By Alan Wolf, YSN
There’s legislation currently under consideration by more than 20 states that would require manufacturers to provide all servicers the same repair data, software and service tools that are presently reserved for authorized service providers.
Is this “Right to Repair Act” a good thing for servicing dealers or could it negatively impact their businesses? Arguments could be made for both sides, and they were: Last week the United Appliance Servicers Association (UASA), a BrandSource partner, hosted a well-attended webinar on the subject, featuring executives from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).
Due to popular demand, the UASA is revisiting the topic this week, albeit from a different perspective. This Thursday, Aug. 27 at 2:00 p.m. EST, Gay Bordon-Byrne, Executive Director of The Repair Association will argue that mom-and-pop repair shops are struggling with unfair practices by multinational manufacturers, and how a competitive repair market is vital to the economy.
The webinar will be hosted once again by UASA Executive Director Sarah Brown, who acknowledged that “This is a hot topic right now with a lot of different discussions,” and urged all to “keep the conversation going,” albeit respectfully.
Attendees can register here for the live webcast, although only UASA members will be able to access the replay.
Founded and led by fellow servicers, the non-profit UASA provides training, support, services and business strategies for member businesses. Regarded as North America’s largest appliance repair trade group, UASA says its mission is to help self-servicing appliance dealers strengthen their companies and become more profitable while also elevating the image of the industry.
BrandSource, a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc., is a nationwide buying group for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers.
