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WARRANTY !!! Here is what you should expect...

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Gnarmy
Posts: 45 - Karma: 56
I have noticed quite a few threads this season complaining about companies warranty policies (mostly on skis).  I have been blown away by the expectations of a lot of NS members as to what they think they deserve or what a warranty should be. So here are a few industry standards as well as guidelines on how to ensure you get your skis replaced in the event that you do deserve a warranty!

1. DON'T SLIDE RAILS! I don't know of a single ski/snowboard brand that will warranty for rail damage.
However if you have cracked edges and your tip delam's don't mention the edge issues.... some companies will overlook rail damage to take care of an issue that is not impact related!

2. KEEP YOUR RECEIPT. If you cannot prove you paid for it and that you are the original owner then the  company has no liability to replace your equipment!
SIDENOTE: if you are receiving some type of discount or Pro-Form from the company you generally do not receive any type of warranty with your purchase.

3. IMPACT RELATED DAMAGE again most companies will not warranty for impact related damage. generally that means when your ski comes in contact with anything other that snow and something is damaged.. Core shots, edge crack/dents , delams, sidewall blowouts, binding rip outs, ETC...

BUT could also apply to any type of more than "average" abuse to a ski.. (big cliffs + hard landings or over/underotating causing you to land tip/tail heavy.

4. TOPSHEET CHIPPING  is not the same as a topsheet delam and is an impact related damage generally caused by your sharp metal edge coming in contact with your soft plastic topsheet.. keep your skis apart!

5. TALKING WITH THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT if you approach someone pissed off guns blazing making demands your going to put the person on the other side of the line on defense right off the bat!

Be calm, cool, and explain the situation and ask what they can do to help you out.. Be prepared to send pictures of the damage and most likely be ready to ship your skis back for evaluation. ( you will be responsible for the shipping costs)

ALSO this process with many companies can take several weeks so be patient!

Rather you think it is fair or not these are VERY common demands that a company will make in order to replace your product!


 
Apr 25 2011 5:17PM
84 28
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
lol
May 4 2011 8:10PM
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585.
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 77
god fucking damn it! your profile threw me off.

but yeah i mean i can only afford a one ski quiver because thats all i really need and like i said can afford. i got some thalls, hopefully they last because they were a pretty penny.

eventually yes they will break or not be as functional as they once were, but hopefully not anytime soon. they made it through this past season with like 2 topsheet chips? not bad if you as me
May 4 2011 10:15PM
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wazzucrewskier
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 151
Yeah, hopefully those armadas will last pretty well for you.  And to 585 especially I know I have probably come off like a bit of a dick in this thread and for that I apologize.  I absolutely understand your position and I wish that ski companies had the ability to warranty skis after rail damage, but it would simply be far too costly for them.  I definitely hear your position and it would be so awesome if that were a reality. 

And I can certainly identify with the idea of only having cash for a single set and if those go you are done for.  It is just one of those risks though that everyone has to decide for themselves if it is worth it or not.  Obviously as you said being on the east you have far fewer options for having fun on the hill so it makes it a bit tougher.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I apologize if I ended up coming off like a jerk towards you, but I was just trying to point out how all of those policies work since I have a lot of first hand experience dealing with companies on these issues. 
May 5 2011 1:38AM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15078 - Karma: 9,136
I know that haha, I'm just refuting his arrogant assumption that skiing doesn't involve sliding rails at all.
May 5 2011 6:33AM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
that isn't skiing, its something we call "jibbly jabbly"
May 5 2011 12:07PM
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585.
Posts: 4059 - Karma: 77
its straight man. we all have our own opinions and views on things. we all ski differently and i the whole point of my posting in here was to say that yeah i know there is no bombproof ski but i wish there was a more fair way of warranty, but i know that it wont happen because of so many factors.

i hope im done posting in this thread because reading it again everything i said just doesnt make sense now haha
May 5 2011 8:21PM
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wazzucrewskier
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 151
Haha naw man, I think everything you said made sense.  It is just a shame that it isn't possible for the industry to have things the way that you are hoping.  Hopefully at some point the industry will be in a place to stand behind their products to that extent, but at the moment it isn't really possible.  Anyway, I just wanted to make sure I didn't really piss your off or sound like a complete ass because that certainly was not my intention.  I guess sometimes I get too excited about ski discussions haha.  Anyway, I hope those Armadas work out for you, those should be some fun sticks.

Heres to another fun year out there!
May 6 2011 2:10AM
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Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
if you live in reno moment will pretty much replace broken pairs of there skis for u
Jul 27 2011 3:03AM
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Ian.D
Posts: 1254 - Karma: 1,093
Agree. Got masterminds a year back and the started to delaminate and then I snapped them after falling on a jump. Wasn't too sure they'd be warranted but I brought them to my local shop anyway and had 2012 masterminds in 6 weeks.
Jul 28 2011 8:12PM
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TBigCat
Posts: 629 - Karma: 4
I think salomon has a warranty policy for cracked edges
Aug 9 2011 6:01PM
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wazzucrewskier
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 151
Negative
Aug 9 2011 6:06PM
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AGOF
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 3,602
just an idea, but for a park ski it would be awesome to have an edge that wraps around the sidewall under foot, it would ruin the flex but be more durable i feel like

Aug 28 2011 5:51AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
carving groomers if the fucking bomb dude....i feel like your to young to really appreciate a good groomer. The older i get the more i realize how fucking stupid park skiing realy is. I mean its fun a lap here and there or a solid jump once and a while but rails are so fucking stupid.
Sep 29 2011 12:39AM
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Cab3
Posts: 767 - Karma: 50

If you ski hard and often, you shouldn't expect your park skis to hold up for more than a season, just the way it is. Hate when people complain about durability when there isn't a ski that exists that meets most whiny park riders' demands.

Sep 29 2011 7:55PM
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Billups
Posts: 3960 - Karma: 329
Amen brother
Sep 29 2011 11:25PM
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Whaley
Posts: 712 - Karma: 24
Thank- so true +k
Sep 30 2011 7:29PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
I'll make you some skis.

They're going to be heavy, but durable. Probably no sidecut, so turning might be difficult. Probably quite dead feeling as well. Stiff as shit, you wont be able to flex them. Wont need to wax them, because the bases wont take wax well. Might need to sharpen the edge once in a while, but there will be lots of edge there... it'll also be really thick. In fact the entire ski will be solid edge material. Steel. Imagine a steel metal bar with upturned tips. Thats veeeery close to what we're talking about.

If you manage to break them on a rail, I'll make you another set. Buyer must pay shipping, which will probably be freight due to the weight.
Oct 13 2011 11:54PM
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smeeze
Posts: 879 - Karma: 126
Oui
Oct 14 2011 7:12PM
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CHR[]NIC
Posts: 85 - Karma: 21
Very helpful.
Oct 16 2011 5:58PM
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PANDA_SWAGGA
Posts: 490 - Karma: 16
bullshit. everytime ive delamanated me ski or fucked up my edge the ski company has replaced it with a this year model ski. so from my experiences they have been pretty lieniant.
Nov 4 2011 4:29PM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
you are full of shit
Nov 5 2011 4:54AM
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PANDA_SWAGGA
Posts: 490 - Karma: 16
yah okay pal
Nov 5 2011 7:05PM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
Every single manufacturer's warranty policy explicitly states that rail damage, impact, etc. are not covered under warranty. Most companies will not honor a warranty even if its for something else, if obvious rail/impact damage is present. So if you were warrantying them for something else, and maybe were really nice, they might honor that, but I doubt it.

So if you are a pro-sponsored athlete, and the company is giving you free gear just because that is different. But judging by your attitude and age, I am guessing that is not the case. But if it were, or if you were somehow special concerning warranty, you shouldn't comment on the matter. So either way, just stop.
Nov 6 2011 4:29AM
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wazzucrewskier
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 151
x2
Nov 6 2011 5:22PM
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.Jacob
Posts: 1838 - Karma: 1,160
my friend had some 800$ head skis, and he abused them so much that the edges came out. he took them into TanL and got them warrantied, they sent him a whole new pair of skis, that were worth 700$
Nov 8 2011 8:35PM
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wazzucrewskier
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 151
That is good and all, but that is DEFINITELY not the standard response from any manufacturer in the least.  Working at a shop and working directly with manufacturers on warranty issues I can say that is a pretty out of the ordinary response and he should be stoked he got a new set. 
Nov 9 2011 1:10AM
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.jon
Posts: 2121 - Karma: 345
From my experience, warranty is 25% about the damages/defects of the product and 75% about how you talk to the shop employees and/or reps. I'm 4 for 5 on getting skis warrantied, and my one failure was only because the skis I wanted to warranty I had gotten through warranty of a previous pair.

You might not always get a new pair of skis, but getting a pair that was formerly a demo set-up isn't half bad.

Oh, and you can avoid the warranty process entirely by buying from Backcountry. Their return policy is absurd. Try to be honest, though, or that policy might not last forever.
Nov 9 2011 3:51PM
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wazzucrewskier
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 151
In my opinion if you are a true skier and care about the industry that is about the lowest you can go. To simply return something after you beat the hell out of it and get your money back for a new set is simply not right. This is not a car lease, it is a purchase you make and it is your choice how you treat your equipment and if what you do causes damage to them that is your fault. That being said if it is a legitimate warranty where you did nothing to cause the ski to break or delam, etc. that is fine.

The ski industry is small enough as it is and people trying to scam policies like that and "steal" from companies like that is not only sick, but it is killing these companies.
Nov 9 2011 7:26PM
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.jon
Posts: 2121 - Karma: 345
That's why I said to be honest. I wasn't endorsing others taking advantage of it, but rather letting them know that if they have a legitimate claim it's much easier to deal with Backcountry than the ski manufacturer.
Nov 9 2011 7:57PM
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wazzucrewskier
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 151
Absolutely, sorry I guess I didnt make my post clearly enough. I wasn't saying you were the one causing the problem as you did say to be honest and that those policies will change if people abuse them. So yeah, sorry if you thought I meant you were doing that.

However, that being said I do agree that would be an easier way to do the warranty since backcountry would simply warranty the item after they received it on the return, and you would be on new gear, just a bit quicker than if the warranty were your only option.

So yeah, I agree with your post whole heartedly, but I just wanted to drive home your point about not abusing that policy. Sorry for making it sound like that was pointed at you though!
Nov 9 2011 8:16PM
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dirty.
Posts: 736 - Karma: 69
Anyone of you guys ever get a new Helly Hansen jacket/pants through warranty? Theyre website site says to return it to the store you bought it from (if you didnt get it through the HH site) as long as its not a rip, tear, burn, or wear and tear. Ive had mine since the winter of 07-08 and my zippers all fucked up and i want a new jacket, just wonderig if anyone has delt with this process with HH and what i can expect when i go to Kittery Trading Post to return it. and i definitely dont have a receipt
Nov 23 2011 5:42PM
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wazzucrewskier
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 151
I have the helly code down which was the pollard designed helly puffy back from like 05 or so. The shoulder had about a cm long tear in the seam where it was leaking down, not a real big deal still wearable and everything. Took it to the helly store they were like ohhhh yeah, thats no problem they will fix it right up. Send it in and all is well and i call in to ask the status and they are like oh yeah, we definitely don't repair down at all we have a credit for your jacket for you. At which point I flew off the handle since that was a super limited jacket and was like no I sent you a perfectly good jacket just send me my jacket back. They said they donate their jackets to the local homeless shelter and it is probably on its way there now. I said bullshit, you better find my jacket or I am driving down to do so myself. Ended up getting a super nice chick on the phone who tracked it down, sent it to another local place who does repairs and restuffed that pocket in the jacket and sent it back to me and all was well.

Moral of the story, don't send your jacket in if it is down.... otherwise I have no idea about the helly warranty, but I hope the same saga doesn't happen to you.
Nov 24 2011 4:12AM
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EastCoast.
Posts: 1888 - Karma: 406
I don't think they do.
Dec 23 2011 8:06PM
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wazzucrewskier
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 151
No company does
Dec 24 2011 10:42AM
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Sklar
Posts: 8863 - Karma: 31,577
Anyone have experience with the geek squad/bestbuy protection plan/warranty?
The internal flash on my t2i stopped working and I'd like to get it fixed while I still can.
How long would that take?
Thanks
Dec 25 2011 4:06PM
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wazzucrewskier
Posts: 2269 - Karma: 151
I dont even.......
Dec 26 2011 3:22AM
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fellymane
Posts: 133 - Karma: 273
Definetly a sticky
Jan 5 2012 6:34PM
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B_K
Posts: 723 - Karma: 1,291
just buy your skis or whatever from Backcountry..you can return anything even if its broken in two
Jan 5 2012 9:08PM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
Even though it has been said in this thread already. If you buy things from Backcountry.com, trash them, then return them...

YOU'RE AN ASSHAT.
Jan 7 2012 4:33AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
You may have terrible morals, but technically its allowed...
Jan 7 2012 5:01PM
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Mt_Baker_Man
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 105
thus, the illustrious title of Asshat.
Jan 8 2012 2:36AM
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keimel
Posts: 1231 - Karma: 2,250
yeah
Jan 16 2012 9:23PM
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mlp
Posts: 360 - Karma: 45
Thanks a lot this is perfect
Feb 10 2012 9:13AM
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kstanz
Posts: 3058 - Karma: 477
 So yesterday, somewhere through my second run of the day I noticed that the tip of the back of my ON3P Jeronimo's had delamed like ~5 inches or so, and needless to stay I was pretty devastated. I love these skis and never thought this would happen, and I don't really think it should be happening. I bought them  Jan. 2011, skied less then 60 days on them, and I don't think I even ride them that hard. Yes I bring them in the park and everywhere on the mountain but I have treated these baby's pretty well. I think there is only a 1 year warranty on them and I am just a month over it which blows. I am just wondering if there is anything ON3P can do, because to me it seems like a product defect. If not, duct tape cures everything I guess.

(I am also sending this to them but this has never happened to me before so I don't really know what to do. It's probably a case where I'm screwed because it's been over that one year, but I dunnno I just want my babies back)
Feb 13 2012 9:42PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
You said you are dealing with ON3P on this, might want to wait until you see how they handle it before posting about it...
Feb 13 2012 9:57PM
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levicole
Posts: 5 - Karma: 10
So I got some abangs at the beginning of the season (yea i know, that was my first problem) and got quite a few days on them. I didn't ride them super hard or beat them up more than what you normally would, but the other day when i was in the park i cased a little 20 footer and the rail just broke off at the end of the ski. When I took them to the shop I got them from they didn't want to even send them to line, but we eventually talked them into sending them in to be assessed. Do you think they'll waranty them?
Mar 28 2012 3:51PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 372
Also, go to the retailer you bought it from, not some other shop. It costs us money to ship things for you, and if you're not actually our customer we won't fight for you at all... just sayin'
Jun 5 2012 4:15PM
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awelshkiwi
Posts: 25 - Karma: 44
got a set of armada arv's in June last year while i was in wanaka and had a bit of delaminating recently this is after a nz season and a european season on them, took some pictures sent them to the shop and Armada on Monday night, got a reply the next morning asking for my address so they can send me the new seasons ARV's arrived today 3 days later so i now have 2 performance wise perfectly good sets of ARV's. Cheers Armada!
Aug 2 2012 7:46AM
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MaryO
Posts: 2583 - Karma: 5,996
Thank you for this thread, as it clarifies a lot. I realize park skis take abuse they weren't intended too, but I'm still very disappointed that my son's brand new skis edge ripped out on day 4 of use. Seem's freestyle skis are disposable. Luckily we can afford to replace, but man....buying 2,3 or even more skis a season is very costly! I'm considering switching brands just to see if one is more durable.
Aug 5 2012 2:56PM
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MaryO
Posts: 2583 - Karma: 5,996
OMG, what amazing customer service!!! We are considering switching to Armada's because I've heard they're durable, but to have good customer service is a big bonus!
Aug 5 2012 2:59PM
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