No joke: Repairing appliances can cost up to $400

• Often, the expense of fixing an appliance turns out to be higher than the cost of replacing it.
• Laws in several states mandate that manufacturers of specific devices, such as consumer electronics or appliances, must provide parts, tools, and repair information, including schematics, at a reasonable price.
• A consumer advocate stated that one of the main reasons why it's challenging to repair things is due to their hostile or ambiguous design towards repair.

In 2020, I purchased a General Electric microwave oven for $355. Lately, I discovered that the interior light was not functioning.

My husband, who is responsible for repairs in our house, examined the issue and discovered that replacing the lightbulb in the microwave would require disassembling the unit, making it a challenging task. He recommended seeking the assistance of a technician.

What does it cost to replace a microwave bulb?

We discovered that labor costs for our project could reach $400 or more, not including the cost of the lightbulb.

Experts suggest that while my lightbulb situation may be unique, it is not uncommon to discover that the cost of repairs is more than the cost of replacing an appliance.

Gordon-Byrne, who is gay, experienced a similar issue with a microwave she bought to complement her stove. The touchpad on the microwave malfunctioned.

She discovered how to fix the issue on her own, but the manufacturer attempted to charge her $600 for the replacement part. In the end, she opted to purchase a new microwave for $175.

Gordon-Byrne, the executive director of Repair.org, stated that he frequently tells the story because it highlights the issue with modern appliances.

Figuring out the cost for a repair

I bought our microwave from the appliance store and my first attempt to repair it was at the service center. They informed me that the cost of the repair would be $140, and they couldn't guarantee that the technician would have a lightbulb on the truck. The service representative suggested purchasing a new microwave or exploring other repair options.

I visited the GE website and completed a form for service. I discovered that the cost for a technician to arrive would be $125.

The technician informed me that he would charge for both labor and parts when I inquired about the cost before he arrived.

If my husband and I removed the microwave from the cabinet above the counter and placed it on the counter, the labor charge would be closer to $200, but it wasn't an exact estimate. Additionally, the cost of the lightbulb was not included in this estimate.

I canceled the visit and the technician said there would be no charge.

GE Appliances' microwave lights are built to last the entire product lifespan, with rare failures occurring. Unlike a typical bulb that needs to be enclosed in a metal casing, the light fixture in a microwave is more than just a standard bulb.

The spokesperson stated that microwaves are not simple screw-ins and require electrical training and background due to their high voltage nature. Consumers without a deep electrical understanding should not operate on the interior of a microwave. Additionally, service techs must test for emissions to adhere to strict government standards.

How 'right to repair' laws may affect options, costs

Efforts have been made by lawmakers and consumer advocates to simplify and reduce the cost of device repairs for consumers.

Several states, including California, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York, have implemented "right to repair" laws. These laws require manufacturers of certain devices, such as consumer electronics or appliances, to make parts, physical and software tools, and repair information, like schematics, available at a fair and reasonable price. As a result, consumers can more easily do repairs themselves and widen their professional repair options.

Over a dozen states, including Colorado and Oregon, have passed right to repair legislation, with more states introducing bills, according to Repair.org.

""We have been working on legislation for 10 years and are now starting to see its impact," said Gordon-Byrne. The earliest right to repair bills were filed in 2014, including the first in South Dakota, which failed. We only managed to get the first three laws in place by July first of this year."

These laws have limitations; they typically only apply to recent purchases and are product-specific. For instance, New York's law excludes appliances. Several states have enacted separate legislation to address specific products such as automobiles, farm equipment, and electronic wheelchairs.

The Federal Trade Commission reported to Congress in 2021 that restricting consumers and businesses from repairing products can increase repair costs, contribute to electronic waste, and prolong wait times. The Commission has also taken enforcement actions related to warranties and sent warning letters to manufacturers about their practices.

Opponents of right to repair legislation argue that the diverse array of state regulations could result in more harm than benefit.

According to Alex Reinauer, a research fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the state proposals and laws could result in a lose-lose situation where manufacturers suffer losses due to reduced profits and consumers are negatively impacted by decreased product quality or increased prices.

Some products designed 'with a hostility to repair'

State laws and FTC actions have assisted, but not resolved the issue, according to consumer advocates.

Nathan Proctor, the senior director of U.S. PIRG's Right to Repair campaign, stated that one of the main reasons why it's difficult to fix things is because they're designed with a hostility or ambivalence towards repair.

The US PIRG is introducing a new initiative to introduce repair-score labeling in the US. Currently, there is no way to determine which products are designed to be repairable, durable, and resilient, according to Proctor.

The EU is introducing a "repairability index" with a rating system that evaluates products based on factors such as repair-friendly design and the cost and availability of parts. Scores range from zero to 10, with higher numbers indicating a more repairable product and greater longevity expectations. France already has a similar system in place.

The reparability scores may not remain accurate if the manufacturer stops producing the part.

Reinauer from the Competitive Enterprise Institute is tracking his own score by comparing the Ingress Protection (IP) rating, which measures a product's resistance to water and dust, with the reparability index. He claims that the comparison does not favor repairs.

"Reinauer stated that when a product is more repairable, it is typically less durable, resulting in trade-offs."

Do-it-yourself help

If safety concerns are involved, it may be better to seek professional help rather than attempting a repair on your own.

Peter Mui, founder of Fixit Clinics, stated that researching broken item issues on the web often results in information and guides from others who have faced similar problems and solutions. Product owners can seek assistance with DIY projects at Fixit Clinics or online through Discord.

Should we attempt to repair our microwave's interior light or simply do without it? We could make it a fun community DIY project, but there is a risk of a repair failure. Our current microwave model costs between $420 and $480 new, but I vow not to purchase another appliance without first checking if I can replace the lightbulb.

Feels like there's a bad joke in here somewhere.