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Discussion Forum

“Lifetime Warranty”

Sailfish | Posted in General Discussion on June 4, 2007 06:48am

Have you ever made a purchase for a product and read that it had a lifetime warranty on it? Some might say for the finish, or parts or a combo.

 

I installed a Baldwin about 6 years ago.

The thumb mechanism broke the other day.

I called them, and the dude said, “the parts are on their way”!

I was actually quite surprised since I hadn’t the receipt, or any documentation really and things went so smoothly.

It’s nice for a change to have things work in your favor.

 

—————————————————————————–

“If you come to a fork in the road, take it”

Reply

Replies

  1. Buttkickski | Jun 04, 2007 06:51pm | #1

    Wow, that's impressive.

    We have a 4y/o Andersen storm door and the handle broke last month. They shipped us a brand new handle set for only $62. How kind of them.

     

    "I never met a man who didn't owe somebody something."

  2. sharpblade | Jun 04, 2007 07:32pm | #2

    The discussion on levels that aren't "level" and this one prompt me to share this. I've had a small, 6" combo square by Empire for a couple years now. Rarely use the "bubble" feature, as it it too small to be of much value. Was hanging small octagonal windows for a client last summer, and the only level that would fit inside the flat of the window was that 6" square. Anyway, after much frustration trying to level the window,  I realized the tool was off.

    Went to HD to get a replacement but no success. Called Empire, the sweet lady on teh phone said "no problem" & I got a new one (dead on)  in 2 days. Still have the old one that I use as a square.

    1. Junkman001 | Jun 05, 2007 01:18am | #4

      I had the same treatment.  Awesome cust. service.

       

      MikeInsert initially amusing but ultimately annoying catch phrase here.

  3. User avater
    ToolFreakBlue | Jun 04, 2007 10:14pm | #3

    That's great.

    How come The Ridgid tools have a lifetime warranty on them and the Cashier always asks if I want to buy the extended warranty?

    I was buying some Plywood the other day from the big box and asked the guy if I could buy the extended warranty it. He got this real puzzelled look and then finally figured I was messing with him.

    TFB (Bill)
    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Jun 05, 2007 06:29pm | #9

      You need to read what the "lifetime" warantee covers and what the extendedn warantee covers. Or is it a an extended service contract?Typcially the lifetime will only cover manufacturing defects, but not ordinaly wear. BTW, I bought something at Lowes. Don't remenber what it was, but inexpsneive, about $10. The clerk said "no, you don't wnat this". And I had to ask what it was. Said the register automatically prompted for a $15 service contract..
      .
      A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

  4. CardiacPaul | Jun 05, 2007 02:15am | #5

    I have Anderson windows in my house that are 18 years old, the glass has a 20 year warranty.  One of the units failed two years ago & all it took was a phone call & I had a new sash. Now this past winter 5 units failed & I have to still call them on those, it will be interesting to see what they say. But what you originally said, It is nice when the customer service is there for you. 

     Dewalt has been good to me also & don't anyone yell at me but I bought a Price Phister faucet at HD, I feel so dirty, I bought it for the style only knowing I may kick myself later,  sure sh!t, gave me problems within 4 months or so, customer service person was very helpful & free parts in 2-3 days, have'nt had a problem since.

     No one should regard themselve as "God's gift to man." But rather a mere man whos gifts are from God.

    1. sledgehammer | Jun 05, 2007 02:23am | #6

      Chances are Andersen will be sending out a rep to inspect those 5 windows. They keep detailed files on warrenty issues with 1 already replaced and 5 new I'd be surprised if they didn't want a site inspection. Cardinal glass rarely fails for no reason.

       

      On the brighter side you may be a collapsed glass sufferer and they will repair or supply replacement for defective units.

       

      And on the "lifetime warrenty"... I'm always afraid some guy names Vinney might show up on my doorstep  if I complain.

      1. CardiacPaul | Jun 05, 2007 06:19pm | #8

        I should have been more clear. Collapsed glass is what is happening, I get the oval wet spot in the center of the panes

        Paul No one should regard themselve as "God's gift to man." But rather a mere man whos gifts are from God.

  5. florida | Jun 05, 2007 03:54am | #7

    Bought a Weber Summit Silver grill 3 years ago. Expensive but a fantastic grill. Last month I took it apart for its annual top to bottom cleaning. Found the tubes between the burners corroded, the igniter covers corroded and the thermometer didn't work. One call and the parts arrived 5 days later.

  6. rwjiudice | Jun 05, 2007 08:24pm | #10

    First understand that I am 62, my wife (of one year) is 50. Anytime we make a purchase with a "lifetime warranty", it gets registered to her ! ! ! Big stuff like our inground fiberglass pool etc.....

    Have had GREAT service frome Moen and Delta faucets. Built the house 10 years ago, needed parts this year, called, no hassle, parts sent to me no charge in bout 5 days.

    Asked me for a reciept and I explained the Gen Contractor did no give me any! They both said "no problem"...... lifetime warranty on some items is great!!

  7. yotonyb | Jun 05, 2007 08:33pm | #11

    It's impressive to find a company with that level of confidence in their product AND is willing to honor that level of service with few/no questions asked.

    When Whitey Herzog was Manager/General Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, and team owner Augie Busch was purported to have offered Whitey a "lifetime contract," Whitey is said to have replied, "Whose life?  Mine or yours?"

    When I see a lifetime guarantee being offered, I always ask myself, "Whose lifetime?  Mine or the lifetime of your company?"

    tony b.

    1. BryanSayer | Jun 05, 2007 08:46pm | #12

      Lifetime warranty. When it breaks, its lifetime is over.

  8. scottthebuilder | Jun 05, 2007 08:59pm | #13

    My only good "Lifetime Warranty" experience was with Gerber Knives. When we bought our home we found a set of Gerber steak knives in the built in china cabinet drawers. These were a wedding gift (1939) to the original owners of the house and were left by the family because they were badly tarnished. As I was throwing them away I read "unconditional lifetime warranty" on the box. I shipped them to Gerber and they promptly sent me a new set with an apology for the inferior finish!!!! I have carved up a thousand steaks with those knives and it puts a smile on my face every time I pick one up.

    Otherwise I like the warranty analogy in the movie "Tommy Boy". If you haven't seen the movie........Chris Farley as Tommy says:

    Tommy: Let's think about this for a sec, Ted, why would somebody put a guarantee on a box? Hmmm, very interesting.
    Ted Nelson, Customer: Go on, I'm listening.
    Tommy: Here's the way I see it, Ted. guy puts a fancy guarantee on a box 'cause he wants you to fell all warm and toasty inside.
    Ted Nelson, Customer: Yeah, makes a man feel good.
    Tommy: 'Course it does. Why shouldn't it? Ya figure you put that little box under your pillow at night, the Guarantee Fairy might come by and leave a quarter, am I right, Ted?
    Ted Nelson, Customer: What's your point?
    Tommy: The point is, how do you know the fairy isn't a crazy glue sniffer? "Building model airplanes" says the little fairy, well, we're not buying it. He sneaks into your house once, that's all it takes. The next thing you know, there's money missing off the dresser and your daughter's knocked up, I seen it a hundred times.
    Ted Nelson, Customer: But why do they put a guarantee on the box?
    Tommy: Because they know all they solda ya was a guaranteed piece of sh*t. That's all it is, isn't it? Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time. But for now, for your customer's sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality product from me.
    Ted Nelson, Customer: [pause] Okay, I'll buy from you.
    Tommy: Well, that's... What?

  9. WayneL5 | Jun 06, 2007 02:14am | #14

    A friend had a carpenter put in a solid hardwood (hickory) floor and said it had a lifetime warranty.  Two weeks later the carpenter died.

    1. Sbds | Jun 06, 2007 03:32am | #15

      An old Abbott & Costello routine, Costello is walking down the street and he stops a guy carrying tires. Guy says, “ Want to buy some tires”. Costello asks, “Do you have a guarantee”. Guy says, “Yea I guarantee their tires”.

    2. geoffhazel | Jun 06, 2007 03:52am | #16

      YThis story is going to reveal more about me than I probably should, but it's right on topic.You know Eveready batteries have a guarantee that they won't leak and ruin your flashlight? Well I was cleaning out the garage and find this ancient flashlight and the batteries are all rusted, etc. So I figure I can get a free flashlight! I box it up and take it to the Post office, and they say "That'll be 6.79 for postage" and I say "no way am I paying that for a junky flashlight, I could buy it for $3.00 at the store."
      So I take the box and toss it in the waste can at the PO.
      A few days later, I get a call: Mister Hazel, we found your box that you were going to mail accidentally thrown away, and as a favor we mailed it for you. Would you please come down and pay the $6.79 postage?"Ya, sure buddy! I'll be right down.... NOT!And a few weeks later, the free flashlight showed up, complete with battery and instructions on how to keep it from leaking and such.

      1. sharpblade | Jun 06, 2007 04:48am | #17

        priceless :-)

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