their creations to fruition and showcasing them to retailers/repair stores such as us! We were able to take part in demonstrations of the latest in repair technology. Such innovations will further the profitability of more and more devices being repaired, especially as these devices are becoming a part of IoT (Internet of Things).
3. Vendors – Wholesale Suppliers
Cellphone/Tablet Suppliers: Device Pitstop focuses on the recycle and reuse side of consumer electronics. We want to keep devices out of landfills and in user’s hands for longer! We consider this to be wise stewardship of the resources we’re entrusted with as well as a great way for everyday Americans to cut rising technological costs.
Everyone wants the latest and greatest in mobile tech but not at the price tag buying new entails. One of our primary goals at Super Mobility was to find and develop relationships with vendors of refurbished cellphones. Gently used, current models that will bring the affordability factor in play as well as staying current with the latest advancements.
We have definitely found said vendors and are working with them to bring the best, refurbished smartphone/tablet technology to a Device Pitstop near you!
Summary: CTIA Super Mobility was a whirlwind of exciting and innovating technological advancements that are currently available with many more to come in the near future!
The most impactful portion of the show was certainly meeting many current friends/vendors in person and furthering that relationship in addition to meeting a host of new ones! These relationships not only help us to stay relevant with today’s marketplace but keeps us on our toes for future innovations just around the corner and years ahead! One can never look too far in the future with mobile tech as it evolves at an ever-increasing speed.
Click here to see more from the CTIA Super Mobility trade show.
Device Pitstop is Good for Small Businesses
Check out this article from inc.com, which highlights Device Pitstop as a great option for supplying small businesses with high-quality, affordable electronics. Check it out:
10 Overlooked Budget Hacks for Starting a Business
Starting a business can be costly, but you can do it on a budget and still get the same results.
By Adam Heitzman
Let’s be real, getting a business off the ground is hard. Balancing employee management with everyday operations with promotions and PR with new client outreach with current customer satisfaction…yikes, that can get overwhelming and expensive.
Aside from your standard penny pinching accounting and budgeting tips, there are plenty of ways to stretch your business budget. By employing some of these overlooked budget hacks, you can shave hundreds off your operating costs and watch your profits soar.
- Locally optimize your website for more foot traffic.
The majority of mobile searches usually end up in a purchase from a local business. Think about mobile users who search on the fly: they might Google “Mexican restaurants near me,” read some reviews, and then select a nearby restaurant to eat at. For free or nearly free, you can optimize your website through reviews, citations, listings, and more to make sure you’re directing as much foot traffic into your store from the internet at possible.
- Maximize free resources.
Just about every business owner knows the importance of having a social media presence, especially since it’s free. But what many businesses overlook are the associations, groups, and networks that can be used to their entrepreneurial advantage. Customers like businesses that are part of associations and broader professional networks because it increases the trustworthiness of the brand. It’s also a great way to meet other business owners and develop mutually beneficial, professional relationships you can learn from.
- Negotiate with your suppliers.
And by negotiate, I mean haggle. When it comes to product suppliers and vendors, treat their asking prices as more of a starting point than the actual price you’ll be paying. Wifi, cable, office supplies-many of these things can be negotiated through your account manager, especially if your business has been a long-time customer. Shaving a few bucks off of bills here and there can add up to savings of hundreds of dollars.
- Barter your business with other businesses.
Back up to the mutually beneficial, professional relationships idea. You can barter the services you offer with the services of other businesses to achieve mutual goals. Let’s say you own a small PR firm and your office is in dire need of a professional paint job. Find a locally owned painting business and offer to do some PR work for them in exchange for some of their services.
- Outsource.
Election season has made “outsource” a dirty word, but you don’t have to outsource every last business function to another country. Freelancers and contracts can often be hired for much less than a full time employee. If there’s something you’d normally hire a position for, such as website design, writing, social media, etc., consider hiring an independent worker. More often than not, they can get the work you need done for a fraction of the cost.
- Cut employee costs.
If you don’t want to outsource any jobs and want to keep employees, you can always try cutting down the costs accumulated by employees. If you’ve been catering lunches once every week for years and the cost is getting to be a bit much, reduce it to just monthly catered lunches. Some businesses have even found a four day work week to be a better fit for their employees, who work hard to enjoy their extra day off, and their costs, which are reduced by not having a fifth day of office operations (think: water, electricity, etc.).
- Embrace inexperienced hires.
Experienced employees are awesome, but also expensive. Unless you’re in a business that absolutely requires a certain level of experience, such as a private medical practice or law firm, be more open to inexperienced employees. Recent grads are often willing to accept a much lower salary than someone with 5 years of experience, and with a little guidance, an inexperienced but bright employee can do just as good a job.
8. Buy used electronics/sell old electronics.
Electronics are one of the most necessary and expensive parts of owning a business. Computers, phones, laptops, upgrading outdated technology-it adds up quickly, but most businesses and offices can’t operate without them. The good news is that the prevalence and necessity of technology has made attaining it much easier. Try going through a reputable refurbished electronics store for your tech needs, such as Device Pitstop. You can buy your business’s electronics at a discounted rate, sell your older gadgets without biting too much of the cost, or even trade when it’s time for an upgrade.
- Buy discounted office furniture.
Much like electronics, another costly but necessary piece of office equipment is office furniture. Desks, chairs, and conference room tables are deceptively expensive. Discount furniture companies offer cost-effective solutions for getting your office the right look. You can rent office furniture or buy from a clearance selection for discounted pieces that are good as new. Taking the discounted route on the expensive stuff like electronics and furniture can save your business thousands of dollars.
- Promote partnerships with charities.
As the giving season approaches, advertising tends to get more expensive. A great way to maximize your brand’s exposure on a business is by partnering with a charity. Not only does it attract loyal customers and draw attention from a wider audience, but it also gets you tons of free marketing and publicity through your charity of choice. Team up with a local nonprofit this holiday season to save on marketing and outreach.
DEVICE PITSTOP: Recycle Your Electronics and Get Paid at Device Pitstop
On Earth Day and beyond, remember to recycle the electronics that your family no longer uses. Better yet, Device Pitstop will pay you for items that still have some life left in them. They’ll give you CASH On-the-Spot for your gently used computers, tablets, smartphones and more; then they’ll spruce them up and sell them to other customers for a great deal. Watch this video featuring Device Pitstop Overland Park to learn more:
DEVICE PITSTOP: New Store Opens in Alaska
One of our newest franchisees, Scott Stansbury, was recently featured in Alaska Business Monthly. Read the article about the opening of his Device Pitstop store in Anchorage, Alaska, below.
Device Pitstop, a national chain that buys, sells, trades, services and upgrades computers and mobile devices at low cost, is opening in Anchorage. It’s a brand-new concept here — a one-stop solution to personal technology needs.
Device Pitstop carries a wealth of computers, tablets, smartphones and accessories including Windows, Apple, Mac and Android devices and parts. They sell certified products well below original prices, backed by a 90-day warranty. They buy customer equipment for cash or trade in. The store also provides expert on-site repairs and upgrades. Strategically, they offer a knowledgeable, transparent and value-oriented environment.
Device Pitstop opened March 17th at 701 W. 36th Avenue between Seward Highway and Minnesota Drive. Call 907-644-0405 or check www.devicepitstop.com/anchorage-midtown/.
According to store owner Scott Stansbury, Device Pitstop sells quality used computers from $99 and factory-refurbished units from $250. There are all major PC and Apple brands with a range of modern operating systems. Device Pitstop also sells popular tablets and smartphones. All are backed by 90-day hardware warranties and available extended-service plans. All previously-owned devices are wiped-clean of personal information, given a fresh new operating system, and rigorously tested to deliver top-line working equipment at great prices.
Device Pitstop buys used products and helps customers convert their working and non-working devices into cash. Technicians quickly inspect devices, offer a price quote and pay on the spot. They also offer trade-in for another product at great prices – and can transfer all music, pictures, and documents at a nominal cost.
All device repairs and upgrades are performed in-house by expert technicians and usually same day. Unlike big-box stores, computers are not sent to the Lower 48 or need weeks for repair. And owner Scott Stansbury stresses transparency, explaining diagnoses, showing parts and inviting customers to watch repairs.
Device Pitstop technicians are certified, have all modern tools and parts available, and can even repair older computers. Upgrades include additional RAM, hard-drive installation, anti-virus/anti-spyware software installation, operating system upgrades and more. Tablet and smartphone repairs can include replacement of broken LCD, glass screens and batteries.
Accessories include laptop batteries, AC adapters, iPhone adapter cables, iPad accessories, smartphone cases, headphones and speakers.
Importantly, Device Pitstop has a green philosophy tied to recycling used equipment, not sending them to the landfill. They bring non-working computers back to life or utilize good components in other repairs. They safely dispose of other items by recycling in an environmentally-responsible manner that follows stringent state requirements.
According to store owner Scott Stansbury, Device Pitstop – Anchorage is a friendly neighborhood center for affordable computers, tablets, smartphones, accessories, repairs and upgrades. He’s seen strong public enthusiasm, great word of mouth and more than 400 Facebook page likes, even before the store opened. With his W. 36th Avenue location now open and a second store planned next year, Stansbury expects to be a major personal technology resource here.
Click here to see the article on the Alaska Business Monthly website.
