Keeping in mind that mobile telephones have become the lifeline for all of us ,it is also important to remember that these are also electronic equipments and are subject to malfunctions and damages.
When all our mobile phones started giving trouble at the same time- a broken screen of a touch phone on a fall during one exploratory trip, one not booting and the other not accessing the wifi and blue tooth, Pashatuks decided to look for faster options of repairing. None of the phones were within the warranty periods and the estimated repair cost was higher than the cost of new handsets at the manufacturers service centre.
Pashatuks had heard about the mobile repair centres at Gaffar market, in the heart of Delhis Karolbagh area, but never explored the area.
Braving the hot summer temperature of 43 degrees celcius,we got off the metro train at Karolbagh Metro Station, sat on a cycle rickshaw and went through the narrow by-lanes of karolbagh to reach our destination- Gaffar market. The cost of a cycle rickshaw ride from Karolbagh metro station to the Gaffar market is INR 30 for two people.
We marched up to the section catering to the mobile units- every possible thing can be done out here in the multiple small cubby hole sized shops- right from the legal to the illegally cracking the unique identification code of phones- Indian or imported.
A walk through the gulleys was an eye opener for Pashatuks.
Anything was possible here, as long as it was a Mobile phone in question. Right from buying the best brands at a fraction of the original cost(no guarantee about quality or warranty- the entire market works on goodwill)- they grey market, to repairing seemingly impossible problems of mobile phones of any make or model.
One can also purchase new handsets from the authorised showrooms set up in the market,but the market is not famed for branded item purchases.
Our handset with the smashed touchscreen which was costing us around INR 3500 from the company to repair cost us just INR 900. Two of the other phones got their entire software changed and one sealed battery unit even got an IC changed- at a measly sum of INR 1000.
Business as usual under the banyan tree |
These people dont bargain, they dont fleece you as business is very competitive. And if they are not able to fix your problem, they would guide you to the exact shop who would do the job at the most competitive rates.
The face of this market is rather seedy and the technicians look as if they know nothing, but scratch the surface and you would find highly competitive and skilled people who can give the most educated of engineers a run for their money.
No wonder we found people from all over the country trooping to see if their seemingly lost causes could be salvaged.
The market doesnt really start functioning before noon and stays open till about 8- 8.30 pm.
The market remains closed on Monday.
Pashatuks suggests that while you are there - do sample the roadside food, which doesnt guarantee quality, but the taste lingers on for days after you have had it.
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