I've been on a Benchmade buying binge over the last year. This morning I decided to register my several purchases on the Benchmade website. Product registration is something I never do since it is not a requirement for warranty service. While I was there I browsed around and read their warranty. It was a little disconcerting. I quote:
"Each new Benchmade knife is packaged with written documentation of the Benchmade Lifetime Warranty. Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. warrants to the original owner that Benchmade knives purchased from authorized dealers will be free from defects in materials and workmanship. Benchmade will without charge, repair or replace at our (Benchmade's) option, any knife returned for Warranty work and found to be defective by Benchmade.
"The Benchmade Lifetime Warranty only applies to genuine Benchmade products from authorized Benchmade dealers. Knives purchased on the internet through discount websites, mail order outlets, or through any other unauthorized source, and knives which are determined by Benchmade to be counterfeit (see Counterfeit Goods Notice below), are not entitled to our warranty coverage."
The "authorized dealer" part is what bothers me. First of all, there is an implied impression (erroneous I am sure) that Benchmade products available from unauthorized dealers are of inferior quality or seconds. I don't think any reputable manufacturer knowingly sells defective or inferior products through any dealer. But Benchmade's unfortunate wording gives that impression.
In the last year, I've bought several Benchmade knives from Amazon--both Amazon itself and dealers selling through Amazon. Some of those dealers indicate they are authorized Benchmade dealers but others don't indicate one way or another. I also have some knives bought online in years past and I have no idea who the dealers were and I don't remember what websites I've used. I do know none of my knives are counterfeit but some of them were surely bought through dealers who were not officially authorized.
So...this leads to the question of how Benchmade handles warranty repairs. Do they require documentation of the purchase or proof of "authorized dealer" and will they deny repair service--even if the customer is willing to pay for it--to knives sold through non-authorized sources?
"Each new Benchmade knife is packaged with written documentation of the Benchmade Lifetime Warranty. Benchmade Knife Company, Inc. warrants to the original owner that Benchmade knives purchased from authorized dealers will be free from defects in materials and workmanship. Benchmade will without charge, repair or replace at our (Benchmade's) option, any knife returned for Warranty work and found to be defective by Benchmade.
"The Benchmade Lifetime Warranty only applies to genuine Benchmade products from authorized Benchmade dealers. Knives purchased on the internet through discount websites, mail order outlets, or through any other unauthorized source, and knives which are determined by Benchmade to be counterfeit (see Counterfeit Goods Notice below), are not entitled to our warranty coverage."
The "authorized dealer" part is what bothers me. First of all, there is an implied impression (erroneous I am sure) that Benchmade products available from unauthorized dealers are of inferior quality or seconds. I don't think any reputable manufacturer knowingly sells defective or inferior products through any dealer. But Benchmade's unfortunate wording gives that impression.
In the last year, I've bought several Benchmade knives from Amazon--both Amazon itself and dealers selling through Amazon. Some of those dealers indicate they are authorized Benchmade dealers but others don't indicate one way or another. I also have some knives bought online in years past and I have no idea who the dealers were and I don't remember what websites I've used. I do know none of my knives are counterfeit but some of them were surely bought through dealers who were not officially authorized.
So...this leads to the question of how Benchmade handles warranty repairs. Do they require documentation of the purchase or proof of "authorized dealer" and will they deny repair service--even if the customer is willing to pay for it--to knives sold through non-authorized sources?
Otherwise, no issues.
