Warranty Laws For Motorized Wheelchairs

Warranties come with the purchase of nearly any original product today, though you generally have to register have to register the product in order to take advantage of the warranty. This is true of motorized wheelchairs, as well. They can be rather expensive, so you want to make sure your purchase is protected in the event of any problems down the road. This article has been written to help give you some basic information about what to look for in a warranty for your motorized wheelchair.

The warranty law for motorized wheelchairs was last amended in October of 1996 under section 670 of the General Business Law. This section covered the troubleshooting, replacement of products, and refunding the money. Here's a brief, but important overview:

1. The amount paid by the consumer for the repair of any defective parts of the wheelchair is called "collateral costs." It may also include the excess costs if you exchange the products as well as if you purchase any devices assisting its mobility.

2. The term "consumer" may refer to:

• The person who bought the motorized wheelchair from any manufacturer or dealer of motorized wheelchairs for a purpose other than resale.
• The person entrusted by the motorized wheelchair manufacturer for a purpose other than resale and if the transfer of use happened, the express warranty of the motorized wheelchair expires.
• It also pertains to the person giving the warranty
• It is the person renting the motorized wheelchair from a recognized renting outlet of motorized wheelchairs under a written lease.

3. Motorized wheelchairs that are used for public demonstration are called "demonstrators"

4. "Early termination cost" refers to the expenses or obligations obtained by the renting outlets of the motorized wheelchairs resulting to the termination of the written lease occurring before the specified date of expiration. It could also mean returning the motorized wheelchair to its manufacturer stated in this section in paragraph 3 of paragraph b of subdivision three or the prepayment penalty under financial arrangement.

5. "Early termination savings" refers to the expenses or obligations that the renting outlet of motorized wheelchairs avoids resulting to the termination of the written lease occurring before the specified date of expiration and returning the motorized wheelchair to its manufacturer stated in this section in paragraph 3 of paragraph b of subdivision 3. Interest charges of the motorized wheelchair are also included. It is the amount paid in financing the motorized wheelchair. However, the period of rentals as stated on the contract must be paid even early termination of the written lease.

6. Manufacturers refer to:

• The person or the company manufacturing or assembling the motorized wheelchair
• The agents of the manufacturers
• The importer of the manufacturer
• The distributors of the manufacturers
• The factory or the distributor branch
• The warrantor of the manufacturer

It must be remembered that the dealer of the motorized wheelchair is never considered the manufacturer.

7. Motorized wheelchair is defined as wheelchairs driven by motors or demonstrators bought and accepted by the consumers.

8. The persons who are in the selling business of motorized wheelchairs are called "motorized wheelchair dealers."

9. "Nonconformity" refers to the defective parts or conditions stated in the express warranty affecting the functions, value and safety precautions. It does include damage done because of abused usage, negligence and unauthorized alteration of the consumer.

10. "Reasonable attempt to repair" refers to the repairing of the nonconformities of the motorized wheelchair within the warranty period upon its purchase.

As with the purchase of any expensive item, it's always wise for the consumer to under the warranty behind the product. This certainly applies to motorized wheelchairs as well. Express warranties should be provided to you, the consumer, by the manufacturer or any motorized wheelchair dealer upon the date of purchase. Protect yourself. Read it and ask questions.