Problems with Nicolet (Viasys) honoring warranty?

[Mina]

I was wondering if anyone else had any experience with Nicolet and their customer service/tech support. There's a problem with the waterproof probe on a doppler purchased last December, but Viasys will not honor the warranty because the time at the distributor used counted as the warranty time. Has anyone heard of this before? Right now they say the only option is to purchase the replacement part for 50% off, but that's still $175! The store where it was purchased is being no help at all. :

I've just never heard of a company counting the time a product was on a distributors shelf as warranty time. Has anyone out there had this experience? Know of any other options?

[homebirthing]

How did the company you bought it from advertise the warranty?

[Peppamint]

I don't see how the time spent at the distributor could count, the warranty should begin on the date of your invoice.

Ugh. That makes me think twice about buying a Nicolet.

[Mina]

Originally Posted by DoulaSarah

How did the company you bought it from advertise the warranty?

The retailer didn't advertise the warranty at all. I just assumed that it would be the one year that the manufacturer advertises.

I'm still just really surprised that they can do this. If I get the probe replaced, it comes directly from my money for my children's Christmas presents. If I don't, I have no working doppler and that's not really practical, either. :

[CarolynnMarilynn]

I have never warranty like that. I'd ask them to prove it.

[Bellejar]

How much money are you talking about? What exactly is wrong with the doppler and how long have you had it? There are some other things that may apply even if the manufacturers warranty is not in effect. I am assuming you are in the US but all US states except Louisianna have something called the Uniform commercial code which has several built in requirements of fitness for purpose, etc. (I am an attorney who practices in the state of WA). Get ahold of the written warranty as well, I doubt the distributor's time counts that makes no sense. I would also make a demand for repair/replacement in writing before the year expires from purchase regardless.

[Mina]

Hey, I wanted to thank you two for the advice. I tried everything I could and got nowhere. Jack Youngblood from In His Hands offered his help to me (which Ollie from Birth With Love, who I bought the doppler from, would not do - she just wished me luck and said she couldn't help me more. Would not buy from her again) and the best he could get is they will replace it for $100, plus shipping and tax. It's still disappointing, since the problem was in no way my fault, but it's better than $350.

So my advice to anyone buying a doppler is ask how long the retailer has had the doppler in stock! There is apparantly a 3 month grace period, but Ollie had purchased mine 6 months before I purchased it from her. Had I known this would be the situation, I would have bought from someone else. Had I known she would leave me high and dry like this, I would have bought from someone else.

[Peppamint]

That leaves a really bad taste in my mouth about Nicolet. HOW in the world can they penalize the purchaser for how long it sat in a 'warehouse'? Makes me glad I went for the Huntleigh, hopefully I won't have any issues but if I do I would hope their customer service is better.

[mwherbs]

what is their costumer service email address or what is the web site to find the info? I would like to write and ask about their warranty policies ....