In The Box:
Think Tank Photo Airport International LE
Reinforced padded dividers
TSA travel padlock
Cable lock
Tripod Straps
Tripod Cup
Seam-sealed rain cover
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Warranty information by Think Tank Photo
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 1980s.
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 1960s? 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 TTP 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.
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.