Terms & Conditions

1. Our service

The Repair Café is not a commercial repair service. Our volunteers have different skills and experience, and the people available vary from session to session.

We therefore cannot promise that we will have a volunteer with the right skills for every item, or that every item will be capable of repair.

2. Repair enquiries, arrival and queues

You can tell us about an item in advance using our online Repair Enquiry form. This helps us understand what people may be bringing to the next session.

Submitting an enquiry does not create an appointment and does not reserve a place in the queue.

3. Repairs

When you offer an item for repair, you are asking our volunteers to inspect it, diagnose the problem where possible and attempt a repair if they consider it appropriate and safe to do so.

• You should tell the volunteer about any known faults, previous repairs or other relevant information.
• Wherever practical, you should remain with your item while it is being examined or repaired.
• A repair may involve opening, dismantling, testing or adjusting the item.
• Hidden faults or further damage may become apparent only once an item has been opened or tested.
• A successful repair on the day does not mean that we can guarantee how long the item will continue to work.

Repairs are attempted in good faith. There is no guarantee or warranty provided with a repair carried out at Windsor Repair Café.

4. Replacement parts and materials

The volunteer's time is free, but any replacement parts or materials required for your item are your responsibility.

This may include items such as plugs, fuses, cables, batteries, fixings, fabric, zips or other replacement components.

If a suitable part is not available during the session, a volunteer may be able to advise you what is required so that you can obtain it yourself.

No charge for a part or material will be incurred on your behalf without your agreement.

5. Computers, phones and electronic devices

If you bring a computer, phone, tablet, storage device or other equipment containing data, you are responsible for backing up anything important before it is examined.

6. When we may refuse or stop a repair

Our volunteers may decline to inspect, continue working on or repair an item where they consider that doing so would be inappropriate or unsafe.

This may include situations where:

• the item is outside the volunteer's knowledge or experience
• specialist tools, parts or qualifications are required
• the item presents an electrical, mechanical, hygiene or other safety concern
• there is insufficient time to carry out the work safely
• the volunteer considers that further work could cause unreasonable damage or risk

A volunteer's decision not to carry out or continue a repair must be respected.

7. Items that cannot be repaired

Sometimes an item cannot be repaired, either because the fault cannot be identified, suitable parts are unavailable, the repair would be unsafe or it is simply beyond what can reasonably be achieved at a Repair Café session.

Where an item has been dismantled during an attempted repair, we will normally try to leave it in a reasonable condition for you to take away. However, it may not always be appropriate or possible to fully reassemble an item that is unsafe or cannot be repaired.

You remain responsible for taking your item and any associated parts away with you. Windsor Repair Café cannot dispose of unwanted or irreparable items on your behalf.

9. Photographs and personal information

Information provided through our Repair Enquiry form is used to help us organise and administer repairs.

We sometimes take photographs at Windsor Repair Café sessions. Identifiable photographs may be used on our website, social media or other publicity material with permission.

You can read more about how we handle information in our Privacy Policy .