Bonjour mon compagnon repairers,
All of the above. Manufacturers would have to be committed to repair. Parts pricing, parts availability, service turnaround times, the whole bit. Just can't see it happening.
As an extreme example why not, Google 'Charles Ware Morris Minor Centre'. Charles Ware was an eccentric chap who grew a not bad business in the UK over the last few decades by arguing very strongly for 'durable motoring'. His thesis was that if you have a simple, reliable robust car then it can be kept maintained almost indefinitely thus allowing the owner to purchase and keep a vehicle for a fraction of buying and maintaining less robust modern machines. The company still exists (now run by his son) and they still look after a lot of daily drives!
The point is, manufacturers aren't going to cop that. They are not going to encourage us to keep their products almost indefinitely! But perhaps we can find some sensible middle ground? Alas, I think not.
Jack's comment about design for service is an excellent point. I am ashamed to admit that I have a dish drawer. Don't ever buy one! But it's one redeeming feature is that everything just clicks into place with quarter turn bayonet style fittings. Makes for very easy disassembly and repair. Sure it was really designed for easy manufacture but it cuts both ways.
I'm going to stick to my guns here. I think labour cost is the limiting factor at least as far as the bottom end of the market is concerned and that's where the waste is. It's impossible to justify the repair of a $300 mower from Bunnings, a $150 weed eater from big w or a $40 microwave from k mart. While this low end stuff is sold repair will not be viable if not done DIY. The only hope is consumer education over a lengthy period. But alas the manufacturers control the media and therefore the minds and purses of the automaton consumer.
Poor choice by the consumer and the purchase of cheap appliances 'baguettes' waste.
