What do you do when you start having problems with your smartphone or another device? Ideally, you would either try to repair it or you would replace it with something affordable. But in a lot of cases, your options are severely limited by the manufacturer. Thankfully, issues involving the right to repair are getting more attention these days. And thanks to sites like PhoneBot, it also is getting easier to purchase refurbished phones.
What is Right to Repair?
Manufacturers often stipulate that if consumers attempt to repair their own phones and devices, they are voiding their warranties. As a result, they may hesitant to try to DIY their repairs or even go to a repair shop. In many cases, it is also impossible to obtain the manuals and parts needed to make repairs of malfunctioning devices. That means that even if a consumer is ready to violate their warranty, they may still not be able to do anything to fix their device.
“Right to repair” is the name of a movement that seeks to remedy this. The FTC has even created a report to Congress about the problems with repair restrictions.
How Right to Repair Helps
Ensuring the right to repair improves life for customers, benefits the economy, and protects the environment. Here are some of the benefits:
- Consumers can save money making their own repairs.
- Small local repair shops get more business.
- Getting repair work done may be less expensive overall since there will be more competition between thriving repair shops.
- It is faster and easier for consumers to get their devices fixed.
- Consumers are less likely to throw away working phones in landfills.
- Each phone lasts longer, and consumers do not need to waste time and money buying new devices as frequently.
- In general, consumers have more control over what they own. When you pay for something, you should be able to do whatever you need or want to keep it in working order.
What Can Customers Do Now?
Depending on where you live, you might already have some of your rights to repair protected. This is the case to a degree in California, Indiana and Rhode Island. No matter where you live, you can write your congressmen and governors and ask them to pass more measures to protect your right to repair.
Beyond that, what should you do if your smartphone stops working tomorrow? If you are out of warranty or do not want to deal with the manufacturer, you could consider selling it or trading it in to a company that accepts old smartphones. You also could think about recycling it.
When it comes to purchasing a new phone, you do not need to pay full price to purchase a phone from a manufacturer. You can turn to the growing secondhand market for refurbished phones through websites like PhoneBot. On this website, you can browse a huge selection of smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops and accessories. Brands include Samsung, Apple, Huawei, Oppo, Sony, OnePlus and others.
This company for refurbished phones established itself in order to help consumers save money and to reduce the world’s carbon footprint. The tech you can purchase on the site is gently used and affordably priced. They function “as good as new” and are backed by warranties ranging up to 24 months. Delivery is free and fast.
We live in an era where big manufacturers still have far too much power in our lives. But this is also an exciting time as consumers, lawmakers, and repair and refurbishment businesses are standing up for the rights of consumers and the good of the environment. Consider purchasing your next smartphone refurbished, and write your lawmakers to demand the right to repair.