We all know how expensive it can be if we need to get our phone or laptop fixed, but Consumer Reports says it could soon get a lot cheaper for everyone -- thanks to a new state law in New York.
It’s a common gripe from consumers that manufacturers frequently limit tech repairs to “authorized” repair shops which makes it much harder to use a convenient and affordable service -- much less do the repairs themselves.
“Oftentimes manufacturers don’t develop these products with repairability in mind. And then on top of that, forced consumers to again rely on them for repairs, which can be costly and at times inconvenient,” explained Angel Han with Consumer Reports.
But that might be starting to change. Consumer Reports advocates like Han have helped to pass the country’s first “right to repair law” in New York, giving residents more choices in how they can get tech products like laptops and phones fixed.
“You can go to an independent repair shop that should be able to provide the same kind of quality of repair like Apple or Best Buy. Alternatively, you are now able to get the parts, the tools, instruction manuals straight from the manufacturer,” Han said.
Similar bills are in the works in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. But no matter where you live, you could see the benefits yourself because manufacturers are beginning to make replacement parts and service manuals available online -- information that Consumer Reports says has been secret for way too long and could save consumers big bucks.
“Families could save up to $330 a year if they were able to repair their products themselves or find other ways to repair their products outside of the manufacturer, as well as save over 600,000 tons of e-waste going into landfills,” Han said.
While most “right to repair” laws do cover smartphones and electronics like laptops and tablets, home appliances like microwaves or medical equipment are not. However, Consumer Reports says as they become more common, eventually they could end up covering more items around the house.