The following testimony is from Bethany:
Back in 2012, I shared how I saved $275 by digging out my tire receipt, to utilize the manufacturer’s warranty that had come with the tires, when they didn’t last as long as they should have. Today, I thought it was time to share how those manufacturer warranties (not extended or purchased) continue to help me save.
I had purchased a pair of dress shoes back in May of 2014, and as I walked into work 5 months after purchasing the shoes, I suddenly felt a bit unsteady. I lifted my foot and found the heel had started to separate from the shoe.
When I got home that night I sent an e-mail to the shoe company’s customer service group and they advised that I could ship the shoes back to them and they would send me a gift card for the current value of the shoe (I had lost my receipt). Within a couple weeks, I had a $40 gift card in my mail box to the store I had purchased the shoes from!
Worse than a broken heel though, is eggs stuck to my non-stick $52 & $108 sauté pans. I was so disappointed when my sauté pans stopped functioning as they should, and the coating on the $108 pan had started to chip.
We started to look at new pans one day, but then I remembered that these pans came with a lifetime guarantee. Again, a simple email to the customer service department, they validated my purchase (they were able to look it up by my name), I shipped the faulty pans back to them, and within a couple weeks I had a brand new product. $160 saved – thank you lifetime guarantee!
Finally just a month ago my husband purchased a new watch – but every time he put his hand in a wall (he’s an electrician) he would bump the side button and the watch would reset to EST – we are on CST. This was extremely frustrating for him, so he went and bought a different one. However, I remembered that the store we purchased the watch from had a 60-day satisfaction guarantee – and he wasn’t satisfied so I returned it and they accepted it with no issue. This ended up saving us about $35!
Often times, when a product isn’t working anymore, we tend to simply toss it in a junk drawer or throw it out – but I encourage you to think twice before tossing that broken item.
Consider taking a few minutes to write the manufacturer or look up the return policy for where you bought the item. Even if you don’t have the receipt they may give you an in-store credit.
Companies only know a product isn’t working if consumers tell them. I believe that companies who back their product with a lifetime guarantee truly expect their product to last and would want to correct the issue if it hadn’t lasted.
A testimony from Sarah
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