Ask the Car People.SM


Right To Repair - A Hot Issue

576 messages,  Last post on Feb 04, 2013 at 8:06 PM

You are in the Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Electrical

Messages Page 55 of 59

#532 of 576 Re: level the playing field? [thecardoc3] by steve_ HOST

Jul 21, 2012 (1:49 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Jul 21, 2012 12:37 pm)
OK, the log-in thing is finally fixed!.
 
Don't jinx it.
 
Did you recruit some of your business friends to comment at the WSJ?
 
Looks like it's still headed for the ballot in Massachusetts with the Right to Repair Coalition's poll numbers running 80% in favor. Of course, the people polled haven't read this thread and don't know the arguments against the proposal.
 
Coalition rallies to support ballot question governing auto repair rights (Wicked Local Somerset)

#533 of 576 not just a Massachusetts issue by steve_ HOST

Oct 08, 2012 (9:11 am)

"France's antitrust authority fired a warning shot at auto makers on Monday accusing them of partly offsetting losses on car manufacturing with their alleged control of the auto-repair market, the latest in series of rulings and reports from the regulator that have rankled some French businesses.
 
The regulator, Autorité de la Concurrence, recommended the government deregulate the market for car repair parts to make it easier for independent mechanics to service cars. It also warned auto makers that it will probe and sanction specific anticompetitive behavior in the future.
 
The authority also asked car makers to provide independent mechanics with all the information needed to repair a car."
 
French Watchdog Targets Car-Repair Costs (WSJ)

#534 of 576 it's law but still on the ballot by steve_ HOST

Oct 16, 2012 (7:30 am)

Right to Repair is Now Law (MSNBC)
 
"The Tire Industry Association applauds the passage of the Right to Repair law in Massachusetts and strongly urges Congress to pass a comparable federal law to ensure that all American car owners and their trusted repair shops have the same access to safety alerts and repair information as the franchised new car dealer network."
 
Congress should pass right to repair law (somdnews.com)

#535 of 576 Re: it's law but still on the ballot [steve_] by hpmctorque

Oct 16, 2012 (7:38 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Oct 16, 2012 7:30 am)
I hope congress passes that law. It'll level the playing field for independent shops and consumers.

#536 of 576 Re: it's law but still on the ballot [hpmctorque] by steve_ HOST

Oct 16, 2012 (7:43 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Oct 16, 2012 7:38 am)
I'm curious about the unintended consequences.

#537 of 576 Re: it's law but still on the ballot [steve_] by hpmctorque

Oct 16, 2012 (8:03 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Oct 16, 2012 7:43 am)
Well, you raise a good point, Steve. It's a multifaceted issue, so I'd be surprised if there weren't some drawbacks that aren't obvious, but my perception is that the tradeoffs would be net positive. It would spur competition, which generally improves value to the consumer.

#538 of 576 Re: it's law but still on the ballot [hpmctorque] by thecardoc3

Oct 16, 2012 (9:23 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Oct 16, 2012 8:03 am)
It would spur competition, which generally improves value to the consumer
 
If it was really able to do anything, it might make some unknown tool cheaper, then someone with no additional training could then pretend they are qualfied and capable of taking on much more complictaed work. The race to the bottom would then accelerate and you'll lose the top shops even faster.

#539 of 576 Re: it's law but still on the ballot [thecardoc3] by obyone

Oct 18, 2012 (10:18 am)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Oct 16, 2012 9:23 am)
then someone with no additional training could then pretend they are qualfied and capable of taking on much more complictaed work.
 
Isn't that what they are doing now?

#540 of 576 Re: it's law but still on the ballot [obyone] by thecardoc3

Oct 18, 2012 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: obyone (Oct 18, 2012 10:18 am)
then someone with no additional training could then pretend they are qualfied and capable of taking on much more complicated work.
 
Isn't that what they are doing now?
 
No, the cost of the equipment and software created a natural barrier that prevented that in most cases. The shops once they found out that specialized equipment was mandatory for specific repairs either stepped up and made the investment, or else called in a mobile specialist or simply shipped the car back to the dealership.
 
Their hope with R2R is that they would suddenly have a way around the cost of the O.E. tools, meanwhile they still wouldn't have the training and experience to go with them. I see that as bad for the consumer.

#541 of 576 Re: it's law but still on the ballot [thecardoc3] by hpmctorque

Oct 24, 2012 (1:38 pm)

Replying to: thecardoc3 (Oct 18, 2012 1:18 pm)
Are you suggesting, then, that the current law is what's best for consumers? If not, what change(s) would you suggest?

Messages Page 55 of 59

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement