Choosing to have electrical, electronic, and computer equipment repaired is a decision that sometimes has to be made, and given the issues involved it can be difficult to make that decision.

Repairing an item can sometimes be cheaper than replacement and it is often a more environmentally friendly alternative.  However, with the rapid changes in technology repairing an older piece of technology may not be viable.  For example, the older CRT computer monitors are bulky and use more energy that the newer LCD monitors.  Therefore, if a CRT monitor fails it is usually better to upgrade to an LCD monitor.

In recent decades it has become more difficult for technicians to repair equipment for a number of reasons.  Modern technology is often complex and requires specialist training, data, and equipment to carry out repairs.  Sometimes manufacturers do not release service data making it difficult for both authorised service agencies and third party organisations to carry out repairs.

Manufacturers often use techniques to make repairs a difficult option. In a 2021 report the US Federal Trade Commission lists a number of these techniques:

• Product designs that complicate or prevent repair;
• Unavailability of parts and repair information
• Designs that make independent repairs less safe;
• Policies or statements that steer consumers to manufacturer repair networks;
• Application of patent rights and enforcement of trademarks;
• Disparagement of non-OEM parts and independent repair;
• Software locks and firmware updates; or
• End User License Agreements.

The Repair Association as well as other organisations are advocating for legislation that would allow consumers and repair organisation access to service data. There is also a an emerging movement, labelled the Right to Repair, towards ensuring that any item purchased can be repaired by individuals or organisation other than the manufacturers or their service agents. Another recent development is community run Repair Cafes.

The complexity of the repair process is made easier with the advent of the internet.  Solutions to faults are often shared in online forums allowing both technicians and DIYers to sometimes be more efficient at repairing equipment.

As is the case with new equipment you should in most cases expect a warranty on any repairs carried out.  Sometimes, because of technical reasons, a repair organisation cannot offer a warranty on repair.

E-waste is a global issue and an increasing volume of the waste stream.  Repairing  faulty equipment helps to address this issue to a degree.

Further information

• Repair versus refurbishment, on the Ecotech Services knowledge base.
• Ecotech Services blog posts relating to repairs
• Product life, maintenance and care – Consumer Protection at the New Zealand Government Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
• Nixing the Fix: An FTC Report to Congress on Repair Restrictions, May 2021, US Federal Trade Commission
• Cultivating a Repair Mindset Toolkit – an educational resource

Organisations

• Repair Café Aotearoa New Zealand
• Repair Revolution – an intiative by Wastebusters
• ifixit, a US based organisation that promotes the repair industry.
• restarters, an international organisation promoting repairs
• Fixfest, a regular global gathering of repairers and tinkerers, activists, policy-makers, thinkers, and companies
• Open Repair Alliance, an international group of organisations committed to working towards a world where electrical and electronic products are more durable and easier to repair.
• Repair hashtagged posts at Facebook

News

Repair Cafe volunteer says ‘bring in your stuff and give it a second life’ | RNZ News15 November 2022
In a world of fast fashion and cheap appliances, a group of repairers is urging people to think twice before tossing things into the landfill.

Can we fix it? Yes we can! Repair Café Aotearoa champions fixing, rather than buying new | Stuff22 October 2022
A growing organisation is helping people repair their wares, as the cost of living bites.

Crowd funding to help Repair Cafes | RNZ20 September 2022
The Repair Cafe is looking to raise money to keep their sessions going and help divert more away from landfill by mending and making do rather than discarding. Brigitte Sistig is the driving force behind the Repair Cafe.

Feeling of ’empowerment’ in bid to save broken goods going to landfill | RNZ News23 August 2022
A group in Christchurch is plotting a revolution against throwaway culture and wants to help people maintain and fix their broken belongings.

Southland Electronics closing after 55 years with repair work declining | Stuff23 May 2022
A decline in repair work has led to Invercargill business Southland Electronics closing after 55 years.

Haier, Samsung and Fisher & Paykel drop in Consumer NZ ratings following introduction of new lifetime criteria | Stuff9 December 2021
Haier, Samsung and Fisher & Paykel washing machines have dropped in Consumer NZ ratings, after it introduced a lifetime performance score to help shoppers buy appliances they know will last.

“It’s no longer good enough for products to just perform well when they are new,” Consumer NZ product test manager Paul Smith said.

After 50 years of testing, the watchdog has found many modern appliances worked well when they were new, but some of them were not built to last.

France’s Repairability Index inches toward circular economy | ITU Hub25 October 2021
As of the start of this year, France became the first European country to implement a legally binding repairability index, with a new set of criteria for manufacturers spanning five types of electronics and home appliances.

Built to last? Consumers frustrated at hard to fix appliances | RNZ24 September 2020

A new study finds the vast majority of consumers want to get broken electrical appliances fixed, but are frustrated by how difficult and pricey it is to do. According to research conducted by Consumer NZ as part of their #BuiltToLast campaign, 98 per cent of respondents thought they should be able to get their washing machines and dishwashers fixed. Most said appliance repairs cost too much and that manufacturers and retailers should be responsible for recycling dead appliances. Kathryn talks with Consumer NZ chief executive Jon Duffy.

We Need a Fixer (Not Just a Maker) Movement | WIRED18 June 2013
The ‘maker movement’ is a grassroots success story, refueling interest in engineering and giving kids practical skills with tools. But now we need something new. We need to apply those maker skills to what we already own, giving broken devices a new lease on life. In short: we need a fixer movement.