When you buy a new product, you expect a company to have a warranty on it. However, you might not understand exactly what kind of warranty you are getting. As a consumer, the type of warranty a product has should be something you check before you buy. There is a world of difference between a limited warranty and a full warranty.
LIMITED WARRANTY
A limited warranty lasts for a specified amount of time. Limited warranties are also often limited in other ways. For example, cars today often have 10-year warranties, but the last 5 years of the warranty usually only covers the power train. The warranty is limited in what it will repair or replace. So, it is not a full warranty. Limited warranties are also normally limited to first-time purchasers. If you sell the item at any time during the life of the warranty, the warranty is null and void. Limited Warranty As its name implies, a limited warranty is limited to just the specified parts, certain types of defects, or other conditions. But since it can mean virtually anything the retailer decides, it is important to fully understand the meaning of “limited” when buying such a product. Often, it covers just the parts and not the labor required to fully fix something. A limited warranty also may include the stipulation that the manufacturer and the consumer split the cost of repairs for a given period of time. A limited warranty only covers certain types of damage.
FULL WARRANTY
In contrast to a limited warranty, a full warranty has no time limit. As a consumer, you can return the product to the manufacturer at any time and have it repaired or, if needed, replace. Full coverage warranties are extremely comprehensive and cover almost every facet of the item. They are so inclusive that they list the things they don’t cover rather than the things they do.
LIFETIME WARRANTY
The concept of a lifetime warranty means something different to everyone, which makes things awful confusing for consumers. Though the term is used frequently, it seems that nobody can actually agree on what this type of warranty implies. Whose lifetime does it cover? The purchaser’s? The manufacturer’s? The product’s?
The answer is (big surprise) it depends. The duration of a lifetime warranty depends solely upon the person or company who is implying the warranty. It absolutely does not matter what the consumer thinks this warranty means. All that matters is what was implied at the time of sale by the manufacturer, retailer, distributor, or service professional.
If you plan on purchasing products or services that come with a lifetime warranty, you will need to do your homework. Contact the manufacturer or service provider to determine what the warranty entails Be sure to ask about guarantees, replacements, and warranty duration.
You should never assume that a warranty means your lifetime, because it very rarely does. The term, which once stood for something, has become nothing more than a casual marketing tool.
LIMITED FULL WARRANTY
This is a confusing term and I haven’t found a definition for it that makes sense.
When comparing warranties keep these things in mind.
· How long does the warranty last? Check the warranty to see when it begins and when it expires, as well as any conditions that may void coverage.
· Who do you contact to get warranty service? It may be the seller or the manufacturer who provides you with service.
· What will the company do if the product fails? Read to see whether the company will repair the item, replace it, or refund your money.
· What parts and repair problems are covered? Check to see if any parts of the product or types of repair problems are excluded from coverage. For example, some warranties require you to pay for labor charges. Also, look for conditions that could prove expensive or inconvenient, such as a requirement that you ship a heavy object to a factory for service, or that you return the item in the original carton.
· Does the warranty cover “consequential damages?” Many warranties do not cover damages caused by the product, 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 lost food.
· Are there any conditions or limitations on the warranty? Some warranties provide coverage only 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.