Warranties: What to Look at, What to Ask

While warranties may be useful or not if your dive computer fails, you can protect yourself by using common sense and doing due diligence before buying. Attorney Lawrence Schnabel, who writes for Undercurrent frequently about legal issues, recommends these questions to ask (which apply to any type of dive gear):

Which competitive model gives the longest warranty? Does the warranty have a longer life on some computers, and a shorter life on others?

Is the seller of the dive computer an authorized dealer? If not, does this void the express warranty? If it does, is the seller giving you an equivalent express warranty?

If someone other than the manufacturer or authorized dealer services your computer , does this void any warranties? Does the express warranty require that you service the product regularly?

If you make a warranty claim, what are you entitled to -- refund, repair or replacement? If a manufacturer agrees to replace a defective computer, will it pro-rate the replacement? How long is the warranty on the replacement - is it a new term or just the amount of time left on the original product?

What is the procedure for getting warranty repairs? Who does them, and how long does it typically take?

How reputable, knowledgable and experienced is the dealer? Does he acknowledge his implied warranty obligations versus telling you that your sole remedy for defects is with the manufacturer?