Product Warranties

When you buy a product, you’re putting faith in the seller, the manufacturer, and everyone else in the supply chain. You trust that the product meets industry safety standards and is going to function as designed. Unfortunately, products aren’t always reliable.

You may end up with a defective product damaged in the factory or during shipment. The item could have been designed incorrectly, making it ineffective for your use. Or the product may stop working long before it should. Some rules and regulations protect consumers against defective products. To find out how product warranty laws protect your purchases, talk to a consumer warranty lawyer.

What Is a Product Warranty?

A product warranty is like a promise from the retailer that says the product is effective and will perform as advertised. Products covered by a warranty have a guarantee against defects or malfunctions. If the product fails, the manufacturer will repair, exchange, or refund it.

State and federal laws protect consumers against defective products. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act provides minimum standards for consumer product warranties. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces federal product warranty terms. State laws can provide other legal remedies for consumers, including lemon laws for defective vehicles.

The FTC requires sellers and manufacturers to make warranties available to consumers. Warranties are available before purchase so buyers can understand their protection if the product is faulty. Depending on the terms of the manufacturer’s warranty, a product may have a limited warranty for the warranty period or up to a lifetime warranty.

What Are Express and Implied Warranties?

There are two different types of warranties: express or implied. An express warranty is a clear promise from the manufacturer or seller that the product will perform in a certain way. This can be a written warranty, advertised guarantee, or express promise from the seller.

An implied warranty is a general guarantee that the product will perform as designed. An implied warranty of merchantability means the product is fit to be sold. An implied warranty of fitness means the product is suitable for your intended purpose.

All sold products carry implied warranties, even if they aren’t written or stated. If a seller doesn’t want to provide any implied warranties, they have to indicate that the product is not “merchantable” or, in other words, sold “as is.”

How Can I Get the Most Out of My Product Warranty?

To make your warranty work for you, you need to understand the terms and limits. Ask for a copy of the warranty coverage before you buy something. You can also look it up online. Talk to the salesperson during the purchase to make sure you understand the terms fully. Get any promises in writing at the time of sale and keep a copy of the warranty. You should hold on to the receipt with the purchase price and date of purchase.

Most warranty claims will come with instructions for the consumer, such as required maintenance or improper use. Read the fine print. Products used incorrectly or not maintained could void a warranty policy. With a voided warranty, the seller or manufacturer may not honor it.

What Happens if My Product Breaks While Under Warranty?

In many cases, you may not ever need to use your warranty. Ideally, the product will do what it should for as long as it should. However, if the product breaks, you can use your product warranty to get a refund or replacement.

Carefully reread the full warranty before you contact the store where you purchased the product. Make sure the warranty covers the defect or fault. The retailer or manufacturer should work with you to honor the terms of the warranty for a refund, repair, or replacement. If they don’t cooperate, you may need to take further steps. You can contact your state consumer protection office or the FTC. You can also file a lawsuit against the manufacturer for damages.

Should I Buy an Extended Warranty?

An extended warranty is an optional service that extends the product’s warranty coverage. For example, a product may have a one-year warranty, and extended coverage covers it for an additional year.

Whether you should buy an extended warranty depends on the product and the cost of extended coverage. Check with your credit card terms and benefits. Many credit cards provide additional warranty coverage. So, you may not need to buy the extended warranty.

Can a Consumer Protection Lawyer Help With Warranty Complaints?

For expensive products or defects that caused an injury, you may want to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer or seller. An experienced product warranty lawyer can review your case and explain your legal options.

Your lawyer can negotiate with the manufacturer to get you a refund or compensation for your losses. They can also file a product liability lawsuit in court. For more information about your legal warranty rights, contact a consumer warranty lawyer for help.