Why is it so difficult to repair an electronic device? Have you ever wondered why it's so hard to repair your smartphone, computer or console? Companies manufacture the devices in a way that does not really allow you to do it.
However, a change in the existing legislation entitled "Right to repair" could change things.
What is the problem exactly?
Many manufacturers do not want to allow their customers to be able to repair their own devices or make it from a local specialist store. On the contrary, they prefer to do so themselves (or through authorized dealers), which often comes at a cost that is much higher than what you would pay at a local repair shop, and of course much more than it would cost you to do it yourself.
So most manufacturers do not sell original parts and do not offer information to repair the devices. In other words, they want to make it as difficult as possible for anyone to repair broken devices.
Apple, for example, has made even bigger strides by even making its own screws (not the common safety screws, but its own "Pentalobe" screws) to prevent users from opening their devices easily with a regular screwdriver.
Of course most manufacturers would prefer to buy a new phone or a computer in the event of a breakdown, which we often see, with very high charges for each repair, or with the well-known "impossible" repair phenomenon.
Of course you can always repair your device. There are websites where you can buy parts sourced from them suppliers που χρησιμοποιούν οι κατασκευαστές (ακόμα και αν δεν είναι τεχνικά “γνήσια ανταλλακτικά”), αλλά και οδηγίες στο Internet which offer repair information, Along with the above, the special tools needed to do it safely are also released.
But if you do, you will lose the guarantee ...
This is where the change in legislation called "Right to Repair" comes from.
At present, 17 states have introduced new legislation that will provide independent repair shops with the same access that manufacturers have to genuine spare parts, tools and information to help with the repair of consumer electronics.
Currently not officially approved in the consumer electronics sector, but a law on the right to repair cars was passed in Massachusetts 2012.
The good news is that this legislation is constantly gaining popularity, especially since the scandal with the iPhone battery has been revealed.
Repair: And the warranty?
So, the Right of Repair Law will allow you to open your devices. What will happen to the warranty?
In accordance with HTGBy techniqueIn this opinion, you can keep the guarantee. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975, it's illegal for companies to void your warranty just because you repaired or modified something yourself. They will have to prove that your repair or conversion caused something else in the device to malfunction. This means that those dreaded warranty stickers you see on many electronic devices are essentially meaningless... at least from a legal point of view.
I wish.
To do this.