Warranty Facts, What You Need To Know

Warranty Facts

This topic is based on facts on warranties for consumers from the Federal Trade Commission;

(http:/www.ftc.gov). Before you make a major purchase, there is an important promise you should read. It is called the warranty: the manufacturer's or seller's promise to stand behind a product. Warranties vary in the amount of coverage they provide. So, just as you compare the style, price, and other characteristics of products before you buy, you also can compare their warranties.

The Magnuson-Moss Act of 1975 requires that warranties be available for you to read before you make a purchase.

(What retailer is in compliance with this law)?

Something to take into consideration, if you are returning a product back to a retail store and they charge a restocking fee, you may be able to get them to drop the restocking fee because they were in violation of the above act. It's one way to fight back when dealing with unfair policies, but that is assuming what you are taking back normally would have a warranty such as electronics. This will not work with clothing.

Written Warranties

Written warranties come with most major purchases, although this is not legally required. (In other words, a manufacturer is not required to provide a warranty on their product('s)). The protection offered by written warranties varies greatly, so it is important to compare warranties before making a purchase. Here are some questions to keep in mind when comparing warranties.

·What parts and repair problems are covered by the warranty?

·Check to see if any parts of the product or types of repair problems are excluded from coverage.
·Are any expenses excluded from coverage? Some warranties require you to pay for labor charges.

·How long does the warranty last? Check the warranty to see when it expires.

·Does the warranty cover "consequential damages"? Many warranties do not cover consequential damages. This means that the company will not pay for any damage the product caused, or your time and expense in getting the damage repaired. For example, if your freezer breaks and the food spoils, the company will not pay for the food you lost.

·Are there any conditions or limitations on the warranty? Some warranties only provide coverage if you maintain or use the product as directed. For example, a warranty may cover only personal uses _ as opposed to business uses of the product. Make sure the warranty will meet your needs.

·Who do you contact to obtain warranty service? It may be the seller or the manufacturer who provides you with service.

·What will you have to do to get repairs? Look for conditions that could prove expensive, such as a
requirement that you ship a heavy object to a factory for service.

·What will the company do if the product fails? Find out if the company will repair it, replace it, or return your money.

Spoken Warranties

Sometimes a salesperson will make an oral promise, for example, that the seller will provide free repairs. However, if this claim is not in writing, you may not be able to get the promised service. Have the salesperson put the promise in writing, or do not count on the service.