NESSARA Uncovers Right To Repair Coalition’s Arguments as Flawed and Misleading

BOSTON--Today, the New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (NESSARA), the leading organization representing independent auto repairers in Massachusetts, urges the Massachusetts Senate to carefully scrutinize S. 2268, the “Right to Repair” bill, currently under consideration in the Massachusetts State Senate. With over 400 members, NESSARA is the voice of repairers in Massachusetts.

“This Right to Repair Coalition is pouring a tremendous amount of resources into this. We can’t compete on that level”

To their credit, this Right to Repair Coalition has packaged an effective campaign that is convincing in sound bites. However, when you get under the surface of what they are saying and what they are trying to do with this bill, it doesn’t match up with the real repair issues facing our industry. “We aren’t going to support something that doesn’t legitimately identify and address those matters,” said NESSARA’s President Roger Monbleau.

Right to Repair coalition spokesman Art Kinsman claims that the bill as drafted simply allows the consumer or independent repair shop the right to take legal action if car manufacturers continue their practice of locking them out of certain repair codes and tools needed to complete repairs. NESSARA member, Rusty Savignac, owner and repairer of Paxton Garage in Paxton, MA, disagrees. “This bill gives an auto repair business owner the right to sue for information he can already get. I don’t need this and for repair owners who think they do, have them call me instead of their lawyers, I can save them a lot of time and money.”

According to the Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition’s website (massrighttorepair.com) the legislation would prohibit the current practice of automobile manufacturers restricting access to repair information utilized by independent repairers. “If you invest in training, education, and tooling, any auto repairer can fix 99% of the vehicles that come into their shops. It’s a business decision. You don’t need a law to do this,” said Gary Machiros, owner of Angie’s Service Station in Newbury, Ma.

The Right to Repair Coalition’s website also argues that consumers should have a choice as to who does their car repairs. “If consumers didn’t have a choice, then how am I still in business? Despite this economy, business is good. I suspect this Right to Repair effort is about someone else making money,” said Tom Picket owner of Arthur’s Sunoco & Service Center, Mattapan MA.

Gary Archer, owner of G.W. Archer with stations in Littleton and Ayer recently heard from the Mass Right to Repair Coalition. “I got a call from this Right to Repair group for the first time just last week. They tried to talk me into supporting them and were critical of NESSARA’s opposition. I am a member of NESSARA and if NESSARA says there is something wrong with this, there must be. They have always looked out for members like me, and I don’t think this is any different.”

“This Right to Repair Coalition is pouring a tremendous amount of resources into this. We can’t compete on that level,” said Monbleau. “However, we will stand for what we believe in and have identified a number of small repair business owners who are willing to meet with legislators and tell them the truth. My experience tells me that they will listen to us and become better informed of our position especially since our businesses and customers are the ones who are, supposedly, going to benefit from this.”

About NESSARA

NESSARA, the New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, began in 1973 as the Bay State Gasoline Dealers Association of Massachusetts. This non-profit organization was formed to help protect the rights of service stations during the Oil Embargo of the mid 1970's. In 1992, the Bay State Gas Dealers Association of Massachusetts merged with the Tri State Gasoline Dealers of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont to form what is now the New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association. Our members consist of Service Stations, Auto Repair Facilities, Convenience Stores, Auto Body Shops, and other automotive related businesses throughout New England.