The Boston Globe has an article on the decline of the neighborhood
repair shop in the U.S.

"[Sewing machine and vacuum shop owner] Spindler admitted he is
sometimes annoyed when something breaks at home and his wife goes out
and buys a replacement. But he knows he can't argue with the new
economic logic. 'We had a small $90 TV that broke after a year and a
half. I knew that to put it on a bench here would be $40. It wasn't
worth it. We just won't buy that brand again.'"

Spindler says there used to be four other shops like his in the area.
They're gone.

A stereo repair shop owner the Globe interviewed has found a niche for
himself fixing vintage gear. He's also an authorized repair center for
modern equipment. But he shuts down right after Christmas each year so
his techs don't have to answer 1-800 calls from people who can't
figure out how to operate gifts bought at big-box discount stores.

http://www.boston.com/yourlife/home/...is_in_decline/

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Paul Hirose
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