What Kind of Support and Warranty Options Are Available for Commercial Electric Components?

Commercial electric components are a major expense, and the support and warranty options that are available can make a significant difference in their value. While the fine print can be a challenge, understanding the basics can help you make the right decisions for you.

Warranties

Companies that sell commercial electric components offer warranties, which demonstrate that they stand behind the products they sell. In other words, a warranty is a statement regarding a product’s overall integrity that also speaks to the company’s commitment to correcting any covered issues that arise. There are two basic types of warranties recognized by the law, including:

• Implied warranties
• Express warranties

Implied Warranties

Implied warranties refer to promises that are unspoken but that, nonetheless, apply and are created by state or federal law. Implied warranties are based upon common law, which ensures fair value for money spent. Implied warranties are broken down into the categories of merchantability and fitness for a specific purpose.

Merchantability

Merchantability means the merchant in question ensures that the product will do what it’s meant to do and that there is nothing specifically wrong with it. The bottom line here is that the product is fit to be sold. This is an automatic warranty that merchants make every time they sell a product they’re authorized to sell.

Fitness for a Particular Purpose

The implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose refers to the merchant’s advice that a product can be used for a specifically stated purpose. If you’re looking for a commercial electric component to specifically do X and the merchant assures you it can do X, there is an implied warranty regarding fitness for that particular purpose.

An important point to make about implied warranties is that they apply at the time of sale but don’t assure coverage for a specific period. The durability of commercial electric components – and other products – is one element of their overall merchantability and fitness. 

Express Warranties

Express warranties are not assumed but, instead, are explicitly stated promises – about the products and remedy commitments – that merchants make voluntarily in the course of a transaction. Express warranties can be voiced or can be put in writing, but written warranties have more robust protections.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is the federal law governing warranties over consumer products, and it requires merchants who provide warrants to include coverage details. The goals of the Act include all the following:

• Ensuring that consumers have the information they need regarding warranty terms
• Ensuring that consumers can compare warranty coverage prior to purchase
• Promoting competition based on warranty coverage
• Enhancing incentives for merchants to comply with their warranty obligations

The Warranty Can Make a Difference

If you’re in the market for commercial electric components, the available warranties can make a significant difference. We have the products and the warranties you’re looking for and can help you make the right choices for you.