Please explain New Balance's "Lifetime Guarantee"

[BreakPoint]

Hi,

Could someone please explain New Balance's shoe guarantee? What does, "Guaranteed to outlast any other outsole you've worn before" really mean? Is there NO time limit, then?

When they do wear out, do you have to prove to them that you've had other shoes that have lasted longer?

For instance, say I bought a pair of the NB 820's and they wore out in 11 months. Do I have to prove to them that I've had shoes before that lasted 12 months? How does it work and what information would I need to supply to them?

Thanks

 

[RacquetDoctor]

If you had a pair of shoes last you 11 months, all I can say is :shock: .

Past experience with new balance is return the shoes, you'll get a free pair. However, most people will get through the shoes alot quicker. At 11 months, it may be pushing it.

Mark

 

[TW Staff]

For the definitive answer, you should give New Balance Customer Service a call @ 800.253.7463. We have found their customer service to be excellent.

Chris, TW.

 

[perfmode]

New Balance is the best. If the shoes lastes your 11 months and you liked them. Don't send them back. Just be happy that they lasted that long. If they 'vapored' on you in a month, then you could get upset and return them. I just don't think it's right to take advantage of NB if you like their product. I wish I could scream at the guy who made the vapor outsole though. I slip all day and night when I wear them.

 

[BreakPoint]

The thing is, I never wear only one pair of shoes all the time. I play a lot of tennis (5-6 times a week) and I rotate between 5 or 6 pairs of shoes because I want to air them out between wearings and I also use differnet shoes for singles and doubles. Thus, unless the shoes have really undurable soles (like some Diadora and Nikes, and some Princes), I won't be wearing them out within 6 months, since within 6 months, I'll realistically only be getting about one month worth of wear on them (if I'd worn the same pair everyday).

Therefore, it's not worth it for me to pay extra for shoes that have a 6-month warranty since I won't be able to take advantage of it. Now if a shoe had an unlimited time warranty, that might work for me. This way, I can take my time wearing them out by only wearing them 1 out of every 5 or 6 times that I play and not feel pressured to have to wear them EVERY time I play, whether it's singles or doubles, or if it's practice or a real match. Would New Balance fit the bill? Does NB require a receipt showing the date of purchase?

 

[perfmode]

The thing is, I never wear only one pair of shoes all the time. I play a lot of tennis (5-6 times a week) and I rotate between 5 or 6 pairs of shoes because I want to air them out between wearings and I also use differnet shoes for singles and doubles. Thus, unless the shoes have really undurable soles (like some Diadora and Nikes, and some Princes), I won't be wearing them out within 6 months, since within 6 months, I'll realistically only be getting about one month worth of wear on them (if I'd worn the same pair everyday).

Therefore, it's not worth it for me to pay extra for shoes that have a 6-month warranty since I won't be able to take advantage of it. Now if a shoe had an unlimited time warranty, that might work for me. This way, I can take my time wearing them out by only wearing them 1 out of every 5 or 6 times that I play and not feel pressured to have to wear them EVERY time I play, whether it's singles or doubles, or if it's practice or a real match. Would New Balance fit the bill? Does NB require a receipt showing the date of purchase?

Just stop trying to take advantage of the system. The warranty is there for people who burn through shoes prematurely. It is not a 'buy one get one free' pass.

 

[BreakPoint]

Hey, I'm not trying to take advantage of the system. If I wore one pair of shoes everyday, they would indeed wear out in 2 or 3 months (some without warranties would wear out in a month). But since I rotate between 6 pairs of shoes, a shoe that would normally last me only 2 months (if I wore them every time I played tennis), might last me a year since I'm only wearing them 1 out of every 6 times I play. However, if I tried to send a shoe with a 6 month warranty back after a year, it will be rejected even though I only have 2 months worth of wear on them. Get it?

What I need is a warranty based upon the NUMBER of times you wear the shoe NOT a specific period of time. I was hoping the NB warranty would be such a warranty.

BTW, a shoe company with a 6 month warranty probably doesn't expect most people to play everyday or about 180 times within a 6 month period. They're likely designed to wear out in about 90 wearings (or playing every other day). If can can get 90 wearings out of any shoe, I'd be very happy. However, what if the shoes wears out with only 50 wearings (well below the max of 180 and even below the average 90), even though it takes me a year to wear that particular shoe 50 times? The shoe DID, in fact, wear out prematurely! It just took me a year instead of 6 months even though I play everyday due to my shoe rotations.

 

[kreative]

i don't consider it taking advantage of the system, if that's what New Balance boasts about it's durability. i would call new balance to make sure before you send them in, but as far as i understand it, if they wear out, you should be able to send them in for a replacement pair since they're supposed to "last you a lifetime". i think you do have to have the receipt for purchase for a 1 time replacement.

 

[perfmode]

I'll answer your question. You have to have the receipt for the shoes and you must send them in within six months of the date on the receipt. The outsoles must also be worn all the way through to the midsoles in at least one part of the shoe.

 

[kreative]

I think it can be longer than 6 months, since it has "lifetime guarantee" right?