Common
questions about warranties
Find
out what a warranty is and why it may be important to have one when
you purchase certain products.
How
can a warranty protect me?
What if the product did not have
a warranty?
Does an implied warranty cover products?
How long does a warranty
last?
What if the product fails after the warranty
expires?
How can a warranty protect me?
A
warranty is a form of guarantee or assurance that the product you
bought operates as intended. Almost all products carry either a
written warranty or an implied warranty. A written warranty (also
called expressed warranty) is like a contract. In it are the terms
and conditions of what you can expect from the product. Most types
of written warranties promise that the product is free from defects
for a prescribed period of time. Most of the time, if the product
is broken or defective the seller will either replace the product
or refund your money. If the seller refuses to honor its own warranty
the seller can bring a legal action.
What
if the product did not have a written warranty?
These
are called implied warranties. Most states have adopted the Uniform
Commercial Code. This law provides that new products come with two
important implied warranties. One covers the product for merchantability;
the other covers the product for fitness. The warranty that covers
merchantability assures that the product purchased will work if
used for its intended purpose. The warranty covering the fitness
of the product provides that the product will work if you used it
in a reasonable manner and consistent with its intended purpose.
Does
an implied warranty cover used products?
Yes.
However the warranty or promise is based on the product being in
a used condition. The implied warranty for a used product is that
it will work as expected given the products age and condition.
How
long does a warranty last?
In
most states an expressed warranty will last for the term stated
in the language of the warranty. Implied warranties of new products
can last indefinitely but can be limited by the limitations inherent
in the products intended use and under its intended purpose. To
find about your product please confer with an experienced lawyer
for your right and obligations.
What
if the product fails after the warranty expires?
In
most states, assuming the failure of the product originally surfaced
within the original warranty period, most manufacturers will extend
your warranty. However most manufacturers will insist that your
previous repairs to their product was performed by an authorized
repair service. While most manufacturers make money on extended
warranties, purchasing additional warranty coverage should at least
be considered.
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