3 ms·
It's a lot more important than many realize. Good products -- for example tractors and electric cars -- are being locked down and made less appealing to custome
by rsj_hn 6y ago
It's a lot more important than many realize. Good products -- for example tractors and electric cars -- are being locked down and made less appealing to customers because of right to repair restrictions and exorbitant maintenance costs. It's one thing when you have to go to the manufacturer to repair your iphone, but when you need to do that to repair a tractor or a personal vehicle you have to use, then that can truly impoverish people. This is a very important battle in the fight to preserve the middle class.
- jonchang 6y agoIt's important even when it's an iPhone or Android device. As the FTC report details, many households lack internet access outside of their mobile phones, so having to send off your only way to get online to the original manufacturer can mean days or weeks of not being able to access government services or apply for jobs or whatever.
- sundvor 6y agoAnd if you watch any of Rossmann's videos where he repairs Macbooks and such, they have _VASTLY_ inflated prices and often do a subpar job. That monetary difference can be really hurtful.
- bzzzt 6y agoWhy the heck are people hurt by buying luxury brands like Apple? It's like saying poor people can't get the time because they don't have enough money to buy a Rolex...
- jchw 6y agoThe prices for repairs and replacement parts is inflated.
- benplumley 6y agoBecause the non-luxury brands quickly follow suit once Apple has demonstrated the extra profit outweighs the backlash.
- fpoling 6y agoiPhone lasts mechanically and is supported much longer than Android. The original iPhone SE still receives updates after 5 years from the release.
- Proven 6y ago> Good products are being locked down and made less appealing Wrong. They are not being locked down - they're locked down before you buy them. It's not like you buy a product that's supposedly self-serviceable and then discover they've screwed you over. If that was the case you could sue. If you don't like a product that's not self-serviceable, buy a different product. If a product is less appealing, people will buy another. If you lose customers because you've made a very non-self serviceable product and that impacts your profit, you can choose to make it more self-serviceable. We don't need the government to boss manufacturers and consumers around.