• How long does the warranty last? Check out the Warranty to see when it begins and when it expires, as well as any conditions that may void coverage.
• Who do you contact to get warranty service? It may be the seller or the manufacturer who provides you with service. The law states you can examine the warranty prior to buying.
• What parts and repair problems are covered? Check to see if any parts of the product or types of repair problems are excluded from coverage. For example, some warranties require you to pay for labor charges. Also, look for conditions that could prove expensive or inconvenient, such as a requirement that you ship a heavy object to a factory for service, or that you return the item in the original carton.
• Does the warranty cover "consequential damages?" Many warranties do not cover damages caused by the product, or your time and expense in getting the damage repaired. For example, if your freezer breaks and the food spoils, the company will not pay for the lost food.
• Are there any conditions or limitations on the warranty? Some warranties provide coverage only if you maintain or use the product as directed. For example, a warranty may cover only personal uses - as opposed to business uses - of the product. Make sure the warranty will meet your needs.

Spoken Warranties
If a salesperson makes a promise orally, such as that the company will provide free repairs, get it in writing. Otherwise, you may not be able to get the service that was promised.

Service Contracts
When you buy a car, home, or major appliance, you may be offered a service contract. Although often called "extended warranties," service contracts are not warranties. Service contracts, like warranties, provide repair and/or maintenance for a specific time. Warranties, however, are included in the price of the product; service contracts costs extra and are sold separately. To determine whether you need a service contract, consider:

• whether the warranty already covers the repairs and the time period of coverage that you would get under the service contract;
• whether the product is likely to need repairs and the potential costs of such repairs;
• the duration of the service contract;
• the reputation of the company offering the service contract.
• who is making the warranty. Is it the retailer or the manufacturer?
• A few States have warranty rights for Consumers. Check out the States' web site.

Keep the receipt, warranty package and the carton package, just in case the product needs repairs.

Remember, the vast majority of product manufacturers are honest and reputable, however, report any unscrupulous incidents to the applicable agencies.