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John Deere to pay $99M in right-to-repair settlement

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Re: John Deere to pay $99M in right-to-repair settlement

#51

Post by userbinator »

causality0 wrote: post #11

One of the most user-hostile companies on earth. My John Deere lawnmower came with a fuel gauge that runs off a CR2032 that's embedded in epoxy. The battery runs out of charge in about six months and the gauge stops working. If you saw the gauge open and replace the battery it doesn't start working again. If you disconnect the gauge the lawnmower won't start. Replacement gauges are $60.

Chances are you might find a compatible replacement from China on Ali and the other usual sites for a fraction of the price.

Re: John Deere to pay $99M in right-to-repair settlement

#52

Post by verdverm »

BobbyTables2 wrote: post #49
verdverm wrote: post #2

The second paragraph likely answers some of your immediate questions > The settlement also includes an agreement by Deere to provide “the digital tools required for the maintenance, diagnosis, and repair” of tractors, combines, and other machinery for 10 years. That part is crucial, as farmers previously resorted to hacking their own equipment’s software just to get it up and running again. John Deere signed a memora…

10 years for the buyer or the manufacturer? So it’s back to as before in 10 years?

The second to last sentence I copied over talks about after 10yrs, basically saying they have to provide the knowhow to 3rd party tool makers and repair technicians, and that this settlement makes that more certain. (as I read it)

Re: John Deere to pay $99M in right-to-repair settlement

#54

Post by laughing_man »

OKRainbowKid wrote: post #40
laughing_man wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why wouldn't victims complain?

Because when they do, they receive snide remarks like "just don't buy their stuff then".

Nobody is saying you can't relate your experience with this equipment. What we're saying is consumer action is enough to solve this problem. It just takes some time.

There's a certain type of customer that wants the dealer to handle parts and repair. But those guys aren't the lawn mower segment.

Re: John Deere to pay $99M in right-to-repair settlement

#55

Post by mistrial9 »

SilverElfin wrote: post #8

Seems like a small price for a big company. Shouldn’t there be some higher punitive fine for even trying this tactic? It’s basically zero cost for companies to be abusive.

no the settlements include many other conditions, but I agree the financial penalties should be larger

Re: John Deere to pay $99M in right-to-repair settlement

#56

Post by verdverm »

westmeal wrote: post #16
verdverm wrote: post #2

The second paragraph likely answers some of your immediate questions > The settlement also includes an agreement by Deere to provide “the digital tools required for the maintenance, diagnosis, and repair” of tractors, combines, and other machinery for 10 years. That part is crucial, as farmers previously resorted to hacking their own equipment’s software just to get it up and running again. John Deere signed a memora…

Yeah but it's only for 10 years...

it's not, they have to provide the knowhow to 3rd parties so they can carry on indefinitely

Re: John Deere to pay $99M in right-to-repair settlement

#57

Post by jojobas »

maxerickson wrote: post #45
dmos62 wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hot take: it takes mental gymnastics to think that planned obsolescence is not fraud.

Is there a bright line between cost reduction and planned obsolescence? Obviously a small unreplaceable battery is not a good example for that discussion.

Going out of your way to make sure the gauge doesn't work after the battery is replaced surely is.

Re: John Deere to pay $99M in right-to-repair settlement

#58

Post by zdragnar »

jabwd wrote: post #24
darth_avocado wrote: post #3

The stock is up 5% today. What’s the catch?

They settled, and paid pennies for being able to continue the status quo. Given that the headline is journalistic malpractice at best; and you asking this question kinda proves that. > While the agricultural manufacturing giant pointed out in a statement that this is no admission of wrongdoing Welp, gotta sue again in the future, hopefully lobbied laws in place to prevent whatever forced them to settle by then!

The whole point of settling is to end legal action. Admitting wrongdoing will be used as evidence against them by others who weren't party to the original suit. Any future suits will have far higher settlement costs, if plaintiffs are even willing to settle, since there's an admission of guilt right there.

You can thank the plaintiffs and their lawyers for accepting the settlement instead of pursuing a judicial remedy such as an injunction or finding of illegal behavior.

Re: John Deere to pay $99M in right-to-repair settlement

#59

Post by AuthAuth »

dmos62 wrote: post #15
causality0 wrote: post #11

One of the most user-hostile companies on earth. My John Deere lawnmower came with a fuel gauge that runs off a CR2032 that's embedded in epoxy. The battery runs out of charge in about six months and the gauge stops working. If you saw the gauge open and replace the battery it doesn't start working again. If you disconnect the gauge the lawnmower won't start. Replacement gauges are $60.

Hot take: it takes mental gymnastics to think that planned obsolescence is not fraud.

Depends how its planned. If its planned to fail but designed in a way thats cheap and easy to replace its ok. Because sometimes it can be the case that to much is spent over engineering a high use part when would be more practical to let it break and replace it every 2 years or so.

Re: John Deere to pay $99M in right-to-repair settlement

#60

Post by not_kurt_godel »

laughing_man wrote: post #54
OKRainbowKid wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because when they do, they receive snide remarks like "just don't buy their stuff then".

Nobody is saying you can't relate your experience with this equipment. What we're saying is consumer action is enough to solve this problem. It just takes some time. There's a certain type of customer that wants the dealer to handle parts and repair. But those guys aren't the lawn mower segment.

> What we're saying is consumer action is enough to solve this problem.

Citation needed

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