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ForgedCrank

(3,115 posts)
16. Right to
Tue Jan 13, 2026, 06:42 PM
Jan 2026

repair isn't really about cheap garbage not being worth the time and effort to repair. It revolves more around DRM type stuff and locks that don't allow people to fix their own stuff. The way the laws are setup, it's actually illegal to bypass a manufacturers software locks or security for any reason on a device you purchased and own.
People demanded f$#%^@!# computer screens and soft touch garbage in their cars and appliances, they fell for it. This is the method that manufacturers are using to keep extracting money from consumers, either in repairs or a subscription service to enable your cruise control and power seats. It's the same thing as 75 dollar ink cartridges for a 50 dollar printer. I've even seen RFID locked water filters on refrigerators now. And if you are smart enough and manage to access the software to disable such things, or break into your cars computer in order to fix something or modify it, you can literally be guilty of a crime as well as be liable for civil penalties for doing that to something you purchased.
That is what this fight is really about.
Consumers need to start rejecting these products and refuse to buy them. It's the same with cloud based software subscriptions. The goal is that you will own nothing and like it.

Recommendations

4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

It started with farmers spending $$$$$$ on tractors/combines with no ability to repair hlthe2b Jan 2026 #1
Speaking of Amazon, I recently needed a skin graph after my MOHs surgery. Dr. ordered it from Amazon. Who knew! SheilaAnn Jan 2026 #3
Well, they want to sell everything... hlthe2b Jan 2026 #8
I thought she was kidding at first but voila. $8,000 worth. She said they do have an extensive medical dept. n/t SheilaAnn Jan 2026 #12
Amazon has its own online pharmacy. ananda Jan 2026 #24
HEB rocks! hamsterjill Jan 2026 #54
Me too! ananda Jan 2026 #55
They are an amazing company. hamsterjill Jan 2026 #56
They just took my skin graft off of me fargone Jan 2026 #53
What's preventing repair of this item? bucolic_frolic Jan 2026 #2
There is no way for me to disassemble the heater to access the area Coventina Jan 2026 #7
Oh, now I see where you're coming from bucolic_frolic Jan 2026 #14
I think that's called a "tip switch", because it triggers when the device tips over. surrealAmerican Jan 2026 #4
Point taken. But I also feel that "planned obsolescence" is a major problem as well. Coventina Jan 2026 #10
Bought a cheap little space heater for my house this winter. Cost $35 at $ Gen. Have allegorical oracle Jan 2026 #57
Absolutely! SheltieLover Jan 2026 #5
Having the legal right to repair is not the same as having stuff that is possible to repair. Intractable Jan 2026 #6
I understand and agree. I guess I was envisioning a return to a time (haha!) Coventina Jan 2026 #11
Automation and cheap Asian labor has made it cheaper to replace than to repair. eppur_se_muova Jan 2026 #20
Repair shops and repair people remain common in low-income areas Prairie Gates Jan 2026 #42
I think it's an extremely important issue canetoad Jan 2026 #9
Pollution and waste is corporate design. Blue Full Moon Jan 2026 #13
Ask any farmer that owns a large piece of equipment made by John Deere A HERETIC I AM Jan 2026 #15
Right to ForgedCrank Jan 2026 #16
"The goal is that you will own nothing and like it." Jedi Guy Jan 2026 #35
Heck, Apple could be accused of planned obsolescence -- every new iphone model means allegorical oracle Jan 2026 #58
Oh yes, Apple is well known to engage in planned obsolescence. Jedi Guy Jan 2026 #59
Any device that is held together with screws can be opened. :) eppur_se_muova Jan 2026 #17
As "A HERETIC I AM" posted earlier, John Deere is the poster child for walkingman Jan 2026 #18
Have you heard of the black market for John Deere software? A HERETIC I AM Jan 2026 #30
Frequently screws are hidden under decals. Prairie_Seagull Jan 2026 #19
"Removing sticker violates warranty" is old hat on hard drives and other computer components. eppur_se_muova Jan 2026 #22
BMW has applied for a patent on a proprietary screw, so only their dealers and servicemen can repair your car. eppur_se_muova Jan 2026 #21
YES, I think it's important Raine Jan 2026 #23
"Right to Repair" doesn't mean it has to be easy to repair or that all parts have to be made available MichMan Jan 2026 #25
The issue here is DRM as well Oneironaut Jan 2026 #44
If you own a John Deere product it sure is. It needs to be stopped now before more of us with other products get stuck. marble falls Jan 2026 #26
yes. i need to be able to fix it myself rampartd Jan 2026 #27
"Right to repair" is extremely important, but your issue is not one of right to repair. NT. mahatmakanejeeves Jan 2026 #28
While it's not a burning priority for most of us right now. . . DinahMoeHum Jan 2026 #29
Trinket rich but equity poor. CrispyQ Jan 2026 #31
Don't get me started about cars Wednesdays Jan 2026 #32
Yes! Tasmanian Devil Jan 2026 #33
See if you can find a exact model cheap, that doesn't work, but you can pull parts off of it. n/t aggiesal Jan 2026 #34
I believe in a right to repair kbowman Jan 2026 #36
This is bigger than repairs MadameButterfly Jan 2026 #37
Not me. ForgedCrank Jan 2026 #39
Everything shouldn't be computerized and high tech MadameButterfly Jan 2026 #41
products made and not quality maliaSmith Jan 2026 #38
We have an appliance repair guy who keeps telling us MadameButterfly Jan 2026 #43
He is 100% correct. Newer models are for energy efficiency, not durability or even serviceability dalton99a Jan 2026 #45
i wonder if they are even saving energy if you consider MadameButterfly Jan 2026 #47
What really annoys me... CaptainTruth Jan 2026 #40
YES rictofen Jan 2026 #48
Right? Scott Alan Swaggerty Jan 2026 #50
That ship sailed a long time ago with American businesses. GoodRaisin Jan 2026 #46
Yes. Scott Alan Swaggerty Jan 2026 #49
Right to repair is a pretty big issue. tirebiter Jan 2026 #51
LOL, it was given to me, but point taken. Coventina Jan 2026 #52
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