The "Right to Repair" Movement

[dvduval]

I had not heard of this until today.
"When manufacturers own the only repair shop around, prices go up and quality goes down. Competition is better for customers, but mom and pop repair shops are struggling with unfair practices by multinational corporations. Consumers and repair pros are starting to fight back. We are working to pass Fair Repair legislation at the state level, so that every consumer and every small business has access to the parts, tools, and service information they need. Protect repair jobs. Defend your right to repair."
I found this story on Slashdot, because apparently Apple is starting to feel the pressure. But unfortunately, I don't see my state on the list yet. Time to write my Congressman!
https://repair.org/

[MineralMan]

1. I haven't really noticed any shortage of independent

repair shops in my area. So, what industry is being discussed here.

[Orrex]

7. Here in western PA...

I have been told several times over the years that certain repairs for several of my cars had to be performed at the dealer.

No one in town, for instance, was able to program the ignition module for my 2003 Impala, other than the exorbitantly priced dealer. My then-preferred garage was unable to access the proprietary programming.

And when my 2004 Cadillac ignition switch had to be replaced, on the dealer was able to do it. That one was free because it was a recall, but I asked my garage if they were able to do it, and they said that they can't access the proprietary programming.

The work itself would have been simple, but the artificially restrictive software prevents otherwise capable garages from performing the repairs.

[Ms. Toad]

8. Companies try to restrict access to the parts and supplies

to repair their products so that they can charge more to do them in house.

If there is software (or firmware) involved, they restrict licensing. They void warranties for repairwork done by unauthorized entities. They have (until the recent Supreme Court case) insisted that their patents continued in the parts needed for repair so you couldn't buy/sell the parts (or design a replacement) without a license (which, of course, was priced out of the reach of most independent repair shops).

[safeinOhio]

2. I don't think it passed but

Michigan was trying pass a law that only original manufacturers parts could be used at repair shops for cars.

[brooklynite]

3. Plenty of third party repair shops in New York

[BSdetect]

6. But companies like Apple design devices to make repairs really difficult

if not impossible.

Why I will never buy any of their products.

[brooklynite]

10. No, they don't

I can take an iPhone into any corner repair shop to have the battery or screen replaced.

A friend ran the nation's most successful Mac repair shop in NYC for 25 years.

What you're perhaps saying is that they design devices so that YOU PERSONALLY can't open them up easily. If that's your point, fine. I'll take the better quality product.

[mythology]

13. Apple also makes their products to limit the ability to upgrade no matter who you go to

But you are also wrong about repairing iPhones. Apple will brick your iPhone if you replace the Home Button unless you take it to an authorized Apple service provider.

They also claim that allowing the right to repair will lead to places like Nebraska being a "mecca for bad actors" whatever the hell that means.

[diva77]

4. Very important issue -- I know that, for example, if a Toyota Prius undergoes outside

repairs from a non-Toyota business, I believe the warranty on the car becomes invalid. A car owner should not be hog-tied to have his/her car repaired by the manufacturer

[geek tragedy]

5. Only items that I know this applies to are higher end cameras.

Virtually every car brand has people who can fix it in a lot of places, who aren't tied to the original manufacturer.

[X_Digger]

11. Those dealers usually paid an outrageous licensing fee for the 'tools' to fix them.

Hence the 'BMW licensed repair center' placard.

[mythology]

14. iPhones get bricked if a non-Apple authorized dealer fixes them

John Deere and General Motors have both made claims to the U.S. Copyright Office that say the people who buy their products don't have any right to the software only the physical device. Meaning you wouldn't be able to repair it if they have their way.

For a farmer, what happens when a tractor breaks down when they need it and get stuck waiting for the John Deere dealership? Oh that's right, their crop fails. And if they try to repair it themselves, John Deere can remotely shut down the tractor.

[geek tragedy]

15. Apple somewhat makes sense for data security reasons

it's BS but probably legal what GM and John Deere are doing

[Initech]

9. No way in hell would I trust Staples or Geek Squad to repair my PC.

[hunter]

12. Most of my tech, including my car, computers, and phone were someone else's trash.

If I can bring tech back to life, great.

If not, it's no loss but my time and I've learned a little something along the way.

Linux is helpful for computers. It can rejuvenate an older computer that's been bogged down by Microsoft cruft.

We have a Ford that requires a "smart key." I hate those things and there's no point to it when the value of a car falls into the sub-$1000 catagory and you've never carried theft insurance on it anyways. The cost of replacing keys is artificially inflated. Smart keys are a "feature" the owner ought to be able to turn off once they've got full title to the car, so they can buy dumb $2.00 replacement keys.

My own car was built before automotive digital computers, the windows roll down with a handle, so I don't have problems like that. I don't even bother to lock the doors because it's annoying when people break windows thinking there's something valuable inside. Someone's going to steal a radio with a cassette player? Ha ha.

I fully support right-to-repair legislation but I also act as a consumer, refusing to buy things that can't be repaired, especially things that can't be repaired by ME.