Warranty facts for kids

A warranty is a promise from a seller that a product or service you buy will be of good quality and work as expected. It's like a guarantee that if something goes wrong with what you bought, the seller will fix it, replace it, or give you your money back. This promise helps you feel confident about your purchase.

If the product isn't as good as the warranty says it should be, or if it breaks too soon, that's called a "breach of warranty." It means the promise was broken, and you might be able to get it repaired or replaced.

A warranty can be either express (clearly stated) or implied (understood without being said).

What Is an Express Warranty?

An express warranty is a clear promise or guarantee made by the seller about a product. This promise tells you exactly what quality or performance you can expect from the product. It also explains what you can do if the product doesn't meet those standards, like if you can return it, get it replaced, or have it fixed.

For example, if a new video game console comes with a paper that says, "Guaranteed for one year against manufacturing defects," that's an express warranty. The seller is clearly promising that the console will work for at least a year.

What Is an Implied Warranty?

An implied warranty is a promise that isn't written down or spoken directly, but it's understood to be true because of the type of sale. It's based on what a buyer would normally expect.

For example, when you buy a new bicycle, there's an implied warranty that it will be safe to ride and that its parts will work correctly. You wouldn't expect the wheels to fall off on your first ride! This is called an "implied warranty of merchantability," meaning the product is fit for its usual purpose and is of acceptable quality.

If you buy a new apple, you expect it to be good to eat. If it looks fine but is rotten inside, it would break the implied warranty because it doesn't meet the normal standards for an apple.

When a Warranty Is Broken

A warranty is broken when the product or service isn't as good as promised, even if the problem isn't obvious right away. This is called a "breach of warranty."

Most warranties don't cover parts that naturally wear out over time, like tires on a car, or things that are used up, like printer ink.

Sometimes, you might be offered an "extended warranty." These are extra warranties you can buy that make the coverage last longer. They are not always from the original maker of the product.

Legal Rules for Warranties

In the United States, the rules for what buyers and sellers can expect regarding warranties are mostly found in a set of laws called the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Each state has adopted these laws, sometimes with small changes. These laws help make sure that buyers are protected and that sellers are clear about their promises.

Car Warranty Basics

When you buy a car, it usually comes with a warranty. This warranty promises that certain parts of the car will work for a specific period or number of miles.

• A basic car warranty is often at least one year.
• Three years is a common length for new car warranties.
• A warranty that lasts five years or more is usually considered an extended warranty.

Home Warranty Basics

A home warranty is different from homeowner's insurance. It helps protect you from the high costs of repairing or replacing major appliances and systems in your house, like your refrigerator, washing machine, or heating system, if they break down due to normal wear and tear. It's like a service contract that covers these items for a set period.

See also

In Spanish: Garantía para niños