There are some deceptive practices out there from some stove shops, whether intentional or out of ignorance we cannot be sure. Not to suggest that any of this is supported by the manufacturers, but who knows.
Only manufacturer trained installers or service people can install, repair or maintain the stove or the warranty is void
Only authorized branded parts from the manufacturer can be used for repair or the rest of the stove warranty is void
All written warranties need to abide by the laws established by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and the rules governing such as written by the MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT of 1975.
Some key points to consider can be found in § 700.10 Section 102(c)
(a) Section 102(c) prohibits tying arrangements that condition coverage under a written warranty on the consumer's use of an article or service identified by brand, trade, or corporate name unless that article or service is provided without charge to the consumer.
(b) Under a limited warranty that provides only for replacement of defective parts and no portion of labor charges, section 102(c) prohibits a condition that the consumer use only service (labor) identified by the warrantor to install the replacement parts. A warrantor or his designated representative may not provide parts under the warranty in a manner which impedes or precludes the choice by the consumer of the person or business to perform necessary labor to install such parts.
(c) No warrantor may condition the continued validity of a warranty on the use of only authorized repair service and/or authorized replacement parts for non-warranty service and maintenance. For example, provisions such as, “This warranty is void if service is performed by anyone other than an authorized ‘ABC’ dealer and all replacement parts must be genuine ‘ABC’ parts,†and the like, are prohibited where the service or parts are not covered by the warranty. These provisions violate the Act in two ways. First, they violate the section 102 (c) ban against tying arrangements. Second, such provisions are deceptive under section 110 of the Act, because a warrantor cannot, as a matter of law, avoid liability under a written warranty where a defect is unrelated to the use by a consumer of “unauthorized†articles or service. This does not preclude a warrantor from expressly excluding liability for defects or damage caused by such “unauthorized†articles or service; nor does it preclude the warrantor from denying liability where the warrantor can demonstrate that the defect or damage was so caused.
Additionally, in any warranty where the language may be unclear, liability is to the warrantor.
Lets look at a few....
Travis (Lopi and Avalon)
Mail your Warranty Card Today, and Save Your Bill of Sale. To receive full warranty coverage, you will need to show evidence of the date you purchased your heater.
Are suggesting that the "LIMITED WARRANTY" which the stove comes with may be a "FULL WARRANTY" with your receipt? A requirement that the consumer return a warranty registration card or a similar notice as a condition of performance under a full warranty is an unreasonable duty. Thus, a provision such as, “This warranty is void unless the warranty registration card is returned to the warrantor†is not permissible in a full warranty, nor is it permissible to imply such a condition in a full warranty.
This new appliance must be installed by a qualified installer. It must be installed, operated, and maintained at all times in accordance with the instructions in the Owner’s Manual. Any alteration, willful abuse, accident, neglect, or misuse of the product shall nullify this warranty.
No definition included for qualified installer. Also violates section 102c
If you discover a problem that you believe is covered by this warranty, you MUST REPORT it to your Travis dealer WITHIN 30 DAYS, giving them proof of purchase, the purchase date, and the
model name and serial number.
The warrantor may not impose any duty, other than notification, upon any consumer, as a condition of securing the repair of any consumer product that malfunctions, is defective, or does not conform to the written warranty.
HHT (Harman, Quad, Heatilator
Warranty is void if...installation or use of components not supplied with the appliance or any other components not expressly authorized
and approved by HHT
Stove shops will often use this to sell you the venting for the installation as "authorized". Violates section 102c.
AES (American Energy Systems)
Read pade 42 of this link...there is so much wrong with this warranty. I like the part about a 5 year warranty less one year for since manufacture. If you buy a new AES product be sure to ask what year it was made before you take delivery
They also say you have to go through your selling dealer for claims nad have them out to look at it, but they also sell direct online. hmmmmm?
this is whacked..http://www.americanenergysystems.com/Stock/LibraryFiles/MagnumBabyCountrysidemanualrev60526101.pdf
Enviro
Pretty good warranty, though they also mention a qualified installer. They do however include service for 2 years to replace parts. There is a schedule of fees but could not find it. I know they pay me $45 bucks per service call. Whoopie.
Only manufacturer trained installers or service people can install, repair or maintain the stove or the warranty is void
Only authorized branded parts from the manufacturer can be used for repair or the rest of the stove warranty is void
All written warranties need to abide by the laws established by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and the rules governing such as written by the MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT of 1975.
Some key points to consider can be found in § 700.10 Section 102(c)
(a) Section 102(c) prohibits tying arrangements that condition coverage under a written warranty on the consumer's use of an article or service identified by brand, trade, or corporate name unless that article or service is provided without charge to the consumer.
(b) Under a limited warranty that provides only for replacement of defective parts and no portion of labor charges, section 102(c) prohibits a condition that the consumer use only service (labor) identified by the warrantor to install the replacement parts. A warrantor or his designated representative may not provide parts under the warranty in a manner which impedes or precludes the choice by the consumer of the person or business to perform necessary labor to install such parts.
(c) No warrantor may condition the continued validity of a warranty on the use of only authorized repair service and/or authorized replacement parts for non-warranty service and maintenance. For example, provisions such as, “This warranty is void if service is performed by anyone other than an authorized ‘ABC’ dealer and all replacement parts must be genuine ‘ABC’ parts,†and the like, are prohibited where the service or parts are not covered by the warranty. These provisions violate the Act in two ways. First, they violate the section 102 (c) ban against tying arrangements. Second, such provisions are deceptive under section 110 of the Act, because a warrantor cannot, as a matter of law, avoid liability under a written warranty where a defect is unrelated to the use by a consumer of “unauthorized†articles or service. This does not preclude a warrantor from expressly excluding liability for defects or damage caused by such “unauthorized†articles or service; nor does it preclude the warrantor from denying liability where the warrantor can demonstrate that the defect or damage was so caused.
Additionally, in any warranty where the language may be unclear, liability is to the warrantor.
Lets look at a few....
Travis (Lopi and Avalon)
Mail your Warranty Card Today, and Save Your Bill of Sale. To receive full warranty coverage, you will need to show evidence of the date you purchased your heater.
Are suggesting that the "LIMITED WARRANTY" which the stove comes with may be a "FULL WARRANTY" with your receipt? A requirement that the consumer return a warranty registration card or a similar notice as a condition of performance under a full warranty is an unreasonable duty. Thus, a provision such as, “This warranty is void unless the warranty registration card is returned to the warrantor†is not permissible in a full warranty, nor is it permissible to imply such a condition in a full warranty.
This new appliance must be installed by a qualified installer. It must be installed, operated, and maintained at all times in accordance with the instructions in the Owner’s Manual. Any alteration, willful abuse, accident, neglect, or misuse of the product shall nullify this warranty.
No definition included for qualified installer. Also violates section 102c
If you discover a problem that you believe is covered by this warranty, you MUST REPORT it to your Travis dealer WITHIN 30 DAYS, giving them proof of purchase, the purchase date, and the
model name and serial number.
The warrantor may not impose any duty, other than notification, upon any consumer, as a condition of securing the repair of any consumer product that malfunctions, is defective, or does not conform to the written warranty.
HHT (Harman, Quad, Heatilator
Warranty is void if...installation or use of components not supplied with the appliance or any other components not expressly authorized
and approved by HHT
Stove shops will often use this to sell you the venting for the installation as "authorized". Violates section 102c.
AES (American Energy Systems)
Read pade 42 of this link...there is so much wrong with this warranty. I like the part about a 5 year warranty less one year for since manufacture. If you buy a new AES product be sure to ask what year it was made before you take delivery
They also say you have to go through your selling dealer for claims nad have them out to look at it, but they also sell direct online. hmmmmm?this is whacked..http://www.americanenergysystems.com/Stock/LibraryFiles/MagnumBabyCountrysidemanualrev60526101.pdf
Enviro
Pretty good warranty, though they also mention a qualified installer. They do however include service for 2 years to replace parts. There is a schedule of fees but could not find it. I know they pay me $45 bucks per service call. Whoopie.
