Do you have a reference?

No, but the head of Sony parts confirmed this seven or eight years ago.

Are you sure he wasn't talking about company policy? I have never
heard of such a thing, unless it is during the warranty period. What
kinds of products does this cover?

AFAIK, it's the law. It covers just about everything. Manufacturers are not
allowed to immediately "abandon" discontinued products.

Some years ago Sony told me they would not repair items more than ten years
after their official discontinuance, even if they had the parts. I wouldn't be
surprised if that interval were now down to seven, or even five years.

Sony is like most Japanese companies doing business in the US. They aren't much
interested in long-term customer satisfaction, especially when it comes to
supplying reasonably priced service parts.

If you like, I'll ask the "parts honcha" at Sony exactly what current policy is.

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 05:49:14 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Seven years is not required now, if it ever really was.
They are only required to support the product for the
duration of the warranty period, and this can include
just replacing the product with a refurb or "equivalent"
model.

NOT SO.

A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to stock electrical parts
for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and cosmetic for 5 (or was it 3). What the law
currently is, I don't know.

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international
law :-)

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 05:49:14 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Seven years is not required now, if it ever really was.
They are only required to support the product for the
duration of the warranty period, and this can include
just replacing the product with a refurb or "equivalent"
model.

NOT SO.

A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to stock electrical parts
for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and cosmetic for 5 (or was it 3). What the law
currently is, I don't know.

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international
law :-)

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 05:49:14 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Seven years is not required now, if it ever really was.
They are only required to support the product for the
duration of the warranty period, and this can include
just replacing the product with a refurb or "equivalent"
model.

NOT SO.

A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to stock electrical parts
for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and cosmetic for 5 (or was it 3). What the law
currently is, I don't know.

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international
law :-)

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 05:49:14 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Seven years is not required now, if it ever really was.
They are only required to support the product for the
duration of the warranty period, and this can include
just replacing the product with a refurb or "equivalent"
model.

NOT SO.

A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to stock electrical parts
for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and cosmetic for 5 (or was it 3). What the law
currently is, I don't know.

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international
law :-)

A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to
stock electrical parts for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and
cosmetic for 5 (or was it 3). What the law currently is,
I don't know.

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law :-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good grief.

A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to
stock electrical parts for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and
cosmetic for 5 (or was it 3). What the law currently is,
I don't know.

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law :-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good grief.

A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to
stock electrical parts for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and
cosmetic for 5 (or was it 3). What the law currently is,
I don't know.

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law :-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good grief.

A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to
stock electrical parts for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and
cosmetic for 5 (or was it 3). What the law currently is,
I don't know.

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law :-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good grief.

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
Do you have a reference?

No, but the head of Sony parts confirmed this seven or eight years ago.

Are you sure he wasn't talking about company policy? I have never
heard of such a thing, unless it is during the warranty period. What
kinds of products does this cover?

AFAIK, it's the law. It covers just about everything. Manufacturers are
not
allowed to immediately "abandon" discontinued products.

Some years ago Sony told me they would not repair items more than ten
years
after their official discontinuance, even if they had the parts. I
wouldn't be
surprised if that interval were now down to seven, or even five years.

Sony is like most Japanese companies doing business in the US. They aren't
much
interested in long-term customer satisfaction, especially when it comes to
supplying reasonably priced service parts.

If you like, I'll ask the "parts honcha" at Sony exactly what current
policy is.

I searched the FTC site. which regulates warranties in the USA. I did not
find anything about stocking parts. I would bet you big money that what you
think is a law, is really just Sony internal policy.

Actually, manufacturers are not required by law to stock any parts so long
as they honor the warranty. They have the right to just send you a new or
factory refurbed unit instead of replacing a bad part. Manufacturers are not
required to perform any repairs or parts past the warranty period.

I am not sure why you think Sony is not interested in long term customer
satisfaction. Generally Japanese firms are much more interested in customer
satisfaction than US firms, because for one reason, there is much less
emphasis on quarterly earnings in Japan.

I recently got a quote from Sony for repairing a computer monitor that is 7
years old. Like all their non-warranty repairs, they charge a flat fee
regardless of the problem. I decided not to do it because of the 2-way
shipping charges for the 75 lb monitor were fairly high and I didn't have
the original shipping box.

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
Do you have a reference?

No, but the head of Sony parts confirmed this seven or eight years ago.

Are you sure he wasn't talking about company policy? I have never
heard of such a thing, unless it is during the warranty period. What
kinds of products does this cover?

AFAIK, it's the law. It covers just about everything. Manufacturers are
not
allowed to immediately "abandon" discontinued products.

Some years ago Sony told me they would not repair items more than ten
years
after their official discontinuance, even if they had the parts. I
wouldn't be
surprised if that interval were now down to seven, or even five years.

Sony is like most Japanese companies doing business in the US. They aren't
much
interested in long-term customer satisfaction, especially when it comes to
supplying reasonably priced service parts.

If you like, I'll ask the "parts honcha" at Sony exactly what current
policy is.

I searched the FTC site. which regulates warranties in the USA. I did not
find anything about stocking parts. I would bet you big money that what you
think is a law, is really just Sony internal policy.

Actually, manufacturers are not required by law to stock any parts so long
as they honor the warranty. They have the right to just send you a new or
factory refurbed unit instead of replacing a bad part. Manufacturers are not
required to perform any repairs or parts past the warranty period.

I am not sure why you think Sony is not interested in long term customer
satisfaction. Generally Japanese firms are much more interested in customer
satisfaction than US firms, because for one reason, there is much less
emphasis on quarterly earnings in Japan.

I recently got a quote from Sony for repairing a computer monitor that is 7
years old. Like all their non-warranty repairs, they charge a flat fee
regardless of the problem. I decided not to do it because of the 2-way
shipping charges for the 75 lb monitor were fairly high and I didn't have
the original shipping box.

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
Do you have a reference?

No, but the head of Sony parts confirmed this seven or eight years ago.

Are you sure he wasn't talking about company policy? I have never
heard of such a thing, unless it is during the warranty period. What
kinds of products does this cover?

AFAIK, it's the law. It covers just about everything. Manufacturers are
not
allowed to immediately "abandon" discontinued products.

Some years ago Sony told me they would not repair items more than ten
years
after their official discontinuance, even if they had the parts. I
wouldn't be
surprised if that interval were now down to seven, or even five years.

Sony is like most Japanese companies doing business in the US. They aren't
much
interested in long-term customer satisfaction, especially when it comes to
supplying reasonably priced service parts.

If you like, I'll ask the "parts honcha" at Sony exactly what current
policy is.

I searched the FTC site. which regulates warranties in the USA. I did not
find anything about stocking parts. I would bet you big money that what you
think is a law, is really just Sony internal policy.

Actually, manufacturers are not required by law to stock any parts so long
as they honor the warranty. They have the right to just send you a new or
factory refurbed unit instead of replacing a bad part. Manufacturers are not
required to perform any repairs or parts past the warranty period.

I am not sure why you think Sony is not interested in long term customer
satisfaction. Generally Japanese firms are much more interested in customer
satisfaction than US firms, because for one reason, there is much less
emphasis on quarterly earnings in Japan.

I recently got a quote from Sony for repairing a computer monitor that is 7
years old. Like all their non-warranty repairs, they charge a flat fee
regardless of the problem. I decided not to do it because of the 2-way
shipping charges for the 75 lb monitor were fairly high and I didn't have
the original shipping box.

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
Do you have a reference?

No, but the head of Sony parts confirmed this seven or eight years ago.

Are you sure he wasn't talking about company policy? I have never
heard of such a thing, unless it is during the warranty period. What
kinds of products does this cover?

AFAIK, it's the law. It covers just about everything. Manufacturers are
not
allowed to immediately "abandon" discontinued products.

Some years ago Sony told me they would not repair items more than ten
years
after their official discontinuance, even if they had the parts. I
wouldn't be
surprised if that interval were now down to seven, or even five years.

Sony is like most Japanese companies doing business in the US. They aren't
much
interested in long-term customer satisfaction, especially when it comes to
supplying reasonably priced service parts.

If you like, I'll ask the "parts honcha" at Sony exactly what current
policy is.

I searched the FTC site. which regulates warranties in the USA. I did not
find anything about stocking parts. I would bet you big money that what you
think is a law, is really just Sony internal policy.

Actually, manufacturers are not required by law to stock any parts so long
as they honor the warranty. They have the right to just send you a new or
factory refurbed unit instead of replacing a bad part. Manufacturers are not
required to perform any repairs or parts past the warranty period.

I am not sure why you think Sony is not interested in long term customer
satisfaction. Generally Japanese firms are much more interested in customer
satisfaction than US firms, because for one reason, there is much less
emphasis on quarterly earnings in Japan.

I recently got a quote from Sony for repairing a computer monitor that is 7
years old. Like all their non-warranty repairs, they charge a flat fee
regardless of the problem. I decided not to do it because of the 2-way
shipping charges for the 75 lb monitor were fairly high and I didn't have
the original shipping box.

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 09:04:19 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law :-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good grief.

Oh dear :-)

This Internet thing, it's global you know.

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 09:04:19 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law :-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good grief.

Oh dear :-)

This Internet thing, it's global you know.

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 09:04:19 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law :-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good grief.

Oh dear :-)

This Internet thing, it's global you know.

On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 09:04:19 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law :-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good grief.

Oh dear :-)

This Internet thing, it's global you know.

I searched the FTC site. which regulates warranties in the USA.
I did not find anything about stocking parts. I would bet you big
money that what you think is a law, is really just Sony internal policy.

This has nothing to do with warranties. I've seen it, but it was years ago, and
I don't remember where.


Actually, manufacturers are not required by law to stock any parts
so long as they honor the warranty. They have the right to just send
you a new or factory refurbed unit instead of replacing a bad part.
Manufacturers are not required to perform any repairs or parts past
the warranty period.

To the best of my knowledge, none of this is so.


I am not sure why you think Sony is not interested in long term customer
satisfaction.

When the replacement cable for a $100 pair of headphones costs $60, you KNOW
they are not interested in long-term customer satisfaction.


Generally Japanese firms are much more interested in customer
satisfaction than US firms, because for one reason, there is much
less emphasis on quarterly earnings in Japan.

This seems to be true in Japan, but not in the US. I can't think of any Japanese
electronics firm that provides really good customer service to its US customers.


I'm going to ask Bonnie. I'll let everyone know sometime next week.

I searched the FTC site. which regulates warranties in the USA.
I did not find anything about stocking parts. I would bet you big
money that what you think is a law, is really just Sony internal policy.

This has nothing to do with warranties. I've seen it, but it was years ago, and
I don't remember where.


Actually, manufacturers are not required by law to stock any parts
so long as they honor the warranty. They have the right to just send
you a new or factory refurbed unit instead of replacing a bad part.
Manufacturers are not required to perform any repairs or parts past
the warranty period.

To the best of my knowledge, none of this is so.


I am not sure why you think Sony is not interested in long term customer
satisfaction.

When the replacement cable for a $100 pair of headphones costs $60, you KNOW
they are not interested in long-term customer satisfaction.


Generally Japanese firms are much more interested in customer
satisfaction than US firms, because for one reason, there is much
less emphasis on quarterly earnings in Japan.

This seems to be true in Japan, but not in the US. I can't think of any Japanese
electronics firm that provides really good customer service to its US customers.


I'm going to ask Bonnie. I'll let everyone know sometime next week.

I searched the FTC site. which regulates warranties in the USA.
I did not find anything about stocking parts. I would bet you big
money that what you think is a law, is really just Sony internal policy.

This has nothing to do with warranties. I've seen it, but it was years ago, and
I don't remember where.


Actually, manufacturers are not required by law to stock any parts
so long as they honor the warranty. They have the right to just send
you a new or factory refurbed unit instead of replacing a bad part.
Manufacturers are not required to perform any repairs or parts past
the warranty period.

To the best of my knowledge, none of this is so.


I am not sure why you think Sony is not interested in long term customer
satisfaction.

When the replacement cable for a $100 pair of headphones costs $60, you KNOW
they are not interested in long-term customer satisfaction.


Generally Japanese firms are much more interested in customer
satisfaction than US firms, because for one reason, there is much
less emphasis on quarterly earnings in Japan.

This seems to be true in Japan, but not in the US. I can't think of any Japanese
electronics firm that provides really good customer service to its US customers.


I'm going to ask Bonnie. I'll let everyone know sometime next week.

I searched the FTC site. which regulates warranties in the USA.
I did not find anything about stocking parts. I would bet you big
money that what you think is a law, is really just Sony internal policy.

This has nothing to do with warranties. I've seen it, but it was years ago, and
I don't remember where.


Actually, manufacturers are not required by law to stock any parts
so long as they honor the warranty. They have the right to just send
you a new or factory refurbed unit instead of replacing a bad part.
Manufacturers are not required to perform any repairs or parts past
the warranty period.

To the best of my knowledge, none of this is so.


I am not sure why you think Sony is not interested in long term customer
satisfaction.

When the replacement cable for a $100 pair of headphones costs $60, you KNOW
they are not interested in long-term customer satisfaction.


Generally Japanese firms are much more interested in customer
satisfaction than US firms, because for one reason, there is much
less emphasis on quarterly earnings in Japan.

This seems to be true in Japan, but not in the US. I can't think of any Japanese
electronics firm that provides really good customer service to its US customers.


I'm going to ask Bonnie. I'll let everyone know sometime next week.

California was one state which dictated a 7-year parts availability.
Unfortunately NAFTA, GATT, etc have superceded these state laws.

Sony's current repair policy, as distinguished from their long-term parts
availability policy, is that they will service products at a flat rate for 7
years, assuming no physical damage, severe abuse, botched service attempts,
etc.

Beyond the 7 years, they will service it on a "time and materials" basis,
assuming parts are available.

The fly in this ointment is that they often no longer have anyone on staff
familiar with the old product. Very often, and I say this because I have
seen it personally, they will simply identify a part no longer available for
that model, then say, that's what it needs, sorry, can't fix it, would you
like the piece back for the minimum charge? Even though the part specified
had NOTHING to do with the stated complaint. For example a mechanical part
when the symptom was static in the sound.

So you've just gone to the trouble of packing, shipping, insuring, waiting,
etc only to find they never even gave a good-faith effort toward fixing the
piece.

Mark Z.

--
Please reply only to Group. I regret this is necessary. Viruses and spam
have rendered my regular e-mail address useless.


"Laurence Payne" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 09:04:19 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law
:-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good
grief.

Oh dear :-)

This Internet thing, it's global you know.

California was one state which dictated a 7-year parts availability.
Unfortunately NAFTA, GATT, etc have superceded these state laws.

Sony's current repair policy, as distinguished from their long-term parts
availability policy, is that they will service products at a flat rate for 7
years, assuming no physical damage, severe abuse, botched service attempts,
etc.

Beyond the 7 years, they will service it on a "time and materials" basis,
assuming parts are available.

The fly in this ointment is that they often no longer have anyone on staff
familiar with the old product. Very often, and I say this because I have
seen it personally, they will simply identify a part no longer available for
that model, then say, that's what it needs, sorry, can't fix it, would you
like the piece back for the minimum charge? Even though the part specified
had NOTHING to do with the stated complaint. For example a mechanical part
when the symptom was static in the sound.

So you've just gone to the trouble of packing, shipping, insuring, waiting,
etc only to find they never even gave a good-faith effort toward fixing the
piece.

Mark Z.

--
Please reply only to Group. I regret this is necessary. Viruses and spam
have rendered my regular e-mail address useless.


"Laurence Payne" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 09:04:19 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law
:-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good
grief.

Oh dear :-)

This Internet thing, it's global you know.

California was one state which dictated a 7-year parts availability.
Unfortunately NAFTA, GATT, etc have superceded these state laws.

Sony's current repair policy, as distinguished from their long-term parts
availability policy, is that they will service products at a flat rate for 7
years, assuming no physical damage, severe abuse, botched service attempts,
etc.

Beyond the 7 years, they will service it on a "time and materials" basis,
assuming parts are available.

The fly in this ointment is that they often no longer have anyone on staff
familiar with the old product. Very often, and I say this because I have
seen it personally, they will simply identify a part no longer available for
that model, then say, that's what it needs, sorry, can't fix it, would you
like the piece back for the minimum charge? Even though the part specified
had NOTHING to do with the stated complaint. For example a mechanical part
when the symptom was static in the sound.

So you've just gone to the trouble of packing, shipping, insuring, waiting,
etc only to find they never even gave a good-faith effort toward fixing the
piece.

Mark Z.

--
Please reply only to Group. I regret this is necessary. Viruses and spam
have rendered my regular e-mail address useless.


"Laurence Payne" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 09:04:19 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law
:-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good
grief.

Oh dear :-)

This Internet thing, it's global you know.

California was one state which dictated a 7-year parts availability.
Unfortunately NAFTA, GATT, etc have superceded these state laws.

Sony's current repair policy, as distinguished from their long-term parts
availability policy, is that they will service products at a flat rate for 7
years, assuming no physical damage, severe abuse, botched service attempts,
etc.

Beyond the 7 years, they will service it on a "time and materials" basis,
assuming parts are available.

The fly in this ointment is that they often no longer have anyone on staff
familiar with the old product. Very often, and I say this because I have
seen it personally, they will simply identify a part no longer available for
that model, then say, that's what it needs, sorry, can't fix it, would you
like the piece back for the minimum charge? Even though the part specified
had NOTHING to do with the stated complaint. For example a mechanical part
when the symptom was static in the sound.

So you've just gone to the trouble of packing, shipping, insuring, waiting,
etc only to find they never even gave a good-faith effort toward fixing the
piece.

Mark Z.

--
Please reply only to Group. I regret this is necessary. Viruses and spam
have rendered my regular e-mail address useless.


"Laurence Payne" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 25 Apr 2004 09:04:19 -0700, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote:

Where does this law apply? I doubt it's a matter for international law
:-)

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. Where ELSE would I be talking about? Good
grief.

Oh dear :-)

This Internet thing, it's global you know.

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 19:18:39 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote
(in message ):

If so, this is a break with Sony's policy. I had been told by the head of
their parts division that they never threw out parts.
--------------------------------snip----------------------------------

Oh, I never said they were going to THROW the parts AWAY. Just that they're
not going to go out of their way to maintain a large stock of parts anymore.

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if not
entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore. Again,
this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it. But it's in
keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-owned service
centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer factory service in LA --
a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

--MFW

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 19:18:39 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote
(in message ):

If so, this is a break with Sony's policy. I had been told by the head of
their parts division that they never threw out parts.
--------------------------------snip----------------------------------

Oh, I never said they were going to THROW the parts AWAY. Just that they're
not going to go out of their way to maintain a large stock of parts anymore.

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if not
entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore. Again,
this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it. But it's in
keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-owned service
centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer factory service in LA --
a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

--MFW

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 19:18:39 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote
(in message ):

If so, this is a break with Sony's policy. I had been told by the head of
their parts division that they never threw out parts.
--------------------------------snip----------------------------------

Oh, I never said they were going to THROW the parts AWAY. Just that they're
not going to go out of their way to maintain a large stock of parts anymore.

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if not
entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore. Again,
this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it. But it's in
keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-owned service
centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer factory service in LA --
a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

--MFW

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 19:18:39 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote
(in message ):

If so, this is a break with Sony's policy. I had been told by the head of
their parts division that they never threw out parts.
--------------------------------snip----------------------------------

Oh, I never said they were going to THROW the parts AWAY. Just that they're
not going to go out of their way to maintain a large stock of parts anymore.

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if not
entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore. Again,
this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it. But it's in
keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-owned service
centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer factory service in LA --
a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

--MFW

"Marc Wielage" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 19:18:39 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote
(in message ):

If so, this is a break with Sony's policy. I had been told by the head
of
their parts division that they never threw out parts.
--------------------------------snip----------------------------------

Oh, I never said they were going to THROW the parts AWAY. Just that
they're
not going to go out of their way to maintain a large stock of parts
anymore.

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if not
entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore.
Again,
this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it. But it's
in
keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-owned service
centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer factory service in
LA --
a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

--MFW

For many years Sony and most other manufacturers have had independent
authorized service centers for warranty and non-warranty repairs run by
independent electronics service companies. Check your yellow pages for
details.

In the past, these independent survive companies existed in almost every
medium size or larger city, but there is a trend (on the part of consumers)
toward not repairing mid-level consumer equipment because of large scale
integrated assemblies, the high labor cost involved, the rapid rate of
technological obsolescence, and the declining cost of new replacement
products.

I don't think Sony is any worse than other manufacturers, and in most
respects they are better than most.

"Marc Wielage" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 19:18:39 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote
(in message ):

If so, this is a break with Sony's policy. I had been told by the head
of
their parts division that they never threw out parts.
--------------------------------snip----------------------------------

Oh, I never said they were going to THROW the parts AWAY. Just that
they're
not going to go out of their way to maintain a large stock of parts
anymore.

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if not
entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore.
Again,
this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it. But it's
in
keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-owned service
centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer factory service in
LA --
a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

--MFW

For many years Sony and most other manufacturers have had independent
authorized service centers for warranty and non-warranty repairs run by
independent electronics service companies. Check your yellow pages for
details.

In the past, these independent survive companies existed in almost every
medium size or larger city, but there is a trend (on the part of consumers)
toward not repairing mid-level consumer equipment because of large scale
integrated assemblies, the high labor cost involved, the rapid rate of
technological obsolescence, and the declining cost of new replacement
products.

I don't think Sony is any worse than other manufacturers, and in most
respects they are better than most.

"Marc Wielage" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 19:18:39 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote
(in message ):

If so, this is a break with Sony's policy. I had been told by the head
of
their parts division that they never threw out parts.
--------------------------------snip----------------------------------

Oh, I never said they were going to THROW the parts AWAY. Just that
they're
not going to go out of their way to maintain a large stock of parts
anymore.

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if not
entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore.
Again,
this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it. But it's
in
keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-owned service
centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer factory service in
LA --
a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

--MFW

For many years Sony and most other manufacturers have had independent
authorized service centers for warranty and non-warranty repairs run by
independent electronics service companies. Check your yellow pages for
details.

In the past, these independent survive companies existed in almost every
medium size or larger city, but there is a trend (on the part of consumers)
toward not repairing mid-level consumer equipment because of large scale
integrated assemblies, the high labor cost involved, the rapid rate of
technological obsolescence, and the declining cost of new replacement
products.

I don't think Sony is any worse than other manufacturers, and in most
respects they are better than most.

"Marc Wielage" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 19:18:39 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote
(in message ):

If so, this is a break with Sony's policy. I had been told by the head
of
their parts division that they never threw out parts.
--------------------------------snip----------------------------------

Oh, I never said they were going to THROW the parts AWAY. Just that
they're
not going to go out of their way to maintain a large stock of parts
anymore.

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if not
entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore.
Again,
this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it. But it's
in
keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-owned service
centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer factory service in
LA --
a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

--MFW

For many years Sony and most other manufacturers have had independent
authorized service centers for warranty and non-warranty repairs run by
independent electronics service companies. Check your yellow pages for
details.

In the past, these independent survive companies existed in almost every
medium size or larger city, but there is a trend (on the part of consumers)
toward not repairing mid-level consumer equipment because of large scale
integrated assemblies, the high labor cost involved, the rapid rate of
technological obsolescence, and the declining cost of new replacement
products.

I don't think Sony is any worse than other manufacturers, and in most
respects they are better than most.

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if
not entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore.
Again, this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it.
But it's in keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-
owned service centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer
factory service in LA -- a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

I've sent e-mail to a friend at Sony. Hopefully, she'll let us know in a few
days.

Seattle -- not a small city, either -- lost its Sony factory-service shop about
a year ago. Their charges were not especially attractive (whose are?), and in
one case I had to lecture the manager about how a dictation machine should be
repaired. (It turned out their diagnosis was wrong and mine was right. Oddly,
they performed the repair at no charge.)

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if
not entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore.
Again, this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it.
But it's in keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-
owned service centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer
factory service in LA -- a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

I've sent e-mail to a friend at Sony. Hopefully, she'll let us know in a few
days.

Seattle -- not a small city, either -- lost its Sony factory-service shop about
a year ago. Their charges were not especially attractive (whose are?), and in
one case I had to lecture the manager about how a dictation machine should be
repaired. (It turned out their diagnosis was wrong and mine was right. Oddly,
they performed the repair at no charge.)

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if
not entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore.
Again, this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it.
But it's in keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-
owned service centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer
factory service in LA -- a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

I've sent e-mail to a friend at Sony. Hopefully, she'll let us know in a few
days.

Seattle -- not a small city, either -- lost its Sony factory-service shop about
a year ago. Their charges were not especially attractive (whose are?), and in
one case I had to lecture the manager about how a dictation machine should be
repaired. (It turned out their diagnosis was wrong and mine was right. Oddly,
they performed the repair at no charge.)

The theory is that they're going to start replacing more boards (if
not entire products) rather than do a lot of board-level repair anymore.
Again, this is all hearsay, and I haven't gotten confirmation about it.
But it's in keeping with Sony closing more and more of their factory-
owned service centers. For example, there's no more Sony consumer
factory service in LA -- a city of 10 million people. Pretty startling.

I've sent e-mail to a friend at Sony. Hopefully, she'll let us know in a few
days.

Seattle -- not a small city, either -- lost its Sony factory-service shop about
a year ago. Their charges were not especially attractive (whose are?), and in
one case I had to lecture the manager about how a dictation machine should be
repaired. (It turned out their diagnosis was wrong and mine was right. Oddly,
they performed the repair at no charge.)

In article , "Mark A" wrote:
"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to stock
electrical parts for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and cosmetic
for 5 (or was it 3?). What the law currently is, I don't know.

What jurisdiction is that? Is that federal, state (which state)?

Federal.


What if a company goes out of business?

There would be no entity the law could be enforced against.


Do you have a reference?

No, but the head of Sony parts confirmed this seven or eight years ago.

Are you sure he wasn't talking about company policy? I have never heard of
such a thing, unless it is during the warranty period. What kind of products
does this cover?


I am pretty sure this 7 year law is out there since i remember reading up on
it years ago too. Its a federal law and i beleive the original purpose whas to
make sure OTC parts were available for a set amount of time for military
resupply.\

In article , "Mark A" wrote:
"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to stock
electrical parts for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and cosmetic
for 5 (or was it 3?). What the law currently is, I don't know.

What jurisdiction is that? Is that federal, state (which state)?

Federal.


What if a company goes out of business?

There would be no entity the law could be enforced against.


Do you have a reference?

No, but the head of Sony parts confirmed this seven or eight years ago.

Are you sure he wasn't talking about company policy? I have never heard of
such a thing, unless it is during the warranty period. What kind of products
does this cover?


I am pretty sure this 7 year law is out there since i remember reading up on
it years ago too. Its a federal law and i beleive the original purpose whas to
make sure OTC parts were available for a set amount of time for military
resupply.\

In article , "Mark A" wrote:
"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message
...
A few years back, manufacturers were legally obliged to stock
electrical parts for 10 years, mechanical for 7, and cosmetic
for 5 (or was it 3?). What the law currently is, I don't know.

What jurisdiction is that? Is that federal, state (which state)?

Federal.


What if a company goes out of business?

There would be no entity the law could be enforced against.


Do you have a reference?

No, but the head of Sony parts confirmed this seven or eight years ago.

Are you sure he wasn't talking about company policy? I have never heard of
such a thing, unless it is during the warranty period. What kind of products
does this cover?


I am pretty sure this 7 year law is out there since i remember reading up on
it years ago too. Its a federal law and i beleive the original purpose whas to
make sure OTC parts were available for a set amount of time for military
resupply.\