Full Warranty
Limited Warranty
Implied Warranty
Protect Yourself

Product guarantees (warranties) are something you should consider when choosing between competitive items. To do that you need to know just a little bit about warranty law.

There are both federal and state laws. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act doesn't require manufacturers to issue warranties on their products, but if they do, the warranty must be easy to read and understand. No "legalese," just ordinary language. Every term and condition of the warranty must be spelled out in writing.
Magnuson-Moss also creates two types of warranties: FULL and LIMITED.

Full Warranty

• The label "FULL" on a warranty means:
  A defective product will be fixed (or replaced) free of charge, and within a reasonable time, including removal and reinstallation if necessary.
  
  
• You will not have to do anything unreasonable to get warranty service (such as shipping a piano to a factory).
  The warranty is good for anyone who owns the product during the warranty period.
  
  
• If the product can't be fixed (or hasn't been after a reasonable number of tries), you get your choice of a new one or your money back.
  

Always check what parts the warranty covers. A FULL warranty doesn't have to cover the whole product. It may cover only a part, like the picture tube of a TV.

Limited Warranty

If a warranty gives you anything less than the full warranty requirements, it's LIMITED. A LIMITED warranty may:

• Cover only parts, not labor.
  
  
• Allow only a pro rata refund or credit.
  
  
• Require you to return a heavy product to the store for service (the piano).
  
  
• Cover only the initial owner.
  
  
• Charge for handling.

A product can carry a FULL warranty on part of the product and a LIMITED warranty on the rest.

Finally, Magnuson-Moss generally requires manufacturers to make a copy of their warranties available for you to look at before you buy--so you can comparison shop and get the best warranty coverage.

Implied Warranty

"IMPLIED warranties" are rights created by state law, not by the company. The most common IMPLIED warranty is that the product you buy is fit for ordinary uses, i.e., an electric mixer has to mix, an ice crusher has to crush. If it doesn't you have a legal right to get your money back.

IMPLIED warranties come automatically with every sale of a product, even though they may not be written out. However, watch out for "as is" or "no warranty" sales; they cancel out your IMPLIED warranty.

Protect Yourself

Remember to read warranties before you buy. Make sure any verbal promises by the sales representative are included in the written warranty. Keep your sales slip with your warranty. You may need it to prove the date you bought the product, or that you are the original purchaser.

Getting a good warranty when you make a purchase can protect you against big repair bills later on. If you can't resolve a warranty problem by yourself, call your Union Plus Legal Service program attorney.


To find a lawyer in your area, complete the online form.

Source: National Resource Center for Consumers of Legal Services.