Small business and retailer organizations weigh in for Right to Repair

Right to Repair may be fundamentally an issue about consumer protection and repairer access to automotive repair information, but it is also very much a small business and retail issue, according to three of the legislation's key advocates who think it is time Massachusetts supported those businesses.

"This issue is about the right of small business owners to be in business," says Bill Vernon, Massachusetts director for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a member of the Massachusetts Coalition for Right to Repair. "We believe very strongly that small businesses offer superior service and price compared to large companies and that is why we are involved in this issue."

Vernon says that given the state's recent enactment of more than $1 billion in new taxes - including a 25 percent increase in the sales tax - the Right to Repair legislation is an opportunity for legislators and the Governor to show their support for those who will be hardest hit by those taxes - small businesses and consumers. The NFIB, which represents nearly 700 automotive repair shops in Massachusetts, actively advocates on behalf of small business on Beacon Hill where Vernon once served as a state representative. The automotive aftermarket industry in Massachusetts employees one in ten workers and represents $6 billion in economic activity in the state.

The legislation (S.B. 124 and H.B. 228) would require automotive manufacturers to provide the same access to diagnostic and repair data to independent repairers as they currently do to their authorized dealer service network.

Lack of necessary codes isn't just an issue for automotive repairers, though, says David Grossman, Government Regulations Manager for the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). CEA, which represents 50 electronics manufacturers and installers in Massachusetts, joined on as a member of the Coalition for Right to Repair because of persistent complaints from its members that they could not get ready access to codes they need to install a widening array of electronics equipment in vehicles, including satellite radio and music systems, navigation devices and other consumer products.

"There are far more products today that people want installed in their cars," says Grossman. "The dealership has no problem installing them because they have the codes and can reset codes that might be tripped," says Grossman. "The independent installers need those same codes and when they run into a problem that becomes a consumer problem."

Like the NFIB with its focus on small business, the Retailers Association of Massachusetts (RAM) has been an active supporter for Right to Repair because of its representation on behalf of hundreds of service stations in Massachusetts. Jon Hurst, RAM's lead advocate for Right to Repair, said the legislation is straightforward and long overdue. "We really believe this is a consumer issue," says Hurst. "Consumers should have the ability to take their car anywhere they want and get it repaired at the best price and highest quality. It's that simple. Car manufacturers are the impediment to that and it is incumbent on our state government to support small business and consumers to help reduce the cost of doing business, particularly with the recent tax hikes. "

Passage of Right to Repair would send a powerful message to the small business community and to consumers that in spite of tax hikes and budget reductions, the Legislature and the Governor are able to understand and support an issue that supports small business and consumers.

"The car manufacturers are obviously having trouble in their own businesses," says Vernon, "but that shouldn't become a problem for the independent businesses that work hard and play by the rules. This is a great opportunity for the legislature to step up and be on the side of working men and women and consumers."

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