And this includes replacing an abstraction level above repair level (ie, you replace the whole rather than the part)... the effective cost difference is so radical, that it's cheaper to replace a $100 thing for a $1 broken part, rather than replace the part, let alone repair it
-
Show this thread
-
Like, this apparently simple repair job of what's probably a $0.50 wholesale part of a whole worth like $100 had me scrounging around for a clamp, looking up superglue drying times, spend 20 minutes doing a tiny jigsaw puzzle...
1 reply 0 retweets 15 likesShow this thread -
...and it's possibly still not enough. What I've done so far is within what I already know. and now it looks like I'll have to learn about nylon thread weights, how to tie a whipping knot, bobbins, possibly how to apply epoxy/lacquer... none of which I've done before.
1 reply 0 retweets 8 likesShow this thread -
Venkatesh Rao Retweeted Venkatesh Rao
Repair I'm talking abouthttps://twitter.com/vgr/status/1295088861077331968 …
Venkatesh Rao added,
1 reply 0 retweets 4 likesShow this thread -
So far, I've spent $0, 1 hour, and learned nothing. But if I do the whole thing
@DavidRalin suggests in the replies to make it a solid fix, I'll probably end up spending $20, and 2 hours more. In the process I'll acquire a new skill, and $18 worth of inventory for future repairs.1 reply 0 retweets 12 likesShow this thread -
Plan B would be to play phone tag with the manufacturer for an hour, and maybe pay $6 to get just the part. I'd learn the much less valuable lesson of how good a company's customer service is. Plan C would be to replace the whole thing. A 2 minute, $100 task.
1 reply 0 retweets 10 likesShow this thread -
Incredibly, the incentives are radically stacked to make that last option the financially rational one unless you're extremely cash poor/time rich by US standards.
5 replies 2 retweets 20 likesShow this thread -
Replying to @vgr
Is it rational to buy another whatever rather than retrieve the old one from the mansion's attic?
1 reply 0 retweets 1 like -
-
Just joined the repair cafe mailing list... maybe I'll make it down there one day when this covid stuff is past, if I'm still in LA
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.