A Warranty Pet Peeve...

Steve · 01-18-2010, 03:57 PM

For Christmas my wife gave me a Lotus Triple Torch Lighter (The Wedge). Saturday, I get out of the truck, light a cigar and walk up to the deck with the lighter in hand. I sit down on the deck and after a few minutes go to touch up the cigar and no joy. The lighter has not been out of my hand, not struck or bumped anything, not been dropped, nothing. Gas comes out of the lighter, but no ignition. Usually there is a "click" as the piezo is triggered, but now, nothing. WTH...

I know where my wife bought the lighter so I run down and see Howard about it. He confirms that Lotus has a 2 year warranty, but that I'll need to send it back because Lotus doesn't like too deal with their dealers on warranty items. He even looks, but doesn't have a replacement lighter. No problem really, just a hassle having to send the lighter back. Fortunately my trip to the Keys has been postponed and I can make due for a couple of weeks until it comes back.

[rant on]

Here's my pet peeve: I have to send $9.00 with the lighter to cover return postage. I guess I could understand if I had had the lighter for several months, but I have had it less than a month before it failed. It kind of chaps me that I have to spend an additional $9 on top of what my wife spent. I spoke with a lady on the phone a few minutes ago, and although she was very nice about it, she confirmed that I need to send the money.

[/rant]

Am I off base here or does this bother anyone else? Some of ya'll know me, and you'll notice I don't gripe and complain about a lot of things, but this just strikes me kinda wrong. I'm sending it in tomorrow, but I'm going to include a letter expressing my "disappointment" that I need to pay more money for a defective product. We'll see what happens.

G G · 01-18-2010, 04:00 PM

Spot on far as i'm concerned. They should replace it no charge.

pnoon · 01-18-2010, 04:03 PM

So you have to pay postage to return it to them and again for when they ship it back to you?

That blows big time.

roughrider · 01-18-2010, 04:14 PM

Return it for a refund if you can and pick up a Xikar.

kelmac07 · 01-18-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roughrider

Return it for a refund if you can and pick up a Xikar.

captain53 · 01-18-2010, 04:43 PM

Just use your $9 and buy 3 Ronsons that will last the rest of your life and light first click every time!

bobarian · 01-18-2010, 04:50 PM

Well for $9 you can get three of these delivered to your door and have a buck leftover for a Double Cheeseburger!

Not as pretty but much more functional(you can see the fluid reservoir). These are also extremely durable lighters. Warranty??? Who needs a warranty for $2 each!

http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4179

shvictor · 01-18-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobarian

Well for $9 you can get three of these delivered to your door and have a buck leftover for a Double Cheeseburger!

Not as pretty but much more functional(you can see the fluid reservoir). These are also extremely durable lighters. Warranty??? Who needs a warranty for $2 each!

http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4179

I just did

bobarian · 01-18-2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shvictor

I just did

Did you get the cheeseburger too???

shvictor · 01-18-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobarian

Did you get the cheeseburger too???

Those are bad for you

Steve · 01-19-2010, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the responses. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't out of line.

I have a Calibri that I've had for close to 10 years that stopped working last year. Even with a lifetime warranty I would expect to pay postage on that, but not on a product that failed after less than a month of use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by roughrider

Return it for a refund if you can and pick up a Xikar.

I thought about that, but as it was a present from my wife, it is special and I would like to honor the spirit it was given.

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain53

Just use your $9 and buy 3 Ronsons that will last the rest of your life and light first click every time!

Actually, the Ronson that DrHalle gave me last year at ggainey's herf has been the most dependable lighter I've had since my old Calibri died. Kinda sad when you think about it!

Again, thanks for the input!

Patrick B · 01-19-2010, 08:16 AM

Dan aka Elderboy gave me one of those cheapies from the link. Works every time!

Knip23 · 01-19-2010, 08:31 AM

That sucks they should pay the postage back

elderboy02 · 01-19-2010, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobarian

Well for $9 you can get three of these delivered to your door and have a buck leftover for a Double Cheeseburger!

Not as pretty but much more functional(you can see the fluid reservoir). These are also extremely durable lighters. Warranty??? Who needs a warranty for $2 each!

http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4179

These work great. Well worth the $2

Skywalker · 01-19-2010, 08:43 AM

Steve, I have a feeling that you'll send the dang thing with the money and never see your lighter again!!! It will get lost in the postage and they'll tell you "Too bad, so sad"!!!

Keep the gifted lighter as a paperweight and use something that works!!!

Steve · 01-19-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Steve, I have a feeling that you'll send the dang thing with the money and never see your lighter again!!! It will get lost in the postage and they'll tell you "Too bad, so sad"!!!

Keep the gifted lighter as a paperweight and use something that works!!!

I'll send it with delivery confirmation

rizzle · 01-21-2010, 02:36 PM

Sorry Steve.

My wife bought a Vector for me, she bought it online from a link that I provided to her. It was acting strange recently and I took it into a local B&M that I know sells them. They sent it off for me no questions asked, no money out of pocket, no cost whatsoever. Matter of fact, I'm going to pick it up today.

They'll get more of my business.

okieRob · 01-23-2010, 06:52 PM

This really stinks. Thanks for letting us know. I've been thinking of upgrading lately. I know what lighter I'm not going to buy...

01-18-2010, 03:57 PM	#1
Steve Dad Jokester Supreme Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Steve Location: 17 R 435648 3354895 Posts: 7,715 Trading: (6)	A Warranty Pet Peeve... For Christmas my wife gave me a Lotus Triple Torch Lighter (The Wedge). Saturday, I get out of the truck, light a cigar and walk up to the deck with the lighter in hand. I sit down on the deck and after a few minutes go to touch up the cigar and no joy. The lighter has not been out of my hand, not struck or bumped anything, not been dropped, nothing. Gas comes out of the lighter, but no ignition. Usually there is a "click" as the piezo is triggered, but now, nothing. WTH... I know where my wife bought the lighter so I run down and see Howard about it. He confirms that Lotus has a 2 year warranty, but that I'll need to send it back because Lotus doesn't like too deal with their dealers on warranty items. He even looks, but doesn't have a replacement lighter. No problem really, just a hassle having to send the lighter back. Fortunately my trip to the Keys has been postponed and I can make due for a couple of weeks until it comes back. [rant on] Here's my pet peeve: I have to send $9.00 with the lighter to cover return postage. I guess I could understand if I had had the lighter for several months, but I have had it less than a month before it failed. It kind of chaps me that I have to spend an additional $9 on top of what my wife spent. I spoke with a lady on the phone a few minutes ago, and although she was very nice about it, she confirmed that I need to send the money. [/rant] Am I off base here or does this bother anyone else? Some of ya'll know me, and you'll notice I don't gripe and complain about a lot of things, but this just strikes me kinda wrong. I'm sending it in tomorrow, but I'm going to include a letter expressing my "disappointment" that I need to pay more money for a defective product. We'll see what happens. __________________ ...So don't sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied, Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance that tide

01-18-2010, 04:00 PM	#2
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,726 Trading: (10)	Re: A Warranty Pet Peeve... Spot on far as i'm concerned. They should replace it no charge.

01-18-2010, 04:03 PM	#3
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: A Warranty Pet Peeve... So you have to pay postage to return it to them and again for when they ship it back to you? That blows big time. __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

01-18-2010, 04:14 PM	#4
roughrider Feeling at Home Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 835 Trading: (24)	Re: A Warranty Pet Peeve... Return it for a refund if you can and pick up a Xikar.

01-18-2010, 04:43 PM	#6
captain53 Have My Own Room Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: Dave Location: Lake of the Ozarks & Austin, TX Posts: 1,333 Trading: (3)	Re: A Warranty Pet Peeve... Just use your $9 and buy 3 Ronsons that will last the rest of your life and light first click every time!

01-18-2010, 04:50 PM	#7
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Re: A Warranty Pet Peeve... Well for $9 you can get three of these delivered to your door and have a buck leftover for a Double Cheeseburger! Not as pretty but much more functional(you can see the fluid reservoir). These are also extremely durable lighters. Warranty??? Who needs a warranty for $2 each! http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4179

01-19-2010, 08:16 AM	#12
Patrick B Feeling at Home Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cincinnati OH Posts: 713 Trading: (6)	Re: A Warranty Pet Peeve... Dan aka Elderboy gave me one of those cheapies from the link. Works every time!

01-19-2010, 08:31 AM	#13
Knip23 Keep It Simple Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Destrey Location: Ft. Polk/ Leesville Posts: 545 Trading: (10)	Re: A Warranty Pet Peeve... That sucks they should pay the postage back

01-19-2010, 08:43 AM	#15
Skywalker BABOTL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dice Location: Galaxy Far Far Away Posts: 10,168 Trading: (18)	Re: A Warranty Pet Peeve... Steve, I have a feeling that you'll send the dang thing with the money and never see your lighter again!!! It will get lost in the postage and they'll tell you "Too bad, so sad"!!! Keep the gifted lighter as a paperweight and use something that works!!! __________________ Smoke what you like!!!

01-21-2010, 02:36 PM	#17
rizzle Order Restored Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: st pete, fl Posts: 2,679 Trading: (23)	Re: A Warranty Pet Peeve... Sorry Steve. My wife bought a Vector for me, she bought it online from a link that I provided to her. It was acting strange recently and I took it into a local B&M that I know sells them. They sent it off for me no questions asked, no money out of pocket, no cost whatsoever. Matter of fact, I'm going to pick it up today. They'll get more of my business.

01-23-2010, 06:52 PM	#18
okieRob Still Watching My Back Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: I'm not telling Location: The Land in the Middle Posts: 153 Trading: (6)	Re: A Warranty Pet Peeve... This really stinks. Thanks for letting us know. I've been thinking of upgrading lately. I know what lighter I'm not going to buy...