Has your Washing Machine got one of these?
We heard on the news yesterday, about Currys drive for more repair and of course as a subject, we’re 100% up on that one.
However, as advocates for the local independent repairer and supporters of Right To Repair, this drive will continue to allow domination by the corporate market at the expense of local repairers, and the local economies. Currys proudly declare that “they have one of the largest mixed electrical repair centres in Europe and employ around 1000 repair experts to fix just about any tech and appliance”. That’s great, but we ask could there be more local repairers that can do that work and in a faster turnaround with more care and attention.
We believe Manufacturers have a monopoly on IOT, as they will have the first opportunity to fix an appliance. We’ve seen it demonstrated and we believe this needs to change as they appear to want to sell Parts and Labour Warranties with new appliances, through doubling the retail price thereby removing your right to choose who repairs your goods. Together, WE need to do something if we’re to save and develop the Independent Repairer back into our communities. We have recorded this very point with the CMA. After we did, we asked through an FOI if they would release what was stored by them, and they wouldn’t release it. They refuse to even share what they think! Repairers and Consumers who care about their local economy, poverty and/or the Environment, should be supporting this. Contact us if you think IOT is a potential monopoly on Appliance and ICT Repairs and we’ll provide you with the details. We need numbers to get this looked at, if citizens and repairers agree with this.
So is it the Death of the Local Repairer? We don’t believe so and particularly so if you work with EEESafe! We’ve got so much great stuff to come that will support you, the consumer and your communities. Take a look further at some of our Comparisons.
In a market dominated by large corporations like Currys offering appliance and tech repairs, consumers have another option that directly benefits their local community: using an EEESafe Certified Appliance Repairer. EEESafe’s approach to repair services goes beyond simple fixes—it incorporates sustainability, community support, and consumer safety.
EEESafe’s Unique Value Proposition
1. Appliance Safety Register and Product Passports
EEESafe operates an Appliance Safety Register, which tracks the repair history of items sold online through their marketplace. These “product passports” act like an MOT for appliances, providing a full service history, including who repaired the item and the nature of the repair. This system not only ensures transparency but also prevents the sale of unsafe or recalled products. Additionally, the register notifies owners of registered appliances if their product becomes subject to a recall, adding another layer of consumer protection.
2. Local Community Contributions
EEESafe is dedicated to empowering local communities and inviting them to engage in our Circular Economy Model, developed through it’s 59 years combined experience, knowledge and Training in White Goods Appliance Repairs. Through its Appliance Safety Register and Community Circular Economy model LocalitEEE, it will be donating thousands of pounds to people in financial need in over 400 UK communities. Every repairer and consumer who participates is recognised for their contributions, which are attributed to them in the community directory and consumers’ profile. This system ensures that the benefits of using local repair services and LocalitEEE go directly back into the community. They also help prove data targets required by Local Authorities in reducing Waste, Carbon and Poverty.
Pros and Cons Comparison: Local EEESafe Certified vs. Corporate Repair Services
| Aspect | Local EEESafe Certified Repairer | Corporate Repair Services (e.g., Currys) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Often more affordable due to lower overheads | Higher pricing due to corporate overhead costs |
| Service Speed | Dependent on local availability and quicker response, but uniquely linked to their customers appliances, and household IT goods. | Generally quicker in urban areas, slower in rural ones |
| Customer Service | Personalized, community-driven relationships, offering their own Local Repair Warranties | Standardised but less personalized |
| Environmental Impact | Focus on repair, reuse, and preventing e-waste | May prioritize replacement over repair |
| Safety and Transparency | Product passports ensure full repair history and safety checks. Plus inform UK Gov of it’s resource requirements. without your personal details. | Limited transparency on repair history |
| Product Recalls | Automatic notifications for recalled products. Checked before you sell online preventing sales of online unsafe products. | Reliant on customer initiative to check for recalls |
| Local Economic Benefit | Supports local jobs and delivers thousands of ££’s in local micro grants to those in financial need | Money flows to corporate headquarters |
| Repair Warranty | EEESafe Repairer certification ensures quality, local social value, waste saving metrics & standards | May offer brand-backed warranties but at a higher cost |
| Community Impact | Direct financial contributions to local communities | No direct community reinvestment |
| Trust and Accountability | Highly accountable and audited on their safety, local reputation and Compliance to EEESafe standards | Brand trust but less community-focused accountability |
| Supply Chain | Used Appliances, Recycled and New Spares, Citizen sales to each other and Repairers | Priority on New Sales and push on Manufacturer Warranties |
| Additional Apps | Rent, Share, Borrow items, Community Wealth Building, Volunteering +more | Services and Goods that fuel Directors Lifestyles |
Conclusion
Choosing a local EEESafe Certified Appliance Repairer provides more than just a fix for a broken appliance. It supports transparency, sustainability, and community welfare through its product passports, repair tracking, and direct financial contributions to local people. While large corporate services like Currys offer convenience and speed in certain areas, they lack the local economic and safety benefits that EEESafe provides. By opting for an EEESafe repairer, consumers not only receive more reliable repairs but also contribute to a safer, more sustainable, and connected community.
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