olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

I'm a Nikon user, and am directly affected by this, but then, beyond that, nearly everything else we buy and use is headed this way, it started a long time ago, and the garbage in the water is getting deep!

There is currently legislation being launched to inhibit/prohibit manufacturers from eliminating access to repair parts, and repairs, this does not just affect cameras, but nearly everything we buy. We should all look into this, it is important. This particular email I received mentions Nikon specifically, but it is really "all" and just about every form of electro-mechanical device we use.... planned obscelescence, elimination of repair shops, etc. It supports the manufacturers economic model, but is just a big screwing for the rest of us, the consumers.

Example: It takes 295 pounds of raw mineral ore and water to make a single iPhone 6. Today thousands of smartphones will go into the garbage, as they do everyday, billions, yes billions of phones and other devices every year, such a huge waste or resources, our money, our environment.

Unfortunately, the corporate lobbies will spend millions/hundreds of millions $$ to influence our politicians to continue this trend, and derail any legislation to enable us to get things fixed, forcing us to spend another grand (or wh**ever) to replace the item, rather than fix.....at every fail..... so our voices need to be heard.

Now on to the email:

If you bought a camera that cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars, you'd expect it to be a long-term investment -- one that you could take to a nearby repair shop of your choice if you need it fixed, right?1

Not so, if it's a Nikon. Nikon is making changes to who it allows to have access to the parts and information needed to fix their cameras -- and it's not just bad news for people who own a Nikon. It's bad news for everyone who wants to repair the things they own, whether that's a cell phone, computer, tractor or refrigerator.

That's why we need to stand up for our right to repair. Add your name today.

Starting March 31, Nikon will stop supplying any spare parts or service information to shops currently authorized to fix its cameras -- meaning these shops will no longer have access to what they need to fix the cameras. From then on, all Nikon customers will have to ship their broken cameras to one of two Nikon repair facilities in the U.S.2

Nikon's decision is a bad deal for its customers. When the manufacturer can dictate the terms of repair, they can block competition, reduce options, while increasing consumer wait times and costs.

As impractical as this is for Nikon's consumers, camera repair is just the beginning.

Join our campaign today: Tell your state senator to pass legislation that will guarantee our right to repair.

Repairability is a major component in reducing consumers' costs, extending product life, and reducing waste. But more and more manufacturers are limiting our ability to fix the things we own, or making products that simply can't be fixed.

That's why we're calling on states to protect our right to repair by compelling companies to provide access to the spare parts, service diagrams, specialized tools and repair software we and independent repair shops need to fix our things when they break.

Tell your state senator to pass legislation that will guarantee access to the components you need to fix the things you own today.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
olemikey

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Exactly.

Quixdraw Loc: x

Right of repair - another brand new part of the Bill of Rights, no doubt. So, for how long, how many years? What math would be used to determine the number of parts, many (most) of which would never be used? Obviously, along with this, you would need to compel repair business to stay in operation, probably have taxpayers subsidize them. Unfortunately, modern cameras, as wonderfully capable as they are, are just another small electrical appliance that will become obsolete or fail and be discarded or relegated to the "collection". Try getting parts for any old device - computer, TV, Stereo, etc. good luck with that! Though there are work arounds, I can't get parts for a 12 year old furnace or a top of the line 4 year old gas grill. Obviously your idea should be applied broadly? Not, IMO.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

More regulation yes that is exactly what is needed. "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you".
I am being sarcastic. What you propose is pure foolishness. Companies are responding to decreasing profits in a shrinking market. If you force them to lose more money they will simply stop offering the products.

BebuLamar

I would not support such a law. Many manufacturers today design their products so that they are easily made and assembled but not easily (and sometimes impossible) to be disassembled.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Thought they were only requires to keep spare parts for ten years.
At least that has been the standard for MANY, many years.
Some companies have only made X number of spare parts also.
The electronics chip for the Canon AE-1 is ONLY available from a cannibalized camera now.
You know that if the law states they must keep N spare parts available,
I will be person N+1.

What in the event of things that naturally die over the course of time?
Rubber drive belts for cassettes for example. they stretch and/or get dried out and brittle.
After 25+years of storage there could be 10,000 plus belts out there, all worthless.

I agree with JD750, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you"..........

BebuLamar

Besides Nikon (or other manufacturers) do continue to have parts and do repair for about 10 years after discontinuation. I don't see it's right to force manufacturers to sell parts to independent repairers. To repair a modern camera one would also need the tools (some of them are software) and you would force the manufacturers to release these software to these independent repairers too? If they do have why don't they force Nikon to sell those software to me also?

trainspotter Loc: Oregon

I "know" Dodges are built from the crankshaft OUT....Try changing a heater core on a Dakota, or remove an oil pan....(Yes I have a LONG list of "damn near impossibles")

thom w Loc: San Jose, CA

There is a big difference between requiring a manufacturer sell their parts for a third party to use to repair their product, and requiring they stock parts in perpetuity. I only saw demands for the first. Everyone seems to be posting about the second.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Why is the gubmint requiring anyone to do anything?

If you don’t like a company’s policies, don’t buy if.

Bill_de Loc: US

I'm glad to live in a country where we have free choice. If I don't like a product or service a company provides, I don't buy it. Cell phones aren't replaced because of failure, but because millions of people want the latest features.

I like the idea of looking forward, rather than the government stepping in to protect against obsolescence.

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letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

I wish the Govt would do something about the parts situation, I need parts for my Model A.

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

You’re fighting vertical integration? I can see your point. However, there is propriety information contained within many products and the parts. The Chinese are known thieves regarding proprietary information. Limiting access to their technology may be important for the company to remain in business.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

Sometimes you honestly have an educated reply, cheers.

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

Sometimes a degree and a couple of decades of experience come in handy.