Right to Repair Gaining Speed in Northeast
Tuesday October 7, 2008
The battle for Right to Repair legislation has been raging for years. Independent repair shops want access to repair information they need to properly service the newest models. Proponents have been working from coast to coast on both state and national levels. Recently there has been a lot of attention given the cause in the New England area. This comes recently from Massachusetts:
Massachusetts is proving to be a very receptive state for landmark legislation that would protect consumers’ right to choose where they have their cars repaired. The legislation (H4892) would require car manufacturers to provide independent repair shops equal access to the same diagnostic repair information and tools they provide for their dealer mechanics.
Over the course of the session, the legislation advanced further In Massachusetts than it has in any other state or in Congress where it has been pending. Against a coordinated assault by major car manufacturers to kill the Right to Repair legislation outright, the pro-consumer rights bill was reported out favorably from the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and made it to the House floor this week. While the formal session ended yesterday, the bill remains active on the House calendar.
Learn more about Right to Repair legislation at www.righttorepair.org.
Comments
That was a clever plan on the part of the dealerships. Unfortunately, for them however, we live in a democracy. Consumers should be able to choose where to get their vehicles repaired.
This is a great development for mechanics all around the country! Hopefully this can spread all over the nation.
I think this is a huge step for independent shops. Nowadays, who wants to pay double for anything, let alone the same thing. Theres nothing a dealership can do that a qualified, skilled technician can’t.
MaplewoodTransmission.com
RIGHT TO REPAIR:
Auto repair is and will always have dishonest people who will rip-off customers. Honesty,Integrity,has been replaced with GREED.
February 15, 2007
Ford Motor Company
16800 Executive Plaza Drive
Customer Relations Center
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126
RE: R & R Heater Pipe V-8 281 4.6 L Engine (Under Intake Manifold)
Dear Sirs:
I bring this to your attention as any owner of a Ford product can fall victim to this
scam that I encountered at AAA Auto Repair, Peoria, AZ. We are led to believe,
(owners of Ford products with the V-8 281 4.6 L Engine) that the intake manifold
must be removed to install heater pipe on this engine. The manifold is NOT
removed as WAS this case on my daughter’s car, a 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis.
They disguise this by showing on invoice as “Replace intake manifold gaskets”.
Heater pipe is listed under parts. Invoice shows no labor charge to install. This
pipe not visible to owners, so they do not know if it needs replaced. This scam
is probably being used in service departments and repair shops all over the
country. I am sure you will investigate this matter promptly and thoroughly.
Was there ever a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) put out to cover heater pipe
R & R?
Repair manuals updated to cover Heater Pipe R & R?
I have documents/statements that I will make available to any/all persons or
groups and other parties interested in bringing about and exposing any auto repair
for using fraudulent and deceptive methods as stated above. The car is available
to be viewed by all parties.
Charles xxxxxxx
FORD NEVER ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS!!!!!
Matt,
Living in Massachusetts, perhaps the only state in the union where it’s illegal for home owners to do their own plumbing, I have my doubts that the proposed legislation will really level the playing field.
I do all of my own repairs, and I won’t be surprised when the state decides that it’s just too dangerous to let individuals without “proper training” change a tire or a spark plug.
Auto Troubleshooting Flowcharts I’m Working on
Morris