This Phixman promises to fix all your gadget problems by bringing repairs to your doorstep
Delhi-based gadget repair startup Phixman aims to make gadget repairs easy. All you need to do is book, and then wait for pickup, repair, and delivery in 24 hours.
Phone or laptop on the blink? Just the thought can give you nightmares. Enter Delhi-based Phixman, which promises to keep gadget trouble at bay by bringing its repairmen to your doorstep. “All you have to do is to give us a call and our executive will be at your doorstep to collect your phone/laptop that needs repairs,” says Co-founder and CEO Shaad Rahman.
Phixman Services, started by Shaad and his friend Atul Ranjan, was launched in Indore in 2015. The company moved base to Delhi in 2017 for “better business opportunities”.
Phixman now offers repairs and services for smartphones, tablets, and laptops of all major brands, including Apple and Samsung. It claims to guarantee 24-hour repair with warranty, home pickup of gadget, and data safety. The startup claims it takes payment “only if the customer is satisfied”.
Apart from the repair services, Phixman also has stores where it sells gadgets such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Keen to make their service accessible to tier II and III cities ,the startup has opened 25 franchise stores across 15 states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh.
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Mechanical engineers turn entrepreneurs
Shaad, a 27-year-old mechanical engineer from Patna, met Atul, 26, while at Indore Institute of Science and Technology (IIST), Madhya Pradesh. Both shared an enthusiasm for technology and gadgets.
After graduating from college in 2014, Shaad got placed in Asahi India Glass Ltd, a glass manufacturing and supplier company in India, while Atul opted for a master’s course at Amity Business School, Noida. During this time, the duo used to meet once a month to catch up, and always discussed starting a business.
Shaad put the focus on a “repair-focused startup” on a large scale and convinced Atul to drop the idea of higher studies. After working for a year as Senior Manager in Asahi, Shaad decided to follow his passion, and the duo bootstrapped Phixman.
‘Phixing’ the problem
Phixman claims to be a complete solution for after-sales services of any gadget, and works with companies and customers. Users can shop for services online or avail of them at Phixman offline stores.
A customer needs to login to the website, and choose the service they want. They can choose a pickup option for the gadget, if needed, or can drop it off at the nearest store. The Phixman website lists all stores with addresses and phone numbers.
Depending on the problem the user identifies on the website, an executive picks up the gadget from the specified location. The gadget is delivered back once the repair work is complete. The services have a fixed charge irrespective of the place where the delivery and pickup fee is free.
“We make sure that customer delivery is always on time. Other companies use third parties to deliver and provide services. But we also try to bring customers to our stores so that we can offer repairs in the least possible time,” Shaad explains. He adds that the focus on data safety sets Phixman apart. He adds,
“People have become dependent on gadgets like laptops and mobiles. All their data is stored in their gadgets so we make sure that it stays secure and in safe hands. We focus on an enhanced customer experience.”
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The numbers game
Phixman claims to have received a lot of traffic in 2018 with over 1 lakh customers across the country.
“It has been a great journey, which started from Indore with a single outlet. We are now a team of 80 people, have 25 exclusive stores across India, and are growing steadily,” Shaad says.
A report by Statista says that India is one of the most popular destinations for smartphone companies. According to Frost & Sullivan, the Indian Calibration and Repair Services Market is growing at 13.3 percent CAGR with “electronics manufacturing and communications” driving the maximum demand in the segment.
Phixman, which claims to have a turnover of Rs 10 crore, is aiming to grow almost 5X in the coming financial year. The company also plans to raise Series A funding and open 500 offline stores nationally and internationally in the next few years.
The startup competes with other gadget repairing companies like Bigfix, Buzzmeeh, Mobigarage etc., which concentrate on particular regions. But Phixman claims that its differentiator is its focus on tier II and III cities.
“Phixman is accepted in tier II and III cities as well as in metro cities. That is the difference. We are planning to put in more centres in Tier II and III cities as they lack access to these services,” Shaad says.