For most families, it seems like the laundry never ends. Your washer and dryer are put through their paces every day, load after load after load, with no end in sight. What do you do when your appliance has had enough and stops working? It’s time to put the Service Contract you purchased to work and call your Service Repair Dealer.
What exactly is a Service Contract? A service contract is often called an “Extended Warranty,” but service contracts are not warranties. A manufacturer warranty is the manufacturer’s promise to stand behind the product and is included in the price of the product. Unlike a manufacturer’s warranty, a service contract is offered at an extra cost. In part, a service contract is “a contract in writing to perform, over a fixed period of time or for a specified duration, services relating to the maintenance, replacement, or repair” of a product for an extra cost. These contracts can provide added value or peace of mind. However, you should always know your rights so it’s important that you read and understand the terms and conditions of the service contract. This should include the basics of what is or is not covered, when the contract starts and stops, the limitations of liability, your responsibilities as a contract holder. Part of knowing your rights is knowing that service contracts sold in California must contain certain information. For example:
You have a right to see the terms and conditions of the service contract prior to agreeing to purchase it.- You are entitled to a “free look” period of 30 days (for home electronics and appliances) or 60 days (for all other covered products). During the free look period, you may request to cancel the service contract and receive a full refund of the purchase price.
- You may receive a prorated refund for the purchase price of a service contract canceled after the “free look” period.
- You should know the name and address of the service contractor responsible for any obligations.
Even with the best intentions, things can go wrong. If, after attempting to follow the terms and conditions of the contract, you feel the service contract administrator is not properly honoring the contract that you have purchased, contact the Bureau of Household Goods and Services at (916) 999-2041 to file a complaint. You can also email Home Products or for more information visit www.bhgs.dca.ca.gov .
