The Recycler
  • Ambiente 2025 Masthead
  • Biuromax Masthead web banner March 2024
  • G&G Masthead August 2024
  • Katun web banner December 2022 NEW

FTC takes action for illegally restricting customers’ “Right to Repair”

July 11, 2022

The Federal Trade Commission is taking action against grill maker Weber-Stephen Products, LLC, for illegally restricting customers’ right to repair their purchased products.

The FTC’s complaint charges that Weber’s warranty included terms that conveyed that the warranty is void if customers use or install third-party parts on their grill products. Weber is being ordered to fix its warranty by removing illegal terms and recognizing the right to repair and come clean with customers about their ability to use third-party parts.

“This is the FTC’s third right-to-repair lawsuit in as many weeks,” said Samuel Levine, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Companies that use their warranties to illegally restrict consumers’ right to repair should fix them now.”

Illinois-based Weber manufactures and sells grills and related products worldwide and offers limited warranties to consumers who buy its products that provide for no-cost repair or replacement, should the products have defects or other issues.

The FTC said it has made it a priority to protect consumers’ right to repair their products. The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act is one of the FTC’s tools to address repair restrictions. It prohibits a company from conditioning a consumer product warranty on the consumer’s using any article or service which is identified by brand name unless it is provided for free.

Following the FTC’s right to repair report Nixing the Fix, the Commission issued a Policy Statement on Repair Restrictions Imposed by Manufacturers pledging to ramp up investigations into illegal repair restrictions. The FTC recently announced complaints and orders against Harley-Davidson and the maker of Westinghouse outdoor generators for similar issues.

According to the FTC’s complaint, Weber imposed illegal warranty terms that voided customers’ warranties if they used or installed any third-party parts on their grill products. Further details of the complaint can be found here.

In June, the FTC took action against Harley-Davidson and Westinghouse ordering the companies to “fix warranties, come clean with customers, and compete fairly with independent repairers.”

Our take on this: Its nothing to do with the imaging industry, but it is great to see that the FTC is taking action on the matter of “Right to Repair” and is policing the manufacturers. This is such a positive step in the right direction and maybe it just needs one consumer complaint to the FTC against a printer OEM to get the ball rolling in our industry?

Categories : Around the Industry

Tags : Complaint FTC Right to Repair Weber

  • Apex September 2024 Web ad
  • Ink Tank No Web advert
  • IR Italiana Web ad January 2021
  • G&G web advert October 2024
  • Static Control June 2022 Big & Bold Ad
  • Cartridge Web Nov Web Banner
  • TN Core Nov Web advert
  • Biuromax web banner July 2024
  • GM Technology October 2024
  • ITP Web ad January 2021
  • Zhono Web ad March 2024
  • Denner Feb 2024 Web Ad
  • denner UK Web Banner Jul 2024
  • Mito Web banner June 2024
  • PCL Nov Web advert
  • HYB Web banner Jan 2024
  • CET Web ad December 2023
  • CET Web ad December 2023
  • Mito Web banner June 2024
  • ITP Web ad January 2021
  • denner UK Web Banner Jul 2024
  • PCL Nov Web advert
  • Zhono Web ad March 2024
  • Denner Feb 2024 Web Ad
  • HYB Web banner Jan 2024
  • Zhono Web ad March 2024
  • Denner Feb 2024 Web Ad
  • CET Web ad December 2023
  • Mito Web banner June 2024
  • ITP Web ad January 2021
  • HYB Web banner Jan 2024
  • PCL Nov Web advert
  • denner UK Web Banner Jul 2024

The Recycler, Wittas House, Two Rivers, Station Lane, Witney, OX28 4BH, United Kingdom | Tel: +44 (0) 1993 899800 | Fax : +44 (0) 1993 226899
©2006-2023 The Recycler - Terms & Conditions - Privacy Policy including cookie use

Web design Dorset | Websites by Mark