As the telecom industry evolved, so did we. By 1996, recognizing the growing demand for faster, more efficient communication, we introduced a fax blasting program, enabling resellers to instantly connect with agents nationwide. This was an early precursor to the digital advertising strategies that now define our industry. With the decline of long-distance services and the rise of wireless technology, we rebranded as Wireless Dealer Network to reflect this monumental shift.

In 2002, we encountered a new challenge: some independent wireless retailers were not yet regularly using email communications. Instead of waiting for the industry to catch up, we decided to bridge the gap ourselves. We launched Wireless Dealer Magazine and published our first print edition, marking a new era in our commitment to the wireless sector.

But we didn’t stop there. In 2008, Wireless Dealer Magazine took a significant leap forward by partnering with CTIA Wireless to co-locate two groundbreaking expos: the Wireless Dealer Expo and the Wireless Repair Expo. These events ran consecutively for nine years, solidifying our role as the central hub for industry professionals. Today, we proudly support the All Wireless & Prepaid Expo (AWPE) as a media partner and sponsor of The Wireless Repair Show.

Industry professionals subscribe to Wireless Dealer Magazine and our email marketing campaigns because we offer unparalleled access to the latest news, trends, and opportunities in the wireless industry. Our subscribers gain an insider’s perspective on the wireless landscape, benefiting from editorials about key companies, detailed partnership opportunities, dealer offers, and timely updates that are crucial in this fast-paced environment. Additionally, our email marketing campaigns ensure that subscribers are the first to know about the best deals, promotions, and emerging business opportunities from leading companies.

Our readers, whether engaging with us in print, online through our website, or via email, are always in the loop about companies actively seeking partnerships. They receive the best deals, form the strongest partnerships, and collaborate with the highest quality companies.

Wireless Dealer Magazine has become a trusted resource, connecting key players across the wireless ecosystem. Our subscribers are part of an exclusive network of industry leaders, dealers, and innovators who rely on us to stay ahead of the curve. In a rapidly evolving market, staying informed and connected is essential. Subscribing to Wireless Dealer Magazine and our email marketing campaigns ensures that you are always ready to seize new opportunities as they arise.

With over 30 years of experience, Wireless Dealer Magazine has firmly established itself as the leading publication and digital email marketing company in the wireless ecosystem. Our mission has always been to provide indispensable resources for wireless dealers, retailers, repair stores, phone and accessory wholesalers, prepaid distributors, agents, and other key industry professionals. We’ve earned a stellar reputation for our extensive reach and a robust subscriber database of over 76,000 industry insiders.

One of our standout features is our comprehensive coverage of industry trends and emerging technologies. Whether it’s advancements in prepaid wireless services, or the latest in headphones, hearables, phone accessories, phone repair, device refurbishing, drone repair, or insights into carrier strategies, Wireless Dealer Magazine provides a platform where industry leaders share their knowledge and expertise, keeping our readers a step ahead.

In addition to our content, our email marketing campaigns are tailored to help businesses reach their target audience with precision. These campaigns deliver impactful messages directly to the inboxes of key decision-makers in the wireless industry, promoting new products, special offers, and important updates. It’s no surprise that 90% of our clients participate in what we call our Yearly Marketing Program, which provides consistent, weekly marketing throughout the year. This program ensures that your message continuously reaches your target audience, driving the leads necessary for your business growth.

At Wireless Dealer Magazine, our commitment is to assist companies in thriving within the wireless industry. Our daily email marketing campaigns and print publications deliver the most up-to-date information on top-selling wireless products and services to our 76,000+ subscribers. This information is invaluable for companies looking to stay ahead of competitors in this fast-growing market.

A question we often encounter is how we maintain our 30+ years of industry contacts so accurately. The answer lies in our dedicated outbound telemarketing department, which constantly updates our databases. WDM agents make daily calls to new and existing subscribers, ensuring that contact information is current and accurate. This approach, combined with our light telemarketing services offered to companies seeking targeted leads, has been a cornerstone of our ability to maintain a pristine, up-to-date subscriber database.

We invest significant resources, time, and effort into maintaining the world’s best subscriber database of independent wireless retailers, repair stores, and phone wholesalers, across the United States. Every week, we send out your company ads to all 76,000+ WDM subscribers via email blast, ensuring your company receives direct responses to your inbox, signup page, or website. This process allows you to streamline your day by efficiently managing dealer and retailer inquiries.

In addition, Wireless Dealer Magazine has been at the forefront of driving important changes in the industry. For example, in 2009, we launched a campaign to promote domestic wireless phone repair at a time when most phones were being shipped overseas for repairs. We have successfully bridged various industries selling products and services under the Wireless Dealer Magazine umbrella when it enriches our subscribers.

Our influence extends to used phone resale, wearables, fintech, and even vape retailers who now stock wireless products. We’ve guided wireless repair stores in expanding their offerings to include accessories and wireless services, taught drone repair to wireless repair shops, and led the way for repair shops to evolve into phone refurbishing and device retailing.

At Wireless Dealer Magazine, we believe in the power of community within the industry. Through our articles and features, we connect the wireless industry, fostering an environment of collaboration and growth.

Wireless Dealer Magazine is more than just a publication—it’s a vital resource for anyone involved in the wireless industry. Our dedication to quality content, community building, and industry leadership makes us an indispensable tool for staying informed and ahead of the curve in the dynamic world of wireless technology.

Want to speak to WDM about marketing your wireless company?

Email: Kathy@wirelessdealermagazine.com

Phone: 713-489-1308 x701

Read the WDM article as published inside Wireless Dealer Magazine below.

The post Wireless Dealer Magazine Backstory: A Legacy of Leadership in the Wireless Industry appeared first on Wireless Dealer Magazine.

WHY DRONE REPAIR IS A NATURAL FIT FOR WIRELESS REPAIR SHOPS

1. Less experienced drone operators are entering the drone industry.

2. Drones purchased before the FAA grounded commercial use of drones are now out of warranty.

3. America’s dependence on drones will become similar to the dependence we have on our smartphones today. By 2025,

America is expected to have an $89.1 billion drone industry. Congratulations CPR for integrating drone repair! JOSH SEVICK, President of the electronics repair giant, Cell Phone Repair, agrees. “Do we see drones as being a relevant technology in the next few years? Absolutely! … We see it as an opportunity that we have to be prepared for (for when drones become mainstream). … We are piloting a whole drone repair process, and we’re partnered with an early-stage company that’s looking to create a professional, secondary market for drones in the U.S. and Canada. … Do I think this is going to have a significant financial impact in our stores in 2016? No. But we’ve been seeing, certainly, as we get into 2017, 2018, and 2019 that drone repair will become a significant portion of our revenue.”

Basically, as with any form of technology, issues will occur when using drones. Whether it’s due to human error or faults in the software or hardware, it’s essential for consumers to know that there’s someone who can fix these problems. And for the average consumer, the local electronics and wireless repair shop owner is the natural first contact they will turn to when something goes wrong with their drone. For this reason, alongside the drone industry’s booming growth mentioned earlier, drones represent the next frontier of revenue for wireless repair professionals.
JOHN PATTERSON, Head of Digital Content Production with Heliguy, a CAA approved supplier and drone trainer based in the UK, adds, “There’s definitely money to be made as more and more people turn to drones for both recreational and professional purposes. Clients will range from amateur filmmakers who try (and fail) an overly ambitious shot to companies who require regular maintenance on their equipment, especially those using drones in challenging environments such as offshore surveyors.

Patterson goes on to forecast that this market is only going to grow year over year, especially as mainstream media outlets continue to both report on and use drones. This media exposure is compounded by the proliferation of amazing and viral drone videos taken by everyday consumers, then uploaded to sites like YouTube. As such, the amount of repair work required will ride along this upward trend. This forecast is shared by WESLEY FLIPPO, Co-Founder at Buy the Best Drone, a fast growing drone startup based out of San Diego, US. He says, “We believe that drone repair will become a very profitable business, much like computer repair companies and auto shops. As drones become more popular, more people will be flying them and even with increased training, by a sheer percentage factor, there will be more mistakes that lead to necessary repairs. I predict we’ll see a major company pop up in the near future, similar to the automobile industry’s Auto Zone or Jiffy Lube that specializes in drone repairs.”

Thankfully, the FAA’s $63.4 billion modernization plan of the country’s air traffic control systems will also expand to accommodate the commercial use of drones. And once the current regulatory constraints are modified, the FAA forecasts that commercial markets will quickly develop, generating demand for additional hobbyist and commercial drones, as well as their accessory market. Commercial drones are “currently the most dynamic growth sector within the aviation industry.” In fact, a market study by the Teal Group forecasts the global market for drones will grow to $89.1 billion by 2025. Meanwhile, in the US, the FAA estimates small, hobbyist drone purchases will grow from about $1.9 million in 2016 up to $4.3 million by 2020. Commercial drone sales are expected to grow from $600,000 in 2016 to $2.7 million by 2020. And keep in mind, these growing sales levels are being generated during a period when the government is actively limiting select forms of drone sales due to there not being enough laws to regulate them.

MOST COMMON TYPES OF DRONE REPAIR ISSUES

According to experts in the field, the most common types of repair issues that affect drones include: 1. Outer shell replacement, due to general wear and tear that causes dents or gashes.
2. Motor maintenance, as these components are often one of the main points of contact during a crash. Additionally, drone motors are prone to overheat when propellers are incorrectly positioned, thereby creating additional motor stress. 3. Mainboards & ESCs (Electronic Speed Control), as crashes and contact with water are likely to damage these intricate electronic components.
4. Aircraft leg replacement, due to the wear they endure after frequent landings. 5. Gimbal replacement, as their usual placement beneath the drone ensures they are likely to be the fi rst thing to hit the ground in accidents.

Josh Larson, founder of the drone consultancy, Breakover Services, adds that the majority of drone crashes leading to drone repair business tend to occur from two sources:
● FLYAWAYS: This is where there is a software or GPS problem, and the drone just flies away from the operator.
● OPERATOR ERROR: This is where the operator crashes the drone due to an error while flying. These crashes usually result in a range of potential damage cases, including damage to the propellers, the motors, the aircraft body, the landing gear, the gimbal and the camera.
Larson adds, “Due to the increase in drone use by hobbyists, as well as commercial operators, there will subsequently be an increase in drone crashes and a higher demand for drone repairs. That’s why right now is the best time to look into getting a drone repair company going.”

Drone accessories! Yes! The Repair Upsell!

As any store operator knows, the real money is in the upsells. Drone repair is no different. The most popular upgrade that people opt for when purchasing a drone are gimbals, the mechanism which attaches the camera (and other gear) to the drone. Other upgrades include antenna upgrades, speed modifications, and first-person view (FPV) cameras that allow pilots to operate the drone through the drone’s visual perspective beamed into a video display or VR goggles—these upgrades will become ever more popular once recreational drone racing grows in popularity.

Conversely, the most frequent accessory repairs also happen to be gimbals and FPV mods. With gimbals, any issues with their alignment can spell disaster for an aerial filmmaker trying to get their perfect shot. Meanwhile, FPV cameras often get damaged in a nose-first crash. What all this means for the wireless repair technician is that profit can be made twice: first by installing these add-ons for customers and the again when these add-ons require servicing.

WHAT IT TAKES TO GET STARTED IN DRONE REPAIR

Just as you wouldn’t try and fi x your car without any background mechanical knowledge, you shouldn’t try and work on a drone without a basic understanding of engineering and electronics. “Getting started in drone repair requires an interest in electronics, as well as a passion for the machines themselves,” says Patterson. Luckily, these interests and passions are commonplace amongst wireless repair professionals. In fact, being a smartphone repair technician may give you a leg up on the general drone repair business. Patterson explained, “The large majority of popular drones on the market right now actually use smartphones to stream and sync their devices. Having a strong understanding of how this technology works can help troubleshoot
issues users are experiencing.

WHAT KIND OF TOOLS WILL I NEED?

Patterson adds, “Also, when it comes to the tools you’ll need, the basic tools required include a range of hex and torx screwdrivers, soldering irons, wire cutters and strippers, as well as a number of devices able to run the necessary software to perform analytics on the drones you’re repairing. Aside from these essentials, if you’re looking to scale your aspirations within drone repair, then you may also consider purchasing a 3D printer that can print high performance drone parts.”

The post The Next Blockbuster Revenue Category! Drone Repair appeared first on Wireless Dealer Magazine.

Much of the average consumer’s video gaming experience is through a console manufactured by the leaders in this space – Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. The most common repair issues plaguing these consoles tend to be a failure with the disc drive, hard drive, fan, cable ports, and power, which are essentially electronic component issues that require a replacement.

Luckily, this type of component replacement work is exactly the kind of work that comes naturally to wireless repair professionals due to their experience with smart-phone repair. This is why, with a modest investment in specialized diagnostic software and cables, learning how to repair game consoles can be a relatively easy and profitable business move.
However, when it comes to the profitability of this repair type, it depends on the consoles age, so be selective with your projects.

The post Laptop Repair appeared first on Wireless Dealer Magazine.

Often described as Segways without handles, or as a self-balancing scooter, hover- boards have become one of the hottest consumer gadgets since their introduction in 2014.

While the market for these devices is still too young to get a sense of its scale, its popularity (especially in the US) is evident, based on media reports, in large markets.

We advise caution before deciding to provide repair services for this device type due to the following;

• Hoverboards are in the early stages customer engagement. There is no guarantee that they won’t soon fall out of fashion similar to the Segway.
• New Manufactures/ other innovators capitalizing on their popularity and developing a completely new hoverboard based on different technology.
•  Like drones, hoverboards are already facing strict government regulation regarding their use in public.
•  Hoverboards are facing a great deal of backlash over a laundry list of safety and quality concerns related to this product – in the consumer marketplace due the batteries exploding and catching fire.

All these negatives aside, consumer are still fascinated by them and for the risk-taking wireless repair professional, these hoverboards do present an attractive opportunity. Like smart-phones, these hoverboards are expensive (ranging between $300 and $2,000 per unit), and they are prone to break down (again, due to the product quality issues described above). Additionally, mosthoverboards use a common design and electronic and motor components – locating and purchasing replacement parts from manufacturers should not be difficult.

These three qualities—high consumer sticker price, product fragility, and ease of purchasing replacement parts—are the bread and butter of the repair industry.
Thus, if a wireless repair shop owner sees a high concentration of hoverboards in their territory, then there is a business case to be made to experiment with offering hoverboard repair services.

The post Hoverboard Repair appeared first on Wireless Dealer Magazine.

Bluetooth speakers present a great new repair service to offer to customers. These devices can be just as fragile as smart-phones, many cost at least $100 or more, and the consumer market for these devices is large and growing. Better yet, the repair tools needed to fix these speakers are cheap, and their primary components (speakers, Bluetooth chips, and lithium batteries) are very common and relatively similar to smart-phones, even if there is a minor learning curve.

Note:
There is an increasing demand for wireless audio products—a market that includes myriad devices such as headphones, speakers, wireless headsets, and sound- bars. The demand is driven by the continued growth and success of the smart-phone market.

The post Bluetooth Speaker Repair appeared first on Wireless Dealer Magazine.

This market growth also means that hearables will represent an attractive repair market for wireless repair shop owners. Additionally, of the three main hearable components—voice command (microphones), wireless connection (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), and cloud processing—the first two are common electronic components that most repair professionals have a great deal of experience replacing with smart- phones.

Note: Hearing aid repair techs report profits of $200-$450 per device repair. Manufacturers of Hearing Aids like Starkey are joining forcing with the Hearable Industry.

Hearable Tech Devices: “Consumer Dependence of Tomorrow?”

When it comes to the improvements within the field of artificial intelligence functioning as a personal assistant by constantly freeing up cognitive space, the hearable device can become a useful tool that is able to suggest things to you because it has gained capability to correctly second guess your needs.
It will be the kind of device that will discreetly fitted in your ear and give you the right contextual advice at the right time.
Another possible feature is that of an in-ear translator. It will give the wearer the power to break existing language barriers and make it possible for them to converse with anyone no matter the language they speak.

The post Hearables- The Promising Repair Future appeared first on Wireless Dealer Magazine.

However, as the Internet becomes faster and more available over Wi- Fi (and soon Li-Fi), and as electronics become smaller and cheaper, these limitations begin to lessen. By 2019, the world wearable market is set to grow to $25 billion. By the early 2020s, the market will see an explosion of new wearable devices for a variety of uses that can work independently of smart-phones for extended periods of time.

These wearables should include the following;
• Smart-watches – early examples include the Apple Watch, Fitbit Blaze, and Samsung Gear
• Smart Headphones & Earbuds
• Fitness and medical tracking bracelets and smart clothes (i.e. electronics embedded into clothing); this wearable category alone is worth $1.15 billion
• Mood enhancing headbands – early examples include Muse and Thync
• Notification sharing and/or door opening smart rings

Examples of all these wearables already exist. However, they currently only appeal to very specific niches of people. As high-end wearables develop and increase their market penetration, these small, yet expensive devices could present an attractive repair market. Specifically, it will be possible to charge a premium due to the more difficult repair skills needed to fix these smaller devices.,

What are Hearables?

Hearables are smart earbud devices that fit inside your ear. So why in the ear?

The ear has been proven to be a much better place to accurately measure the wearer’s core temperature, heart- rate, the amount of calories burned and other life-saving key biometrics.

When it comes to putting tech in our ears, it all begun with the classical earbuds that came with our FM Walkman. Since then, it’s safe to assume that these ubiquitous devices have paved the way for today’s earbuds.

Hearables also have the advantage of being more familiar, which means that when it comes to user experience of the product, consumers will not need to change their behavior in order to enjoy the benefits that hearable technology can provide.

Early examples of hearables are the wireless earbuds Bragi or Earin and Motorola’s new micro-headset The Hint. Companies that are currently innovating within hearable technology Jabra, Sony, and Samsung, among many others.

The post Wearables and Hearables appeared first on Wireless Dealer Magazine.

There is one last growth tactic that is the most important: updating repair skills to repair new device types.

As always, it is important for repair professionals to continually upgrade their technical skills to adapt to changing technologies and be able to resolve an ever larger variety of repair scenarios.

If your repair shop begins to see a dip in smart-phone repair customers, consider diversifying the repair services.

By diversifying your business offerings and services you have the ability to stay ahead of the market and continue to make a profit.

Some of those diversifications include new support services, carrier service options, part sourcing, merchandising, and merging with other repair stores.

The following section is a list of potentially profitable products that you should consider adding to your repair repertoire. A limited amount of stores already offer repairs to these products. Because of this limitation, you have the opportunity to reach your community with new offerings first.

The post Repair Training appeared first on Wireless Dealer Magazine.

While payments are monthly, similar to most car payments, leasing allows the customer the option of upgrading his or her car at the end of the lease instead of worrying about selling the vehicle.

Or, the customer may choose to purchase that vehicle, recognizing the capital that they have already invested against the end price.

The same concept applies to smart-phones. Millennials increasingly upgrade to the latest technology as soon as they are able. Faster, sleeker and more efficient mobile devices combined with the growing disconnect between older technology and improved networks raise the likelihood of millennials upgrading far more frequently than in the past.

Consider a leasing or lease-to-own contract for smart-phones, laptops, tablets, televisions, gaming consoles, audio, smart-watches, fitness trackers, and wearables. The above mentioned products could present your business with a sizable profit, especially since the used devices can be recycled back into your business for parts or resale.

Many lease-to-own companies offer commissions up to 20% on the total cost of your customer’s lease.

Note: 30% of Americans are considered under-banked and have low or average credit scores. Leasing programs typically are not based on your customer’s credit history. Most leasing programs advertise 99% of qualified consumers are approved.

The post Smart-phone Product Leasing appeared first on Wireless Dealer Magazine.

Smart-watch trade-in programs can be implemented to help consumers reduce the price of a new wireless phone. Meanwhile, your store partners with a buyback company for cash revenue.

You can create your own buyback program and decide to try and retail the smart-watches yourself.

Actively promote a smart-watch buyback program to those consumers who currently let their smart- watches and wearables collect dust. This can be done through a noticeable sign, such as
“We Buyback Smart-watches and Activity Trackers.”

Once bought, these smart-watches can be sold to more price-conscious consumers at a profit, as well as in bulk to online buyers. Overall, a smart-watch buyback service can represent a substantial
and easy source of revenue for wireless repair shop owners.

What about smart-watch repair?

Smart-watch faceplate repairs are very profitable. A smart-watch LCD repair could produce a 50 percent profit margin, depending on the smart- watch brand.

In addition, buying broken smart-watches, repairing them in your store, and retailing the newly repaired smart-watch offers an even bigger profit model depending on the smart- watch brand.

This means that a newly repaired smart-watch is a very affordable (low risk) product with a high profit turn around.

BuyBackWorld offers an extensive Smart-watch BuyBack Program.
Here are some recent examples of offers;
Apple Watch Hermes Cuff 42mm Stainless Steel Case with Fauve Barenia Leather Band MLCC2LL

Broken Buy Back $40
Average
condition
Buyback $575

First Purchased
Brand New $1175

Apple Watch Hermes Single Tour 38mm Stainless Steel Case with Capucine Leather Band MLCN2LL/A

Broken Buyback $40 
Average condition Buyback $475 
Purchased Brand New $1250 

The post SMART-WATCH BUY BACKS appeared first on Wireless Dealer Magazine.