But, I agree that for the most part, many things find their way to landfill due to very minor failures combined, the rarity of good repair options,
I like the idea of the 'repair workshops' where people bring stuff
along and volunteers try to fix it for the cost of any parts and a
charity donation or similar?

This goes to a post I made some years ago when a British gentleman asked about initiating a 'repair cafe. I have been doing this along in the vintage electronics hobby for well over 20 years now - so my 'rules' are as follows:

I participate in the occasional radio-club related repair clinic, and give one twice a year in Kutztown, teaching basic diagnostic and repair techniques for vintage radios and electronics from the 1920s to approximately the 1990s. There are some basic rules for the protection of the clinician and the 'customer'.

a) Do not take money. Do not imply Fee-for-Service. The moment money is taken, there is an expectation of professionalism and expertise that conveys a level of liability.

b) Make it clear that you are doing this as a hobby, and that you are demonstrating technique and skills that may be useful to the customer in their future endeavors along the same hobby-related lines.

c) If parts are to be replaced, those parts *must* be obtained and supplied by the customer. Pointing to possible sources is OK, as long as you are able to point to more than one.

d) If power must be applied to an item during the process, the source must be isolated, and you must explain to the customer the reasons for it, and advise him/her why this is so.

e) Kluge repairs left in place are not acceptable, full stop. For instance, if one jumps out a damaged 'fuse resistor' to determine whether replacing it is worthwhile and the customer does not have the actual replacement - you may go as far as to suggest that the item is repairable - but not here, and not without the proper parts. Remove the jumper.

Whether or not an organization has "insurance cover', should there be an unfortunate event, the individual tech involved will remain involved whether liable for actual damages or not. And whereas most individuals are sincere and mean no harm, a fire, shock or other occurrence will change even the most gentle person.

I will teach technique, and I will show individuals how to make their own basic repairs such as re-capping, cleaning and similar. I will point them to books, manuals and sources. But in a situation where one is dealing with the *GENERAL PUBLIC*, I will take nothing for granted.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA