As we all know consumer technology is in a state of flux.

What will it take to continue to earn a living in the consumer
electronic service world?

Can independent service companies stay current with the technology?
Since most manufacturers are treating their equipment as trade
secrets, not supplying support to independents and barely supporting
their warranty service companies. How can this industry survive?

Samsung is offering $125 labor for in home service on plasmas. NEC,
InFocus and others refuse to supply literature or parts to anyone
other than an very small list of selected servicers. The argument is
that they are protecting their customers from shoddy service. The
implication is we are all to stupid or under-trained to understand or
service their equipment. Isn't this restraint of trade?

As long as the equipment can be serviced to the component level I
contend that it is unreasonable and criminal for the manufacturers to
insist on thousands of dollars for replacement boards.

Manufacturers are DUMPING highly complex equipment on the American
market at or below cost. Are the manufacturers attempting to train the
population to expect unreasonably cheap products? To what end?

When there are no longer qualified servicers will the prices climb
back to reasonable levels?

The manufacturers have attempted to control the consumer service
industry since the beginning. At first they catered to us. Bought us
lunch and introduced us to the latest technologies. They treated us as
an integral part of their support chain. Now they treat us as a thing
to be shunned. We are a impediment to their sales.

What do you think?