I treat every piece of gear that comes across my bench as if it were my own. However, working with electronics—especially vintage tech and micro-soldering—comes with some inherent risks. Here’s the deal on how we stay protected:

1. The Data Disclaimer (Backup Your Gear!) I am not responsible for any data loss. Whether I’m fixing a modern PC or a 90s laptop, hardware can be unpredictable. Please back up your important files before bringing your device to the shop. If the drive is already dead and you’re looking for recovery, I’ll do my absolute best, but success is never 100% guaranteed.

2. The “Pre-Existing Conditions” Rule Vintage tech is fragile. Sometimes, opening an ancient plastic casing or working on a corroded board can reveal further issues that weren’t visible from the outside. I’ll always keep you in the loop, but Second Wind is not liable for components that fail due to age or previous damage during the repair process.

3. Abandoned Items I love my basement, but it’s not a storage unit! Once a repair is finished or deemed unfixable, I’ll reach out to you. Items left for more than 30 days after the final notification will be considered abandoned and may be sold to cover parts/labor costs or recycled.

4. Parts & Warranty

• My Labor: I stand by my work! If a soldering joint I made fails within 30 days, I’ll fix it for free.
• Parts: Replacement parts (like new batteries or screens) are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. If a part I ordered is a “dud,” I’ll handle the exchange, but I can’t guarantee parts that you provide yourself.

5. The “No Fix, Small Fee” Policy If I spend hours under the microscope and determine a board is simply beyond repair, I do charge a small Diagnostic Fee to cover my time and materials. I’ll always tell you this fee upfront before I start digging in.