Warranties and Guarantees
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Watch those Warranties and Guarantees
The full-page newspaper advertisements in colour, the musical jingles on Radio and Television advertising the appliances, the furniture and "the goodies" and all the messages aimed at enticing Consumers to purchase the various items which Sellers have on offer are with us.
The Consumer Affairs Commission is reminding you the Consumer to buy only what you need to buy - not necessarily what you want. Advertisements have their purpose, but you the Consumer are well advised to prepare your budget and your shopping list and stick to them.
Are you buying Equipment and Appliances?
Then
Review operating instructions.
As a Consumer you are entitled to information to assist you in making the best choices possible in the marketplace. You are entitled to redress in instances where, through no fault of your own, the goods which you purchase do not give the service which it was expected to give.
Certainly, where equipment is concerned your Retailer should be supplying you with full information on the item itself.
What should you expect as far as operating instructions are concerned? Operating instructions should be clear, simple, and readable and, depending on the product should include:
- Installation instructions
- Operating instructions
- Maintenance instructions
- Safety warning
- Check-lists of simple adjustments to attempt before calling a service technician
- A list of do-it yourself repairs for simple failures, with appropriate safety precautions
- A list of parts easily and safely re-placeable by the consumer along with information about where they can be obtained
- Charts and diagrams to explain instructions and identify parts.
WARRANTY
The seller’s responsibilities do not end here - especially in the case of equipment. Ensure that you get a warranty in clear terms setting out exactly what is covered and what is not.
What should you expect the warranty to cover?
Remember that a warranty or guarantee sets out the willingness of business to stand behind its goods and services. It sets out how problems which occur after purchase, will or will not be resolved.
Some things to look for in a Warranty or Guarantee are:
- The full name and address of the person (business) in Jamaica
responsible for fulfilling the provisions of the Warranty or Guarantee
- that is, who will deal with the problems after you have bought the
goods.
- Exactly what is covered under the Warranty or Guarantee?
- Is it the entire item or just part of it
- If it is parts of it, which parts
- What will the Seller do if there is a problem?
- if there is a fault will he replace the article with a similar one while yours is being repaired during the warranty period?
- will he replace the item free of charge with a similar article?
- will he refund the full price the item, or a part of the price?
- will he be responsible for the cost of labour, spare part or for
replacing materials used whilst repairing the faulty item?
- Does the warranty apply only to the first purchaser or to anyone who
buys the product second hand during the time that the warranty is in
force?
- As the Consumer, are you entitled to choose between a refund or a
replacement of the product if it is still defective after a reasonable
number of attempts to repair it? If you are entitled to a refund, is
the Seller entitled to deduct an amount for depreciation and on what
basis?
- For how long is the warranty valid, and, if different periods apply
to different parts what length of time applies in each case?
- When exactly does the warranty begin?
- on the date of purchase?
- on the date of delivery?
- on date of installation?
CAUTION
Sometimes warranties do not apply because certain conditions must be fulfilled by the Consumer. Check as to whether there are such conditions. Are there any acts or omissions on your part which might affect your rights under the warranty - negligence, misuse, incorrect installation, failure to follow instructions?
You have a responsibility to protect yourself in the marketplace. Do not part with your hard-earned cash unless you are getting the best deal.
Do not buy an appliance or a piece of equipment because it looks pretty. In addition to ensuring that you can afford it, that it meets your needs and not just your wants, find out what will happen if there is a problem following your purchase. Many a wise Consumer has taken his decision based on the terms of the Warranty.
When you are making investments in electrical goods, appliances, cameras and other household equipment, shop around not only for the best purchase price but also for the Warranty or Guarantee which gives you the best deal.