Tech accidents happen to the best of us. Whether it’s damaged by a child (25%), or our furry friends (10%), over half of Brits (58%) have felt the financial pain of replacing tech damaged by everyday accidents. New research from Currys, the UK’s largest tech retailer, reveals clumsy Brits spend £313.20 on average to replace busted gadgets, totalling nearly £9 billion across the UK each year.
But you don’t need to break the bank to a get fully functioning device again. At Currys, customers can get their tech repaired for just £64 on average – even if they didn’t buy the items at Currys. And don’t worry if you think your tech is beyond help – more than 90% of tech that comes through Currys’ repair lab is repairable, despite what 42% of Brits might fear.
Laptops topped the list of the most commonly damaged items in people’s homes in the last 12 months (26%), followed by TV’s (19%) and tablets (18%). Desktop computers are the priciest tech to replace though, with average costs hitting £877.30 in 2023. When it comes to damaged tech, it’s not just the wallet that takes a hit – more than two fifths of us (44%) get stressed about the sheer hassle of repairs, plus the added headache of being without essentials like a washing machine. It’s a worry as big-ticket essential household items like washing machines and tumble dryers (18%), and vacuum cleaners (17%) are among the top products most likely to get damaged. And for nearly half of us (47%), the real sting is in the self-blame and broken morale, kicking ourselves for being so clumsy.
Eddie Hall, the six-time UK’s Strongest Man, is one of those people who kicks himself for clumsiness and has owned up to breaking numerous devices by accidentally sitting on them or dropping something on their screens. Today, he is flexing his muscles alongside Currys expert ‘Gary’ to help customers save money and save tech waste, calling on Brits nationwide to ‘Repair, not Replace’. In a new four-part series launching Friday, 27th September, Eddie and Gary tackle broken ovens and more, showing how Currys’ repair service is the heavyweight champ.
Hall comments: “It’s shocking how easily tech can get wrecked, even by the simplest of accidents. I’ve crushed many a phone and screen from simply sitting down – when you weigh 160 kilos and sit on your phone, there’s no getting away from a serious crack! Luckily, Currys’ Repair service is a lifesaver, helping you save cash and the environment by fixing what’s broken instead of tossing it out and buying new.”
Currys Repairs to the rescue…
With Currys Repairs, you’re in safe hands. Last year alone, 1.4 million items were brought back to life, with an average repair cost of just £64 per item, representing a saving of £7.2bn and rescuing countless tech items otherwise destined for landfill. Brits are in tune with these environmental concerns, as almost two-thirds (64 per cent) agree they are worried about the level of waste and environmental impacts of discarding tech.
Lindsay Haselhurst, chief operating officer at Currys, comments: “Technology is expensive. If something goes wrong, we know our customers want us to be there to help them get it working again. That’s why we operate Europe’s largest electricals repair centre, where our team of expert technicians work around the clock to keep technology in use. Many may be unaware, but e-waste is currently the world’s fastest growing waste stream and is expected to grow to nearly 82 million tonnes in 2030. We can’t keep throwing tech away, which is why we’re urging consumers to make the switch to ‘Repair Not Replace’ whenever possible – not just for their pocket, but for the planet too.”
