Ever damage an iPhone or MacBook and end up buying a new one because the cost was the same as fixing it?
That’s the type of situation the government is working to change.
Momentum for ‘Right to Repair’ legislation is building…
… thanks to 2 recent events:
- The Fair Repair Act was introduced in Congress, which would force manufacturers to provide information that would make repairs easier for individual repair providers.
- President Biden announced an executive order that would curb manufacturers’ ability to prevent self-repairs and third-party repairs.
Offering consumers more options for repairs could lead to serious savings. Case in point, after Apple quoted $999 for a repair on WSJ reporter Joanna Stern’s 2017 MacBook Pro, she brought it to an independent repair shop and was quoted $325.
Apple and other manufacturers argue that unreliable repairs could be unsafe for consumers
While this may seem like a convenient excuse, it has merit:
- In the wrong conditions, lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode
- Making more information available could make access easier for hackers
- Independent repair people could access your personal information
If we’re being honest, it seems like this situation could be avoided if Apple and other manufacturers just made their devices more water- (and coffee-) proof.
