QUESTION: Will I void the warranty if I don’t use the recommended manufacturer items?
ANSWER : Generally, tie-in sales provisions aren’t allowed. Such a provision would require a purchaser of the warranted product to buy an item or service from a particular company to use with the warranted product in order to be eligible to receive a remedy under the warranty. The following are examples of prohibited tie-in sales provisions.
- “In order to keep your new Plenum Brand Vacuum Cleaner warranty in effect, you must use genuine Plenum Brand Filter Bags. Failure to have scheduled maintenance performed, at your expense, by the Great American Maintenance Company, Inc., voids this warranty.”
While tie-in sales requirements can’t be used, the warranty need not cover use of replacement parts, repairs, or maintenance that is inappropriate for the product. The following is an example of a permissible provision that excludes coverage of such things.
- “While necessary maintenance or repairs on your AudioMundo Stereo System can be performed by any company, we recommend that you use only authorized AudioMundo dealers. Improper or incorrectly performed maintenance or repair voids this warranty.”