BLI Warranty policy on ebay buys

[ek2000]

Posting this info for anyone considering buying a BLI locomotive from ebay. I requested a clarification on the warranty policy on ebay buys and was provided the below guidance by BLI

"Ebay sales are not warranted unless you can show proof of purchase from an authorized BLI dealer that has a legitimate Ebay shop.

If the dealer is on our list here (input their zip code), and the item is not more than 3 years old, then we would consider it for a one year warranty period after the date of the sale: http://www.broadway-limited.com/locatedealer.aspx

We will not warranty a second-hand item sold on Ebay, and the only way to know if it is coming from a trusted seller is if we have a working relationship with them as an authorized dealer."

[eja]

Sound reasonable to me.

[Chris333]

Think it's the same with Bachmann.

[peteski]

Yes, that sounds like a standard business model.
Why would a for-profit company warranty 2nd-hand models sold by 3rd parties?
BLI will likely service such model, but for a fee.

[thomasjmdavis]

While I have never bought any BLI products on eBay, I certainly have bought "brand new" products from large scale hobby dealers on eBay that were not new.  Recent example was a Peco turnout- listed as "brand new", which had its electrofrog wires clipped and the extra ties on the ends removed.  Ebay does not police any of this, as far as I can see, unless they get a volume of complaints.  Becomes obvious when you see 40 year old Atlas (Rivarossi) locomotives listed as "new"- let's be real.  Overall, I am happy enough, because some of the stuff I have bought as "used" has clearly never been out of the box except for a test run at the hobby shop.

But it certainly makes sense for a manufacturer to limit their warranty to those items they can verify were sold through their supply chain. One suspects that some unauthorized dealers were advertising "full factory warranty" which it isn't, if they aren't dealers. It does, however, damage the legitimate second hand market, since you would be unable to sell an unneeded BLI item as "still under warranty."

[ek2000]

I posted this primarily because of 2 (subtle) points

1. Many locomotives are listed as new by private/individual sellers. Just because these are listed new does not mean BLI will cover them under warranty if they come from non authorized BLI sellers/dealers

2. Even if you do buy a brand new locomotive from an authorized BLI dealer, if they are 3+ years old,  BLI may not cover them. The only way to be sure is to give the product number to BLI  and have them confirm. Some of the PA/E series locomotives may be at or over the 3 year limit

All the above said, all of the 3 BLI locomotives that I purchased were from eBay and BLI did provide 2 years warranty on all of them. All 3 needed warranty service (which is why I'm particular now) but I've had a pleasant experience dealing with BLI customer service. I was not aware of these intricacies then but knowing this now, I would check before buying.

[peteski]

I posted this primarily because of 2 (subtle) points

1. Many locomotives are listed as new by private/individual sellers. Just because these are listed new does not mean BLI will cover them under warranty if they come from non authorized BLI sellers/dealers

2. Even if you do buy a brand new locomotive from an authorized BLI dealer, if they are 3+ years old,  BLI may not cover them. The only way to be sure is to give the product number to BLI  and have them confirm. Some of the PA/E series locomotives may be at or over the 3 year limit

Again, this seems like something obvious and logical to me.
Even Bachmann's famous "limited lifetime warranty" is . . . limited.
And as you also mentioned, BLI (and most model railroad manufacturers) usually go above and bayond expectations to assist individuals who own their products and need it serviced.

I suppose that in the end it's good to know exactly what the BLI's policy is. 

[ek2000]

I suppose that in the end it's good to know exactly what the BLI's policy is.

Yes, that was my intent posting. While their rationale is logical, I would miss the 3 year rule if I didnt know. There are a lot of BLI PAs and E series in ebay and I just thought this might be worth noting.

[ski]

Ugh...just bought a new BLI E8 from EBay. Got it today and it is dead as a door nail. Doesn’t do a thing...no sound, no lights, no movement...just a very faint hum when DCC track power is on.

Seller is not listed on BLIs website.

Awesome...

[mu26aeh]

Ugh...just bought a new BLI E8 from EBay. Got it today and it is dead as a door nail. Doesn’t do a thing...no sound, no lights, no movement...just a very faint hum when DCC track power is on.

Seller is not listed on BLIs website.

Awesome...

I'd be returning that to seller and requesting/demanding a refund.  Even if they don't have returns listed, they'll probably have to take it back.  eBay forced me to accept a return because I sold somebody Atlas #6 switches to someone, who after he received them forced the return because his club/module standards required Peco #6 turnouts.  No fault of mine, and he knew what he bought.  If they can force that, they can force a DOA return

[Maletrain]

You didn't link the eBay listing for the dead loco that you bought, so I am speculating that it was not a "parts or repair" listing.  Your post used the word "new", but did the eBay listing say "new"?  If so, then eBay's guarantee should cover you.

[ek2000]

Ugh...just bought a new BLI E8 from EBay. Got it today and it is dead as a door nail. Doesn’t do a thing...no sound, no lights, no movement...just a very faint hum when DCC track power is on.

Seller is not listed on BLIs website.

Awesome...

@ski, you may still want to write to BLI. Their customer service is very good and while they may have a policy, there may make exceptions to it. My Centipede was DOA and when I registered with BLI they gave me a 1 year warranty. I cited my history with them (PA and E8 both made warranty trips) and they made an out of policy extension to a 2 year warranty.

Of course, like previous posters have mentioned, eBay buyer protection will definitely cover you if BLI does not cover or you choose to return.