Ayre warranty is only for 90 days

[aardvarkbark]

I just bought an AX5Twenty integrated amp. I spent as much on this integrated as I did on my entire last system (Classe and B&W). Upon receipt of the amp, I learn that Ayre's warranty is for only a mere 90 days. NINETY DAYS! To qualify for a five year warranty, one must within thirty days MAIL (USPS, seriously, I kid you not) an enclosed warranty extension form (plus copy of receipt). They actually call this a FREE warranty extension.

Looking at the Classe, McIntosh, Levinson, Sim, Esoteric (OK....EVERY other manufacturer's web site), I see that a valued customer can conveniently register their recent purchase on-line and qualify for their warranty, and with confirmation that one has done so.

Ayre does NOT offer new purchase registration on-line. One must use the stamped envelope that they provide in order to earn the right for a warranty that exceeds 90 days.

On the surface, this seems to me like nothing other than a ploy to deny warranty service beyond 90 days. By requiring new customers to mail in the form, can't they simply say that they never received it? Otherwise, why would they NOT offer on-line product purchase registration?

I'm curious to know -- when others have sent their cards in, did you receive confirmation from Ayre that it was received and that you are indeed covered by a five year warranty?

[Alki]

I have dealt with the same dealer for over 30 years. I have never sent a warranty registration in. If I ever have an issue he makes good on the warranty. Just that easy. Maybe that is why I am so loyal to my dealer; because he is loyal to me.

[GreginNH1]

I have never purchased that brand but in the past, my retailer has stood by me regarding warranty claims regardless of whether I registered the purchase within a prescribed time frame.

If you are that concerned about USPS, why not send it Certified? At least that way you will have proof it was sent!

I agree with you - an online registration would be very handy!

[aardvarkbark]

Good thoughts; thanks to the two of you. I may be paranoid, but what if dealer were to drop the line? I don't know what leverage he'd have at that point. He isn't the one offering the warranty; Ayre is. Certified would show I sent something; it'd be comforting if they were to provide some sort of confirmation that I satisfied their requirement (which is why I was asking what others have received). I'm thinking I could fax it too; that would provide dated record and copy of what was sent. Just seems like such a goofy demand for them to make on their customers when others don't.

[audio bill]

There are other audio companies with similar warranty extensions only provided if you register your purchase within a specified timeframe.

[audioguy3107]

I agree, the 90 day things seems a little odd, but you don't have to worry about Ayre's customers service/support. I've dealt with them before on a minor problem with my C-5xeMP and they were absolutely first class (and BTW, it was out of warranty). Their communication was excellent and they went above and beyond to get me straightened out. That being said, just drop the thing in the mail so you don't have to worry about the extension, but even so, I wouldn't worry about a thing with Ayre.

- Buck

[Still-One]

I have nothing to back this up but I wonder if they want to see the receipt to insure their dealers are selling Ayre products within a agreed upon price range.

[mraudio]

I was in the High-End retail and rep business for 25 years. A LOT of many manufacturers do this. It isn't anything new.

And yes, sometimes it is to see if the dealer is undercutting the line and to make sure it isn't a grey market good.

Ayre is a fantastic company. I wouldn't worry about it. Just send the info in.

[aardvarkbark]

Thanks for the feedback and 'you don't have to worry' messages. But if one truly doesn't have to worry, why does Ayre feel the need to even create the anxiety in the first place? In what HBR case study has it been shown that this is a rational model for creating customer loyalty?

Out of curiosity, mraudio, what other manufacturers do this? My exposure is limited, I'll admit, but Levinson, B&W, Classe, others whose websites I visited simply state they offer a 5-yr warranty with proof of purchase from an AD. These and some offer on-line registration, not as a requirement, but as a convenience to the customer in the event their original paperwork is ever misplaced.

Ayre, on the other hand, demands one mails the enclosed card within 30 days (it clearly states in all caps and even bolded letters - you MUST do this). No offer of convenient on-line registration. Nothing friendly about it.

Thinking about it, the only other organization with which I deal who has a do-this-by-then-or suffer-the-consequences approach with customers is the IRS. Frankly, I don't enjoy being a customer of the IRS. I'm just a little surprised that Ayre intentionally puts themselves in that bucket.

[yage]

I sent in the warranty registration card and have no worries that they're good for it.

Reading this and your previous posts, I'm surprised you haven't returned the amp to your dealer. It seems you've soured on Ayre, so why not get a different amp and some peace of mind in the process?