I think the creator of a product can do whatever wishes—you don’t like, buy elsewhere. No where else to go, start your own business. But running and whining for the governments to force others to comply with your wants and wishes? Nope. That’s evil and immoral because it violates the principle of the free market—free men trading freely that which is theirs for that which they want.
So if you are a farmer, just start manufacturing tractors. Isn't that like telling coal miners to learn to code? So you are against laws against fraud?
This is a fascinating thread. So what we have is an abusive monopolistic practice by corporations that appears to require something more than the free market laissez faire economic system can fix. Now modern American liberalism first looks to find ways to tinker with a preexisting statute or a regulation,, to promote a less intrusive fix or provide an incentive through the tax code for the industry itself to fix it, before moving on to a deeper regulatory intervention which is never off the table for recalcitrant industrial abuse. I am reading a lot of posts which in essence endorse these same solutions by posters who normally are pounding the table for deregulation in the name of simple fairness and honorable business practices. Whether we tweak patent law, or whether we regulate these proprietary contracts or simply oblige companies to more clearly identify and advertise their practices with better and more readable packaging and ownership agreements up front, its all about adding a regulation on business to resolve a problem consumers have, with a disingenuous and greedy corporate practice. Glad to see some of you on board the liberalism train if only on this narrow issue. We can get this done, but don't forget that these same principles have been at the foundation of liberalism for over 60 years.
If this is a truly serious problem then the marketplace will motivate competitors to do something else to capture market share. Companies change when the change improves profits. Selling more tractors can improve profits.
Apple uses custom screws just to make it that much more annoying to repair something as simple as a board coming loose. There is no reason for a custom screw. It’s just one more hurdle making people jump through. I don’t know anyone who really likes a slippery phone with nothing grippy. But it sure makes Apple millions and in Apple Care and other repairs that should the needed. But making a slick phone that drops and cracks easier means more $$$$. It’s not designed for looks. It’s designed for maximum breakage.
Personal data is the new currency. With enough data points/markers, these companies are able to predict the consumers behavior with a degree of accuracy.
I hope the farmers vote with their money, and force the manufacturers to change the product they sell. Will the market work in this case? Only time will tell. I have a friend who has always driven Mercedes Benz, getting a new one every 3 years. 5 or 6 years ago he stopped buying the new ones because they have too many bells and whistles, too many things that are unnecessary and troublesome, and of course too many things to go wrong requiring a trip to the dealership.
I am familiar with the right to repair issues with respect to Apple products. Suffice it to say I love the expensive iMac computer, but will never buy another one. Anyone who owns Apple products and not familiar with the Right to Repair issues should watch the Louis Rossmann videos on Youtube.
So just like barbers why not have auto mechanics take a test and be licensed to prove they know what they are doing. It's called public safety. I've had some bad haircuts in my time but none I consider life threatening. I have however seen some horrific 'repairs' by the incompetent armed with only a Fisher Price toolkit and dubious information from a YouTube video. It will get more interesting as electric cars become the norm and the shade tree mechanics start working on 400 volt battery packs. Maybe they will even require the mechanics to hold an electricians license before they can even open it up. Don't scoff most in states an auto mechanic already needs a locksmith license to work on the security systems, including the door and ignition locks.
FYI, a pick up truck is for utility work, your performance vehicle is for just that, they are different, the comparison is not valid, as far as performance. If your vehicle had to do the heavy loads, it would break down quicker.
Not sure your car insurance would like the vehicle to be repaired by a non licensed mechanic. Might depend on the state though.
Because licensure is a necessary evil that is very easily corrupted into restraint of an individual's rights to earn a living. It also becomes yet another way for the state to track citizens and their businesses. It becomes yet another way for bureaucracies to justify their existence, grow their power, and harrass small businesses. It also chills apprenticeships and jobs for young people in the same way minimum wage laws do. Finally, the mere possession of a license doesn't guarantee safety in comparison to the costs... that are passed on to taxpayers. Can you imagine how expensive a state-administered licensure program for mechanics would be for consumers? How much it would cost us all? There would have to be various licenses and tests for various engines and systems. One stop shopping of mechanics would end. "I can do that engine, but can't do the brakes or transmission on that vehicle, you will have to go to the next county for that." No thanks.
Yes, that is a good point, licensure of mechanics would allow insurance companies yet another way to jack rates on what were otherwise safe drivers. Anecdotally, in my area, almost no accidents are caused by mechanical failure due to improper repair of vehicles on the road, almost all are user/driver error.
I finally read the original article,there is still more to learn but I agree with the idea of fighting this via RTR legislation, the current systems seems like an underhanded way to backfeed the authorized service centers business with little or no competition. There seem to be two factors involved with that issue, higher costs and most importantly delays that can impact a farmers profitability. I'm glad to hear that farmers are fighting back by a) embracing older tech that can be repaired with less time and expense and b) through the legal process.
My buddy replaced his oil pressure sensor on his F-150, due to a leak around it. He brought the part new, had to remove the wheel and oil filter to reach it. Damn low oil pressure light started coming on (which it never had) so he put the old one back on (with more teflon tape) no more low pressure light. Point is, if that was a mechanic, you would have been charged twice but not if the mechanic provided the part, it's on him.
I have some older vehicles that I drive and noticed that 3rd party parts are junk. I am too often resort to the junk yard, and maybe they will have the parts.
Yep, truck is over 20 years old. Oil still leaks, just keeps topping it up. At least you know the oil is clean!
Then mandate that the have passed the ASE tests with no cost to the taxpayer. After all a doctor pays his own way through medical school before getting a license. There is also the issue of pollution where oil is simply poured down a drain or dumped on open land, and yes, I've seen it done.
So long as everything is disclosed in detail in advance with all the "proprietary maintenance" costs expected for the lifetime of the vehicle included in the purchase agreement. This is going to create a deluge of lawsuits I'm thinking there will be some truth in lending issues as well especially for manufacturer derived loans. Also any fees created that maliciously harm an owner by creating a fault in the system for attempting a diy repair is theft. I'm also assuming that these vehicles will be "on line" any attempt to fault a vehicle just to create revenue should be a crime. Yeah, the more I think about it there needs to be some consumer protections put in place. Sell me a car, loan me the $50,000 to do so then fault my vehicle arbitrarily to create revenue. I'm gonna burn your house down! Then your kids house! Then your dog's house. Then impregnate your dog ... Ok, I got carried away.
