25 year warranty – thoughts invited

Actually Brf, I disagree slightly. My concern, if I had one (which I don’t) is that a parts makers might cease production of a specific electronic component and that there was / is no similar-sounding substitute. I asked Dr. Bews about this. He has stockpiled quantities of the most characteristic parts inc. tantalum capacitors. Mind you, he also has 6 tonnes of green granite in the factory. My guess is that he’s (a) considering mass-loaded isolation systems or (b) is anticipating nuclear fallout. Finally, his PhD is in loudspeaker design – but he doesn’t market speakers.

So BRF - it seems you want massive discount PLUS 25 year warranty. Are you serious? How long would such a retailer stay in business if adopting your approach? Not long I guess. So where would you be then, once your short-terms aspirations were met and, err .. there was no mid-term let along long-term support?

Yes indeed, a brilliant strategy for any Kamikaze-like retailer. There must still be a few around. Shortly, if such a process were continued then we’d all be left with Amazon, WalMart and not much else. Not a thought I relish. I congratulate LFD4U for pointing the way. Clearly you don’t. Fortunately, despite appearances to the contrary, not all specialist retailers are re-born market-traders.

Gentlemen: Perhaps this thread could benefit from a bit of mid-course correction? So if I may, can we re-visit the initial thought and correct a few misinterpreted facts:

1. It’s not LFD audio who are offering the 25 year warranty. It’s their (apparently) principal retailer LFD4U doing this. Logically there’s no reason why another retailer for this brand or indeed any other brand doesn’t do likewise – unless of course that brand sees end-users as ‘walking wallets’ through the deliberate policy of not keeping spares for discontinued models. Incidentally this retailer offer an alternate no-frills service with the standard 24 month warranty at a discounted price. Better to have a choice than not I guess. Right?

2. Really – does it matter who pays for the extended warranty? Look at it this way; an extended warranty from a retailer selling at RRP i.e. not bigging-up the sale price can only mean good for the end-user by reducing depreciation during resale.

3. The key element is surely the transferability of that warranty to subsequent owners?

4. A ‘communist proposition – surely some kinda joke, right?

5. Any maker viewing the responses so far, which (a) might not be representative of forum members and / or (b) not representative of the upscale target market might erroneously conclude that encouraging their retailers to offer zero-cost extended warranties is a fruitless pursuit. If so, then this is a retrograde step. Buyers bang on about demanding better customer service. Looking here though one might conclude that there’s no sincerity behind the much repeated mantra.

6. Much has been made here of the ‘business case’. However a point overlooked so far is this. No intelligent maker will want the parts and labor cost of repairing work under warranty – especially a 25 year one. Thus, as far as I can see, LFD build to last i.e. they get it right first time and so far one, just one dealer has translated that fact into a tangible buyer benefit. Any guess how many more will follow? I'm not holding my breath.

7. In conclusion then, either bash the maker or the retailer or preferably both merely for (a) having the temerity of being in business (b) looking at the world through buyers’ eyes.

Next?

Hello Swampwalker – I agree. Did BMW (in the UK at least) show the way here? Odd then that so few upscale audio makers are not of a similar opinion. As an aside, years back when I was more affluent I owned a used BMW 850CSi. V-12. I took a chance because the previous owner had taken out the BMW transferable warranty. I had the car 18 months and depreciation was only 12% from what I paid. The next owner bought from me, at this highish price because I transferred the warranty to him. Great car incidentally – but needs 2 parking spaces ‘cos of the vast doors.

Hmm. Curiously un-positive responses so far. The warranty being offered cost the end-user nothing. How bad is that? Mind you, as apparently LFD gear never goes wrong plus the fact that other than laser mechanism, they keep parts for every model they have ever made must surely in these cynical and sceptical times be a positive? One perspective on the responses so far might be that unreliability is to be expected and that a less than positive response by makers just isn’t worth a candle?

Now then, my 25 year old Longines wrist watch went back to the makers who quite clearly in my case didn’t give a damn about service nor repeat business as they had no parts for this ‘old’ analog watch and to build the tiny bit would cost at least $1,200! The message was clear – customer loyalty; who needs it? So I bought a Skagen.

Moreover, surely it makes sense to have a warranty transferable to each subsequent owner in the 25-year period? This must reduce financial depreciation or if you prefer, boost resale values? Am I missing something here?

Incidentally, Jmcgrogan2 I agree that a warranty of any type is no substitute for an unpalatable sound. I wasn’t making that point because as far as I can tell, LFD owners worldwide, if fora are to be believed, are rather content with the sound. Meanwhile ebay appearances of used LFD gear must mean something.