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.

Usually this agreement will last up to a year or two but sometimes you will find one with three years time frame. What is the point of having protection for so long? Sometimes defects will not be apparent with the first six months or even a year after purchase. If a product can last longer than three years then it is a very good one.

There are two types of warranty: most companies will offer you two types of warranty.

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 one to three years. The only difference is that the customer will deal directly with the store not the manufacturer. This is more convenient for the customer.

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 usually offer what is called extended warranties. These will be the ones that last for one to three years. Sometimes they are included in the price of the product and at other times they are offered as an up sell, an added cost to the consumer. If you are purchasing the extended warranty as an added cost be sure to read the fine print and know exactly what it covers. Sometimes there is a limited warranty on different parts of the lighting fixture, at other times it is comprehensive and will cover everything.

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.