Govt plans to sync warranty with device installation date

Currently, the warranty period begins on the purchase date, reducing its effective duration

- Dhirendra Kumar

You buy an air conditioner during a festive sale, but weeks later, when it's finally installed, you realize the warranty clock started ticking from the purchase date. The consumer affairs ministry wants to change that by extending the warranty period for such electronics bought as gifts or during off-season sales, but only if they're installed by authorized service centres within a set window, according to two people aware of the matter.

The proposal, currently under discussion between the consumer affairs ministry and electronics manufacturers, aims to address a common grievance faced by buyers of high-value appliances requiring installation, such as air conditioners, washing machines, and refrigerators.

"It also seeks to address the concerns of consumers who install these products at a different location from where they were purchased or delivered," said one of the people.