What is a warranty worth?

[Gary Fowler]

If you buy a plasma cutter/ TIG/ stick multi-process machine with 3 year warranty and it craps out after less than an hour of use and it cost you $160 to get it repaired, how much is that big 3 year warranty worth.

I just got the bill back from Everlast repair shop to repair my machine which I had to pay to ship it to their repair facility ($62 via UPS). Now they want me to pay $95 to ship it back ($50 shipping + $45 boxing fee). So the $639 machine is now almost $750 and I have only did some test cuts with it.

Folks bad mouth Harbor Freight' s 90 day warranty, Heck, the Harbor Freight 90 warranty is free replacement, no questions asked. SO which is better. For the $157 I paid to get my 3 year warranty work done, I could get the 3 year extended warranty on any machine Harbor Freight sells, if it craps out just pick up another one, NO CHARGE.

 

[3Ts]

A warranty is only as good as the company that stands behind their product. I don't believe the warranty is anything more that a marketing gimmick. Well, maybe a little better than that because sometimes things do get fixed. But, when I look and and compare products I completely discount the warranty. If it's honored, that's a benefit (although I've been known to make waves to get one honored).

 

[Diggin It]

Non-functioning or damaged units shall be repaired or replaced F.O.B at the repair facility designated by Everlast. Everlast, at its descretion, may opt to refund the purchase price (minus shipping costs and depreciation due to use and wear.) The customer is responsible for all shipping costs and insurance associated with items that are covered under warranty ( except as stated below under the separate 30 day shipping policy following the shipment date).

30 Day Shipping Policy:

Should a unit fail or have warrantable issues within the first 30 days after shipment, EVERLAST will cover the shipping charges both ways for any warrantble unit from a bonafide United States customer whose shipping point is from the lower 48 states.

Whole bunch of weasel wording in the rest of this:

Terms of Sale and Standard Warranty Statement - Welding Supplies | Everlast Generators

So, if it was shipped less than 30 days prior to the failure, they should eat all shipping.

Ping the Everlast guy here and see how that goes. That will say a lot about the company.

 

[RickB]

Non-functioning or damaged units shall be repaired or replaced F.O.B at the repair facility designated by Everlast. Everlast, at its descretion, may opt to refund the purchase price (minus shipping costs and depreciation due to use and wear.) The customer is responsible for all shipping costs and insurance associated with items that are covered under warranty ( except as stated below under the separate 30 day shipping policy following the shipment date).

30 Day Shipping Policy:

Should a unit fail or have warrantable issues within the first 30 days after shipment, EVERLAST will cover the shipping charges both ways for any warrantble unit from a bonafide United States customer whose shipping point is from the lower 48 states.

Whole bunch of weasel wording in the rest of this:

Terms of Sale and Standard Warranty Statement - Welding Supplies | Everlast Generators

So, if it was shipped less than 30 days prior to the failure, they should eat all shipping.

Ping the Everlast guy here and see how that goes. That will say a lot about the company.

Watching intently.

 

[Ford850]

This is why I stayed clear of this brand. A warranty is only as good as where you can get it repaired and if you need to ship it it's worth squat. So then it comes down to brand name reputation etc. When it came to welders I decided I'd rather have a local shop back me up if needed and paid more up front for a larger name. It's a gamble either way and comes down to if you'd rather deal with support online/phone or local I guess.

 

[mikester]

Another way to look at it is Companies warranty their products, not shipping and handling.

Amazon has created false impressions that shipping is somehow free. If you buy something from a store, normally you drive there to pick it up and have to drive back to return it.

Have you ever tried collecting from UPS or FedEX after they mangle or lost your shipment? Its a nightmare at best and you waste hours on hours in computerized phone system ****.

The way I look at it, the company's warranty period reflects their confidence in their products. I would go with a company that offers a 5 year warranty over a 1 year any day. I don't think free shipping is a reasonable expectation for bulky and heavy items.

I regularly deal with customers who have expectations that bulky, heavy items should have discount pricing AND free shipping. I tell them to try Amazon.

 

[Diggin It]

^^ If you buy a product that has to be shipped (you cannot buy it in a local store) that fails during the warranty period, why should you be out shipping to return it for repair and shipping back to you after repair? I can see paying initially for return shipping. But if it turns out to be defective requiring repair under warranty, they should at least ship it back to you for free. Refunding shipping you paid to get it to them should also be done.

If they determine user error and not a defect, that's different.


I see something else in their warranty that bothers me.

Everlast will warranty all non-inverter diesel and gasoline power generators for a period not to exceed 1 year or 1000 hours whichever occurs first. This warranty covers parts only and excludes service and labor. In no way will Everlast be responsible for repair charges for any repair or service. Repairs, service and proper maintenance is the responsibility of the customer.


Everlast will warranty all "clean power" inverter (Identified typically as "Electra wave") gasoline and diesel powergenerators for a period not to exceed 1 year or 1500 hours, whichever comes first. This warranty covers parts only and excludes service and labor. In no way will Everlast be responsible for repair charges for any repair or service. Repairs, service and proper maintenance is responsiblity of the customer.

What if you're not qualified or physically able to swap parts?

 

[Ritothebull]

If anyone knows a welding equipment company that covers the shipping cost both ways for warranty work let me know.

 

[Ford850]

If anyone knows a welding equipment company that covers the shipping cost both ways for warranty work let me know.

I don't think they do nor should they. So you buy knowing the warranty is not covering shipping, or buy one that can be repaired locally, or buy a brand you have confidence that you won't need the warranty.
My dad recently asked me if he should buy the extended warranty for his basement dehumidifier. I asked him where the thought he'd have it repaired under warranty if needed. The same issue as the OP had, it would need to be shipped somewhere for repair and he would be better off fixing himself or buying a new one at that time.

 

[Diggin It]

If they refuse to cover shipping, they should fully refund the price of the item upon reported failure -or- cover repairs made by a local shop.