Certain types of products are advertised by sellers as carrying a lifetime guarantee. Such a prospective is undoubtedly very attractive and most probably will make consumers believe that buying goods with lifetime guarantees is the best deal they could ever make. But what does a lifetime guarantee really mean? What does it really cover and for how long?
Most probably, the first thing that comes to mind when consumers hear the phrase ‘lifetime guarantee’ is that they will be entitled to a free remedy.
In reality the situation may be somewhat different. When promoting a lifetime guarantee, sellers may refer to the product’s lifetime and hence the number of years the product is reasonably expected to last.
A lifetime guarantee may also refer to the product’s ownership which would mean that the guarantee remains valid as long as the original customer owns the product.
In such situations, if the guaranteed product passes on to a new owner, the latter cannot claim any free remedies. When this is the case, the condition that the guarantee is not transferable should be clearly written down on the commercial guarantee certificate.
When purchasing a product with a lifetime guarantee, it is in the consumers’ best interest to gather as much information as possible about the guarantee before the purchase is made.
Consumers must make sure that the promised guarantee is given to them in writing
Consumers should specifically ask whether ‘lifetime’ is equivalent to a number of years. If this is the case, then consumers should be aware of this so that they can make an informed buying decision.
When the lifetime guarantee in reality refers to a number of years, it is in the best interest of both consumer and trader that this is clearly stated in the guarantee.
Even though commercial guarantees are given out voluntarily by sellers, once given, they must be adhered to. Furthermore, commercial guarantees must always be given in writing, in English or in Maltese and must include any applicable terms and conditions.
The law also specifies that certain information must be included in the terms and conditions of the guarantee, such as information, name and address of the guarantor, the duration of the guarantee, and a description of the goods and services covered.
It is the consumers’ responsibility to read and understand the conditions of the guarantee before making a buying decision. Thus when consumers are about to purchase a product that carries a lifetime guarantee, they should make sure that they are given the relevant documentation as proof of the promised guarantee.
odette.vella@mccaa.org.mt
Odette Vella is senior information officer, Office for Consumer Affairs, Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority.