I’d like a place where warranties aren’t a factor when discussing BIFL items. I know that some feel otherwise but for me the appeal of BIFL is NOT frugality (though it often overlaps) but rather in owning high quality, long lasting, repairable items. It also has an aspect of sustainability as I hope to only buy one of something and not have to consume multiples of the same thing when I replace them with a warranty. Also worth noting is that warranties are only good as long as the company issuing them still exists and honors them but high quality things will continue to work.
Anyway, excited to see this community here but I’d like a rule against warranties being considered when assessing if something is BIFL.
I don’t think a guaranteed replacement is the reason why warranties can contribute to something being BIFL: rather, the lifetime warranty is the manufacturer putting money on the durability of the item, which increases my confidence that they genuinely believe their product is actually durable.
It’s still no guarantee and there are lots of other factors to consider, but I think taking a warranty into account is reasonable.
I think having a rule against considering lifetime warranties is taking it too far. If a company believes in its product to the extent they offer lifetime replacement, it stands to reason that consumers can “buy it for life”.
Sure there will be schemers who offer this deal to make short-term money, knowing full well they plan to fold. That’s why I think it’s important to look at both the product and company history before shelling out on something, and all of that makes for good discussion around here.
I think it depends to some on the nature of the warranty program. A lot of warranties are limited in scope (e.g., only on defects in worksmanship) and some companies just replace the item, especially if it is low-cost. However, other warranties are more comprehensive and the companies are actually repairing items to keep them in service. This contributes to the BIFL-ness of a product especially if it means that there will be parts or (paid) repair service available even after the warranty period is up or if you’re buying it second hand.
Life time warranties do contribute significantly to a buy it for life decision. Lets take automotive tools. I use mainly Gedore tools to maintain my vehicles. A few years ago I found a clapped out, worn, ratchet in a second hand toolbox I bought. Took it to my local dealer to find out about replacing the mechanism and they outright replaced the ratchet with a brand new one. At no cost to me and I was not even the first owner.
My own set Gedore of sockets and spanners are still in perfect condition after 20+ years of use. Yes I paid double store brand prices back in the late 90s for them, but I am sure they will be heirloom tools one day.
It really depends on what you are buying, but lifetime warranties does contribute to the decision.
I work in the clothing space and most people are moving away from them because there’s been a sudden very sharp uptick in abuse. We had a product that we made for a major retailer that have a lifetime guarantee against defects in workmanship. Certainly, there were always some consumers who’d legitimately wear it out and ask for a replacement every 5 years, but the number that would actually follow through was comparatively small.
However, the returns skyrocketed a few years ago and we actually went to the trouble of having all the product collected and shipped back to us so we could analyze it.
- Lots of it was filthy like consumers would get it dirty and then return it rather than washing it
- A significant portion was different products, some even from other stores. I guess store employees aren’t willing to push back on customers, and frankly, I don’t blame them
- Some were weirdly damaged - we’ve been in this industry a long time and know what normal wear looks like and know exactly where holes are going to show up if a product is badly made. I’ve seen things that were obviously cut with scissors or looked like they’d been dragged across concrete.
- A good chunk looked brand new, perhaps people bought it for a weekend event and returned it. Certainly, they could be dissatisfied with the purchase, but that typically only amounts to 1-2% of our buyers.
I don’t really understand the shift, but it really feels like a few shitty people ruining a good thing for everyone else.
I would not have thought lifetime warranty even existed on clothing. First time I have heard about it. Agreed that it mayl be abused.
Tools are in a different position, where the company rep can usually spot signs of abuse easily and then rhey will probably refuse warranty. It also helps if you are a frequent customer and is known by the store staff.
Usually it’s phrased as a warranty against defects in workmanship. I had American Giant replace a hoodie where one of the seams started to come unstitched, but I infer that they wouldn’t have covered it if it were due to regular wear and tear. (also pretty sure they moved away from lifetime warrantis too)
Probably the hug of death is more due to most other clothing businesses not doing the lifetime guarantee than customers abusing. I see no motivation for buying at one place and taking it to another if both offer the same guarantees.
I don’t think the other returned products were lifetime guaranteed. Look like they found a worn out piece from their closet and returned it to the retailer claiming it was an older version of the product they were trying to replace it with - maybe they genuinely believed that but it seemed more deliberate
Economist George Akerlof explains the role of warranties in establishing customer confidence in his paper The Market for Lemons.
Keep in mind “lifetime warranty” often ends up being “lifetime of the company”, not yours. The Lindy Effect is relevant here.
