Your right to choose
Right to Repair
You own your device. You should be able to fix it. The Right to Repair movement is fighting for your freedom to choose how, where, and by whom your electronics get repaired — and it's winning.
What is Right to Repair?
Right to Repair is a movement — and increasingly, a set of laws — that requires electronics manufacturers to make repair parts, tools, and service documentation available to consumers and independent repair shops.
For years, companies like Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and John Deere have restricted access to repair information and parts. They've used software locks, proprietary screws, parts pairing, and legal threats to force customers into using expensive authorized service channels — or replacing their devices entirely.
Right to Repair says: that's not fair. If you bought it, you should be able to fix it.
Why it matters
Right to Repair isn't just about tech — it's about your wallet, the environment, and your freedom as a consumer.
Lower repair costs
When independent shops can access genuine parts and repair manuals, competition increases and prices drop. Manufacturer monopolies on repair keep costs artificially high.
Less e-waste
Americans throw away 6.9 million tons of electronics annually. When devices can be repaired instead of replaced, it dramatically reduces the environmental impact.
Consumer choice
You should be able to choose where and how to repair your device — whether that's DIY, an independent shop, or the manufacturer.
Device longevity
A repairable device lasts longer. Right to Repair encourages manufacturers to design products that can be serviced, not just replaced.
Right to Repair in New York
In December 2022, New York became the first state in the nation to pass a digital electronics Right to Repair law — the Digital Fair Repair Act.
Under this law, manufacturers of digital electronic equipment sold in New York are required to make parts, tools, and repair documentation available to independent repair providers and consumers on "fair and reasonable terms."
What this means for Long Island residents
You have the legal right to choose an independent repair shop like JWS Electronics Repair instead of paying manufacturer prices. Manufacturers cannot refuse to sell us the parts we need to fix your device.
As an independent repair shop serving Long Island for over 20 years, we've seen firsthand how manufacturer restrictions drive up repair costs and force people to replace devices that could easily be fixed. The Digital Fair Repair Act is a huge step in the right direction.
Timeline: How we got here
The Right to Repair movement has been building for over a decade.
2012
Massachusetts auto Right to Repair
Massachusetts passes the first Right to Repair law in the US, focused on automobiles. It requires manufacturers to share diagnostic tools and repair information with independent mechanics.
2019
FTC begins investigating
The Federal Trade Commission starts examining manufacturer repair restrictions, calling them "anticompetitive" and harmful to consumers.
2021
FTC issues landmark report
The FTC releases "Nixing the Fix" report, unanimously finding that repair restrictions raise costs, harm small businesses, and disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income families.
2021
Biden Executive Order
President Biden signs an executive order encouraging the FTC to issue rules preventing manufacturers from restricting independent repair.
2022
New York Digital Fair Repair Act
New York becomes the first state to pass a digital electronics Right to Repair law. Manufacturers of digital electronics must make parts, tools, and documentation available to independent repair providers and consumers.
2023
California, Minnesota, and more
California (SB 244) and Minnesota pass Right to Repair laws. Over 30 states introduce legislation. The movement gains serious momentum.
2024
Oregon passes strongest law yet
Oregon passes the most comprehensive Right to Repair law in the US, banning parts pairing — the practice of tying components to device serial numbers to prevent third-party replacement.
2024
EU Right to Repair Directive
The European Union adopts the Right to Repair Directive, requiring manufacturers to repair products at a reasonable cost even after warranty periods end.
2025–2026
Continued expansion
More states adopt Right to Repair legislation. Major manufacturers begin complying by releasing self-repair programs and making parts more accessible.
Common myths vs. facts
Manufacturers and industry groups have spread misinformation about Right to Repair. Let's set the record straight.
Myth: "Right to Repair means anyone can fix anything unsafely"
Fact: Right to Repair doesn't change safety regulations. It simply means manufacturers can't artificially restrict access to parts, tools, and documentation. The same safety standards still apply.
Myth: "Third-party repair voids your warranty"
Fact: Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (federal law since 1975), manufacturers cannot void your warranty simply because an independent shop performed a repair — unless the third-party repair directly caused the damage.
Myth: "Only the manufacturer knows how to fix their products safely"
Fact: Independent technicians have been repairing electronics safely for decades. Many have more hands-on experience than manufacturer service centers, which often replace entire components instead of repairing them.
Myth: "Parts pairing protects consumers from counterfeit parts"
Fact: Parts pairing (tying components to serial numbers) prevents YOU from choosing your own repair parts. Quality can be ensured through industry standards and certifications without locking down components.
How we support Right to Repair
At JWS Electronics Repair, we don’t just talk about Right to Repair — we live it. As an independent repair shop serving Long Island for over 20 years, we’ve built our business on the belief that everyone deserves access to affordable, high-quality repair.
- Transparent pricing — our full price list is published online. No hidden fees.
- Board-level micro-soldering — we repair components instead of replacing entire boards, saving you money and reducing waste.
- Parts choice — we offer both OEM and quality aftermarket parts so you can choose what fits your budget.
- Free diagnostics — we'll tell you exactly what's wrong before you spend a dime.
- Nationwide mail-in service — if there's no independent shop near you, mail your device to us.
The environmental case for repair
6.9M
tons of e-waste generated in the US annually
85%
of e-waste ends up in landfills or incinerators
70%
of toxic waste in landfills is from electronics
Every device we repair is one less device in a landfill. When a $150 screen repair extends a phone's life by 2-3 years, that's a direct win for the environment. Multiply that across millions of devices, and the impact is enormous.
Resources & further reading
iFixit
The leading advocacy organization for Right to Repair. Free repair guides, repairability scores, and legislative tracking.
The Repair Association
National coalition of repair shops, advocates, and consumers pushing for Right to Repair legislation.
FTC — "Nixing the Fix" Report
The FTC's landmark 2021 report documenting how manufacturer repair restrictions harm consumers.
NY Digital Fair Repair Act
Full text of New York's Right to Repair law — the first digital electronics repair law in the US.
PIRG Right to Repair Campaign
Public Interest Research Group's campaign tracking and resources for Right to Repair across all states.
How you can support Right to Repair
Choose independent repair shops
Every time you choose a local repair shop over a manufacturer service center, you're supporting the right to repair with your wallet.
Contact your representatives
Tell your state and federal representatives you support Right to Repair legislation. Visit repair.org/stand-up to find yours.
Consider repairability when buying
Check iFixit's repairability scores before purchasing a new device. Reward companies that make repairable products.
Spread the word
Share this page, talk to friends and family about Right to Repair, and share your positive experiences with independent repair.
Need a repair? Support Right to Repair.
Every device repaired at an independent shop is a vote for consumer choice, lower costs, and less e-waste. Let us fix your device.
Exact shop location
JWS is inside Wireless Shack
When you arrive at 1167 Deer Park Ave. in North Babylon, look for Wireless Shack. JWS Electronics Repair is located inside that storefront. Do not go to the nearby “Computer & Phone Repair” storefront shown on the right side of the reference photo.
Enter through Wireless Shack; JWS Electronics Repair is located inside. Look for the Wireless Shack / JWS Electronics Repairs storefront, not the neighboring Computer & Phone Repair storefront.
Use the map below or open directions before visiting so you land at the correct storefront.
Reference photo: the arrow marks Wireless Shack / JWS Electronics Repairs. The red X marks the wrong neighboring shop.
Address: 1167 Deer Park Ave. North Babylon, NY 11703 — inside Wireless Shack.