Shark Warranty

blondegirl · ‎03-10-2010

Has anyone tried to actually use this. Apparently the "small print" is on the back of the manual, which if you buy online you only see after the fact. My vacuum, which I have used about three times, is not working. I called and they told me I have to find a box, box all of it up (not just the canister but every thing that came with it) so you are talking a fairly large box because of the wands, make sure it is packaged properly because their label does not cover damages to it, and then take it myself to fedex. I told them I physically was just not able to do this - and I am not. The box, if I ever find one (and they only give you 12 days to actually return it - not sure if the warranty is then void or what) will be too heavy and bulky for me to lift. Today they pretty much said that was tough. I asked about accommodations for folks who do not drive or are disabled - apparently it does not matter. He kept saying fedex would not pick up. I told him I knew they would if Shark requested it - fedex picks up anything (legal) if you ask them He said only corporate could discuss that with me and even if I called it would be "assuming you can get a hold of them." that reflects pretty poorly on corporate i think I have purchased five Sharks in the past few years (one other one broke - the stick vac and I had forgotten about the warranty) but I won't be buying more. I don't appreciate belligerent, unsympathetic folks who don't try to even help. I can love your products - and I do - but when I need help and cannot get it I cannot help but think there are better companies out there. It has been an odd experience dealing with them. You would think the fact the vacuum has no suction after three uses would concern them too

clangle · ‎11-06-2013

Unfortunately I think this is the "gotcha" with a lot of these so called "warranties". Especially for larger, heavier products, they know people are not going to want to box it up and pay a fortune to ship it back to them for service.

Or with less expensive products, you will pay nearly as much in shipping costs to send it back as it would cost just to buy a new one. So the warranty's a bit of a joke.

Havarti · ‎03-08-2014

I had a Shark and I loved it while it was working. Suddenly it stopped working so I took it to the large & reputable vacuum repair place here in town to get it back in working order (not even thinking about the warranty – fully willing to pay for repairs). They laughed and said they get so many Shark vacuums in for repair but they are unable to repair them. Apparently Shark does not make available parts for them to be repaired locally. And if taken apart by any unapproved party it can void any warranty. It seems Shark wants to make it so expensive & difficult that users view them as disposables and give up & buy a new one. It is such a shame because when they work they are amoungst the best brand out there, but many do not last long and it is worthless if you can’t affordably and conveniently get it repaired. Very sad when a company is smart enough to make a machine that is one of the best, yet the company is too dumb & greedy to keep the customer long-term.

Snarky responders need not reply. Move along and share your views elsewhere.

Tigriss · ‎03-12-2010

My advice is save the appliance box until it is out of warranty. I too had to box up a vacuum to ship. It was not easy, nor would I want to do it again.

Secondly, the companies are not responsible for picking up the appliance. That service costs more. They could make an exception but what is to stop people that can get to town/Fedex from taking advantage of them. They do have to draw the line somewhere.

You may live where there is a car service avaliable for people in your circumstances. Check with the local senior citizen's center. There may also be someone who could help you box it up. You can also check your church. Many church members wouldn't mind doing something like this for you if you ask, but don't take advantage of this service. Those groups do not take kindly to people that want to basically use them for all of their housework for free. There are paid services for that and family for those needs. They can then question if you are capable of living alone and not in a care home.

KingstonsMom · ‎03-09-2010

@blondegirl.

My DD has had 3 Shark vacuums that only lasted a year or 2.

The Shark vacuums don't have great reviews for lasting very long on many sites. From your experience, it sounds like their CS dept. is one of the worst.

If it were me, I'd choose another brand.

So sorry you're having to deal with this!

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

"Apparently the "small print" is on the back of the manual, which if you buy online you only see after the fact."

FWIW....

Not true. The user manuals as well as the warranties are online too.

98% of the time the info is right on the same page as the item/product. It is almost always a PDF file.

The other 2% you can find user manuals & warranties by using your favorite search engines to supply it (them) w/the items model # and/or serial #.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

gizmogal · ‎05-09-2014

Why does it have to go back only via FedEx? UPS will pick it up packed and ready to go right at your home and you can arrange for the pickup online or by phone. Alternatively, you could bring the vac and accessories to a UPS store and they will pack it for you and ship it to Shark. Ditto bringing it to Staples to pack and ship it.

FedEx is not the only way to ship unless the Shark warranty dictates it has to go with that specified carrier. If I was determined to stick it to Shark to honor their warranty, I'd spend the costs and make sure they got it back on terms that also suit me. But you should know they will not repair and return your own vac nor send you a new one. They will offer you a refurbished one. Be careful to know what their idea of warranty service really means.

GSPgirl · ‎01-03-2012

@Havarti wrote:
I had a Shark and I loved it while it was working. Suddenly it stopped working so I took it to the large & reputable vacuum repair place here in town to get it back in working order (not even thinking about the warranty – fully willing to pay for repairs). They laughed and said they get so many Shark vacuums in for repair but they are unable to repair them. Apparently Shark does not make available parts for them to be repaired locally. And if taken apart by any unapproved party it can void any warranty. It seems Shark wants to make it so expensive & difficult that users view them as disposables and give up & buy a new one. It is such a shame because when they work they are amoungst the best brand out there, but many do not last long and it is worthless if you can’t affordably and conveniently get it repaired. Very sad when a company is smart enough to make a machine that is one of the best, yet the company is too dumb & greedy to keep the customer long-term.

Interesting because just last week people were raving about their Sharks and putting down Dyson, which I have had for 12 years and have never had one problem with.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

"Interesting because just last week people were raving about their Sharks and putting down Dyson, which I have had for 12 years and have never had one problem with. "

I think it depends on the model. The OP has the canaster Shark. Maybe that model is problematic.

I own the Shark Rocket which is the stick model. Never a problem. Only had it for 3 yrs.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

lianne · ‎03-09-2010

I got my Shark from QVC when it was a TSV. The brush roll stopped working pretty quickly and I called customer service. They verbally walked me through a few possible fixes, it didn't work. I was lucky that I still had the box. They told me to keep all the accessories and box up the rest.

They sent me a prepaid return label and I brought it to FedEx and the company sent me a brand new one. The only thing is I had a blue one and there aren't any of the colors available from the company so I wound up with an ugly brown one. It works very well and I would buy another one when this one dies.