Lifetime warranties?
March 13, 2011 12:13 PM Subscribe
Companies with lifetime warranties?
I already know (and happily buy from) LL Bean, Lands End, REI, and Sears Craftsman. Who else should I be shopping from?
I already know (and happily buy from) LL Bean, Lands End, REI, and Sears Craftsman. Who else should I be shopping from?
Best answer: Jansport packs, bags and luggage, and all Chaco (sandals, shoes) products carry product lifetime warranties.
posted by General Malaise at 12:17 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by General Malaise at 12:17 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: FYI, the Sears Craftsman warranty doesn't cover power tools or torque wrenches.
Zippo.
posted by mollymayhem at 12:21 PM on March 13, 2011 [2 favorites]
Zippo.
posted by mollymayhem at 12:21 PM on March 13, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Surefire flashlights.
Henry Repeating Arms.
posted by Netzapper at 12:25 PM on March 13, 2011
Henry Repeating Arms.
posted by Netzapper at 12:25 PM on March 13, 2011
It was mentioned above but Chaco is pretty great, they replaced my discontinued sandals when the footbed cracked.
posted by ghharr at 12:27 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by ghharr at 12:27 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: Cutco cutlery promises that "[i]f at any time you are not completely satisfied with the performance of your CUTCO product, we will correct the problem or replace the product."
My mother returned some knives she felt hadn't held up after many, many years (decades, in fact), and they were quickly replaced without any fuss or charge.
posted by itstheclamsname at 12:31 PM on March 13, 2011
My mother returned some knives she felt hadn't held up after many, many years (decades, in fact), and they were quickly replaced without any fuss or charge.
posted by itstheclamsname at 12:31 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: I have a Shun chefs knife and recently mailed it back in to be sharpened. They will do this for free (including return shipping to you) for the life of their knifes - and if there's a defect, they'll replace it.
posted by ohheh at 12:32 PM on March 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ohheh at 12:32 PM on March 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Hunter fans. Husky tools. Several tool manufacturers, I think.
Arrow staplers, I believe.
Apple, effectively, if you're a young early-tech-adopter.
posted by cmoj at 12:52 PM on March 13, 2011
Arrow staplers, I believe.
Apple, effectively, if you're a young early-tech-adopter.
posted by cmoj at 12:52 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: Kohl's has one of the best return polices in the retail industry now. They will give you full price for any return as long as you have the receipt (and the condition of the returned item rarely matters).
posted by tommccabe at 1:00 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by tommccabe at 1:00 PM on March 13, 2011
I love Apple, but it's silly to say that Apple products have a lifetime warranty, or anything even remotely resembling one. Apple has great warranty service when you're covered, but after your coverage has expired, you're out of luck. The shop where I work depends on income from clients who are out of warranty coverage.
posted by aaronbeekay at 1:00 PM on March 13, 2011 [12 favorites]
posted by aaronbeekay at 1:00 PM on March 13, 2011 [12 favorites]
Best answer: Shun knives (as mentioned above) and Calphalon pots and pans.
Not Apple.
posted by reeddavid at 1:01 PM on March 13, 2011
Not Apple.
posted by reeddavid at 1:01 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: Saddleback Leather Company was mentioned in another thread recently; they have a 100-year warranty.
posted by madmethods at 1:09 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by madmethods at 1:09 PM on March 13, 2011
Dammit - I hit post before the link went "live": Tilley's
posted by birdsquared at 1:44 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by birdsquared at 1:44 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: Le Creuset
Kingston Technology (for RAM)
Vauxhall (apparently)
Snap-On (love snap on)
posted by nickrussell at 2:05 PM on March 13, 2011
Kingston Technology (for RAM)
Vauxhall (apparently)
Snap-On (love snap on)
posted by nickrussell at 2:05 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: Eddie Bauer. I once took back a backpack, after using for three or four years of school (heavy use) and they replaced it with no fuss. And yes, absolutely Nordstrom. I took back Salt Water Sandals I'd worn for ten or so years and they gave me new ones.
posted by Margalo Epps at 2:32 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by Margalo Epps at 2:32 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: Nau clothing will refund or replace (if possible) for as long as you own the garment.
Coach still offers free repairs for the life of the bag (you pay a shipping charge of $20), but no longer offers free replacements.
posted by crush-onastick at 2:39 PM on March 13, 2011
Coach still offers free repairs for the life of the bag (you pay a shipping charge of $20), but no longer offers free replacements.
posted by crush-onastick at 2:39 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: OXO housewares. I just had two spatulas break and they told me to send them back for replacements, no questions asked.
posted by Room 641-A at 3:06 PM on March 13, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Room 641-A at 3:06 PM on March 13, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Britool
(You. nickrussell. Outside. Now.
...yes, I've seen grown men trade blows over Snap-On vs Britool.)
posted by scruss at 3:08 PM on March 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
(You. nickrussell. Outside. Now.
...yes, I've seen grown men trade blows over Snap-On vs Britool.)
posted by scruss at 3:08 PM on March 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: OXO are indeed great. The lid to my travel mug broke last year, and they mailed me a new one, and told me to just discard the old one. Better still, we arranged the entire thing via email, and the part arrived about 2 days later.
Kryptonite are also great. Last year, my (almost brand new) U-Lock got stuck while my bike was chained to a lamppost in Anacostia, and I had to leave it there overnight.
Fuming mad, I called their tech support number when I got home. Two rings (no IVR!), and a very friendly guy picked up the phone (even though their website indicated that the support line had closed an hour earlier). He apologized for the fault with the lock, and pre-authorized a return and reimbursement for a locksmith (of my choosing) to saw the broken lock off of my bike(!!). Before hanging up, he also mentioned that one production run of my particular model of lock wasn't adequately lubricated at the factory, and had a tendency to jam on the first few uses. He gave me a few tips for getting it unjammed (so that I might be able to avoid calling out the locksmith). Later that night, I drove my car back to Anacostia; his advice was spot on, and with some gently coaxing, the lock popped right off. Did I mention that the guy who picked up the phone was the same guy who helped me through the entire process?
Needless to say, I was fuming mad when I picked up the phone, and a lifelong customer by the time I hung up. Other companies would do well to copy this model.
posted by schmod at 3:38 PM on March 13, 2011 [9 favorites]
Kryptonite are also great. Last year, my (almost brand new) U-Lock got stuck while my bike was chained to a lamppost in Anacostia, and I had to leave it there overnight.
Fuming mad, I called their tech support number when I got home. Two rings (no IVR!), and a very friendly guy picked up the phone (even though their website indicated that the support line had closed an hour earlier). He apologized for the fault with the lock, and pre-authorized a return and reimbursement for a locksmith (of my choosing) to saw the broken lock off of my bike(!!). Before hanging up, he also mentioned that one production run of my particular model of lock wasn't adequately lubricated at the factory, and had a tendency to jam on the first few uses. He gave me a few tips for getting it unjammed (so that I might be able to avoid calling out the locksmith). Later that night, I drove my car back to Anacostia; his advice was spot on, and with some gently coaxing, the lock popped right off. Did I mention that the guy who picked up the phone was the same guy who helped me through the entire process?
Needless to say, I was fuming mad when I picked up the phone, and a lifelong customer by the time I hung up. Other companies would do well to copy this model.
posted by schmod at 3:38 PM on March 13, 2011 [9 favorites]
I think tweezerman tweezers. You can send them in and they'll re-sharpen or re-align them for free.
posted by crankyrogalsky at 3:39 PM on March 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by crankyrogalsky at 3:39 PM on March 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Patagonia will repair, replace or gift-card any gear that is defective, even after years of use.
posted by seawallrunner at 3:54 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by seawallrunner at 3:54 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: Streamlight flashlights.
When the thumbswitch on my penlight was acting up, I called to ask about taking it apart so I could lube the switch. The guy that answered the phone asked me for the serial number, told me how to fix the problem, and shipped me a new one because "these lights shouldn't have that problem."
They hooked me for life.
posted by Marky at 4:38 PM on March 13, 2011
When the thumbswitch on my penlight was acting up, I called to ask about taking it apart so I could lube the switch. The guy that answered the phone asked me for the serial number, told me how to fix the problem, and shipped me a new one because "these lights shouldn't have that problem."
They hooked me for life.
posted by Marky at 4:38 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: Several bicycle brands offer lifetime warranties on frames. I had my Cannondale replaced recently, due to a cracked dropout. Bicycle warranties are tricky because the potential for abuse and cost of the product are very high. My Rocky Mountain and Specialized also have lifetime warranties (I took advantage of the specialized warranty too).
posted by klanawa at 5:35 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by klanawa at 5:35 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: After picking up little bits of green fluff all over the apartment, we just bought an Orvis Toughchew dog bed. Do I feel a bit silly shelling north of $150 for a dog bed? Yes. But if my 8 month old pup chews through it, they'll replace it - no questions asked, as many replacements as it takes.
(I really hope it doesn't come to that.)
posted by deludingmyself at 5:41 PM on March 13, 2011
(I really hope it doesn't come to that.)
posted by deludingmyself at 5:41 PM on March 13, 2011
Radio Shack offered a lifetime warranty on tubes. I worked there in the 1980s and we replaced someone's burned out vacuum tubes about twice a year.
I've heard the replacements don't have the same warranty, but it's pretty impressive of them to replace a product that sells for $6 now for free after 40 years.
posted by Mad_Carew at 6:55 PM on March 13, 2011
I've heard the replacements don't have the same warranty, but it's pretty impressive of them to replace a product that sells for $6 now for free after 40 years.
posted by Mad_Carew at 6:55 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: just bought a manduka yoga mat with a lifetime warranty
posted by sabh at 7:18 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by sabh at 7:18 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: cmoj...There is no "list" that Apple keeps for early adopters. Frankly, they don't know you from Adam. Apple does, however, silently extend warranties on products with known design or manufacturing defects. For instance, the white non-unibody MacBooks have a problem with the keyboard deck cracking where the raised feet on the lid sit when the unit is closed. Apple will replace the deck, no question asked, even if you are out of warranty. There's also a silent warranty for older classic iPods with audio issues.
My guess is that, when you took stuff in, you just happened to have problems that were covered under an extended program.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:26 PM on March 13, 2011 [2 favorites]
My guess is that, when you took stuff in, you just happened to have problems that were covered under an extended program.
posted by Thorzdad at 7:26 PM on March 13, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Just like Sears, Harbor Freight has a lifetime warranty on their hand tools.
posted by IAmBroom at 7:39 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by IAmBroom at 7:39 PM on March 13, 2011
Eagle Creek backpacks (although the last time I had to send it in for a broken zipper, the guys at OMC tried to tell me that "lifetime" didn't really mean lifetime. I disagreed, and now my 10-year-old backpack’s zipping fine again).
posted by blueberry at 7:49 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by blueberry at 7:49 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: Crucial RAM also has a lifetime warranty. This is pretty standard in the industry, and I don't know of many RAM manufacturers that do not guarantee their product for life (by virtue of the fact that RAM almost never goes bad once past the initial "burn in" process, which would already be covered by any reasonable warranty.)
posted by schmod at 8:26 PM on March 13, 2011
posted by schmod at 8:26 PM on March 13, 2011
Best answer: Toyota brand mufflers!
I replaced the muffler on my Corolla maybe 12 years ago and got one with a lifetime warranty. I've replaced it three times since then all for FREE! Toyota probably doesn't expect anyone to keep their cars that long.
Leatherman multi-tools have a 25 year guarantee which isn't lifetime, but it's still pretty good.
posted by vespabelle at 11:22 PM on March 13, 2011
I replaced the muffler on my Corolla maybe 12 years ago and got one with a lifetime warranty. I've replaced it three times since then all for FREE! Toyota probably doesn't expect anyone to keep their cars that long.
Leatherman multi-tools have a 25 year guarantee which isn't lifetime, but it's still pretty good.
posted by vespabelle at 11:22 PM on March 13, 2011
Bought Hunter-Douglas blinds which come with a "lifetime warranty" - the only problem is, they no longer make the parts for my particular blinds (and couldn't even find a record of the particular part I needed), so I was out of luck. An HD installer said that lifetime warranty is only good for the lifetime of the installer, not the company. Not sure how that applies to any other company's products.
posted by clarkstonian at 6:38 AM on March 14, 2011
posted by clarkstonian at 6:38 AM on March 14, 2011
Best answer: Pfister has a lifetime no-questions asked warranty on all of their plumbing/kitchen/bath fixtures. The spray nozzle on our kitchen sink blew itself up a month or two ago, and I only paid the shipping to get a complete replacement.
posted by Irontom at 6:52 AM on March 14, 2011
posted by Irontom at 6:52 AM on March 14, 2011
Best answer: Lupine replaces any item, any time. I've returned several harnesses and leashes to them, they're super!
posted by noxetlux at 8:45 AM on March 14, 2011
posted by noxetlux at 8:45 AM on March 14, 2011
I grew up with Tupperware (the actual brand, not the generic "plastic container") and they've replaced stuff recently that my mom bought when I was a kid. Some of their products have a shorter warranty (mostly items with moving parts), but the containers, measuring cups, bowls, etc. can be replaced years--even decades--after you've bought them.
posted by zerbinetta at 8:56 AM on March 14, 2011
posted by zerbinetta at 8:56 AM on March 14, 2011
Mod note: folks, take apple derail to email please, thank you.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:22 AM on March 14, 2011
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:22 AM on March 14, 2011
Best answer: Moen faucets have a lifetime warranty for the washer cartridge. You bring the worn-out one to the hardware store and they give you a fresh one for free.
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:13 AM on March 14, 2011
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:13 AM on March 14, 2011
Best answer: Briggs and Riley luggage:
If your Briggs & Riley bag is ever broken or damaged, even if it was caused by an airline, we will repair it free of charge. Simple as that!
posted by llin at 11:15 AM on March 14, 2011
If your Briggs & Riley bag is ever broken or damaged, even if it was caused by an airline, we will repair it free of charge. Simple as that!
posted by llin at 11:15 AM on March 14, 2011
Best answer: Bed, Bath and Beyond has an unlimited return policy if you have a receipt. We recently returned a Roomba that we had had for 2.5 years (and had been broken for 1).
posted by getawaysticks at 2:01 PM on March 14, 2011
posted by getawaysticks at 2:01 PM on March 14, 2011
Best answer: Netgear Prosafe Switches
Taurus Firearms
posted by screamingnotlaughing at 2:01 PM on March 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Taurus Firearms
posted by screamingnotlaughing at 2:01 PM on March 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: a couple more:
Ridgid Tools
Skull Candy headphones
posted by screamingnotlaughing at 3:48 PM on March 14, 2011
Ridgid Tools
Skull Candy headphones
posted by screamingnotlaughing at 3:48 PM on March 14, 2011
getawaysticks: "Bed, Bath and Beyond has an unlimited return policy if you have a receipt. We recently returned a Roomba that we had had for 2.5 years (and had been broken for 1)"
And at least at my BB&B you don't even need the receipt. As long as you have the debit or credit card you used they can find your purchase in their system.
posted by Room 641-A at 3:49 PM on March 14, 2011
And at least at my BB&B you don't even need the receipt. As long as you have the debit or credit card you used they can find your purchase in their system.
posted by Room 641-A at 3:49 PM on March 14, 2011
Best answer: The North Face has a product lifetime warranty for all their stuff.
posted by allkindsoftime at 5:46 AM on March 15, 2011
posted by allkindsoftime at 5:46 AM on March 15, 2011
Maglite replaced my flashlight when the batteries leaked inside and basically ruined it.
Lowe's line of Kobalt Tools supposedly has a lifetime warranty, but the replacements you get aren't 1:1; if you turn in a Kobalt wrench that busted, you get a very cheap piece of crap wrench as the replacement. Avoid.
posted by talldean at 8:58 AM on March 15, 2011
Lowe's line of Kobalt Tools supposedly has a lifetime warranty, but the replacements you get aren't 1:1; if you turn in a Kobalt wrench that busted, you get a very cheap piece of crap wrench as the replacement. Avoid.
posted by talldean at 8:58 AM on March 15, 2011
Best answer: Duluth Pack is another one that I found out about recently - I got a bag from them recently.
posted by milkrate at 9:45 PM on March 23, 2011
posted by milkrate at 9:45 PM on March 23, 2011
Duluth Trading Company for another workwear source with lifetime guarantee
posted by screamingnotlaughing at 9:27 AM on May 4, 2011
posted by screamingnotlaughing at 9:27 AM on May 4, 2011
I cannot find a link specifically to their warranty, but James Avery jewelry has offered a lifetime warranty since the beginning. This covers cleaning the jewelry and repairing it.
posted by Houstonian at 4:27 PM on May 4, 2011
posted by Houstonian at 4:27 PM on May 4, 2011
another workwear option: Dickies!
God I love this thread!
posted by screamingnotlaughing at 9:41 AM on May 26, 2011
God I love this thread!
posted by screamingnotlaughing at 9:41 AM on May 26, 2011
Keen shoes don't have a lifetime warranty, but they just sent me a free pair of replacement laces.
Mine are also about 5-6 years old, and have been subjected to fairly heavy (ab)use over that time, including several trips through the washing machine after periodically acquiring the James River's lovely scent. Apart from the laces, they still look new, so I'm not going to begrudge the 1-year warranty.
posted by schmod at 2:16 PM on May 27, 2011
Mine are also about 5-6 years old, and have been subjected to fairly heavy (ab)use over that time, including several trips through the washing machine after periodically acquiring the James River's lovely scent. Apart from the laces, they still look new, so I'm not going to begrudge the 1-year warranty.
posted by schmod at 2:16 PM on May 27, 2011
Does a 100 year warranty count?
Saddleback Leather (belts, wallets, accessories)
posted by screamingnotlaughing at 11:19 AM on November 15, 2011
Saddleback Leather (belts, wallets, accessories)
posted by screamingnotlaughing at 11:19 AM on November 15, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by alaijmw at 12:14 PM on March 13, 2011 [2 favorites]