I Guarantee It: Companies That Still Offer Amazing Warranties

Some companies are still offering legitimate warranties that you can take to the bank.
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In the seminal Chris Farley movie Tommy Boy, Farley's salesman character at one point criticizes guarantees. They might make you feel all "warm and toasty inside," he says, but "all they sold ya was a guaranteed piece of $#!%." The sentiment resonates in an age when ironclad guarantees on purchases seem like a quaint reminder of a bygone era.

However, some companies are still offering legitimate warranties that you can take to the bank. These products often cost more than comparable alternatives, but that might be worth it for the real promise that they will be repaired, replaced, or refunded at any time. Here are some retailers still standing by what they produce.

LL Bean

One of the clearest guarantees around comes from the clothing and outdoor recreation equipment company LL Bean. This guarantee has been in existence for over 100 years, which by contemporary standards means it might have first been written in stone tablets. The company states that their "products are guaranteed to give 100% satisfaction in every way," and that any product should be returned "at any time if it proves otherwise." There's no gray area here. No questions asked. That kind of guarantee certainly makes those prices seem a little more reasonable.

Similar outdoor retailers such as The North Face, Outdoor Research, Filson, and Patagonia have impeccable guarantees on their merchandise as well.

Aldi

Aldi is one of the cheapest grocery stores in the country, but that doesn't mean they sacrifice quality. The retailer offers a double guarantee on their products. That means if customers are not 100% satisfied with their Aldi purchases, the store will replace that product and refund their money.

Costco

Costco states clearly on their website that they "will refund your membership fee in full at any time if you are dissatisfied." So it's nice to know you won't be tied down to the warehouse club if you feel that your fifty-five bucks have been spent in vain. But what about the stuff you buy there?

Costco has an amazing return policy for being such a behemoth of a retailer. You can return almost anything at any time for a full refund. Literally, the only items that Costco won't accept are "televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, touchscreen tablets, MP3 players and cellular phones" — and even then, only after 90 days.

Darn Tough Vermont

Darn Tough makes socks. Really nice ones at that. And they stand by their products with a superb lifetime guarantee. Their website states that "If our socks are not the most comfortable, durable and best fitting socks you have ever owned, return them for another pair, or your money back. No strings. No conditions. For life."

They even state that if you are actually capable of wearing through a set of their socks that they'll send you a brand new pair for free. Now that's a guarantee! And quite possibly a reason worth spending some extra money for your next set of foot coverings.

Craftsman

Craftsman will repair or replace your tools for free if you aren't completely satisfied. You won't even need your receipt. It's that simple. So next time you are in the market for a new wrench or ratchet set, Craftsman just might give you the best bang for your buck knowing that this guarantee is in your back pocket.

Some customers were having problems with their local store honoring warranties back in 2009 but Sears gave a great clarification here.

Tupperware

Ever broken one of your plastic leftover containers? Go with the name brand and you'll have a lifetime warranty against any sort of cracking, chipping, peeling, or breaking. And the return is simple. Just call 1-800-TUPPERWARE for a totally free replacement. Your spaghetti will always have a resting place in the fridge thanks to this sweet guarantee.

Briggs and Riley Luggage

If you've traveled more than ten times in your life, chances are the airline has broken your luggage at least once. Guaranteeing luggage is quite a feat, but Briggs and Riley do just that, including coverage for rough baggage handlers! If your luggage is ever broken, even by the airline, they will repair it free of charge. It might be the most you've ever paid for a bag, but it'll be the last one you'll ever have to buy.

Jansport

If you're in need of a backpack, Jansport might be a good option. That's because if your pack ever breaks down you can send it to them for repair. If they can't repair it, they'll give you a new pack or a refund. There are no caveats, and the guarantee is for life.

Honorable Mentions

Carvana

Used cars, especially those bought online, don't come with guarantees — unless you're shopping at Carvana.com. If you purchase a car with them you can return it anytime within seven days for any reason.

Zippo

Zippo will repair your lighter if it breaks, even if you bought it over fifty years ago. They have step by step instructions on sending it in for repair.

Cutco

If ever you aren't happy with your experience with any Cutco knives, they will correct the problem or replace the product. They call it their "forever guarantee."

Tervis

Tervis make those incredibly thick plastic cups. And if you ever have an issue, their lifetime guarantee will replace your mug via their simple return process.

Vermont Teddy Bears

If you're looking for a furry gift for your sweetheart, the Vermont Teddy Bear warranty should put your mind at ease. If anything ever happens, including a dog attack (seriously), they'll nurse your bear back to health for free.

These companies certainly stand apart in an age where legitimate guarantees are abnormal. And these guarantees can actually drum up a cult following of sorts. People that love LL Bean, Costco, and Aldi really love them, feeling a trust that doesn't exist in most of our retail experiences.

So shop with peace of mind. Who knows — that additional cost might pay for itself and then some over a lifetime.


Related DealNews Features:
Joel Larsgaard
Contributing Writer

Joel Larsgaard loves helping people focus on frugality without giving up the things they enjoy. By day he's a radio/web producer for the Clark Howard Show, and his blog Save Outside the Box is his main avenue to disseminate his money meanderings.
DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article. Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of publication (unless otherwise specified).

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13 comments
ARRC
For hand tools and power tools my choice is now Ridgid and Husky from Home Depot. They have a lifetime guarantee and the products seem to be superior in quality to Sears. Sears doesn't have a lifetime guarantee on power tools, just the hand tools. Even Ridgid batteries are covered, when they are part of a set, you just have to register them within a 90 day window. Sears has also stopped selling some items that were formerly covered under the Craftsman warranty, like their 30' tape measure. They gave me a Stanley product in exchange but that ended the lifetime warranty. So much for lifetime.
jcauthorn
I've used the Sears Craftsman guarantee -- it's things like that that provide an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and loyalty to a company. It provides such peace of mind knowing that it will work or the store will make it right.
JasperDyne
Moen is another company with great warranties and service. Their faucets are guaranteed for life. If one of their faucets ever develops a leak or a drip, they'll send you free cartridge replacements. I just did this last week.
guruboy
Glad to see Briggs and Riley. I bought a carry-on from them a few months ago and I love it. It's so great to not worry about airlines damaging my luggage.
memvm1
No More Rack does not give refunds in spite of what they say. They just give in store credit
emailofadam
I'm going to advocate for Patagonia and for Dr. Martens here too - both have gone above and beyond for me with their warranties.
3871Buckfast
How about Nordstoms?
I took a $500 suit back after over a year and they replaced it because the dry cleaner applied too much heat in pressing causing some "puckering". It wasn't even Nordstroms fault!
UMGrad92
To thedme ... I don't think Jos A Bank is quite as ironclad for all their products.

Contigo should also get an honorable mention here for their products. They 100% guarantee their spillproof lids (and I'm living proof because they replaced 2 of mine just with an email and a pic).
bustanutz2004
Backcountry and Dogfunk (same company) have a lifetime guarantee and often have the best price!!
dealnews-bglaser (DealNews)
@Greg the Gruesome- Spelling in the link has been fixed. Thanks!
Greg the Gruesome
I don't know how long they've offered this protection and who knows how much longer they'll offer it, but AmEx offers cardholders a refund of the purchase of an item charged to an AmEx card within 90 days if the merchant doesn't take it back (limit $300 per item, $1,000 per year).
http://www.americanexpress.com/...ction-terms.html

P.S. Your link for searching for deals on Briggs and Riley products contains a misspelling.
zloki83
Eastpack and Jansport are the same. They will even send you a bag to ship your bag back.
I had an older high quality bag with the leather bottom and they replaced the zippers and shoulder strap adjuster.
ClaybonS
You missed one of my favorites. Hammacher Schlemmer is a class act. I recently had a five year old electric blanket die and they replaced it for free, including shipping. No questions asked!