This isn't a new phenomenon. In the mid 2000s I was working in a computer repair shop and similarly most of our fixes were just windows reinstalls with some light backup. Why? Because that fixed basically every software problem and was mostly unattended work so it didn't cost a lot.
Ultimately the customer wants the cheapest and fastest solution. They don't care that it was their limewire viruses or bonzai buddy IE extensions or whatever that slowed it down.
Here's the big kicker imo: If we were charging $100 for a reinstall/backup, and we could sell them a faster computer for $400, then there is very little wiggle room for real repair to happen. Parts + labor could easily exceed the cost of a new budget machine. If there isn't a RMA (free part replacement) involved, the repair probably wasn't worth it.
Ultimately the customer wants the cheapest and fastest solution. They don't care that it was their limewire viruses or bonzai buddy IE extensions or whatever that slowed it down.
Here's the big kicker imo: If we were charging $100 for a reinstall/backup, and we could sell them a faster computer for $400, then there is very little wiggle room for real repair to happen. Parts + labor could easily exceed the cost of a new budget machine. If there isn't a RMA (free part replacement) involved, the repair probably wasn't worth it.
It's just the economics of computer repair, imo.