Plain-English articles from the nonprofit Tech Care Association: what breaks, what it costs, and when to repair instead of replace.
11 articles in Consumer Advocacy Show all articles
Urban Mining 2026: Old Devices Are the New Gold Rush
Your junk drawer is holding gold, copper, and rare earths the tech world is scrambling for. How urban mining works, and how to put…
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Why Are Phones So Expensive Now? The 2026 Price Crunch
AI data centers, a war in the Middle East, and record copper prices are all landing on the same price tags. Here's why devices…
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The Right to Repair: Saving Americans Money Through Repair
From aircraft carriers to family smartphones, repair restrictions quietly cost Americans billions. Here is how the Right to Repair saves taxpayers, families, farmers, and…
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Data Recovery Explained: How to Recover Lost Files Without Overpaying
Lost everything when your phone died? Usually your files are still there. A plain-English guide to data recovery: what it really involves, how to…
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Water Damage Advice: Skip the Rice, Save Your Device
Memorial Day kicks off water damage season. Skip the rice (yes, it's a myth) and learn what actually saves your phone, from a 15-year…
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Repair Is Climate Action: The Hidden Link to Rare Earth Supply Chains
By Rob Link, Founder and CEO, Tech Care Association Founder, WhereToRepair.org · Founder, eWaste Warriors Published April 27, 2026 · ~14 min read Repair…
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Is Phone Insurance Worth It? Stop Wasting Money in 2026
I used to own a chain of AT&T stores. The local VP pushed us to add insurance to every single activation. Here's what the…
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Should I Repair or Replace My Phone? What Big Tech Doesn’t Want You to Know
Before you upgrade, there's a cost nobody talks about — the research spiral, the price shopping maze, the salesperson, the trade-in gap that quietly…
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Stop Paying for Phone Insurance. Here’s What Smart Consumers Do Instead.
The phone insurance industry collects $13.3 billion a year, and 65–80% of policyholders never file a single claim. Consumer Reports recommends most people skip…
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