Local repair shops say electronics manufacturers are not complying with a new law aimed at removing existing, intentional barriers that make it difficult for manufacturers to do their jobs fairly.
Nearly two months after it went into effect, some manufacturers are not complying with the terms of the Right to Repair Act (SB-244), according to some local repair shops.
“The idea behind the ‘right to repair’ is that you should be able to repair anything you own,” says Liz Chamberlain, sustainability director at iFixit, a San Luis Obispo-based company that specializes in creating repair guides and manuals for electronics.
But if you don’t have the right tools, it can be nearly impossible.
“We call it flying blind,” said Eric Vanderlip, branch manager of Coast Electronics in San Luis Obispo.
On July 1stSB-244 went into effect, requiring appliance and electronics manufacturers to provide repair manuals, parts, and tools to repair shops and service dealers. Without these things, large companies can make it virtually impossible for small mom-and-pop shops to repair your appliances and electronics. Vanderlip uses an analogy from the automotive industry.
“That would be like your car manufacturer saying, ‘We’re the only ones who can change your tires,’ and at a certain point they can’t change your tires. I mean, let’s be honest,” Vanderlip said.
Although the law has been in effect for nearly two months now, some repair shop owners tell KSBY that some manufacturers are not complying.
“Manufacturers shouldn’t be able to hold you back by denying you access to parts, tools, documentation and everything you need to make a repair,” Chamberlain said.
Chamberlain says iFixit has been advocating for this legislation for over a decade.
“The reason companies do this is because repairs are a pretty good business for them. If they can funnel all the repairs that customers need into their own shops, they can win that business,” Chamberlain said.
Those KSBY spoke to in the community say they agree with SB-244.
“I think it’s only fair. They shouldn’t have a monopoly here,” said Garey Hamel of Palm Springs. “It should be a free market and I should be able to do what I want, when I want. I bought their product, that should be the end of the relationship.”
“If they support the products, sell them or work on them, I think they should have access. It gives people more choices,” said Rebecca Harris of Aliso Viejo.
Vanderlip told KSBY he contacted Bose and Polk Audio to request schematics and manuals for specific products, but neither provided them.
KSBY then contacted both companies but received no response.
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Here is some background information on the Right to Repair Act, bill SB-244:
On July 1stCalifornia is the third state, along with New York and Minnesota, to have similar legislation, and has enacted the Right to Repair Act, which requires electronics and appliance manufacturers to provide manuals and related functional parts and tools to repair shops and service dealers on “fair and reasonable terms.” This is designed to remove intentional barriers and restrictions to third-party repairs. Without the Right to Repair Act, companies could restrict access to the tools that “mom and pop” shops need to fix your electronics, essentially creating a repair monopoly for the manufacturer.
For products between $50 and $99.99, SB-244’s terms must be met for at least three years after they are manufactured. For products over $100, that period is seven years. Companies that fail to comply face fines of up to $5,000 per day.
