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I wrote an article a little while ago about limited
lifetime warranties, but I don't think I mentioned anything about the
problems these warrantees created. The homeowner purchases a product
that has a limited lifetime guarantee, but what actually happens, if the
product ever fails.
As long as I can remember, product guarantees have created big problems
for contractors like myself. The manufacturer guarantees the product,
but doesn't guarantee certain things about it. Some products will
actually guarantee specific parts of the product, but won't guarantee
everything about the product, especially in correct installations.
That's all fine and dandy, there are plenty of manufacturers out there
who really provide homeowners with a wonderful dog and pony show. I got
that one from my brother, he loves to refer to everything, as a dog and
pony show. Anyway, what was I talking about, just kidding, now I
remember.
Let me give you an example. The homeowner buys a window that has a
lifetime guarantee, but won't be any good after you sell the home. You
have a problem with the window locking and it doesn't slide easy either.
You contact the window manufacturer and they send out a representative,
who blames your problem on the contractor you hired, to install your
windows.
You contact the contractor and he tells you that the window was like
that, when he put it in. You remember and verify that your contractor is
telling you the truth and then contact the window manufacturer, one more
time. They inform you that there isn't anything there’re going to be
able to do about it and it doesn't look like you're going to get your
window fixed.
I'm not making this up, this has actually happened to me more than once.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to check out some of your limited lifetime
guarantees and ask your contractors about these types of situations. It
never hurts to ask, but you can get hurt financially, by not asking the
right questions.
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