Why do so many sellers lie about warranties?

[nfuchs]

I know that unless you are an authorized distributor for a manufacturer, 99% of companies will not honor their warranties.  I never make any mention of any warranty available, and am always 110% up front and honest with potential buyers when they ask.  However I notice all the time that sellers advertise warranties that are obviously not authorized distributors.  I feel I can tell by their feedback, what they sell and how much and their user name.  Anyone who is authorized is going to look like a company and not just an individual.  Are so many people just dishonest and trying to deceive the customer?  Or maybe they just don't know?  I would never engage in such shady practices.  I may lose sales over it, but I am not going tell a customer there is a warranty that can't be used if needed.

[*eponymous*]

Wouldn't it be honest to tell buyers in the listing when your item does not carry a warranty?

If the buyer wants a warranty, they should pay retail price.

This isn't an issue that comes up regularly on the boards...

[terrycanarsky]

I'm not sure where all these "many sellers" are who offer warranties.  I do know of a few well known sellers in our categories who do legitimately offer warranties, but they are in-house and not manufacturer.  You do not have to be a manufacturer to stand behind your word if you are a refurbisher, for example.

~M

[luckythewinner]

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@nfuchs wrote:

Re: Why do so many sellers lie about warranties?

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Probably because it rarely becomes an issue for them, and if it does they refund. 

[ersatz_sobriquet]

Seeing as how with Paypal a customer can claim not as described for 6 months, and most credit cards are a year, don't we all offer warranties? Unfortunately yes we do, even if we don't offer returns after 30 days. So it matters little to me as a buyer whether a seller offers a warranty or not, and as a seller I have to not depend on income as secure until 6-12 months have passed. 

[omgitlightsup]

They probably just don't know most warranties aren't transferrable. Most people also don't know that a "lifetime" warranty isn't good for the rest of your life, it's good as long as the company makes and services that product.

I don't expect products on eBay to have a warranty unless the seller is the manufacturer.

[*eponymous*]

New items that do not carry a warranty have to be sold as used on amzn, but that is not an eBay policy.

SquareTrade offers a pay per piece warranty service on many items on eBay.

I don't see how you're any different than other eBay sellers who don't mention lack of a warranty unless asked.

[nfuchs]

I don't mention any warraty unless I am asked.  And when I am I explain that the manufactuer will not honor it.  But I just feel that it is dishonest for other sellers to state in their listings that there is a manufactuer warranty when the buyer can't use it.  That is just deceptive.

[rolenboy01]

I don't expect a warranty or assume anything unless I am buying from a manufacterer or an authorized dealer that refurbishes the item and explicitly states as such, if I am unclear on any of their terms I ask if them, if do not answer to my satisfaction I do not buy.