Consumers

I like to say, "Things break around me" more than I'd like to admit, "I break things because I'm an absent-minded klutz." Regardless, I end up with damaged items: I've broken several cell phones while climbing, running, diving, etc. My latest digital camera has developed a focusing problem. So far only my camcorder has survived abuse, but mainly because I've begun to rein in my belief that cement is softer than it looks.

Now, if I had known about Yarraa back when I purchased my first generation of cell phones and digital cameras, I could've probably saved myself some time and embarrassment when searching for help and explaining the damage.

Yarraa is an online service where you can plug in-say, your camera's-vital information for future accidents or unexplainable breakdowns. Signing up is a cinch; you just need an email address and you're ready to start extending the lifetime of your delicate material possessions.

With the serial number, product type, brand, and model you inputted earlier, Yarraa will find you a repair store, and it will even provide you a map of its location. All you need to do is select a product you've registered, click on Service Request, and everything you need to know for a repair order is right there: the sneaky serial number that nobody's willing to memorize and a list of repair services in your zip code area.

This may not be stunning for people who know repair services for each of their possessions off the top of their heads-but there's an element of convenience for them, too. If that particular repair service is registered with Yarraa, you can send them a damage description straight from the Service Request tab. That way, helping hands aware of your injured item's history and present condition will be waiting when you arrive.