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Product Lifetimes and Repair Survey

This short survey focuses on product lifetimes and peoples’ views of repair. Data collected may support future teaching and research at The Open University. Survey data is anonymised and stored securely.

By submitting the survey you confirm you are 18 or over and that you agree to the data being used for educational purposes.

1.Respondent age group

18-25

26-40

41-55

56-70

71-85

86+

2.Are you aware of the UK’s new Right to Repair law that protects consumers’ rights to repair some types of purchased goods?

Yes

No

Don't know

3.How long did you have a past product before you replaced it?

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Washing Machine

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Vacuum Cleaner

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Mobile Phone

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Television

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Bicycle

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Sofa

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

4.What

Please select up to 3.

caused you to dispose of your last product

N/A

Component broke

Too expensive to repair

Too difficult to repair

No product repair information

Aesthetic reasons

Difficult to maintain

Wanted a new product

Declutter

Needed new functionality

Technology outdated

Washing Machine

N/A

Component broke

Too expensive to repair

Too difficult to repair

No product repair information

Aesthetic reasons

Difficult to maintain

Wanted a new product

Declutter

Needed new functionality

Technology outdated

Vacuum Cleaner

N/A

Component broke

Too expensive to repair

Too difficult to repair

No product repair information

Aesthetic reasons

Difficult to maintain

Wanted a new product

Declutter

Needed new functionality

Technology outdated

Mobile Phone

N/A

Component broke

Too expensive to repair

Too difficult to repair

No product repair information

Aesthetic reasons

Difficult to maintain

Wanted a new product

Declutter

Needed new functionality

Technology outdated

Television

N/A

Component broke

Too expensive to repair

Too difficult to repair

No product repair information

Aesthetic reasons

Difficult to maintain

Wanted a new product

Declutter

Needed new functionality

Technology outdated

Bicycle

N/A

Component broke

Too expensive to repair

Too difficult to repair

No product repair information

Aesthetic reasons

Difficult to maintain

Wanted a new product

Declutter

Needed new functionality

Technology outdated

Sofa

N/A

Component broke

Too expensive to repair

Too difficult to repair

No product repair information

Aesthetic reasons

Difficult to maintain

Wanted a new product

Declutter

Needed new functionality

Technology outdated

Other (option to state what that is)

5.How long would you like your current product to last for?

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Washing Machine

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Vacuum Cleaner

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Mobile Phone

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Television

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Bicycle

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

Sofa

N/A

< 1 year

1 - 2 years

2 - 3 years

3 - 4 years

4 - 5 years

5 - 6 years

6 - 7 years

7 - 8 years

8 - 9 years

10 - 15 years

> 15 years

6.Prioritize 3 things for each product that you look for when buying a new product.

Washing machine

Smartphone

Sofa

Price

Washing machine

Smartphone

Sofa

Functionality

Washing machine

Smartphone

Sofa

Visual appeal

Washing machine

Smartphone

Sofa

Energy labelling (efficiency)

Washing machine

Smartphone

Sofa

Warranty

Washing machine

Smartphone

Sofa

Repairability

Washing machine

Smartphone

Sofa

Organisation reputation for quality

Washing machine

Smartphone

Sofa

Organisation reputation for ethics & responsbility

Washing machine

Smartphone

Sofa

Other (please specify)

7.What prevents you from repairing a product

Often

Sometimes

Never

Don't know

Lack of product knowledge

Often

Sometimes

Never

Don't know

Too expensive

Often

Sometimes

Never

Don't know

Cheaper to buy new

Often

Sometimes

Never

Don't know

Fancy a change

Often

Sometimes

Never

Don't know

Don't know how to find out about repair

Often

Sometimes

Never

Don't know

Other (please specify)

8.Repair experiences

Yes

No

Sometimes

Never

I always try and fix things at home

Yes

No

Sometimes

Never

I can change a plug

Yes

No

Sometimes

Never

I enjoy DIY projects

Yes

No

Sometimes

Never

I ask my family or friends to fix things

Yes

No

Sometimes

Never

I use online resources to show me how to repair things

Yes

No

Sometimes

Never

I use professional repair services

Yes

No

Sometimes

Never

I use the product warranty for repair or replacement

Yes

No

Sometimes

Never

I don’t consider repairing products

Yes

No

Sometimes

Never

I prefer to replace products when they break

Yes

No

Sometimes

Never

9.What do you think is needed to encourage greater levels of repair of household products?

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