You get what you pay for.  It’s as true today as it’s ever been.  When you buy an inferior product, it will cost less at the outset, but often has a short warranty.  Sometimes a lesser brand will add a long or lifetime warranty to improve its image and ability to sell its products, which can make a purchasing decision a little more complicated.  Buying a product with a lifetime warranty can mean a higher cost at the outset, but provides a measure of comfort and reduced total cost of ownership over time.  Higher quality can mean lower cost, when you take a long view.

Recently we had three product failures that required us to make a claim on lifetime warranties.  Here’s what they were and what we experienced:

Child’s trundle bed frame from Charles P. Rogers.  We have a Marseilles iron trundle bed that is 10 years old.  A weld on the headboard broke as a result of years of kids bouncing on the bed.  The tab that holds the headboard onto the frame rails separated from the headboard.  The people on the phone at Charles P. Rogers were very nice, service-oriented and helpful.  They pledged to honor the warranty and gave me instructions to drop off the frame or ship it (at my cost).  It took me about six weeks to get around to shipping the headboard, and they actually called me to find out if I still needed service.  Finally, I got my tools and took the bed apart, and after  $100 or so in packing and shipping expense and about a week and a half later, the headboard was returned, major (kid inflicted) paint chips touched up and with a bottle of touch up paint.  I feel compelled to give this company an “A” for overall performance and good customer service experience.  http://www.charlesprogers.com/

Down comforter from The Company Store.  Linens manufactured in this catalog merchant’s La Crosse, WI facility are covered by a lifetime warranty.  Our seven-year-old down comforter’s fabric became brittle over the summer and ripped as we made the bed one morning.  A call to The Company Store 800-number (800-323-8000)