Apple, Samsung, and Google quietly run repair programs worth hundreds of dollars. Most people never find out.

"I paid $199 to replace my MacBook battery because it was dying fast. Two months later I found out Apple had a free recall for the exact same issue — fire hazard, full replacement. Apple said I could get a refund but only if I called them directly. I had no idea the program even existed."

"My spacebar stopped working, then two keys stopped registering. I went to the Apple Store and they quoted me $475 for a top case replacement. I paid it. A friend told me six months later that Apple had a free keyboard service program for exactly my model. I was furious."

"My iPhone kept shutting off at 30% battery. I bought a new phone because I thought it was dying. Found out afterward Apple was doing free battery replacements for the 6s because of a manufacturing defect. I spent $900 on a new phone I didn't need."

"My AirPods Pro had this crackling static noise that got worse over time. I figured it was just wear and tear. My coworker mentioned there was a free replacement program for exactly that — Apple knew about it and had a dedicated repair program running. I'd been dealing with bad audio for almost a year."

"When the Note7 recall happened I was traveling internationally. I didn't hear about it until I landed back home three weeks later. Nobody at my carrier told me. I'd been flying with a phone that was banned on planes. I should have been told immediately."