Opinions on warranty services

D

dl351

Gold Member
Joined
May 5, 2006
Messages
717
Hello all. I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this, but here I go.

I have a liner lock knife from a reputable manufacturer (which I won't name) that needs to be repaired. The problem is that the lock face has worn down to the point that there is a noticeable amount of vertical play in the blade. As a side note, this knife has a lifetime warranty. So here's my issue; the manufacturer wants me to send $10+ to pay for return shipping. Does that seem right to all of you? Were the knife problem free, it would not be going to them in the first place. I'm fine with paying to ship to them, but it seems a bit excessive for me to have to pay for shipping both ways.

Am I out of line for feeling the way I do?
 
i dont see the issue. they warranty the product, how is it fair for you to assume they absorb the overhead on shipping too? (the flip side to the agruement)

i mean the MSRP is based on manufacturing cost, parts, and all that with a profit margin attached. I don't want them adding to that with aticipated warranty shipping for you.

I would just pay it. but thats me.
 
That is why I don't like liner and frame locks. I wish all knife companies could use the AXIS lock. Liner and frame locks start wearing out from the moment you open the knife the first time and once it is worn out there is not much that can be done to fix it.
 
It is too bad that they want return shipping money, but at least they are willing to help.

We vote with every dollar that we spend. When we buy a knife from a company, we vote that their warranty service was okay with us, wether we know about it or not. It would be nice if every comapny had a flawless warranty, but like it was stated that would add overhead and increase the end-price of a knife. On top of that, it kind of sounds like your liner lock problem was caused by what may be considered normal wear and tear.

I wish every liner lock was designed like the Spyderco military's. It seems to be a good variation of the mechanism.
 
Last edited:
well 10 dollars isnt terrible, it beats buying a new knife to replace the worn one for sure.

and to flamtnbkr, everything breaks. even the omega springs in the axis lock.
 
ron_m80 said:
i dont see the issue. they warranty the product, how is it fair for you to assume they absorb the overhead on shipping too? (the flip side to the agruement)

i mean the MSRP is based on manufacturing cost, parts, and all that with a profit margin attached. I don't want them adding to that with aticipated warranty shipping for you.

I would just pay it. but thats me.
Click to expand...

So, my side of the argument is that they made a knife with a LIFETIME warranty. The knife lasted for maybe 5 years by the time the lock face wore out. Meeting half way on shipping is fine with me. I pay to ship to them, they pay to ship back. I don't feel that I should have to eat the cost for shipping both ways due to a flaw in their design. Ideally, their product should be good enough that warranty services are kept to a minimum, thus making return shipping a cost that does not affect them much at all. I've had to send a knife back to a maker before. I paid shipping to, they paid shipping back. Seems fair enough to me. Afterall, I'm not responsible for their faulty product, and thus shouldn't have to pay for it.
 
gundude73 said:
well 10 dollars isnt terrible, it beats buying a new knife to replace the worn one for sure.

and to flamtnbkr, everything breaks. even the omega springs in the axis lock.
Click to expand...

It's actually $14, and this is the second time it's being sent in for a repair. The first was for a screw falling out of the clip because the hole was already stripped.

As a side note, I emailed the manufacturer about this, and I'm waiting to see what they say. If they are dead set on me paying all of the shipping costs, I may send it to them, but I'll never buy one of their knives again.
 
A lifetime warranty against manufacturing and material defects? Most 'lifetime' warranties do not cover normal wear and tear, at least they don't have to. If such is the case, especially in this economy, I would have no problem with covering the postage both ways. If the company is kind enough to absorb the parts and labor cost on normal wear and tear, I think it fair that the customer pays for the transport. JMO.
 
gundude73 said:
well 10 dollars isnt terrible, it beats buying a new knife to replace the worn one for sure.

and to flamtnbkr, everything breaks. even the omega springs in the axis lock.
Click to expand...

Sure they break but they are easily replaced. Or if you don't want to send it in to the manufacturer then 5 minutes, some MIG or piano wire, and needle nose pliers and you have a new one. I have done just that and it is almost 2 years later and working perfect.

But even the manufacturer can't fix a worn out liner/frame lock unless they replace the entire lock. They wear out which is why I try my hardest not to buy them. They might be easy to make but like I said they start wearing out from the first time they are opened from a $1 gas station knife to a $1000 custom. On the other hand the AXIS lock wears in and the lock up actually gets better with use.
 
well not to derail this thread but from my experience the axis lock springs wear awful fast. my NIB 530 had both springs die in a year, conversely my 5 year old used sebenza is rock solid. to each their own.

and to the OP good luck with your warranty experience. :thumbup:
 
The Government said:
Most companies only offer a limited lifetime warranty which does not include normal wear and tear.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wear_and_tear

The real cost to them is that they may have just lost a customer, as you may no longer be voting for them to succeed with your dollars.
Click to expand...

I just read over their guarantee, and it says that the guarantee is void if the knife is subject to anything beyond normal wear and tear.
 
Does it also say that the warrantee (you) will have to pay for return shipping? If not, then I'd be a little peeved too. If it is a decent knife, you may just have to bite the bullet and pay return shipping.
 
gundude73 said:
well not to derail this thread but from my experience the axis lock springs wear awful fast. my NIB 530 had both springs die in a year, conversely my 5 year old used sebenza is rock solid. to each their own.

and to the OP good luck with your warranty experience. :thumbup:
Click to expand...

That is some bad luck. I have used quite a few AXIS lock knives a LOT and only had one break after a couple years and probably 15K open/close cycles. And it was easy to replace. I doubt you will be fixing the Sebenza at home when it does wear out. And I bet if a Ti frame lock was flicked open as hard and often as most AXIS or flipper knives they would wear out quite a bit quicker. I have had a frame lock wear out in about a year and a liner lock fail and the blade close. They aren't my cup of tea.
 
Well, it seems there are some opinions on both sides here. I'll see what the manufacturer tells me and go from there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top