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Post subject: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2017 7:10 pm
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I've just noticed that Fender now offers only a two year warranty on all their guitars and amps. I think this is pretty shameful, as Martin, Taylor, Gibson, and even Epiphone all still offer lifetime warranties on their instruments. Just my opinion. I still love my six Fender guitars and two Fender amps, but I think it's evidence of slipping customer service on their part.


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Post subject: Re: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 5:44 am
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Location: On the loo, regretting that gas station burrito.
It's two years now? It used to be five, when I bought my amp, but that was in 2012, and that expired this year. I wonder when they changed that?

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Post subject: Re: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:37 am
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2 years??? especially with some of the amp issues I read about--- eeesh,,,


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Post subject: Re: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 10:27 am
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Personally I would not buy a NEW Fender Amp that is my opinion only
mud


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Post subject: Re: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 11:19 am
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Hmmm.... :(

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Post subject: Re: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 11:47 am
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The only problem I ever had with a Fender product was a persistent ticking in the tremolo circuit of my '72 SFVR.
That was in 2008 so there were a lot of good trouble free years before something came up.
It was corrected by a good amp tech and that was the end of my issues.
I will admit I have not purchased any new Fender gear for a few years though.
Possibly 5 as one of my basses is a 2012 model.

I have to suspect this change is because of the frequent amp issues that have come up since they moved production of the HR/Blues series out of USA.
I don't know if it is just my perception or if it is a reflection of the true state of things but I don't think I see as many problems posted on these pages with the guitars as I seem to see about the amps.
I credit we, as the consumers, for the shift.
We don't seem to be willing to spend the money required to buy reliable gear.
We (as in we, collectively) have brought this upon ourselves.
Joyo pedals instead of some brand that builds in north America.
Chinese built amps instead of MIA.
We send jobs away and we get poor quality while we're at it.
We "vote" for these changes with our wallets.
Just saying ....

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Post subject: Re: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 12:21 pm
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Now, all my support to 'limited lifetime warranties' and other such jiggery. But the limitations usually obstruct or at least diminish their usefulness to the customer. They are one weapon in the competition to get customers, but no company makes commitments which can raise costs an unforeseeable and unacceptable amount.
Besides, the consumer legislation these days covers most problem situations. 'Expected lifetime' and so on.

Hand on heart, does anyone have a lot of acquintances who have benefitted from lifetime warranties way long after the purchase?

Personally, I like companies that have some leeway with their terms. (Like D'Addario; they offered, on their own initiative, to replace one missing string with two whole sets...)



PaulLF wrote:
I wonder when they changed that?

January 17th, 2017. https://support.fender.com/hc/en-us/sec ... Warranties :wink:
And a BTW to BMW-KTM, many of those MIA products you mention have MIC components...


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Post subject: Re: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 12:27 pm
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mud wrote:
Personally I would not buy a NEW Fender Amp that is my opinion only
mud

Quoting myself, that's not to say I will not buy fender products new, I just love their guitars I have no issues with them it's the amps, I am seeing all kinds of complaints and I just don't want to add to it, so I look for older Fender Amps, point to point, they seem to be a little more stable for my likening, but again that is just one mans opinion (me)
mud


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Post subject: Re: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 12:30 pm
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jmattis wrote:
And a BTW to BMW-KTM, many of those MIA products you mention have MIC components...

Yup.
And for exactly the same reason.
We vote with our wallets ... so the manufacturers know that we won't support them with price increases so they use cheaper parts to appease us.
After that it's a domino effect ending up with us losing jobs because the whole economy is shrinking due to us being cheap in all aspects of our lives, not just guitars.
Unfortunately, we have brought ourselves so far down this road we've gotten to the point now that many of us no longer have a choice.

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Post subject: Re: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 12:33 pm
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I've bought Joyo and many other Chinese made pedals and amps and Squier guitars and have experienced no problems with any of them. I think a big part of the problem is too many stupid people buying a nice Fender guitar or amp and mistreating it and then expecting Fender to pay for their abuse of it. If you own a 50 year old Martin and you're the original owner and it needs a neck reset (which it no doubt will after 30 years or so) Martin will do it under warranty.


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Post subject: Re: Changes in warranty period
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 10:00 pm
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My 5 year amp warranty just ran out. For the price paid (Mustang IV), I'm good with that. But. for a new tube amp I think 2 years could be a deal breaker, although I can get a supplemental dealer's warranty at a reasonable price.

Does the 2 year warranty mean I would not buy a Fender amp? Nope. However, deciding between a Fender and another brand with a longer warranty could come into play. Same for the guitar. I'm being hypocritical here since I've had guitars with both limited lifetime warranties and next to no warranty. There has been a difference in price asked and paid though.

To be fair, long warranties for products (like an automobile) come with conditions such as service schedules and paying for non warrantied parts over the time. Some things warrantied often expire from the plan sooner, and others expire later. This is often tied to planned obsolescence earning the company money, and customers once again have gains that are diminished over time. Still, it could be said that limited warranties can be fair, inexpensive, and helpful to both parties.

These variable warranties are usually better than nothing. Like most warranties , they are not free. It's a pay me now or pay me later plan. I agree with BMW-KTM that our wallets speak to the manufacturers.

I have a Fender stool (which is like others rebranded) that was made offshore, and the bottom of the legs are so sharp they cut through the rubber feet and were about to cookie cut the carpet or my hardwood floors. No timely warranty to fall back on, and no quality control either. Often the value perceived is not revealed until some time after the purchase.

I only hope these kind of warranty changes, like most industry trends, do not spread to all guitars and amps. Guitars and amps are not equal. IMHO.

FSB

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