Got something that's broken? Don't ditch it! Dare to Repair it!

The Dare to Repair Cafe is a community event where individuals can bring broken items (lamps, small electronics, vacuums, toys, etc.) to the repair cafe and have volunteer “fixers” try to repair the item alongside them for free!

We’re reducing waste by connecting those with a need to those with the know-how. By saving people money, diverting usable items from landfills, and teaching basic repair skills, Dare to Repair is helping to build the circular economy.

Like to fix stuff? Tinkerer by trade? Not handy, but want to help out at an upcoming event?

VOLUNTEER WITH DARE TO REPAIR

Interested in bringing a Dare to Repair Cafe to your community?

Click the button below to fill out our form with information on your venue to help the Dare to Repair planning team decide whether or not your location is a good fit for hosting a future Dare to Repair Cafe.

Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee we will be able to schedule an event at your location. We unfortunately receive more requests than we have the capacity to organize and host.

DARE TO REPAIR VENUE REQUEST FORM

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT KIND OF THINGS CAN I BRING IN?

Our current categories of repair are: Small Appliances, Tools, Lamps, Bikes, Clothing, Equipment, and Furniture.

WHEN ARE THE REPAIR CAFES?

Dare to Repair Cafes will be on a monthly basis in the future. You can find information on our website thetoollibrary.org or Facebook.

CAN I DROP BY OTHER TIMES TO HAVE MY ITEM REPAIRED?

No. Due to our limited volunteer instructors we will only be able to accommodate repairs within the specified Dare to Repair Cafe days and times.

DO I HAVE TO HAVE A RESERVATION TO ATTEND THE CAFE?

You do not need to have a reservation to attend the cafe, but we highly recommend you register ahead of time. This helps us plan for refreshments, number of repairers, types of repairs, etc. We also encourage repairees to come throughout the entire cafe and not just the start.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO HAVE AN ITEM REPAIRED?

It’s free! Advice and guidance from our volunteer repairers is free of charge to allow everyone the chance to actively become in engaged in reducing trash in the waste stream, but, voluntary donations are always appreciated! These donations help us to pay for space rental and material costs to host more repair cafes around Buffalo.

DO YOU MAKE HOUSE CALLS FOR LARGER ITEMS LIKE WASHERS OR DRYERS?

Unfortunately no, because our repairers are all volunteer and not a service they do not make house calls for larger items such as washer or dryers.

HOW DO I BECOME A VOLUNTEER REPAIRER?

You can become a volunteer repairer by submitting your name, email, phone, and a little bit about yourself to info@thetoolibrary.org or by filling-out the google form on our website (www.thetoollibrary.org/daretorepair)

CAN I DONATE BROKEN ITEMS?

While we would love to fix all items that come our way, we DO NOT take donations of broken items as there isn’t enough storage or time to fix them all. Voluntary donations are always appreciated!

DO I NEED TO BRING A REPLACEMENT PART?

We encourage repairees to bring any replacement part known to them since we do have replacement pieces for some items but cannot guarantee we will have the specific part you need to repair your item.

DO YOU COME AND COLLECT ITEMS?

No, we do not make house-calls to collect items which need to be repaired. Also, items must brough to repair cafes MUST be taken home with you if a repair cannot be made or recycling is not available at the host site.

CAN I JUST DROP-OFF AN ITEM TO BE REPAIRED THEN COME BACK LATER TO PICK IT UP?

In the spirit of sharing knowledge, creating community and fear of acquiring broken items, we require all repairees to stay with their item until it has been repaired or worked-on by the volunteer repairer. Instructors will only work on one item for a 30 to 45min time period before moving on to the next customer.