The 10-Year Buying Checklist

BEFORE IT ENTERS THE HOME

Ten checks for ten years

Print or save as PDF to keep nearby · 10 items

1. 01

   Warranty — the exact term, in writing

   How many years, covering which parts — and is the failure-prone part (motor, cylinder, electronics) inside or outside the term? A warranty that excludes the part that fails is a shorter promise than it looks.

2. 02

   Parts supply

   Are wear parts sold individually, by name, at a price that makes repair worth it? A product whose parts cannot be bought has a lifespan equal to its weakest component.

3. 03

   The repair route

   Who does the repair — the maker, a service network, any competent local shop? A documented repair path (published manuals, standard fasteners) outlasts goodwill.

4. 04

   Maker continuity

   How long has the maker existed, and does it still answer for products sold decades ago? A warranty is only as durable as the company behind it.

5. 05

   Consumables

   What does a year of filters, pads, blades, or gaskets cost — and from how many sellers? A cheap machine with captive consumables is an expensive machine.

6. 06

   Cost per year

   Price divided by honest years of use, plus upkeep. The one number that lets a dear pot and a cheap pot be compared fairly — the calculator below does the arithmetic.

7. 07

   Return terms

   The window, the condition rules, who pays return shipping — read before the box is opened, not after.

8. 08

   Authorized sellers

   Is the seller on the maker's authorized list? Warranties often start — or fail to start — at the point of sale.

9. 09

   The model number, not the series

   Successor models inherit names and shed parts. Price history, reviews, and spare parts attach to the exact number, not the family name.

10. 10

    The when-not-to-buy condition

    What state of the current object, or of the budget, would make the right choice “not yet”? Decided in advance, it is a check. Decided at the store, it is a rationalization.