Lakeland's Lifetime Warranty

drt1710

I bought a Gtech AirRAM cordless vacuum, admittedly it was 8 years ago, but I chose Lakeland as the place to buy from as at the time they offered a "Lifetime no quibble warranty"
Well, now our much loved Gtech has died.
So I emailed Lakeland, gave them all the necessary information, I even helpfully sent them a copy of my despatch note, which said on the back
"The Lakeland guarantee is the simplest in the world!  If you are not satisfied at any time, you receive your money back! This is our promise." 
After several days, I got a very short reply, basically telling me that "The Lakeland reply is 3 years, contact Gtech"
Now, I understand that the Lakeland warranty is 3 years on products bought now, BUT this was not the case when I bought my product.
I know some of you might think, I've had 8 years use, tough!  Fair enough, but that's not the point for me.  My point is, I thought I was buying a product with a lifetime warranty!
Does anyone have previous experience similar, or does anyone KNOW where I stand with Lakeland please?
Thank you
Duncan

user1977

What were the full terms of the lifetime warranty? I presume not merely what you've quoted...

SaverRate

After 8 years I would think the vacuum cleaner has probably reached its lifetime so I wouldn't carry on with lakeland. You could try emailing Gtech they may give you a discount on a new one?

jon81uk

Here is the website from eight years ago, Lakeland Guarantee (archive.org)

Its not very clear, they just want you to be happy and satisfied. As you've has eight happy years of use are you satisfied?
Its not a lifetime warranty. Just a guarantee you'll be happy with the product.

Manxman_in_exile

Doesn't read like a lifetime guarantee.

Don't think anybody can reasonably complain about not being satisfied or not being happy with the product if they've kept using it for eight years...

(Tilley hats have a lifetime guarantee against wearing out.  Replaced mine after nearly 20 years)

sheramber

Whose lifetime?   Do you expect the guarantee to cover 50,60 years?

MarvinDay

sheramber said:

Whose lifetime?   Do you expect the guarantee to cover 50,60 years?

Why not?
If Lakeland were brave/stupid enough to state that everything they sell has a "no ifs or buts" satisfaction guarantee that's valid at any time, what's wrong with a customer  wishing to take advantage of this guarantee?

pinkshoes

A "Lifetime" warranty is the lifetime of the product, not a human lifetime, so 8 years of use is a reasonable amount. 

I would contact GTech and see if it is fixable. 

Grumpy_chap

What is a "lifetime" warranty?
Particularly, does that refer to the expected "lifetime" of the product or the purchaser?
If it was the lifetime of the purchaser, would that be contrary to age discrimination rules?
I suspect that "lifetime" refers to the expected lifetime of the product and 8-years sounds like the lifetime of a vacuum cleaner.

drt1710 said:

I bought a Gtech AirRAM cordless vacuum, admittedly it was 8 years ago, but I chose Lakeland as the place to buy from as at the time they offered a "Lifetime no quibble warranty"
Well, now our much loved Gtech has died.
So I emailed Lakeland, gave them all the necessary information, I even helpfully sent them a copy of my despatch note, which said on the back
"The Lakeland guarantee is the simplest in the world!  If you are not satisfied at any time, you receive your money back! This is our promise." 
After several days, I got a very short reply, basically telling me that "The Lakeland reply is 3 years, contact Gtech"
Now, I understand that the Lakeland warranty is 3 years on products bought now, BUT this was not the case when I bought my product.
I know some of you might think, I've had 8 years use, tough!  Fair enough, but that's not the point for me.  My point is, I thought I was buying a product with a lifetime warranty!
Does anyone have previous experience similar, or does anyone KNOW where I stand with Lakeland please?
Thank you
Duncan

born_again

Most companies who offer a lifetime warranty. It is based on the product.
So the likes of Tom Tom. Once the product is no longer supported or available. That is the end of the lifetime.
As li9fetime refers to the product. Not the owner.

jon81uk

Also it is not a warranty, just a guarantee that you will be happy with the product.

Although similar I think there are differences in the definition of the two terms.
Lakeland never sold it as a "lifetime warranty".