New England Service Station & Automotive Repair Association

Senate urged to carefully scrutinize Right to Repair bill  

March 1, 2010— Today, the New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (NESSARA), the leading organization representing independent auto repairers in Massachusetts, urges the Massachusetts Senate to carefully scrutinize S. 2268, the “Right to Repair” bill, currently under consideration in the Massachusetts State Senate.  With over 400 members, NESSARA is the voice of repairers in Massachusetts.

To their credit, this Right to Repair Coalition has packaged an effective campaign that is convincing in sound bites.  However, when you get under the surface of what they are saying and what they are trying to do with this bill, it doesn’t match up with the real repair issues facing our industry.  We aren’t going to support something that doesn’t legitimately identify and address those matters.  Roger Monbleau, President (NESSARA)

Right to Repair coalition spokesman Art Kinsman claims the bill as drafted simply allows the consumer or independent repair shop the right to take legal action if car manufacturers continue their practice of locking them out of certain repair codes and tools needed to complete repairs.  NESSARA member, Rusty Savignac, owner and repairer of Paxton Garage in Paxton, MA, disagrees. “This bill gives an auto repair business owner the right to sue for information he can already get. I don’t need this and for repair owners who think they do, have them call me instead of their lawyers, I can save them a lot of time and money.” 

The legislation would prohibit the current practice of automobile manufacturers restricting access to repair information utilized by independent repairers. massrighttorepair.com “If you invest in training, education, and tooling, any auto repairer can fix 99% of the vehicles that come into their shops. It’s a business decision.  You don’t need a law to do this.” said Gary Machiros, owner of Angie’s Service Station in Newbury, Ma. 

“Consumers should have a choice as to who does their car repairs.”  massrighttorepair.com  “If consumers didn’t have a choice, then how am I still in business? Despite this economy, business is good.  I suspect this Right to Repair effort is about someone else making money.” said Tom Picket owner of Arthur’s Sunoco & Service Center, Mattapan MA.

Gary Archer, owner of G.W Archer with stations in Littleton and Ayer recently heard from the Mass Right to Repair Coalition.  “I got a call from this Right to Repair group for the first time just last week.  They tried to talk me into supporting them and were critical of NESSARA’s opposition.  I am a member of NESSARA and if NESSARA says there is something wrong with this, there must be.  They have always looked out for members like me, and I don’t think this is any different.” 

“This Right to Repair Coalition is pouring a tremendous amount of resources into this.  We can’t compete on that level.  However, we will stand for what we believe in and have identified a number of small repair business owners who are willing to meet with legislators and tell them the truth.  My experience tells me that they will listen to us and become better informed of our position especially since our businesses and customers are the ones who are, supposedly, going to benefit from this.  Roger Monbleau, President, NESSARA

We urge the Senate to put the brakes on S 2268.  

The New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (NESSARA) is the leading organization representing independent auto repairers in Massachusetts.   We urge you to oppose the so-called “Right to Repair” legislation currently under consideration.  After a lengthy analysis of the legislation NESSARA’s leadership has concluded that S. 2268 is a bad bill that will have a negative impact on repairers, service stations, and our customers.  

In the past, NESSARA, was supportive of the “Right to Repair” bill as, on its surface,  it appeared to be good for our businesses and customers.  However, as debate continued, many of our experienced auto repair members weighed in with disapproval of our support for this legislation. That reaction motivated us to step back from our position of support several months ago. 

During this time period we have been conducting a thorough investigation of this subject. Our findings, to date, are as follows: The opinion of repairers, as to the availability of information to conduct automotive repairs, runs the full spectrum of possibilities.  There is an obvious disconnect - some believe that information is not easily obtainable,  while others believe that most or all of the information is readily available.  NESSARA has determined that training and education on how to access and utilize automotive repair information and tooling appears to be the most significant need facing our industry.  

NESSARA, just recently, established training seminars, employing repair experts, to interact with and share their knowledge with automotive repair businesses.  These forums are starting to shed an accurate light as to what automotive repair information issues truly exist within our Massachusetts industry. The proposed bill will not, in our opinion, address the issues as we currently understand them.  In fact, we believe, the current bill will do more harm than good.

This law, if passed, will lead to expensive lawsuits that will benefit trial lawyers, not our businesses or customers.  Its passage may result in the restriction of information not providing it. We, therefore, oppose it and urge the Senate to do likewise. 

We look forward to having an opportunity to meet with members of the Senate and other members of state government to have a meaningful discussion of this issue and work towards an effective solution for both the repair industry and our customers.

NESSARA and the Fairness for Fuel Dealers LLC have worked extremely hard on this bill, and we would like to thank everyone who has been supportive to date.  We ask that you continue supporting our efforts by letting the legislators know how important this bill is to your future. 

The ExxonMobil Dealers in MA, NH, and RI have formed an LLC to protect their rights during the divestment process ExxonMobil has planned for it's remaining locations.  The next meeting of the LLC will be held:

Thurs. March 25th @ 6:00

The Chateau Resturant in Norwood, MA.

To attend this meeting you must be an LLC member, or join the LLC at the meeting.

SCANNER LETTING YOU DOWN?

TROUBLE FINDING CORRECT SERVICE INFO?

NESSARA, in conjunction with MSADA, is sponsoring workshops on the aftermarket availability and use of Factory Scan Tools and OE Service Information websites.

Feb. 8^th            Harr Toyota, 100 Gold Star Blvd. Worcester, MA 01606

Feb. 9^th            Village Cadillac Saab Hummer, 700 Providence Hwy (Rt. 1)                          Norwood, MA 02062

Feb. 10^th          Marty’s GMC, 5 Independence Mall Way, Kingston, MA 02364

Feb. 11^th          Ira Toyota, 161 Andover St. Danvers, MA 01923

All Workshops will run from 6:00-10:00 p.m.

All attendees can select a FREE SERVICE INFORMATION web trial.

Attendees pay $50 (No cost to NESSARA or ASA member-shops and their technicians). 

Pre-registration recommended.  Seating is Limited.   Call 978-667-7706.   

*Sandwiches, Soft drinks, and coffee will be provided complimentary to all guests*

NESSARA would like to thank everyone who attended this year's Scholarship Raffle Party.  Even with the bad weather, more than 150 people were in attendance.  The night was filled with good food, good music and more than 50 prize winners.

I would also like to take a minute to thank all of the companies who generously donated to the event.   

Bob & Sons Automotive                   Chelmsford Diagnostic Service

Consumer Auto Parts of Lowell                          Dampolo Automotive

Fishers Auto Parts (NH)                                    Harr Motor Company

The LeLacheur Family                    Lowell Automatic Transmission

   Lunenburg Gulf                                                     Middlesex Petroleum

Mutual Oil Company                                              Myra Distributing

NESSARA                                             Northern Foreign Car Parts

Porters Auto Sales                                                 The Porter Family

Richards Auto Supply                                                  Snap-On Tools

Towers Motor Parts          Warehouse Distributors of New England

Windward Petroleum (NH)

 Without your help, we would not be able to hold such an enjoyable event.

Thank You

If you are having any difficulty with your machine, or are unable to get answers to your questions, please do not hesitate to contact the NESSARA office at 978-667-7706.  There are also a few ways for you to contact Parsons directly:

   Hotline Phone #                                             877-834-4677

   Hotline E-Mail                                    info@massvehiclecheck.com

   Website Address                                www.massvehiclecheck.com

We are working on a daily basis with Parsons, Mass RMV, DEP, and other organizations in an effort to make this program as successful as possible.

The revised MassDEP Stage II Weekly Inspection Guidance Manuals and revised Weekly Inspection Checklists are now posted on the MassDEP website.

 The revised manuals are a vast improvement over the older manuals with better graphics, checklists, maintenance guidance, etc.

 Click on the link below to download the manuals and checklists.

 http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/community/stageii.htm

 There are now three different Weekly Inspection Manuals for:

 Balance systems (includes guidance for aboveground tanks with balance components)

 Healy Systems (for Healy 400 ORVR nozzle, Healy 600 nozzle, and Healy 400 ORVR mobile-refueler systems)

 Vacuum Assist Systems (for vacuum source dispenser mounted systems such as Healy VP-1000 systems, Dresser Waynevac, Gilbarco Vaporvac, etc.)   

 Now would be the time to discard (recycle) older versions of the original manual and checklists.

 As always you can make your own weekly inspection checklists as long as you include the required weekly inspection items.

 If you TRAIN Stage II facility responsible officials you should REVIEW the manuals thoroughly before conducting training.