25 year warranty – thoughts invited

Hmm. Curiously un-positive responses so far. The warranty being offered cost the end-user nothing. How bad is that? Mind you, as apparently LFD gear never goes wrong plus the fact that other than laser mechanism, they keep parts for every model they have ever made must surely in these cynical and sceptical times be a positive? One perspective on the responses so far might be that unreliability is to be expected and that a less than positive response by makers just isn’t worth a candle?

Now then, my 25 year old Longines wrist watch went back to the makers who quite clearly in my case didn’t give a damn about service nor repeat business as they had no parts for this ‘old’ analog watch and to build the tiny bit would cost at least $1,200! The message was clear – customer loyalty; who needs it? So I bought a Skagen.

Moreover, surely it makes sense to have a warranty transferable to each subsequent owner in the 25-year period? This must reduce financial depreciation or if you prefer, boost resale values? Am I missing something here?

Incidentally, Jmcgrogan2 I agree that a warranty of any type is no substitute for an unpalatable sound. I wasn’t making that point because as far as I can tell, LFD owners worldwide, if fora are to be believed, are rather content with the sound. Meanwhile ebay appearances of used LFD gear must mean something.

I applaud gear makers who would invest and put forth the confidence in their product with a longer warranty. Yes, the sound must be there of course. Products with a strong warranty I feel are probably made a little stronger too boot. Longer warranties take the sting out of higher priced goods. For myself, warranties are something I consider in a purchase.

When I bought my JBL L-65 (Jubal ) speakers in the late 70s, JBL at that time had a lifetime warranty. They changed it few years later to 5 years. Luckily for me, I kept the documentation I received with the speakers.

I needed to have them repaired and the repair facility tried to tell me that they were no longer "in warranty". I replied, "Au contraire, mon frere, *my* speakers will never go out of warranty..." And then I showed them the documents - they (grudgingly) fixed the speakers under warranty...

-RW- Keep yer documents!!

"Hmm. Curiously un-positive responses so far."

I've seen many times where well respected audio brands fix problems that were defective long after the warranty has expired. In each case, though, the problem was clearly a defect and not something the user did. It does make sense. No company wants to see people having problems with their gear.

11-12-13: Bigaitch
Hmm. Curiously un-positive responses so far. The warranty being offered cost the end-user nothing.

Obviously, this is not true. You must have no accounting/business background. There is no free lunch in the real world. The warranty does have a cost, and it is passed on to the consumer. All manufacturing costs are passed on to the consumer, and that includes repair costs. So it's like you paid an extra surcharge on the unit's purchase price for insurance purposes. Look at this warranty as a communist proposition. You are paying the costs for repair work being performed on others gear, so that in the event that someday your unit needs serviced, it will be done for no charge.

Maybe the fact that my 18 windows lifetime warranty had no value, since the company that I purchased the windows from went out of business has something to do with my faith in long term warranties. I just had to replace 10 new windows, since 10 of the 18 went bad, and the warranty no longer has any value. FWIW, my 10 new windows also have lifetime warranties. That's the kiss of death for that company. LOL!! ;)