It’s every consumer’s worst nightmare. You pay good money for a product only to find out that when you get it home something is wrong. Then, having purchased the thing in good faith, you return to the business you got it from and they tell you there is no warranty. Cue hysterical scream.

A warranty is an agreement to repair or replace a product in a certain time frame. Usually the agreement will last up to a year. But some are longer and range up to three years and beyond. What is the point of having a warranty for so long? Defects may not be apparent in the first six months or even a year.You pay good money for products, it’s only fair that they last.

There are two types of warranty and these can sometimes be combined.

Manufacture’s warranty: This guarantees the product for up to three years (there are one year, two year and three year guarantees typically). The store isn’t responsible for the warranty, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer. This means that you will usually have to return the item to the manufacturer and this can be costly if you have to pay for the shipping of the item.

Store warranty: The warranty will still be valid for up to three years just like with the manufacturers warranty. However, the customer will deal directly with the store if there are any problems with the item. This is far more convenient for the majority of customers.

Why should you look for a company that offers a warranty on its product? Companies that offer warranties that last as long as three years have a great deal of confidence in their goods. They take pride in the fact that they know their light fixtures will last. These businesses are concerned about their reputation so will try to give you as much help as they can. Do not be afraid to ask questions so that you do not have problems in the future.

Companies might also offer something they call an extended warranty. Basically, the normal warranty might last for one year, but an extended warranty is available to increase the term to two years. Extended warranties are sometimes offered as a free deal to get people to buy. Other times, extended warranties are an up sell that they charge money for. Extended warranties can sometimes exclude certain parts or be voided by certain terms so it’s a very good idea to read the fine print when considering one.

If you are buying lighting fixtures via a web site you need to be careful when you read the guarantee. Contact the customer service department with any queries that you might have about the warranty. The web site’s FAQ section can be very helpful with giving information and answering questions.

Now you know what a warranty is be sure to ask about it before you purchase your light fixtures. Most good stores will be able to offer this and add extra value to your purchase.