From Biking Past a Shop… to Building a Partnership

The Coffee Machine Repair Shop on My Street

About a year ago, I was biking down my street in Berlin. I noticed someone inside a small shop space that had been empty for a while. Tools on the table. Machines being unpacked. That quiet, slightly chaotic energy of someone starting something new.

So I slowed down.

Turns out — it was a coffee machine repair shop.

At that time, with Repair Circle, we were focused only on smartphones and laptops. We had made a conscious decision: go deep before going wide. Understand one category properly before expanding into others. Coffee machines weren't part of the plan. But curiosity has its own plan.

Visiting Repair Shops Is Not "Sales"

When we visit repair service providers in Berlin, it's not a sales tour. At least, that's not how I see it. It's more like research. Or even better — listening and understanding their pain points.

Sometimes they are warm and welcoming. Sometimes they look at you like, 'Another platform? No thanks.' And honestly, both reactions make sense.

Because many of these technicians have been in business for 10, 15, or even 20+ years. They have seen trends come and go. They have built trust the slow way.

While buying new became faster, more digital, one-click, and next-day delivery — repair shops were often left behind in that transformation. Not because they lacked skill. But because no one built tools around their reality. We wanted to change that.

Meeting Erhat

That's where I met Erhat. He had moved from Turkey, with a strong background in engineering and mechanics. He had just started this new venture in Berlin — new country, new customers, new system. He offered me coffee immediately.

We talked about repair culture. About how in many places, fixing things is normal. Expected. Respected.

You could see the pride in how he spoke about his work. Not flashy pride, but rather craft pride. Customer satisfaction clearly mattered more to him than squeezing every euro out of a repair.

Expanding Into Coffee Machines

Eventually, we decided to add coffee machine repair to Repair Circle. In the beginning? It was messy. A customer would fill out a form. We would collect the details. Send options manually. Coordinate logistics.

It worked. But it wasn't scalable. And it definitely wasn't smooth.

The real breakthrough came when we stopped thinking about 'adding a category' and started mapping the actual journey. From both sides.

What This Really Means

But the numbers aren't the part I think about most. What stays with me is this: This partnership happened because I slowed down while biking and walked into a shop.

Repair is human. And platforms only work when they genuinely support the people doing the work — not replace them.

Grateful for serendipitous moments like this. And grateful for technicians like Erhat, who keep the circular economy alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does coffee machine repair work at Repair Circle in Berlin?

Customers can compare and choose repair options locally in Berlin. Pickup is available, the technician updates quotes directly in the system, approval happens digitally, and repair starts only after approval. Most machines are fixed within three days.

What is the success rate for coffee machine repairs?

The success rate for coffee machine repairs through Repair Circle is over 90%. Most machines are fixed within three days.

Why is repair better than buying new?

Repair reduces electronic waste, saves resources, and supports local businesses. It strengthens the circular economy and the communities we live in. Repair technicians are the quiet backbone of sustainability.