When you invest in a new laptop or DVD player, you expect it to work. State and federal lemon laws protect consumers against deceptive marketing and warranties and give you the right to have your defective product repaired or replaced. They can even get you your money back.

Lemon Laws

"Lemon laws" are state laws that offer consumers protection against deceptive sales tactics and warranties. The original lemon laws protected people who purchased used cars (bad used cars are commonly known as "lemons"), but lemon laws are now applied to other products.

Warranties

A warranty is a guarantee that a product sold is as described by the product's manufacturer. Warranties often include some sort of consumer remedy (such as a refund, repair services or replacement) if a product is defective or is not as described.

Federal Lemon Law

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act requires that merchants of consumer goods use clear and unambiguous language in their warranties. Merchants that fail to honor their warranties can be subject to lawsuits as well as other dispute resolution methods.

State Lemon Law

In addition to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, many states have their own lemon laws that may provide additional protection. Some of these state lemon laws specifically protect purchasers of consumer electronics. Contact your state department of consumer affairs or attorney general's office for information on lemon laws in your state.

Alternative Resolutions

If you made a purchase with a credit card, your credit card company may offer additional purchase protection. If you are dissatisfied with a purchase, contact your credit card company immediately. They may be able to resolve your problem more quickly than you can on your own.

Source:

A Businessperson's Guide to Federal Warranty Laws

LemonJustice.com