More Trouble for Right to Repair Act

[Joe Marconi]

A member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Rep. Martin J. Walsh, who originally supported the right to Repair Act, is now urging his colleagues not to vote for the bill. Rep. Martin J. Walsh, a Democrat, was listed as one of the original co-sponsors of the Bill.

 

According to Rep. Walsh, the claims that small repair shops are at a disadvantage are nothing further from the truth. He goes on to say that repair stations see it unnecessary to invest in a full suite of the tools and training and that the solutions are already in place.

 

In other words folks, this politician is agreeing with the notion that the problems that we are faced with everyday in repairing and servicing our customer’s cars are all ours. We are the problem, not the auto maker. Our Problem???

 

We created TPMS? We created window door modules that need reprogramming after installation? We created transmissions that need reprogramming after replacement? We created idle relearn recalibration after removing the intake plenum to replace spark plugs? We created steering angle sensor recalibrating after a wheel alignment? I could go on and on, but you get the point.

 

How do you feel about the right to Repair Act? Is it a waste of time? Are you all really happy with the direction we are headed?

 

I know where I stand. I have been fighting for our rights for years, even at the State level, testifying before public hearings….tell me where you stand.

[D.Larson]

A member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Rep. Martin J. Walsh, who originally supported the right to Repair Act, is now urging his colleagues not to vote for the bill. Rep. Martin J. Walsh, a Democrat, was listed as one of the original co-sponsors of the Bill.

 

According to Rep. Walsh, the claims that small repair shops are at a disadvantage are nothing further from the truth. He goes on to say that repair stations see it unnecessary to invest in a full suite of the tools and training and that the solutions are already in place.

 

In other words folks, this politician is agreeing with the notion that the problems that we are faced with everyday in repairing and servicing our customer’s cars are all ours. We are the problem, not the auto maker. Our Problem???

 

We created TPMS? We created window door modules that need reprogramming after installation? We created transmissions that need reprogramming after replacement? We created idle relearn recalibration after removing the intake plenum to replace spark plugs? We created steering angle sensor recalibrating after a wheel alignment? I could go on and on, but you get the point.

 

How do you feel about the right to Repair Act? Is it a waste of time? Are you all really happy with the direction we are headed?

 

Hi Joe,

Happy Friday:)

 

We, the repair industry, already have the RIGHT to REPAIR!

 

The information we need to repair vehicles is available to anyone willing to invest in proper tooling, information and training!

 

The R2R Legislation is driven by Aftermarket Parts Manufacturers who need the OEM Information to produce todays complicated aftermarket parts, the repair industry already has all the information they need available to them. Just a business matter of deciding what to invest in, finding the information, buying the proper tools and training our people:) We already have the Right to Repair!

 

Imagine if all the monies, put into the R2R Legislation, had gone to education and training of our Technicians, Shop Owners and Service Advisors.....Wow, that would certainly help the industry fix cars better! Lets all work together, focusing on learning & training others, to access and use all the information we already have available to us! We already have the Right to Repair:)

 

Have a Fun Day!

[Joe Marconi]

Maybe we are looking at this wrong. Perhaps, we should fight for the “Right not to be Frustrated”. I totally agree that investment in training, tools, equipment will serve us far better in the long run. But what about a 3 bay shop that services: Toyota, Hyundai, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, VW, Volvo, Honda, Kia and Suzuki? How can a shop of that size afford all the training, tools, scan tools and equipment to really compete? I hope the answer is not that he/she has to pick and choose what models the shop can afford to work on. Because that, I see is the only answer. The only way to truly compete is with factory scan tools and factory equipment. The aftermarket, is very good, but does lack in certain critical areas.

 

If a shop has to give up market share as a business decision, he gives part of his business.

 

And, what if a shop has a fleet account and takes cares of a local company’s Ford Vans and next year the company decides to buy all Sprinter Vans? Try tooling up for Sprinters, that is no fun. Again, the shop already invested heavily in Ford scan tools, training and equipment but now needs to change gears and tool up again. I know, change will occur, but it is frustrating.

 

I have a large company and due to my economy of scale I can afford the training and tools necessary to compete, but that’s not the case across the board. Plus, I really cannot put all the blame on the shop owners and techs, they do a remarkable job with the limited resources and training they have.

 

I appreciate the dialogue in this forum. We as independents need to work together. Let’s keep the dialogue going, it’s our future.

[D.Larson]

I absolutely agree with you Joe:) We need to work together, both the OEMs & Independents, to better serve our industry!

 

However, your original post asked about the "Right to Repair Act".

The R2R Legislation is not going to help repairers. It is not going to solve our problems, it is not going to give us more information or tooling, and there is a good chance, if R2R Legislation passed, it would make our access more complicated for many years to come.....

 

We, as an industry, need to work together to solve the problem of How can a shop of that size afford all the training, tools, scan tools and equipment to really compete?

 

This is not only an Independents problem, Dealers are also going to be faced with this problem as they are beginning to market offering services of all makes/models....

 

The answer may be to network with other shop owners in the area, we have begun to do that here. This may be the avenue the dealers will take...

 

Investment in training, tools, equipment is where we need to start. Networking and working collectively to solve this challenge, lets put our monies and energy toward that goal! This industry has survived may changes - we can figure this out:)

 

Have a Fun Day!