Warranties are an amazing way to save money. To use a warranty, you usually need original proof of purchase that includes date of purchase and where. Each company has their own policy on how long the warranty lasts and what it covers. The big benefit of using a warranty is that it usually comes at little to no cost to you as the consumer. This works especially well with electronics in my experience. I’ll share two examples.

Small Electronics

My latest experience was with a company called Dremel. I bought a dremel from them in 2015 and another in 2018. I use the dremel to grind aka file down my dog’s nails. Another savings since I don’t have to go to the groomer for that. I can’t remember what happened with the first dremel but this one conked out by the end of 2019. It wouldn’t turn on and the battery wouldn’t charge. I went to their website and used the Contact Us feature to ask if there was a warranty. There was one on it for two years. So they gave me instructions on what to do and I sent the whole unit to them. Within a few weeks, I received it back in the mail functioning perfectly. In fact, I’m still using it today. While the item itself is only $20, it’s still a $20 I could save for when it conks out again and I have no warranty.

Kitchen Appliances

I purchased the Breville Compact Smart Toaster Oven in July 2019. In January 2020, I was broiling Italian Sausages. I hear popping and sizzling which is great. Then I turn to look in the oven and I saw a fire ignite and dissipate. I live in an apartment building. Do you know how scary it is to think you could have started a fire in a building? Anyway, I unplugged it and checked the manual. I wanted to make sure I was allowed to cook Italian Sausage using the Broil feature. What you don’t want is to play yourself by using an item in a way contrary to what the manufacturer allows and think you’re going to succeed in using your warranty.

So in the broiling section of the manual, it said you could broil sausage so I’m winning. I reached out to them via their website. They had multiple return options available. #1, you could return the item and when they received it, they’d send you one free of charge. #2, you could keep the item until they sent you a new one but they’d put a hold on your card in case they never got the faulty one back. It’s a great option if you can afford it because you can send it back in the original box with all the stuffing it comes with. Also, I still wanted to make toast so I chose option #2. It worked out well. I love a company that provides options and superior customer service.

Cooking tip: Broiling is sort of like pan frying or grilling. If the cooking instructions say to pan fry or grill something, you can often use the broil feature of your oven instead. Just like pan frying or grilling, you want to keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.

To-Do List

• When purchasing anything that comes with a warranty, try to register it immediately online. Instructions on how to do so are usually in the package. It makes life easier for when you need to use it. You can log in and the item with date of purchase is already there.
• When purchasing items, especially electronics, keep the receipt. Create a folder in your email to save them for your convenience. If it was an in-store purchase, take a picture of the receipt and keep it in a folder that has cloud backup. You don’t want to lose your phone and forever lose those receipts as well.
• Before you use an item is a unique way, make sure the manufacturer doesn’t prohibit it or else you can’t make use of the warranty.

What items around your house have you used a warranty for? What items around the house are you thinking of registering in case you need the warranty later?

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