No Rhetoric Warranty
• Definition: rhetoric \ n: insincere or
grandiloquent language.
Let’s talk about the truth concerning bags and
warranties.
The number one reason for failure in any type
of bag from any manufacturer is the zipper or the slider. You probably experienced some difficulties
with the zipper or slider (or both) if you have owned any photo shoulder bag or
backpack for a long time.
This is why we use only YKK zippers. On the
outside of our backpacks, we only use the YKK RC™ (Racquet Coil) zipper, which
is the most durable coil zipper that YKK makes, with significantly higher
abrasion test results as compared to other zippers.
We also use only nickel-plated zipper sliders,
not because they’re a fashion statement, but because they are the most durable
and long-lasting plated sliders available. You have probably experienced
chipping of the color or the surface of the slider being worn down if you have
ever owned a product with black sliders. That’s why we don’t use black sliders.
The second most common failure point in a bag
is the fasteners, whether metal or plastic, such as D rings, buckles, etc. This
is why we use top-grade Duraflex® fasteners and top-quality metal components.
The reason why other companies use lower
quality fasteners is because most photographers can’t tell the difference when
they purchase the product. The result is that the companies don’t want to build
cost into the product that cannot be immediately appreciated by the
photographer.
We only use the highest quality fasteners
because we want our customers to be fully satisfied when they are in the field,
and quite honestly, we don’t want returns of our product.
“Lifetime” Warranties?
Although these warranties sound good, they do not reflect the truth.
The truth is that most photographers replace their bags within four to 10
years. As they purchase new equipment, they also upgrade their carrying system. If bags are used by a professional on a
weekly basis, they will become tired, dirty, and worn out during this time
period. This being said, there are a small minority of hard-core photographers
that continue to use battle-worn bags from the 1980’s.
This is why the lifetime warranty is really
ridiculous. If you’re 30 years old when you purchased a bag, are you really
going to return it 30 years later for repair? The only way this is possible is
if the bag has stayed in your closet the majority of the time. Remember the
leather cases in the 1960’s? Is anyone returning these bags for repair under
the “lifetime” warranty? This is why the lifetime warranty is more of a
marketing gimmick than the truth. Is it the life of the bag, or your personal
life? The normal life of a bag, if it is used weekly, is four to ten years,
which is not “lifetime.” If lifetime means your personal life, when you’re
dead, you won’t need the bag.
This is why we offer our No Rhetoric
Warranty with confidence. We build our products to last, with top quality
fasteners and zippers. We feel the best lifetime warranty is, in fact, creating
bags that don’t need fixing.
OUR WARRANTY To the original owner, we guarantee and
warrant our products against any defects in material or workmanship for as for
long as you use the product. If you have any problems with the product, please
contact us for return authorization at [email protected]
before sending the product to us. We will evaluate the product. We will
repair or replace the product (at our option) if the damage is covered by the
warranty. If your product was purchased outside of the United States, please
contact the authorized Think Tank Photo distributor for your country.
Damage due to normal wear and tear, the
natural breakdown of materials over time, accident, improper care, or
negligence is not covered by our warranty. If a repair is possible, we
will repair products at a reasonable charge to you when the damage is not
covered by our warranty. “Normal wear and tear” includes the damage to zippers
and fasteners that is expected due to normal use over time, the damage to the
product has to be the result of a defect for it to be covered by the warranty.
This warranty excludes claims to any
incidental or consequential loss to personal property such as camera equipment
carried in Think Tank Photo products. The No Rhetoric Guarantee is only for the
product, not for any equipment that may be carried.
Legal Stuff
The No Rhetoric Warranty for the bag is broad
enough that we must exclude any implied warranties, including the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Some states, however, do not allow the
limitation or exclusion of implied warranties and incidental or consequential
damages, so these limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. Our guarantee
gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights, which vary from
state to state.
Think Tank® is a trademark owned and used by
Think Tank Photo, Inc. RC™ is a trademark belonging to the YKK Corporation.
Duraflex® is a trademark belonging to National Molding Corp.