Have you heard about the Right-to-Repair law that’s gaining traction in the U.S. and around the world? If you’re a DIYer who loves fixing cars, appliances, or electronics, you may have noticed a disturbing trend: getting your hands on parts and repair info is becoming harder than ever. Many manufacturers seem bent on making repairs next to impossible by restricting access to affordable parts and repair manuals.
Instead of selling simple, low-cost parts, they often push entire assemblies at sky-high prices—and good luck finding any useful documentation to help with diagnosis or replacement. The result? Repair costs that can exceed the price of buying new. This is no accident; it’s a deliberate move by manufacturers to push us into throwing away what’s fixable and buying new products. And it’s not just affecting your phone or washing machine; it’s hitting everything from cars and machinery to household appliances.
Luckily, things are changing.
Why Manufacturers Are Against the Right-to-Repair Law
It’s no surprise that companies are fighting the Right-to-Repair law tooth and nail. They don’t want us to be able to repair our own products because it keeps us coming back to them for replacements and services. The claims they make are all about protecting “safety” and “security” by keeping repairs in-house. But let’s be real—this isn’t about our safety; it’s about their bottom line.
Manufacturers like to claim that repairs are too “complex” for the average person, but that’s a convenient excuse to keep customers dependent on them. They’ve taken advantage of a system that allows them to restrict access to repair parts, software, and manuals, making it seem like only their “certified” technicians can do the job. And because they hold all the keys, they can charge whatever they like, with no alternatives for us.
In many cases, they’ll even design products specifically to prevent repair. Think glued-in batteries or parts that require specialized tools no regular person would have. They’re rigging the game, creating products that are nearly impossible to repair without going back to them—ensuring a steady revenue stream while keeping us locked out of our own property.
The Cost of Restricted Repairs
Indeed, this situation is a hassle, and it’s hitting our wallets and the planet. When manufacturers make repairs difficult or even impossible, they’re effectively forcing consumers to replace products more often than necessary. Every product we have to throw away because we can’t get a simple part is one more item in the landfill and one more unnecessary purchase we’re forced to make.
Take the automotive world, for instance. While it might seem like we’ve got it easy with parts stores and OEM suppliers, once you’re dealing with a specific component or a newer model, it’s a whole different story. As a DIYer or even a local repair shop, you’re at the mercy of whatever the manufacturer decides to release. And let’s not forget, every “new replacement” often comes with a hefty price tag.
It’s not just about us, either. Independent repair shops, which provide affordable repair options to communities, are also hit hard by this system. When small businesses can’t get parts or access the necessary documentation, they can’t serve their customers or compete with bigger chains and dealers. The entire repair ecosystem suffers, which means we, the consumers, end up with fewer choices and higher costs.
How Industry Pushback Is Stalling Right-to-Repair Progress
The Right-to-Repair law has gained a lot of momentum, but manufacturers are using their considerable influence to slow it down. They’ve poured millions into lobbying, ensuring the law stays in legislative limbo or gets watered down. Their strategy? Convincing lawmakers that making parts and manuals available to the public will create “safety risks” or lead to “piracy.” But these claims don’t hold up when you look at them closely—they’re just scare tactics.
Large companies have every incentive to keep repairs under their control, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to preserve this monopoly. They’re leveraging their deep pockets to keep consumers and small repair businesses at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, as we wait for meaningful change, they continue to tighten their grip, making it harder and harder for people to repair anything themselves. It’s a classic case of the powerful protecting their profits at the expense of everyone else.
Are Parts the Only Problem?
Parts are one side of the issue, but access to repair information is just as critical. Even when manufacturers sell parts, they rarely provide the guides needed to diagnose and fix issues. When it comes to cars, for example, repair info is often locked behind expensive subscriptions to manufacturer portals. That may work fine for dealerships with deep pockets, but for DIY mechanics and smaller shops? It’s a costly, often unmanageable burden.
And let’s face it: searching for repair tips on forums or YouTube can only get you so far. These resources are unreliable, time-consuming, and often leave you with more questions than answers. The better solution? Specialized service or repair manuals, like those from eManualOnline, which offer everything you need in one convenient, electronic format. Instead of costly subscriptions, these manuals come with a one-time price, and you can access them anytime—without paging through vague guides that don’t cover your exact issue.
How Right-to-Repair Law Empowers Consumers and Small Businesses
So why does the Right-to-Repair law matter so much? Because it gives power back to the people. When you’re able to access parts, tools, and manuals, you’re in control. You don’t have to depend on the manufacturer or pay absurd fees for simple fixes. This law would enable everyone, from DIYers to independent repair shops, to repair products affordably and easily.
Small repair shops, in particular, stand to benefit greatly. These businesses often serve as an affordable, local repair option that can’t compete with large companies’ access to parts and information. The Right-to-Repair law would level the playing field, allowing these shops to operate fairly and keep providing valuable services to their communities.
DIYers, hobbyists, and regular consumers would have the freedom to repair products without being held hostage by manufacturer monopolies. And think of the environmental benefits—a Right-to-Repair law would help reduce waste by allowing us to keep products in use longer rather than replacing them prematurely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Right-to-Repair law?
The Right-to-Repair law is a set of proposed laws aimed at giving consumers and independent repair shops access to the parts, tools, and information needed to fix products on their own. It’s a push for fairness and transparency, challenging manufacturers who make it nearly impossible to repair things without going through them.
How does the Right-to-Repair law affect me as a consumer?
Right-to-Repair laws benefit you by providing the resources to repair products yourself, instead of being forced to rely on expensive, authorized service centers. This freedom would allow you to maintain and fix your items affordably and reduce the number of products prematurely sent to the landfill.
Why do manufacturers oppose the Right-to-Repair law?
Manufacturers argue that allowing consumers to repair their own products could lead to safety or security issues. But the reality is, they’re more concerned about losing the profits they make from exclusive repair services and forced replacements. By restricting parts and information, they keep control—and profits—within their own networks.
Are there any environmental benefits to the Right-to-Repair law?
Absolutely. Right-to-Repair can help reduce electronic waste and pollution by keeping products in use longer instead of being thrown away. When products are repairable, they have a longer lifespan, which minimizes the demand for new products and lessens the environmental strain of constant production and disposal.
How does the Right-to-Repair law help independent repair shops?
Independent repair shops are often at a disadvantage because they can’t access the same parts and information that manufacturers provide to authorized dealers. The Right-to-Repair law would level the playing field, allowing these smaller businesses to compete fairly, serve their communities, and offer more affordable repair options.
Who’s Winning So Far—Does the Right-to-Repair Law Favor Customers or Manufacturers?
At this point, it’s fair to say that manufacturers still hold the upper hand. They’ve poured a lot of money into lobbying efforts, delaying Right-to-Repair laws and pushing for exceptions that benefit their bottom lines. While some states have made progress, the current laws still have loopholes that let manufacturers restrict access to parts and repair information.
That said, customer support for Right-to-Repair is growing, and public awareness is pressuring lawmakers to take real action. So while manufacturers may be “winning” for now, the tide is turning as more people recognize the importance of these rights. It’s a fight, but every new bill and every customer demanding their right to repair adds strength to the movement.
The Bottom Line: We Need the Right-to-Repair Now
Today, we’re fighting an uphill battle to keep our products working as they should, all because manufacturers are doubling down on restricting access to parts and info. Right-to-Repair laws aim to change this by requiring manufacturers to provide parts and documentation so that repairs become affordable and feasible again. It’s a no-brainer: giving us the freedom to repair our own stuff without being forced to line corporate pockets is long overdue.
Until manufacturers catch up with the times, repair manuals like those from eManualOnline remain one of the best options for anyone who wants to take control of their repairs and save money. We offer manuals for everything from cars and trucks to appliances and electronics, so you’re never left stranded without a clue on how to get things working again.
Get a repair manual today and start taking charge of your own repairs. Because we shouldn’t have to ask permission to fix what we already own, right?
