Manufacturers Vs. Retail Warranty

Bill Henderson

Let's say an old, established company manufactures a good quality vinyl replacement window. It sells these windows to many entities, such as Bob's Window Contracting, LLC as well as to large window franchises across the nation.

When Bob's Window Contracting, LLC sells these windows to a HomeOwner, he offers the manufacturer's warranty only, which is a Limited Lifetime Warranty on the seal of the insulated sash units, all moving parts, and the vinyl frame, as well as one year warranty on the installation.

Jim's Comfy Window Franchise sells the same window to another HomeOwner, but prints up on their computer an 8.5 x 11 non-Limited Lifetime Warranty on Everything, including installation, on parchment paper and sells a lot of windows. There is no mention in the Homeowner's documents about the manufacturer's warranty.

I am trying to understand warranties, especially as they relate to replacement windows. If, two years later, Bob's customer has an issue with the product, the manufacturer's warranty governs, but the HomeOwner pays for the labor.

The Franchise warranty has this wording: "....any basic window manufactured by the company is free from defects in material and workmanship for as long as the Owner...resides in the home...."

The Franchise BUYS their windows, they do not manufacture their windows, so is there an implied warranty here, or is this a clever way of never having to honor a Lifetime Warranty?

I'm trying to understand, can any business be held accountable in a court of law for ADDING to a manufacturer's warranty? Companies do this all the time, right? But what holds in a court of law, when twenty-five years later Jim refuses to honor his Lifetime Warranty, where does the manufacturer's warranty come into play?

I'm not asking these questions clearly, and I apologize. I'm merely trying to understand the differences, in a court of law, between a manufacturer's warranty and any other warranties created by sellers of that manufacturer's product?

Any help?

DavidC

Last week I was working for a long term client. We had put his replacement windows in about 6 years ago. He reports that they are holding up well.

But out of the blue he turned to me and said,"They have a lifetime warranty you know. But most people don't understand that it is the lifetime of the window and not you or me. Who's to say how long a window will live?"

I feel he has a pretty good grasp on warranties.

I haven't read an entire warranty in a number of years but would bet there is some pro rata going on that reduces the value of the window over time and reduces the exposure of the manufacturer.

But if you go writing your own warranty you can expect to be held to it at some point. This is where your attorney earns his keep. He would make sure that you are not taking unneeded risks.

IMO, warranties do more for the seller than the buyer and are about worth as much as the paper they're on. The better ones use very nice paper.

Good Luck
Dave

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Mike Finley

The fine print will reveal what is and isn't coverd.

If you extend a longer warranty than the manufacturer then you're going to have to put your money where your mouth is.

A warranty is only as good as the company that issues it. Will you be around for 10 years? Most homeowners weigh this and that's what helps established companies sell their products at 2x what you do.

Patrick

A good quality window vinyl window, what can really happen to it? Broken balance? Broken glass? thats about it.

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Bill Henderson

I'm not trying to extend/create my own warranty, I'm trying to compete with a large company that offers the Lifetime Warranty on Product and Installation, even though I know they don't manufacture the window they sell, and I know that they pay their installers very little. They undercut my price by a thousand or two on a typical residential home. That's why I quoted from their warranty. I want to know if their warranty is, in fact, bogus because they don't manufacture their windows but warranty them as if they do. I also know that the manufacturer's warranty is Limited Lifetime with only one year on labor, but the large company sells THAT window with an extended, all inclusive Lifetime Warranty on window AND labor. Should there be an issue with either the window or its installation, ie. a faulty caulk job let's go and an interior wood floor is water-damaged, if the large company refuses to pay for the repairs on the grounds that the warranty provided to the homeowner covers only windows manufactured by them, isn't the homeowner ONLY covered up to the limitations of the MANUFACTURER'S warranty?

Patrick

If the window is replying on caulking to keep the water out, then there are serious problems. Besides caulking has a shorter life span than the window anyways. ALSO I would say 99.9% of warranty's limit coverage to the window itself, not any further damage to the house. That would be covered under the HO's insurance

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Originally Posted by Celtic
Like I said...I'm sure you are very good at what you do ~ whatever that is and where ever it happens.

Mike Finley

Bill, nobody here works for this company in question, nor I imagine has bought windows from them and had a warranty issue to give you a first hand experience.

Why don't you talk to the company in question about their warranty and find out?