I want my faulty earbud fixed. Should it cost less than replacing the pair?

The article discusses the issue of repairing faulty earbuds versus replacing the entire pair. The author, Kat George, a policy professional, argues that consumers have the right to pursue a repair, even beyond the product's warranty period, as a way to address the growing e-waste problem. The article presents a case where the author's Beats earbuds, received as a gift three years ago, were previously replaced for free by Apple within the warranty period due to a sound issue. Recently, one earbud stopped working, and the author was quoted a repair cost equivalent to buying a new pair of earbuds. The author finds this wasteful and wonders if there is any recourse to obtain a discounted repair fee to encourage device repairs rather than replacements. The article highlights the need for more affordable and accessible repair options to reduce the environmental impact of e-waste and encourage sustainable consumer practices.