A warranty is an agreement between the company and the consumer to provide the repair or replacement of a product within a certain time. A good warranty protects you, the consumer, from any problems or issues with the product that should not occur in their normal use. It also protects the retailer and/ or wholesaler from bad public relations arising from complaints, so it’s a two way street. Most goods are well built and never require the use of a warranty but it’s always a good idea to have a safeguard.

Usually this agreement will last up to a year or two but sometimes you will find one with three years time frame. What is the point of having protection for so long? Sometimes defects will not be apparent with the first six months or even a year after purchase. If a product can last longer than three years then it is a very good one.

There are two types of warranty: most companies will offer you two types of warranty.

Manufacturer’s warranty: This guarantees goods for one, two or three years. The store is not responsible for refund or replacement. Instead, the store will inform the consumer how to return the goods to the manufacturer for either a replacement or a refund. It’s a good idea to check the shipping arrangements with this type of warranty, as the price to ship certain goods can be more expensive than the product itself.

Store warranty: The warranty will still be valid for one to three years. The only difference is that the customer will deal directly with the store not the manufacturer. This is more convenient for the customer.

It shows a great deal of confidence in their goods when a company or business offers a long term warranty like a three year term. Customers can make purchases knowing that they are covered by the guarantee and this adds to a businesses reputation.

Companies usually offer what is called extended warranties. These will be the ones that last for one to three years. Sometimes they are included in the price of the product and at other times they are offered as an up sell, an added cost to the consumer. If you are purchasing the extended warranty as an added cost be sure to read the fine print and know exactly what it covers. Sometimes there is a limited warranty on different parts of the lighting fixture, at other times it is comprehensive and will cover everything.

If you are purchasing lighting fixtures online you need to be extra careful when you read the warranty. If necessary contact the customer service department with any questions that you may have regarding the warranty. The FAQ section can be very useful for giving information and answering questions about warranty.

Now you know what a warranty is be sure to ask about it before you purchase your light fixtures. Most good stores will be able to offer this and add extra value to your purchase.

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