N.J. lawmaker says consumers should have more places that can fix their smartphones

A New Jersey lawmaker says you shouldn’t have to take your cell phone, laptop, or tablet to a company-approved store for repairs.

Assemblyman Paul Moriarty has introduced legislation that would require electronics equipment manufacturers to make diagnostic and service documents and parts available to consumers and independent repair providers.

“There are a lot of entrepreneurs and people with technical expertise that can make these repairs. There are small electronic repair companies that can do these repairs. But a lot of people don’t want to go there because if they go there and get a repair by someone that’s not authorized, their warranty can be voided. I don’t think that should be the case.”

Moriarty said consumers might be able to save money by getting the repairs done at a local independent repair shop.

“The simple repairs, of let’s say, a cracked screen on a cell phone are costing $135 to repair. Those repairs can be done much cheaper if more people could do them.”

Moriarty expects manufactures will lobby to try to stop the measure from being enacted.

Similar legislation has been introduced in at least 11 other states.