Warranty vs. Guarantee: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Warranty is a formal promise by a seller or manufacturer regarding the quality and reliability of a product; Guarantee is a broader assurance of satisfaction or performance.
Key Differences
A warranty is typically a written assurance provided by a manufacturer or seller, detailing the conditions under which repairs or replacements will be made if a product is found defective within a specific period. In contrast, a guarantee is an assurance, often less formal, promising customer satisfaction or specific performance, regardless of whether it's associated with a timeframe or specific conditions.
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Nov 15, 2023
Warranties often have legal backing, specifying the rights and responsibilities of the buyer and seller, and are usually linked to consumer goods. Guarantees, on the other hand, can be more flexible, often used in services and broader contexts, emphasizing the provider's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
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The scope of a warranty is generally limited to material defects and workmanship, focusing on the product's functionality over a set period. Conversely, a guarantee might encompass broader aspects, such as overall customer experience or performance outcomes, not just product-specific issues.
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Nov 15, 2023
Warranties often require registration or specific actions from the consumer to be valid, such as a warranty card or proof of purchase. Guarantees may not require such formalities, often serving as a general assurance to instill consumer confidence.
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Nov 15, 2023
In summary, while a warranty is a formal, often legally defined, commitment regarding a product's condition over time, a guarantee is a more encompassing assurance of quality, satisfaction, or performance, not necessarily limited by time or specific terms.
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Comparison Chart
Requirements
May require registration, proof of purchase
Less likely to need formalities
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Scope
Specific to product functionality
Can include overall experience or service
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Warranty and Guarantee Definitions
Warranty
A warranty is a promise regarding the quality of a product.
The blender comes with a one-year warranty covering all parts.
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Guarantee
A guarantee is a promise for satisfaction or performance.
The restaurant guarantees satisfaction with their meals.
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Warranty
A warranty is a manufacturer's commitment to standards.
The car's warranty covers engine problems for up to three years.
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Guarantee
A guarantee offers assurance beyond product quality.
Our service guarantees timely delivery.
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Warranty
A warranty offers consumer protection against faults.
The warranty on the refrigerator includes servicing for cooling issues.
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Guarantee
A guarantee may cover more than physical goods.
The tutoring service guarantees improvement in test scores.
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Warranty
A warranty implies legal responsibility for product quality.
The warranty on the watch guarantees it is water-resistant.
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Guarantee
Something that assures a particular outcome or condition
Lack of interest is a guarantee of failure.
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Warranty
A representation, especially in writing, made by a seller or company to a purchaser of a product or service that a refund, repair, or replacement will be made if the product or service proves defective or unsatisfactory, especially within a given time period.
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Oct 19, 2023
Guarantee
A promise or assurance, especially one given in writing, that attests to the quality or durability of a product or service.
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Warranty
An assurance by the seller of property that the goods or property are as represented or will be as promised.
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Warranty
The insured's guarantee that the facts are as stated in reference to an insurance risk or that specified conditions will be fulfilled to keep the contract effective.
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Oct 19, 2023
Warranty
A covenant by which the seller of land binds that seller and the seller's heirs to defend the security of the estate conveyed.
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Guarantee
To assume responsibility for the debt, default, or miscarriage of.
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Warranty
Justification or valid grounds for an act or a course of action
“That he has imitated at all ... is sufficient warranty for placing him among the men of talent rather than among the men of genius” (Edgar Allan Poe).
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Guarantee
To assume responsibility for the quality or performance of
Guarantee a product.
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Guarantee
To undertake to do, accomplish, or ensure (something) for another
Guaranteed to free the captives.
Guarantees freedom of speech.
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Warranty
(countable) A guarantee that a certain outcome or obligation will be fulfilled; security.
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Warranty
An obsolete legal agreement that was a real covenant and ran with the land, whereby the grantor and his heirs of a piece of real estate held in freehold were required to officially guarantee their claim and plead one’s case for the title. If evicted by someone with a superior claim (paramount title) they were also required to hand over other real estate of equal value in recompense. It has now been replaced by personal covenants and the covenant of warranty.
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Warranty
A covenant, also called the covenant of warranty, whereby the grantor assures the grantee that he or she not be subject to the claims of someone with a paramount title, thereby guaranteeing the status of the title that is being conveyed.
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Warranty
A legal agreement, either written or oral (an expressed warranty) or implied through the actions of the buyer and seller (an implied warranty), which states that the goods or property in question will be in exactly the same state as promised, such as in a sale of an item or piece of real estate.
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Guarantee
To express or declare with conviction
I guarantee that you'll like this book.
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Warranty
(countable) A written guarantee, usually over a fixed period, provided to someone who buys a product or item, which states that repairs will be provided free of charge in case of damage or a fault.
I took out an extended warranty on my television for five years at a cost of $100.
I made sure to check the terms of my warranty for my computer to ensure I was covered in case it broke down.
It's always a good idea to get a good warranty on anything you buy that you think may break down.
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Guarantee
Anything that assures a certain outcome.
Can you give me a guarantee that he will be fit for the match?
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Warranty
A stipulation of an insurance policy made by an insuree, guaranteeing that the facts of the policy are true and the insurance risk is as stated, which if not fulfilled renders the policy void.
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Guarantee
A legal assurance of something, e.g. a security for the fulfillment of an obligation.
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Warranty
Justification or mandate to do something, especially in terms of one’s personal conduct.
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Guarantee
More specifically, a written declaration that a certain product will be fit for a purpose and work correctly; a warranty
The cooker comes with a five-year guarantee.
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Warranty
A covenant real, whereby the grantor of an estate of freehold and his heirs were bound to warrant and defend the title, and, in case of eviction by title paramount, to yield other lands of equal value in recompense. This warranty has long singe become obsolete, and its place supplied by personal covenants for title. Among these is the covenant of warranty, which runs with the land, and is in the nature of a real covenant.
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Oct 19, 2023
Warranty
An engagement or undertaking, express or implied, that a certain fact regarding the subject of a contract is, or shall be, as it is expressly or impliedly declared or promised to be. In sales of goods by persons in possession, there is an implied warranty of title, but, as to the quality of goods, the rule of every sale is, Caveat emptor.
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Warranty
A stipulation or engagement by a party insured, that certain things, relating to the subject of insurance, or affecting the risk, exist, or shall exist, or have been done, or shall be done. These warranties, when express, should appear in the policy; but there are certain implied warranties.
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Warranty
Justificatory mandate or precept; authority; warrant.
If they disobey precept, that is no excuse to us, nor gives us any warranty . . . to disobey likewise.
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Guarantee
To make something certain.
The long sunny days guarantee a good crop.
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Warranty
Security; warrant; guaranty.
The stamp was a warranty of the public.
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Guarantee
In law and common usage: A promise to answer for the payment of some debt, or the performance of some duty, in case of the failure of another person, who is, in the first instance, liable to such payment or performance; an engagement which secures or insures another against a contingency; a warranty; a security. Same as Guaranty.
His interest seemed to be a guarantee for his zeal.
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Guarantee
One who binds himself to see an undertaking of another performed; a guarantor.
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Warranty
A written assurance that some product or service will be provided or will meet certain specifications
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Guarantee
The person to whom a guaranty is made; - the correlative of guarantor.
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Warranty
A warranty assures repair or replacement for defects.
Her new laptop's warranty ensures free repairs for software issues.
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Guarantee
In law and common usage: to undertake or engage for the payment of (a debt) or the performance of (a duty) by another person; to undertake to secure (a possession, right, claim, etc.) to another against a specified contingency, or in all events; to give a guarantee concerning; to engage, assure, or secure as a thing that may be depended on; to warrant; as, to guarantee the execution of a treaty.
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a republican form of government.
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Guarantee
A written assurance that some product or service will be provided or will meet certain specifications
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Guarantee
A pledge that something will happen or that something is true;
There is no guarantee that they are not lying
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Guarantee
A collateral agreement to answer for the debt of another in case that person defaults
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Guarantee
Give surety or assume responsibility;
I vouch for the quality of my products
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Guarantee
Make certain of;
This nest egg will ensure a nice retirement for us
Preparation will guarantee success!
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Guarantee
Stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of;
The dealer warrants all the cars he sells
I warrant this information
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Guarantee
A guarantee is an expression of confidence in a service or product.
The landscaping company guarantees a beautiful garden design.
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Guarantee
A guarantee can imply a refund or replacement policy.
The store guarantees a full refund if you're not happy with the purchase.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a warranty?
A written assurance of a product's quality, offering repair or replacement for defects.
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Is a warranty legally binding?
Yes, warranties often have legal backing and are enforceable.
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What is a guarantee?
An assurance of satisfaction or performance, often broader than a warranty.
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Do warranties apply to second-hand goods?
It depends on the terms; some warranties transfer, while others do not.
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Can a guarantee be timeless?
Yes, guarantees can be timeless or have a specific duration.
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Can services have guarantees?
Yes, services often come with guarantees for satisfaction or specific outcomes.
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Are guarantees limited to products?
No, they can apply to products, services, and overall customer experiences.
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What happens if a product fails under warranty?
The manufacturer or seller should repair, replace, or refund the product.
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What's the key difference between warranty and guarantee?
Warranties are often time-limited and specific, while guarantees are broader and more flexible.
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How long does a warranty typically last?
It varies, commonly ranging from one year to several years, depending on the product.
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What does a warranty cover?
Defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
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Are warranties transferable to new owners?
This varies; some are, while others are not.
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Can a guarantee be verbal?
Yes, although written guarantees are clearer and more enforceable.
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Does a guarantee require formal documentation?
Not necessarily; it can be less formal than a warranty.
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Do guarantees cost extra?
Generally, no; they are usually included with the purchase or service.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is proof of purchase necessary for a warranty claim?
Often yes, to validate the warranty period and purchase details.
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Does a guarantee offer a refund?
It can, depending on the terms of the guarantee.
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What if a product breaks after the warranty period?
The manufacturer is typically not obligated to repair or replace it.
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Can I extend a warranty?
Some manufacturers offer extended warranties for an additional cost.
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Can I rely on a guarantee for service quality?
Yes, a guarantee often ensures a certain level of service quality or customer satisfaction.
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Nov 15, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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