The Repair: A Dying Art or More Important Than Ever?

Consumer goods have an increasingly shorter lifespan. They are discarded much earlier, and repairs are often as expensive as the replacement part or even the product itself. On the one hand, this development is due to planned obsolescence (i.e., the deliberately built-in premature wear of functionality by manufacturers) and, on the other hand, because the art of repairing is becoming increasingly irrelevant. For us, it is clear: if companies claim “sustainability” as their motto, the focus must also be on repairs. Unfortunately, we see this all too rarely.

Why repair is so important to us

Our customers are very environmentally conscious and value sustainability. From this perspective, and also from our own company philosophy, it was only a logical consequence to continually expand our repair service. By now, our customers prefer to just replace the scribbled and aged casing rather than acquire a new device. For our hörbert, repairs are also particularly viable because it is modular and easily accessible. This means: Every component can be repaired or replaced. (All hörbert extensions are also available as retrofit kits, to avoid unnecessarily buying a new device. -> This does not apply to the new hörbert. This probably refers more to the BT module and Auto-Off? How about this sentence: Since November 2021, there’s a new hörbert model with electronics that already includes Bluetooth, Wifi, and a sleep timer. However, the older hörbert model doesn’t need to be discarded, because we offer an upgrade service.

Hörbert customers greatly appreciate our repair service and return to it frequently. It is important to us that we not only advocate for sustainability but also fully embrace it with our customers.

The handle is screwed onto hörbert

Repair instead of throw away

Especially in the age of excessive consumption, where human-made climate change is becoming increasingly noticeable, it is important to pay attention to sustainable consumption in the private sphere as well.

“For ecological reasons, it is advisable in most cases to have defective devices repaired and use them for as long as possible.” – Öko-Institut e.V.

Advantages of Repairing Instead of Buying New

  1. Repairs protect our environment:
    Repairing saves important resources and raw materials. By not requiring new resources, we are already protecting the environment!
  2. Repairing makes you smart:
    Nowadays, we have lost the connection to the products we use, not least due to their high complexity. By engaging more with our everyday items, we enhance our knowledge and that of our descendants.
  3. Repairing makes you independent:
    Anyone who can repair things themselves is not reliant on others and remains independent. It also boosts our self-confidence.                               
  4. Repairs save money:
    In today’s throwaway society, it’s often cheaper to acquire a new product. In the long run, however, repair enthusiasts save significantly more money.
  5. Repairing is social:
    When repairing, people come together and cooperate more with each other. Keyword: Repair cafés.

Trend: Repair café initiatives are increasing

We are pleased that the societal trend is increasingly moving towards “repairing instead of discarding.” So-called Repair Cafés have existed in Germany for several years now. The idea is simple: defective everyday or utility items can be brought in and repaired. There is a relaxed atmosphere with coffee and cake. Supported by volunteers, Repair Cafés are often only open temporarily, but they represent a very nice development that benefits the environment and often the wallet as well. Furthermore, the social aspect of the cafés should not be underestimated. There are probably hundreds of such initiatives throughout Germany by now.

Do you have a defective hörbert and don’t know what to do? Contact our customer service.