Do not underestimate warranties

Many consumers are not aware about the specifics of the item they want. I know this because a lot of friends ask me about basic things regarding their planned purchase whether it be a phone, laptop, or even a car, despite being a current owner. Some will be more knowledgeable and will deep dive into the specs and compare the item they want against others in its class, but that’s about it. Whatever wins their little comparison battle will be bought on a whim. 

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We often space out once we are paying for the product. We’re thinking about what accessories to buy, how to use the product immediately, or how it will improve our work while the cashier is discussing things about the item’s warranty. I know, because I’ve been there too. It’s the typical one week replacement, one year warranty so why should we pay attention, right? Not all products are created equal as some items carry ‘brand’ warranties that go beyond the standard store warranties.

Case in point, that header image is my replacement case from Speck. Their ‘Presidio Perfect-Clear’ line carries a Lifetime Warranty which is why I chose it over a similar product from Apple and Spigen. Prior to this, I’ve been loyal to Spigen for years. I’ve dropped my previous phones wrapped in their casing and it didn’t get any external or internal damage. Things changed when I moved to the iPhone 13 Pro Max because I really like its Sierra Blue color so I wanted a clear MagSafe case. I initially bought a Spigen pack for it – charger, clear case, screen protector. I still use the charger and screen protector but the clear case yellowed after only 6 months. This is why when I saw Speck’s Perfect Clear, I didn’t hesitate. It was cheaper by a few hundred pesos, just as reliable in drops (they say it has a 13-foot drop protection), and has the lifetime warranty. It’s too good to be true but I sought to try it out. 

One year later, they were true to their word. I just emailed their support team, followed their instructions, and four weeks later the item arrived. As you can see in the screenshot below, I didn’t pay a single thing despite the item coming from the US. What remains to be seen is how many replacements I can get despite having newer versions of the iPhone in the market. 

What made me particular about warranties is Western Digital. I bought an external hard drive from them during my college days and a few years later, way past the store warranty, it died on me. I already accepted the fact that I cannot get all my files but I still messaged their (then) FB page for any advice. They asked for my item’s serial number and was pleasantly informed that I still have a warranty almost three years after I bought it. Unlike other brands that will require the original packaging upon replacement, they only required the unit itself. So I went to their office (not sure if it’s still there) in Chino Roces, Makati from Batasan Hills, Quezon City. They gave me the latest version of the external hard drive that’s a bit slimmer but the warranty isn’t extended, which is understandable. Later on when I checked their website, it stated there that my product line indeed has a 3-year warranty, with others reaching up to 5-years. 

While some products start their warranties at point of purchase, there are some that start when the local dealer bought the product from the brand. This was the case with my Apple Airpods Pro 1 when I took it to the service center. I bought it in May 2022 but the technician said I was just in time when I turned in my unit because the warranty ends in March 2022. He said it’s probably because the store bought it from Apple in March, and that’s the start of the warranty period. 

There are also product warranty extensions you should ponder on. An example of this is Lenovo that has warranty upgrades for the battery or accidental damage in some of their laptops. PowerMac also has ProtectPlus that allows for 2-year coverage against theft and accidental damage. Globe also has Gadget Care that covers the same instances.

Cars have also upgraded their warranty. Most brands still have a 3-year or 100,000 km warranty, whichever comes first. Some have increased that to 5 years, while others included the mileage to 150,000km. There are others like Chery that have a separate 10-year warranty for the engine, apart from the 5-year general warranty of the vehicle. They even have 3-years roadside assistance and 3-years of free PMS. As for the hybrids, some have a different warranty for the car’s battery which is usually longer than the general warranty of the hybrid vehicle. 

Of course, these guarantees will be all for naught if the brand doesn’t have official local support here in the Philippines. This is why despite having resellers or online shops that offer the same products at a cheaper price and sometimes they are faster in having stocks, it’s still better to buy from authorized distributors here in the country.

It’s easy to be clouded by the features, trendy specs, pricing, and promos. As I said earlier, not all products are created equal. Some have the advantage of marketing, while others have the perks of a better warranty. It may seem trivial to some but when the need arises, this guarantee is the deciding factor if you’ll have a headache, hole in your wallet, or a quick trip to the service center with a smile afterwards.