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Yes, TekDry really expanded its wet-device service at Staples—but the best contemporaneous reports said it grew from about 82 stores to roughly 600, not that it added 600 more. The rollout was reported on October 6, 2016, a day before TekDry’s Shark Tank appearance was reported to air. Kevin O’Leary’s televised offer was a separate, closely timed development; the available evidence does not show that it caused the Staples expansion.
What TekDry did
TekDry was a retail service for water-damaged phones and other electronics, founded by Adam Cookson and Craig Beinecke. Rather than selling a dryer directly to consumers, the company placed its machines in partner stores, including Staples. A customer handed over a wet device for treatment in a chamber.
Contemporary descriptions said the process used controlled heat, low pressure or vacuum, and heated beads to draw moisture out without disassembling the device. Treatment was described as taking about 20 to 30 minutes. TekDry said its process followed manufacturers’ specifications and aimed to preserve data. These claims describe the intended moisture-removal process—not a guarantee that a phone would work again.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBusinessDen reported a historical success rate of 75% for devices treated within two days of getting wet. That was a company-reported figure from 2016, not a current, independently verified result. A device can be dry yet remain electrically damaged, lose data, or fail later as corrosion progresses.
#1 Best Overall
- Excellent Moisture Absorption: Our silica gel packets has transparent silica gel beads inside, decassant packs has high moisture absorption, which can effectively absorb the humidity in the air, keep the items in a dry state, and prevent the moisture from damaging the items
- Well Packaged: The silica packets is sealed on both sides with quality cotton paper for strong protection.Dry packs moisture absorbing packs have stable chemical properties, will not have chemical reactions with other substances, can be widely used in daily life
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- Rechargeable & Reusable: Silicone packets contains clear silica gel beads that will not change color when saturated. Silica gel beads will be thawed in microwave for 9-12 minutes or baked in 200-250F oven for 0.5-2 hours to reactivate, depending on the condition of the silica gel beads
- Wide Applications: Anti humidity packs is widely used to protect a variety of enclosed storage spaces including safes, toolboxes, weapons cases, closets, etc. Packaging desiccant can effectively prevent electronic products, jewelry, cameras, clothes, books, iron tools, precision instruments, wood, pianos, collectibles
What the Staples expansion actually meant
In October 2016, TekDry’s machines were reported to be in about 82 Staples locations, with an expansion to approximately 600 stores. BusinessDen and TWICE’s contemporaneous coverage support the phrasing “expanded to 600,” not “added 600.” If the figures are compared directly, that would amount to roughly 518 additional locations—not 600.
The distinction also matters for the timeline. BusinessDen reported the Staples expansion on October 6, 2016. The TekDry episode was reported to air October 7. The rollout was therefore announced before or around the broadcast, and it should not be credited to O’Leary’s deal without stronger evidence. The retail partnership gave TekDry access to stores and gave Staples an additional technology service; that business logic does not establish which event caused the expansion.
Rank #2
- Fast, Efficient Drying System: Nine Lives Wet Phone Fix is the fastest, most efficient drying system available for your phone and other electronics.
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The Shark Tank offer
TekDry’s founders reportedly asked for $500,000 in exchange for 5% equity, implying a $10 million valuation at the ask. Kevin O’Leary offered $500,000 structured as a loan at 13% interest for 36 months, plus 5% equity. The founders accepted on the show. Follow-up coverage says the deal closed, but those terms should be understood as reported deal terms rather than independently verified contract documents.
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TekDry’s Shark Tank appearance is real. Episode numbering varies among listings, so the reliable reference is its October 2016 appearance rather than a season-and-episode number. ABC’s Shark Tank business listings include TekDry.
Rank #3
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- [Packet Specification] (Packet dimension: 2 inch x 2.7 inch); 5 gram desiccant packets can cover approximately 600 cubic inch volume containers; We recommend placing more packets than recommended for extra protection
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- [Special Thickness] Silica gel packs are stored in a Resealable Bag for Easy Storage and Use (Newly designed air tight sealing and sturdy bag for moisture control); Packet Material is Specially made in South Korea
What the service cost then—and what it costs now
Reported 2016 prices were about $70 for a smartphone, $40 for a flip phone or small item such as a key fob, and $100 for a laptop or larger device. A mail-in option was reported at about $50 plus shipping. Those are historical prices, not current quotes. Staples’ current TekDry service page promotes risk-free pricing—no charge if the device cannot be recovered—but the available page information does not establish a universal current price.
Can you use TekDry today?
Staples still lists TekDry water-removal services at select stores. Its page says service can take as little as 30 minutes and advises customers to turn off a wet device, avoid plugging it in, and bring it to a participating store promptly. But an online listing does not confirm that a particular store has an operating machine, staff available to process a device, or a current price. The present store count and nationwide availability are not established by the available evidence.
Rank #4
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- CELLY, ENTIRELY ITALIAN DESIGN AND STYLE: With over 20 years of experience, Celly manufactures and distributes innovative and high-quality accessories for smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras and action cameras
Before travelling, call the specific Staples location. Ask whether its TekDry equipment is operational, whether it can handle your device and liquid exposure, how long service will take, what the exact fee and no-recovery policy are, and whether the service affects any warranty or insurance claim. Get the quote and outcome terms before handing over the device.
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If your phone has just been wet
- Turn it off, if it is safe to do so. Do not charge it or connect accessories.
- Remove the case. Remove the SIM card only if you can do so safely and without powering the device on.
- Do not use a blow dryer, oven, or other high heat. Staples specifically warns that heat can damage sensitive components; rice is not a reliable fix.
- Arrange help promptly. Ask a qualified repair provider whether the priority is recovering data, repairing the device, or replacing it.
Drying is not the same as repair. Salt water, pool water, sugary drinks, and other contaminants can leave residues that a moisture-removal treatment may not remove. A phone that briefly powers on after drying can still fail later. Water-resistance ratings are not a guarantee against immersion, particularly for older or previously repaired devices.
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- PERMANENT PROTECTION FOR WET DEVICES: Rescue phones, earbuds, and hearing aids instantly! redux hearing aid dryer's heat-free drying system uses "Electronic Rice" beads to safely absorb moisture, no risky rice or hairdryers. Reusable for years; just reactivate with the included sleeve. Your go-to solution for water accidents
- REACTIVATE & REUSE! NEVER REPLACE: When beads are full, regenerate them in the USB reactivation sleeve. Powered by a long-lasting CR2032 battery for cordless drying anywhere. This hearing aid dryer and dehumidifier is a one-time purchase for protection. Perfect for travel, pools, beaches, and everyday peace of mind
- HEAT-FREE & SMART DRYING: Avoid water damage repair costs. Our hearing aid cleaner uses smart humidity sensors and a heatless process to gently pull moisture out, ensuring your sensitive electronics are safe. The LED indicators show the exact status: drying, complete, or need for reactivation
- COMPACT & TRAVEL-READY: Designed for adventure. This portable hearing aid dryer box fits effortlessly in your backpack, beach bag, or glove compartment, making it the perfect companion for boating, pool days, hiking, or any situation where water and tech might meet
- PROVEN EFFECTIVENESS: With an 84% success rate for devices powered off immediately after getting wet, our hearing aid dehumidifier is 3X more effective than traditional drying methods. Works with all phones (including iPhone & Android), AirPods, hearing aids, and other small electronics
If the phone is swollen, unusually hot, smoking, physically damaged, or emitting an unusual odor, do not take it to an ordinary drying service or attempt to charge it. A damaged lithium-ion battery can pose a safety risk; keep the device away from people and combustible materials and contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair professional for safe handling.
Choosing between drying, repair, and replacement
- TekDry or another drying service: May be worth checking when damage is recent, the device is not showing battery-danger signs, the store confirms working equipment, and the price makes sense. It may remove moisture, but cannot promise restored function or data.
- Manufacturer or authorized repair: Check the maker’s support channel if warranty coverage, correct parts, or a replacement option matters. Apple provides iPhone repair support; Samsung provides a repair service portal. Costs depend on model, damage, coverage, and location.
- Insurance or carrier protection: Review your plan before authorizing a third-party service. Ask about deductibles, replacement fees, claim limits, and whether the claim process could affect coverage.
- Independent repair or data recovery: For valuable data or suspected board damage, ask a reputable specialist about board-level repair and the likelihood of recovering files. Opening a device yourself can worsen damage, create battery risk, or affect warranty and water resistance.
- Replacement: Compare the full repair or recovery cost with the value of the device, while accounting for the importance of the data and the cost of replacing it.
What happened after the show?
Follow-up coverage describes TekDry as securing financing and continuing its expansion, and later reports said machines were in more than 600 Staples stores. That does not establish the current footprint or prove that the business is operating at its former scale. Staples’ online listing is evidence that it still advertises the service at select stores, not proof that TekDry is broadly available or that every listed location can provide it now. The available information is not enough to state definitively that the company shut down, either.
The sound conclusion is narrower: TekDry was a real company, it appeared on Shark Tank, and its Staples rollout was a substantial retail expansion. The “600 more stores after the deal” framing compresses two facts into a misleading sequence: the reports said expansion to about 600 stores, and the announcement preceded or coincided with the televised pitch.
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