There’s nothing certain in this life, and this theory couldn’t be more accurate than when you’re buying new appliances for the home. Whether you’re investing in a deep fryer or something as simple as a toaster, it’s standard procedure to look at the warranty covered by the manufacturer to get an idea of whether the product is worth it.
Most appliances these days come with some form of warranty, whether it’s on the parts or a limited type of cover. Being able to determine what these promises actually mean and whether you’ll be entitled to anything if the worst should happen is a whole other ball game though.
Appliances aren’t designed to be lifelong things, so when we buy them, we do have an understanding of their limited life expectancy. However, a warranty still needs to be in place to give us value for our money and reassurance that we’re buying something that’s been well made, so you need to know all you can about them to make the right purchase.
This guide will walk you through all aspects of warranties and what you can expect from them. We’ll also look at the option of extended warranties and whether or not they’re worth it. As an appliance user and buyer, you need to be educated on what these types of cover actually mean so you’re able to make a smart decision when you buy.
What Is A Warranty?
The basic definition of a warranty is a promise made to you by the manufacturer or business who sold you a product or service. The promise is put into place under contract law once you purchase it, and it features a number of conditions that assure the buyer that what they are purchasing is of value.
A warranty includes promises of things like the product is free from defects, is deemed fit for service, and meets the specifications that it detailed. Usually, there is a warranty period where this promise is made so that if something happens to or goes wrong with the product you purchased, the manufacturer or company will take full responsibility for it.
Being covered by a warranty means that whatever you purchase has been promised to be of good quality for that set period of time. In the event that something does go wrong, you may be offered a number of resolutions including a total refund on the purchase price, an offer to fix the product, or a replacement product.
Appliances And Warranties
One of the most common products to feature a warranty is the home appliance. Electronic goods like laptops, fridges, ovens, and vacuum cleaners all come with a period of use where they will work as specified, but due to the nature of their construction and the parts used, it’s rare that they will be able to last a lifetime.
A manufacturer’s warranty is usually provided when you purchase a home appliance, and this is an indication of its quality. Those products that are more expensive may have a lengthier warranty period to cover this, however, there is no rule in place that states a manufacturer has to do this.
Due to the different natures of warranties and home appliances, it’s up to the consumer to do their research when purchasing something new. Think about the cost price of the product and whether it seems reasonable for the warranty period and what other inclusions or exclusions might be involved.
A manufacturer’s warranty usually covers one or two years, which promises the purchaser that the product will work during that time.
It might specify that any issues that occur outside of regular wear and tear will be the responsibility of the manufacturer to repair or replace, which they will do so in full, or it could only refer to specific parts of the device.
Do Warranties Cover The Life Of Appliances Usually?
Many people believe that appliances these days don’t last as long as they used to, due to the fact that manufacturers look for cheaper ways to make their products. Whether this is with inferior parts or cheaper labor, it is possible that these theories about kitchen appliances are true. Are appliance warranties worth it then?
Generally speaking, an appliance is made to last longer than the warranty. Consider that most kitchen appliances only come with one or two years of warranty coverage, and many of them last well beyond this.
Although it would be well within the rights of the manufacturer to make products that didn’t last beyond their warranty period, it doesn’t seem to be the case.
Rather than throwing out kitchen appliances that don’t work any longer and aren’t covered by warranty, it’s sometimes easier and cheaper to have them fixed. It could be a matter of replacing one minor part or having the wiring connected, which would give your kitchen appliances another few years of life.
There are some things you can do to ensure your appliances last longer than their warranty period. The most important is to continue with regular maintenance, especially at the first sight of any issues.
You’ll need to keep them cleaned including all smaller parts, like the seal of a fridge or removing stains from your oven. They might not seem like much, but a little bit of care and maintenance can lengthen their lifespan.
Appliance Extended Warranties
One major change to appliances and warranties that we’ve seen in recent years is the introduction of extended warranties. These are offered by stores or the manufacturer of the appliance as a way to spend more money and purchase yourself extra cover on the warranty period.
Although many people opt for an extended warranty on big ticket items like a new television or fridge, it’s generally not recommended.
These types of extended plans are generally offered in-store or by the retailed as they end up keeping around 50 percent of the cost. This works out to be more than what they make by selling the product itself, so this is something to keep in mind.
There are different ways that you can get an extended warranty, and it’s not always offered by the retailer who sold you the appliance. You could have cover in your home insurance, credit card protection, and even additional warranty coverage by the manufacturer.
You need to read through the terms and conditions when you purchase a product to see how you’re protected, and will likely find that the extended warranty coverage just isn’t worth the money.
The Dangers Of Home Appliance Extended Warranties
Many people find it tempting to get an extended warranty because they are doing so out of the fear of having to pay for a new appliance once their original cover is up. As we discovered, it’s normal for most appliances to last well beyond their one or two year cover period, so the extended timeframe isn’t really necessary.
When it comes to extended warranties, there are some things you need to be mindful of when deciding if they’re right for you. Consider these points before you opt for the additional cover that you might not need:
Getting The Right Cover For Your Important Appliances
There are so many different types of home appliances out there, and ranging in price by quite a bit. The warranty period offered on something as big as a refrigerator will obviously differ compared to a toaster, so you need to know what’s right for each individual item.
Before buying any appliance, always read through the manufacturer's warranty so you know what you’re getting into.
Appliances were never designed to last a lifetime, although there are some that will work for quite a long time. Depending on the manufacturer and quality of their product, you could get lucky with a home appliance that serves you well for many years without an issue, without ever having to read through the warranty information.
Generally speaking, the experts recommend against extended warranty cover as there are plenty of other ways that you could be protected. When you’re purchasing a big-ticket item then it’s obviously worth looking into further, but for most home appliances you’ll find that they’re well made and will last for many years in the kitchen.
