Is it legal for a company to SHORTEN their advertised warranty?

    I've run into a couple of instances recently where a company seems to
have retroactively changed the warranty on a product.  The first was the
actual manufacturer, and the second was a reseller.

   The first was a Logitech Trackman Wheel trackball, model # T-BB18.
Inside the retail box, it clearly describes it as "Logitech warrants
that any hardware products accompanying this documentation shall be free
from significant defects in material and workmanship for a period of
five years from the date of purchase."  On the back of the box, it even
says in French, Garantie 5 ans, and in Spanish, Garantia de 5 anos.  I
think it was pretty clear cut.

   However, when I got on the website and put in the model # and
everything, they only show a 3 year warranty for it.  2 years
disappeared!  So instead of having just under 4 years left, I supposedly
only have less than 2 years.  Not nice being told your warranty has been
cut in half, and you're not getting what the box said you were.
Normally it wouldn't be much of an issue, but the cord developed some
sort of short circuit about 3" from where it leaves the trackball, so
I'm going to try to get it replaced under the warranty. (granted - it's
a first for any Logitech product I've ever owned)

   The other instance was a digital projector that was advertised on
Tigerdirect.com with a 24 month warranty on parts, and a 24 month
warranty on labor. (the manufacturer's website says that the warranty
varies by reseller)  At the time I placed my order, I decided it would
also be prudent to grab a screenshot of the page showing the two year
warranty.

   I'm glad I did, because now that Tigerdirect is sold out, when I go
to the same page and look at the description, it has been changed to
show only a 12 month warranty on parts and labor - not 24 months.  I
have proof that it was marketed and sold as having a two year warranty,
so I hope the manufacturer will honor this if I need to have the unit
serviced during that time.

   How about you - have you noticed any similar changing of an
advertised warranty after the fact?

  wrote:


In general, the store that sold you the merchandise can be held
to honor the warranty.  Simply file a small claims suit, and show
your paperwork to the judge.  If you can show the date of purchase
and the paper with the warranty period, you should prevail.

-john-

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John A. Weeks III           612-720-2854            john@johnweeks.com
Newave Communications                         http://www.johnweeks.com  
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 Yes they can do that for NEW sales, but not for a sale already made.

OhioGuy wrote:


The law applys to both.


only show a 3 year warranty for it.  2

Doesnt affect the warranty you are legally entitled to.


2 years.

Thats wrong. You are legally entitled to what the box and paperwork say.


It hasnt been.


You're still legally entitled to that.


short circuit about 3" from where it

warranty.

You'll be fine.


Yeah, presumably its just them cutting their costs with the economy tanking.


prudent to grab a screenshot of the

a 12 month warranty on parts and

two year

warranty after the fact?

Nope. But then I havent looked either.

Recently bought a LX310 and its got a 5 year warranty on the box and the web
site.

 

OhioGuy wrote:

Warranties change all the time. You're jumping the gun. Nobody denied
you you warranty. Where did you get the idea that a company had to
keep everything the same for every buyer after you?

 wrote:


Call Logitech and explain the situation and tell them about the warranty
on the package. Odds are, they will honor the longer warranty period, so
why worry about something that hasn't happened yet and may never happen?
If Logic fails to honor the warranty, contact your state's Attorney
General via your state's web site to see what, if any, action can be
taken against Logitech.