Book Opener

warranties close to the product or display a sign stating that warrantiescan be examined upon request. Manufacturers must provide retailers withmaterials needed to meet their warranty requirements, such as warrantystickers, tags, signs, or posters. Manufacturers can also print the warrantyon the product’s package. Similarly, door-to-door salespeople must offeryou copies of any written warranties before you buy their products.Advertising Express WarrantiesAn advertisement stating that a product iswarranted must tell you how to get a copy of the warrantybefore you buy the product. The followingexamples of print and broadcast advertisements meetthis legal requirement:l “The Bigwheel bicycle is warranted for five years.Some restrictions may apply. See a copy of ourwarranty wherever Bigwheel bicycles are sold.”l “See our full two-year warranty at the storenearest you.”l “We offer the best guarantee in the business. Readthe details and compare wherever our fineproducts are sold.”WARRANTYAVAILABILITYWritten warranties onconsumer products costingmore than $15 must beavailable for you to readbefore you buy the product.Why do we have this law?This rule also applies when you place a mail, telephone, or Internetorder. The following are examples of legally sound warranty disclosures:l “BigSmile digital cameras are backed by our two-year warranty.Write to us for a free copy.”l “Write for a free copy of our full warranty. You’ll be impressed athow we stand behind our product.”l “Supersharp knives are guaranteed. Read about our 90-day limitedwarranty in this catalog.”Advertisers who use expressions such as “Satisfaction Guaranteed,”“Money-Back Guarantee,” and “Free Trial Offer” must refund the fullpurchase price of their product at the purchaser’s request. Any conditions,such as the return of the product, must be stated in the ad. Here’san example:l “Money-Back Guarantee! Just return the TellTime watch in itsoriginal package, and TellTime will fully refund your money.”Advertisers who warrant products for a lifetime must fully explainthe terms of their promises (see Figure 14.1). The following advertisementsare correct:l “Our battery is backed by our lifetime guarantee. Good for as longas you own the car!”296 Unit 3: Understanding Consumer Law