guarantee on work done

[prag]

This might seem like a silly or petty question but here goes.

Do you offer guarantees on locks and workmanship? I was asked this question today and believing in good business ethic, I gave a written 30 Day guarantee to the client that if any work I did or locks I replaced malfunctioned, I would sort it out.

Today I did another job that we did sometime ago where the ready cut key ( this is from the manufacter) didn't work. So I drove for close to one hour to the job and sorted it out. Customer was pleased and stated that if any other locksmithing work was required I would be called. I found it works.

What your take on guarantees.

[freakparade3]

If a lock I install breaks at any time I will replace it and deal with the lock sompany for the warranty. It saves the customer time and trouble.

[Afisch]

If any workmen give garentees, even if nothing fails is great for the peace of mind. Your there thinking "if he thought it would fail, I would have go no garentee". This would likely be enough to secure my coustom when there are so many cowboy tradesmen around.

[maintenanceguy]

I think a 30 day guarantee is a good idea, not because it protects the customer for 30 days but because it lets them know that you aren't responsible for something going wrong 2 years later.


Manufacturer's warranty applies to any locks, door closers, panic hardware, etc installed. Labor warranty for 30 days.

If the lock has a 1 year factory warranty and fails in 15 days, you reinstall at your cost. If the lock fails in 6 months, you provide lock (you get reimbursed from manufacturer) but the customer pays the labor.

Depending on how good a customer they are, you might do it at your cost but make sure they know you're going above and beyond what you do for "regular" customers.

[J-Hood]

My company gives one year on fresh installs in which we provide the new hardware and 30 days on all replacements or repairs. The one year is a good way to push a customer into buying through you instead of getting the locks online or via another route. Many products can be purchased cheaper now through a online store with no face than a small company. So you need what gimmicks you can use. You can't put your time up against other peoples installs. In the states Home Depot is a nation wide store chain that sells "pre hung" doors that come pre drilled and they are often off. So we put nothing past 30 days on those.

Jason

[globallockytoo]

3 months warranty on installations. Manufacturers limited warranty on parts.
The reason warranty for labor is not longer is usually because the changes in the weather tend to affect installations....anything longer than 3 months could be explained by weathering.

[cacciato]

I like the 3 month warranty. As a consumer, it definitely would give me more confidence in the locksmith.

[parapilot]

12 months on locks and installs. but if its been abused i will explain and then charge. dont touch cheepo cylinders / locks so its not normally a problem. Only area it can be nasty is UPVC, just make sure all the keeps are adjusted right so they dont have to put pressure on the handle etc.