Appliance guarantees

Guarantees and warranties

Ensure your appliance is well protected by buying one with a lengthy manufacturer’s warranty or guarantee.

Guarantees are essentially a promise by manufacturers that your appliance should not go wrong and if it does they agree to repair it. On its website the Consumer Council states that, “From a consumer’s point of view, there is no difference between a warranty and a guarantee.” In essence, they’re both contracts that agree to replace or repair the appliance in question should it become faulty. They are in addition to normal consumer protection laws that say any goods purchased must be as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose.

It varies between brands but standard guarantees usually cover from one to five years, with some even rising to 10 years, so it’s worth searching out special deals, as these demonstrate a company’s faith in their own product. Usually, warranties will need to be registered within 60 to 90 days to validate. Warranties only cover the repair of an appliance when it becomes faulty and do not cover appliances that have been misused or broken by the user. They also cover parts and labour for the duration of the warranty period, but do not automatically entitle the purchaser to a replacement model, unless the current model cannot be professionally repaired under any possible circumstances.

Extended warranties can be bought at an extra cost from some manufacturers and retailers, but it’s worth weighing up the cost of the extended warranty against any possible repair costs before you decide, as some could end up being more expensive in the long run depending on the starting price of your appliance. All guarantees and warranties will have conditions so read them carefully before you sign.

Take care when buying end-of-line or discontinued products, as they may not be fully covered – particularly if a certain part is no longer made for instance. It’s best to enquire while you’re buying, as not doing so could leave you with an expensive mistake if your new appliance malfunctions.

Finally, if you buy online or from a retailer direct, you should make sure you have a professional to fit your appliances, as some warranties will be invalidated if you don’t.

This feature can be found in the July 2014 issue of Kitchens Bedrooms & Bathrooms.
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