How long does my warranty last?

I bought a Toshiba TV from John Lewis in August 2006, which came with a five-year warranty.

Earlier this month I had to call John Lewis to pick up the TV because the screen went blank. It offered a replacement but what I would like to know is if the manufacturer’s one-year warranty still stands once the John Lewis one runs out.
Anthony Hart

Toshiba’s one-year warranty will no longer be valid. It would have run for a year from the day Mr Hart bought the TV. This type of warranty would run concurrently with John Lewis’ cover, not consecutively.

Most manufacturers will offer cover for a year but they don’t have to. It is a way of saying they believe in their product, but should something go wrong they will put this right.

Although John Lewis offers longer warranties and the cost of these is built into its pricing policy. Other retailers opt to sell extended warranties because they are lucrative.

But people do quite often get confused about how long the protection they have will last if they buy an extended warranty. For example, if they buy a three-year warranty, they mistakenly add on a manufacturer’s one-year warranty, thinking that in total they will get four years’ cover.

We always advise people to think carefully before buying an extended warranty. You need to weigh up the pros and cons because this insurance is not cheap and may not be worth the money. People who buy an extended warranty do have protection under the law.

The buyer has up to 30 days in which to make up their mind to take one out at the price originally offered. They can cancel within 45 days if they decide to cancel the warranty. If they cancel they are entitled to a pro-rata refund. Details of the warranty, including whether it provides financial protection in the event of the company’s insolvency must also be given.

In effect, warranties are just a form of insurance.