Revive, Repair, Reclaim: Empowering Conscious Consumers in India this International Repair Day

Welcome to the consumerist world, where everything pushes you to buy new. Industries churn out goods, and governments promote spending to boost GDP. It’s a cycle of buying and discarding. We trust brands for good measure, but are they fair to us? 

This International Repair Day let’s take a fresh look at our loyalties and confront the hard truth: brands sometimes engage in unfair practices. Before diving into the evidence, wouldn’t we, as consumers, like to ensure that our gadgets and equipment are of the best quality, repairable, and supported by reliable long-term service networks? 

International Repair Day Poster

Credits: The Restart Project 

Taking a closer look at a case registered at the Competition Commission of India gives us an idea of how our favourite brands are involved in unfair practices. The Shamsher Kataria vs. Honda Siel Cars case raises deep concerns about anti-competitive practices among car manufacturers. OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) wield significant market power over customers and competitors due to the lock-in effect in the aftermarket for spare parts and maintenance services. Many OEMs are making losses in the primary market but recoup profits through aftermarket sales of their branded spare parts. It reveals that OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) restrict access to essential diagnostic tools needed by independent service providers and multi-brand retailers to perform repairs. The stark contrast between automobile manufacturers' operations in India and Europe is alarming. While India is a booming market, these companies neglect consumer-friendly practices here, restricting choices and driving customers to expensive authorized service centers. 

While the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 marks positive change, it places the burden of fighting for rights on those already aggrieved. Ugo Vallauri, an electronic repair rights activist, warns that without proper governance, some countries may become dumping grounds for subpar products rejected elsewhere. 

In such a context, how does the consumer navigate for her needs? How does she become a conscious consumer? Are there other pathways to reclaim our rights? There could be at least three possible pathways for reclaiming our right to high-quality and repairable products. 

Firstly, consider prioritizing a service network over a cheap product with no service support. Interestingly, most mosquito bats don't come with any service backup or warranty; the seller typically offers a "take it or leave it" approach. We often dismiss these as yet another "use and throw" Chinese product. However, there are mosquito bats on the market that cost twice as much as the basic ones, but they come with a battery warranty—it's the battery that usually fails in most cases. Despite the common refrain of "use and throw” Chinese products, the fact is, nearly all components of mosquito bats are manufactured in China. Yet, some come with warranties while others don’t. Makes you think: Do we check for warranties and service, or just grab the gadget and think, “Eh, it’s cheap, the future me can deal with it... or toss it!” 

But one needs to have patience as repair takes time, and buying is just a click away—flash sales, festival discounts, and the lure of "new" make it irresistible. We celebrate with purchases, flaunting them on social media, but do we share stuff that we repair on social media? When asking a mobile repairer, "What kind of problems do people bring to you?" He said, "Most often people break their phones... having thrown them in a fit of anger!" Ouch, that expensive phone—gone in a moment of frustration. 

Even authorized service centers can test your patience. They often repeat the same line: "Motherboard is gone!" For your washing machine, that spells an expensive replacement, not a repair. It’s always about replacing parts. Ask about warranties or guarantees, you’re left rolling the dice. Sure, they’re just a call or an app away, but when your appliance hits three years, you get the familiar: "Model is too old; we don’t stock parts anymore." 

That leads us to the second possibility. Consider going to a repairer when you have run out of warranty. We are fortunate to have countless repairers who make a living by extending the life of our gadgets and equipment. Every city has thriving markets for electrical and electronic repairs, along with places dedicated to fixing cars, two-wheelers, mobile phones, and computers. While most people turn to informal repair services once warranties expire, many also seek them out even when their products are still under warranty. However, mapping the authenticity of these services remains a challenge. It’s still very much a relationship-based system; trust and word-of-mouth are what keep these repair networks alive. 

An Auto-parts market in Shivajinagar, Bengaluru
Photo Credits: Authors

Thirdly, consider purchasing high-quality, repairable second-hand products. The pandemic has propelled the second-hand market into the spotlight, with mobile repair shops buzzing as people revive their old phones. This shift indicates a newfound appreciation for existing items. Start-ups are capitalizing on this trend by offering refurbished phones with warranties, typically no older than three years. In the automotive sector, enticing exchange deals are also emerging, along with a push for a 15-year car scrapping rule. As Riaz Gulamhusen, a second-hand marketer, notes, even those on tight budgets are seeking fridges in the second-hand market to enjoy cold water on scorching summer days. 

A second-hands home appliances shop in Kaval Byssandra, Bengaluru
Photo Credits: Repair Map of Bangalore

Instead of fixating on price, we must prioritize after-sales support, warranties, and guarantees. It's time to reflect before we buy, donate repairable items, and avoid cluttering our homes. When something does break, countless skilled repairers—often from the informal sector—are ready to mend what big brands won't touch. Together, we can cultivate a society that values not just what we own but the sacred practice of caring for and extending the life of what we use—zindagi ke saath bhi, zindagi ke baad bhi!

Contributed by Purna Sarkar and Himadri Das.