Support builds for repair scores in New York

Hello fellow electronic device users, thank you for lending me your attention for a just a moment. I am Christopher Gindi, the proud owner of COMPUTER CRISIS, a small business serving the greater capital region of upstate NY. We specialize in computer repairs, upgrades, networking solutions and providing expert advice on electronic purchases to individuals and small businesses when it’s time to upgrade.

I am here before you as both a business owner and a representative of consumers who rely on electronic devices everyday, at almost all times. Today, I want to bring attention to a proposed piece of legislation that, if enacted, could significantly benefit businesses like mine and consumers like you across the state.

Every consumer, all of us, desire our electronic devices to have exceptional repairability, yet we often find ourselves at the mercy of manufacturers’ decisions. This legislation proposes that manufacturers of electronic devices include a repairability score from an independent third party on the product’s packaging or readily accessible for consumers.

Now, why should the average consumer, perhaps not deeply familiar with technical details, support repairability scores? Let’s break it down.

At the core of this proposed legislation is the concept of repairability—a device’s ability to be easily disassembled, repaired with common tools, and be overall assembled in such away that access to critical components is not difficult. As a business owner, I understand the importance of a repair ecosystem, where instructions and replacement parts are readily available, ideally from the original manufacturer.

This legislation addresses a critical need. Most consumers lack the means to evaluate repairability before making a purchase. Repairability scores simplify this complex issue, providing consumers with a straightforward 10-point scale representing the overall repairability of a device.

To achieve a high repairability score, a device must have a comprehensive service manual, freely available to the public, detailing replacement procedures, required tools, parts lists, troubleshooting procedures, schematics, and more. This ensures that consumers and independent repair shops have the necessary information for repairs.

Furthermore, the availability of affordable replacement parts directly from the manufacturer is crucial. A robust selection of reasonably priced and publicly available parts empowers consumers to repair their devices without breaking the bank.

Let’s consider a practical example, such as the iPad Mini. Repairing a cracked screen can cost upwards of $600, demanding over an hour and a half, or more, due to its screen being glued on and intricate layers of tiny, complex components. 

When manufacturers glue batteries into the device, use adhesive and glue instead of screws, bind components together with microchips or require special tools that are unique to that product only, it becomes cost prohibitive for consumers to fix these devices and often forces them to throw it out and buy a new one. 

Repairability score focuses on product design, assessing how easily a device can be disassembled and reassembled, and whether or not the manufacturer is providing service manuals and replacement parts for the products they make.  This quickly and simply quantifies how accessible repairs are to someone who isn’t the original manufacturer.

 This legislation is not just about empowering consumers; it’s about promoting a culture of repair. Repairability scores would save consumers money and are environmentally responsible, decreasing the needless disposal of devices if a simple repair were possible instead. By supporting this legislation, we encourage manufacturers to prioritize products that are not only cutting-edge but also easily repairable.

In conclusion, this proposed legislation aligns with the values of consumers who want devices that are both innovative and easily repairable. It’s a win-win for small businesses like mine, ensuring a thriving repair ecosystem, and for consumers, guaranteeing that their hard-earned money is well-invested in devices that can be fixed when they break. 

Thank you for listening and I would encourage you to reach out to your local elected officials in whatever state you reside and ask them to support your Right to Repair. If you have never contacted your state representatives office I will tell you its easy and can be quite effective. This is a non partisan issue that impacts all of us. You can find all your reps information including office phone number and email by going to usa.gov/elected-officials. Simply input your address and you will have everything you need to reach out and let them know you want the ability to repair your electronics. Ask them to support Right to Repair legislation or introduce it if its not already in the works. Thanks again for your attention.

My name is Robert Remillard, and I’m the owner of White Wolf Computer located in Delmar New York. I’ve been in business for about 20 years. When I started, I made house calls repairing, upgrading, and installing computers – so I’ve had a front row seat to how the industry is changed over that time.

Back then it was common to find computers custom built by hobbyists, a local computer shop, or a small manufacturer. The parts were very interchangeable and repairable. Over time that faded, and now those smaller companies are either out of business or have been bought out by the large manufacturers: HP, Dell, or Apple.

The companies that now make the computers, phones, and tablets that we all use every day contain proprietary parts and are engineered so repair or upgrade isn’t really an option. Even traditionally simple upgrades like installing memory in your computer haven’t been possible on a MacBook Pro for about 10 years – it’s now soldered onto the system board. From the perspective of those corporations, there’s no real impetus to keep equipment around longer. Why would they, if each time something slows down or breaks, your hand is forced to get a new one?

While that business model works for those corporations it doesn’t work well for the consumer. I think the bill under consideration should be passed, as it would provide a fair comparison that would let the consumer know how “fixable” their tech is, and they can choose to purchase it… or not. It would also provide incentive to manufacturers to make equipment that is repairable, because it’s something that people will consider during the time of purchase, not months or years later when there’s a problem. Finally, it would help companies like mine make better decisions in the computers (and other equipment) that we purchase and allow us to make more accurate projections on what it will cost to support the device over its lifetime.