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Austrian government launches repair scheme for electronic goods

15 replies

SerendipityJane · 30/12/2023 09:18

Despite them being designed not to be repaired ....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67777814

Lukas fixing things at Helferline

Austrian government launches repair scheme for electronic goods

The Repair Bonus voucher scheme gives people cash towards repairing their electronic goods.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67777814

OP posts:
LlynTegid · 30/12/2023 09:36

An imperfect scheme I think, but a start in the right direction.

What I would make law is something requiring software and operating system support for a given period of time. You should be able to use a 10 to 12 year old phone and have regular updates.

Winnading · 30/12/2023 09:50

Mr Schmidgruber says customers have to download a voucher from a government website and then pay the repair shop upfront. "Then you get back half of the costs after three to four weeks

is everybody wealthy enough to do this in Australia? I can think of several people in my immediate circle who could not lay out the money up front. Especially when it's often cheaper to just buy a new one, with a guarantee.

The idea seems nice, it's what we all used to do in my grandmothers day. If anything actually stopped working, it was repaired. Pretty sure my granny had a 35 year old spinner and mangle that never broke.

I'd be more bothered that I repaired some item and 6 weeks later a different fault needed fixing and then 6 months later a part that could not ever be replaced broke and I had wasted time as well as money and then still need to replace it.

steelseries · 30/12/2023 10:05

Winnading · 30/12/2023 09:50

Mr Schmidgruber says customers have to download a voucher from a government website and then pay the repair shop upfront. "Then you get back half of the costs after three to four weeks

is everybody wealthy enough to do this in Australia? I can think of several people in my immediate circle who could not lay out the money up front. Especially when it's often cheaper to just buy a new one, with a guarantee.

The idea seems nice, it's what we all used to do in my grandmothers day. If anything actually stopped working, it was repaired. Pretty sure my granny had a 35 year old spinner and mangle that never broke.

I'd be more bothered that I repaired some item and 6 weeks later a different fault needed fixing and then 6 months later a part that could not ever be replaced broke and I had wasted time as well as money and then still need to replace it.

It's Austria. Not Australia.

I think it's a step in the right direction. But as the article says there could be a problem finding people who are able to repair all these electrical goods. When I tried to find someone to repair a small electrical item a few months ago I had to travel about 35 mins and yes it was probably similar cost to replacing it.

Winnading · 30/12/2023 10:11

My bad, Austria. Still same applies.

ErrolTheRednosedDragon · 30/12/2023 10:35

LlynTegid · 30/12/2023 09:36

An imperfect scheme I think, but a start in the right direction.

What I would make law is something requiring software and operating system support for a given period of time. You should be able to use a 10 to 12 year old phone and have regular updates.

Yes ... as a software developer, I know that maintaining support for old operating systems can be a pain and at some point they may be genuinely obsolete, but the lifetime of some phones purely because of lack of updates etc is far too short

OP posts:
cloudtree · 02/01/2024 09:16

This is a good step forward. We really should be able to get things fixed more easily but the problem in my experience is simply that the cost of repairing the item is often almost as much as the cost of buying new. As such people take the view that the cheapest option in the long run is to replace rather than repair (and run the risk that the item breaks again or dies completely in the near future).

I'd also like to see more share schemes where people can borrow items that they use infrequently such as leaf blowers, specialist saws, sanders etc. I'm sure there is a market for this.

Andthereyougo · 02/01/2024 10:03

There are repair cafes in Britain, encouraging people to repair household stuff rather than buy new. https://www.recycledevon.org/reuse/repair-cafe

Repair Cafe - Recycle Devon

https://www.recycledevon.org/reuse/repair-cafe

JustFrustrated · 02/01/2024 10:19

I'm super lucky in that DH can turn his hand to repairing anything.

I think though, manufacturers should be somehow forced to build things better.

My mom inherited a washing machine when she bought her house 4 years ago, and it's a good 15 years old and still works perfectly.

I've had to buy 3 washing machines in 12 years. Despite DH fixing the last one multiple times.

SerendipityJane · 02/01/2024 12:53

I'd also like to see more share schemes where people can borrow items that they use infrequently such as leaf blowers, specialist saws, sanders etc. I'm sure there is a market for this.

You mean a tool hire service ? (first link I hit :

Leaf Blower Hire | Speedy Hire

https://www.speedyservices.com/hire/leaf-blowers

OP posts:
cloudtree · 02/01/2024 13:32

SerendipityJane · 02/01/2024 12:53

I'd also like to see more share schemes where people can borrow items that they use infrequently such as leaf blowers, specialist saws, sanders etc. I'm sure there is a market for this.

You mean a tool hire service ? (first link I hit :

No I meant more of the community ones where people lend others their tools. There are a few informal ones that I know of in local villages but more would be good.

lovelyoldtree · 02/01/2024 18:26

I saw an item on my local news (East of England,) there is a place that completely reconditions old mobiles and sells them. Wish I could remember the details!

LadyWithLapdog · 02/01/2024 18:31

It’s cheaper buy something from sweatshop conditions abroad than pay someone half a decent wage to repair an item. We’re too used to relatively cheap & disposable stuff.

Winnading · 04/01/2024 10:07

LadyWithLapdog · 02/01/2024 18:31

It’s cheaper buy something from sweatshop conditions abroad than pay someone half a decent wage to repair an item. We’re too used to relatively cheap & disposable stuff.

Well I grew up in an era when your white goods lasted years, decades sometimes. I dont remember my mum buying a new washing machine in the 15 years I lived at home. Same fridge freezer, same cooker, boiler etc. I remember a few kettles but not as many as me

In the same timeframe but the last 15 years, I've had a new fridge freezer x 2, a new fridge, a new oven and 5 washing machines. I've looked back and I've bought 8 kettles from Amazon since 2003. And I know I bought more instore on occasions.

If white goods lasted longer, it might be worthwhile to fix them. And even then you have to think of the impact on you.

One of my washing machines broke on a bank holiday mid covid. All in it took 17 days to repair (it was in warranty) I dont know many people who can go 17 days without a washer. I hand washed loads because nice weather, not so good in the middle of winter. I asked neighbours and they were all really nice about it, but 17 days is too long for others to do your washing. The launderette was open short hours, I spent as much in the launderette as could have nearly bought a new machine. I think £160. You can buy new for £200.

When the kettle blows, you can use a pan, fridge breaks, cold water or outside if its winter, oven use air fryer, slow cooker, only hob stuff, boiler, blankets and hot water bottles. Or in short, you can wait for these things to be fixed. Not a washing machine.

Ottersfortea · 04/01/2024 10:24

Making goods last longer is something the government should do something about. My old boiler lasted 40 years without any annual servicing. The gas engineer said the new one (4k) should last 10- 15. Then i guess it will be scrapped. I’ve had 3 washers in 15 years. I now buy cheap and expect to scrap after 3-4 years.

It is not in manufacturers interests for things to last so they make them to break after a few years.

I keep my phone as long as possible. But I don’t see why manufacturers would want to make good quality long lasting products as it will hit their profits.

A basic washing machine with no fancy screen, that washes clothes effectively and last 20 years (like my grandmas did) is something I would prefer as I don’t care about the fancy screen on a washer! I just want it to wash and not break. I have several appliances from the 80s that still work. But ones I bought 5 years ago have been scrapped. It’s ridiculous.

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