Treadmill Warranty and Extended Treadmill Warranty Considerations
Pretty much every piece of exercise equipment for sale, including treadmills, offer a warranty. In some cases you can buy an extended treadmill warranty.
Assessing a treadmill warranty isn’t easy. The terms provided on the treadmill websites are pretty vague.
This article tells you about some considerations and possible questions to ask a treadmill manufacturer about their warranties.
Generally, treadmill warranties and money-back guarantees fall into 6 categories of coverage:
- Money Back Guarantee
- Motor
- Frame
- Parts/electronics
- Labor
- Extended Treadmill Warranties
I’ll address each category of warranty.
Before I set out the detailed considerations of treadmill warranties, you need to be sure when inquiring and comparing warranties that you’re looking under the category of treadmill you’re buying. By this I mean that if you’re buying a residential treadmill, that you know you’re looking at a residential treadmill warranty.
1. Money Back Guarantee Considerations
- This is an important element to a purchase treadmill. When you buy any treadmill, look for the following:
- Is there a money-back guarantee?
- Do you have to give a reason to get a refund, or is it a “no-hassle” money back guarantee.
- How long do you have to get your money back? Is it from date of purchase or the date of delivery?
- Do you need to obtain any return number or information from customer service before returning?
- Do you need to retain any packing materials, receipts, etc.? I suggest keep everything, including the box during the money-back guarantee period.
- Is there a restocking fee? This essentially reduces what you’ll receive as a refund.
- Who pays for shipping when returning a treadmill?
- Must the treadmill be totally disassembled before returning?
- If you pay for in-home delivery and/or assembly, will those costs be refunded?
2. Treadmill Motor Warranties
Motor treadmills can also be called “drive-system” warranties.
Motor warranties are generally 10 years to lifetime. I would look for treadmills with a lifetime warranty.
Treadmill motor warranty considerations include:
Is a motor replaced? Or are replacement parts provided?
Who repairs the motor? Is it up to you?
What steps must you take to obtain the warranty? How much of a hassle is it?
Do you need to send the motor anywhere to exercise the warranty? Who pays the shipping?
Are there exclusions? In other words, are there instances where your treadmill motor isn’t covered? For example, if you spill water on your treadmill, is it covered?
Are there any service charges with processing warranty coverage?
3. Treadmill Frame Warranties
The frame warranty on a treadmill is also important. In fact, I’d venture to say it’s more valuable than a motor warranty. Most frame warranties are 10 years to lifetime in duration. Like motor warranties, I’d look for lifetime frame warranties.
- Treadmill frame warranty considerations include:
- Does it include the welding or bolting (depending on the frame construction)?
- What exactly is considered the frame under the frame warranty? Are the rollers, tread deck, tread belt, wheels, handlebars, etc. included? Or are these elements consider parts and fall under the parts warranty.
- Are there any exclusions?
- How is the frame repaired? Is a service-person dispatched to your home or must you ship the frame somewhere? If you ship it, who pays?
- If you must ship the frame, must you remove other components before shipping?
- Will a new frame be provided or will it be repaired?
- Are there any service charges with processing warranty coverage?
4. Parts and Electronics
Generally parts and electronics warranties on treadmills are for a shorter duration than the motor and frame warranties.
The general principles set out under frame apply such as exclusions, which parts, and how to process a warranty claim.
5. Labor Warranty
A labor warrant is the manufacturer will pay for a service person to service or repair your treadmill. These are the shortest warranties with a common duration of 1 to 2 years.
Labor warranty considerations:
- Does it include a service or repairs only? If it includes a service, be sure to get your treadmill serviced before the treadmill labor warranty expires.
- Do you need to bring your treadmill anywhere for service/repair or will a person come to your home? Obviously you want someone to come to your home.
- Are there any hidden costs such as sur-charges?
- Are there any exclusions?
What’s a good treadmill warranty?
Lifetime on the motor and frame. 5 years on the parts/electronics. 2 years for IN-HOME labor.
6. Extended Warranties
There are extended warranties and extended service plans. Generally, on treadmills with lifetime motor and frame warranties, they’ll offer an extended service plan pertaining to parts and labor.
Extended treadmill warranties and service plans are expensive, but if you’re buying a higher-end treadmill, it may be worth the cost. The decision is a personal decision, but should also include consideration of the included warranty details. That’s why it’s a good idea to inquire about the details of a treadmill warranty so you know exactly what’s covered and what’s not covered.
Finally, before buying any treadmill, be sure to look around for discounts, deals, promos, and sales. I set out treadmill deals on major brands here.
Related posts:
