Leaders of the IT industry have decided to reshape the “Consumer” law to suit themselves. Companies Apple, Google, and Microsoft demand that the US government ban third-party organizations from repairing their equipment. After all, the law requires manufacturers to provide spare parts and repair instructions to private workshops.
What Apple, Google, and Microsoft want
The manufacturers’ intentions seem transparent. According to IT experts, only service centers should handle device repairs. Private companies do not always perform repairs with quality, and sometimes even damage the devices with their unskilled actions.
And the logic of well-known brands can be understood. Considering the price of devices, consumers are interested in quickly restoring their phones, tablets, or other gadgets. At the same time, they can save on instructions and training repair company representatives. Moreover, it is easy to control all breakdowns by accessing service center reports.
Why amendments to the “Consumer” law are met with negativity
In terms of device repair companies, Apple, Google, and Microsoft are depriving them of income. Given that collectively, the mobile devices of these three giants account for over half of the American market, losses are easy to calculate. Currently, it only involves sharing tools, spare parts, and instructions. Repair is not prohibited. But what happens next is unknown.
Such a situation is also unprofitable for ordinary users. Every smartphone owner who has repaired devices at least once knows how expensive repairs at an official service center can be. Private companies offer repairs that are 2-3 times cheaper. The same spare parts and services, but with a huge price difference.
Apple, Google, Microsoft – skillfully throwing obstacles
Additionally, it is important to consider that official service centers are only present in large cities. What should residents of small towns do—spend money on shipping or travel to the nearest metropolis? An unpleasant situation.
On the other hand, American shortsightedness always positively affects the global economy. By pressuring consumers, Apple, Google, and Microsoft may provoke interest in products from other brands. This is quite natural. We will wait to see what the government decides on this issue and observe the market dynamics of IT devices.
