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Return Policy? Warranty?

By Aryan Amid
Return Policy? Warranty?

California and federal law require many products to carry return or warranty protections, but manufacturers sometimes deny valid warranty claims using inaccurate excuses, so e-commerce sellers and consumers should carefully read the actual warranty terms before assuming they have no recourse.

Most products we buy whether online, wholesale, or retail come with some sort of a return policy and a warranty.  In fact, some states require the items to carry this warranty to be retailed.  Nonetheless, manufacturers are frequently denying warranty requests, and allowing consumers to be left without recourse.

For eCommerce merchants, this means that at the time of buying your inventory -research the warranty well as you may be unpleasantly surprised.  We have many instances with nationally recognized household brands  willingly refuse to warrant items, stating the items are “damaged” whereby the item has no damage, stating that they only warrant to the end user, stating that the item doesn’t have warranty, that the warranty is for a different region, or a host of other inaccurate and merit-less excuses, none of which would provide remedy to the merchant or a end user.

Its quite unfortunate that such matters require an experienced attorney who is aggressive enough to face these companies and enforce the terms of their warranty.

Our tip, read the terms of the warranty verbatim.  In most instances your rights are clearly indicated there.  If you need assistance in such matters, please feel free to reach LA Law Group and we would be happy to help.

Frequently asked

Can a manufacturer refuse to honor a warranty if I'm a reseller, not the end user?

It depends on the specific warranty language, since some warranties are limited to end users while others extend to sellers or subsequent purchasers, so the terms must be reviewed carefully to determine coverage.

What should I do if a manufacturer denies my warranty claim for inaccurate reasons?

Start by reviewing the written warranty terms closely to see what they actually require, and if the denial still appears inconsistent with those terms, consulting an attorney can help evaluate whether the refusal is enforceable.

Are sellers required to offer a return policy or warranty on products sold online in California?

Some products are subject to state or federal warranty requirements depending on the item and how it's sold, so e-commerce sellers should research the applicable rules for their specific inventory before listing it for sale.

Attorney Advertising. This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.