Consumers Benefit From Knowing Warranty Details to Help Assure Product Quality
* Understanding your warranty
Have you ever received a written warranty--or guarantee--with a product, but found it so hard to read or understand that you never took advantage of it? Here are some tips about warranties.
* What is a warranty?
It is a guarantee of quality. It means the manufacturer or retailer promises to repair the item, replace it or give you a refund if it doesn’t work properly. Written warranties are usually enclosed with the product. They might also be printed on the outside of the package or displayed near the product in the store. The law says that if there is a written warranty on any item costing more than $15, it must be available to you before you buy, and must be easy to understand.
If you don’t see it, ask for it.
* What’s in a warranty?
It should state the length of time you are protected. It should tell you what is covered and what is not. It should also tell you what the manufacturer will do to correct a defective item and whether the manufacturer will pay for the repair. It should tell you where to take the item for repair, or give you a toll-free number to call for service.
It might also tell you whether you have a full or a limited warranty:
* A full warranty means a defective item will be repaired or replaced without charge within a reasonable amount of time, and you don’t have to do anything unreasonable (such as ship a large item, like a large-screen TV, to the factory). Full warranties apply to anyone who owns the product during the warranty period, so if you sell the item to someone, that person is covered by the warranty.
* A limited warranty gives you less than a full warranty does. Check to see what you are not getting. It might cover parts, but not labor. It might apply only to the first purchaser of the product.
After you have read the warranty, put it away in a safe place.
Here’s how to take advantage of your written warranty. If an item needs service or repair:
* Read the warranty for instructions for returning the article to the manufacturer. You will have to pay for sending it, but the manufacturer must pay for returning it to you.
* If the article is too heavy or large to ship, write to the manufacturer and explain. California law says manufacturers must pay the cost of shipping big items or must send a service person to your home.
* Your warranty period is extended for the length of time it takes to repair the item. And the law says the repairs have to be done properly.
* The law also says the repair must be made within 30 days, unless there is a good excuse. Otherwise, you should request your money back or a replacement. If your warranty is from the store where you bought it and not from the manufacturer, notify the store as soon as you discover the item is defective.
Source: L.A. Department of Consumer Affairs
