Guarantee Vs Warranty

Posted on Feb 12 in Life Log, Miscby ApplePrint

How much do you know about the definition of “Guarantee” and “Warranty”?  After googled for the difference between these two, I feel that it brings more confusion. It seems that they are nearly alike. Many answers suggested different opinions and I don’t know which is the correct one.

What’s the difference between a guarantee and a warranty? [Source]

A guarantee:

• Is usually free
• It’s a promise to sort out any defects with a product or service within a fixed period of time
• It’s a legally binding contract, even if you didn’t pay for it
• It must explain how to go about making a claim in a way that is easy to understand
• It should add to, not take away from, your rights under consumer law
• It works whether or not you have a warranty

A warranty:

• A warranty is like an insurance policy for which you must pay a premium.
• Sometimes it’s called an ‘extended guarantee’.
• It might cover a longer period than a guarantee, and it might cover a wider range of problems.
• A warranty is a legal contract, so you can take the company to court if they don’t honour it.
• The terms of the contract should be clear and fair.
• Having a warranty doesn’t diminish your rights under consumer law.
• A warranty can run alongside a guarantee.

However, warranty is actually not a guarantee. Many consumers misunderstood the meaning of warranty. Different products have different warranty coverage with terms and conditions applied. Most of the time, when a faulty product with physical damage* is considered void for its warranty.

*As in damange caused by human abuse, intentionally or unintentionally human fault.

This is a notebook sleeve.

I laughed aloud when I saw this item was sent for warranty claim. It’s a notebook sleeve, and I believe it’s a low cost product. There’s a “hole” in the sleeve. I don’t know the full story but from what I heard is, this is actually a warranty exchange for a customer. I don’t know if this “hole” is stretched by the customer accidentally or once it was bought, the “hole” was there already.

I believe the item was sold when it was in good condition. Most of the time you will check the item before purchasing it, right? This is just a very minor case. Sometimes, more ridiculous case will occur. Say, a compatible notebook adapter which is bought for more than 3 months…

In my company, almost every spoiled/damaged/totured units will be sent to warranty department. Hey, you think warranty department is recycle bin?

4 Comments

• Cheese says:

  February 13, 2009 at 12:42 am

  what the hell?! Bag also got warranty meh??!!

  Cheese´s last blog post..Merry Christmas!~

  Reply
• remblue says:

  February 13, 2009 at 4:43 am

  This is a pretty neat subject. I always knew the two were different and only knew that a warranty you usually pay for and that the guarantee is usually free. Although with a guarantee I always thought it was “Guaranteed” they would replace it.

  Reply
• Alvin Lim says:

  February 13, 2009 at 8:55 am

  Like that also need warranty? Economy must be REALLY bad.

  Alvin Lim´s last blog post..Comment on What customers want? : security by Alvin Lim

  Reply
• Renge says:

  February 13, 2009 at 1:45 pm

  well, from what I see, “warranty” seems like advanced “guarantee”.

  lol, this also needs warranty o?!

  Renge´s last blog post..新年趴趴走

  Reply

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