Call Kurtis: Why Your Warranty May Not Last As Long As You Think

LINCOLN (CBS13) -- Often when you buy something, there's a warranty. But when Louis Margolies said the three-year warranty for their recliners expired early, it was time to Call Kurtis.

Margolies had two recliners for two years and eight months when he said the chairs stopped working correctly.

But listen up, because we've learned a three-year warranty may not be as long as you think.

"It's like grinding," Margolies said.

He said it doesn't sound right.

Both of the matching motorized recliners he and his wife Janet bought were making weird noises when they recline the chairs.

RC Willey sold them the recliners less than three years ago, with a three-year warranty.

But when they tried to get them fixed, Louis and Janet said the manufacturer said the warranty already expired, because it started from the date of manufacture, not the date sold.

"Their warranty ain't worth two cents," Margolies said.

Do furniture warranties really start the day the furniture is made?

Not according to industry standards, said the California Furniture Manufacturers Association. It's normaly it's when it's sold.

But CFMA confirms in a small number of cases, the warranty could start the date it's manufactured -- and depending on how long the item sits for sale, that warranty could actually run out before the furniture is even sold.

The BBB's Gary Almond said most of us think a warranty starts from the date we buy something, and stores should be clear if that's not the case.

"The customer most times does not know the date of manufacture," he said. "In effect, the warranty is never a three year warranty, so it's misleading just at its face value."

We reached out to the manufacturer which said it would provide the replacement parts for free.

And once we reached out to RC Willey, the company agreed to cover the installation of the part, saying this type of warranty is "very unusual."

Louis and Janet now know three years may not always be as long as you think.

"It's not fair business practice," he said.

The manufacturer, Best Home Furnishings, said although the warranty expired, they did offer Louis a part for free. Louis said that didn't happen.

The company said most of their furniture is custom made, which means the warranty often starts a few days after it's bought when it's manufactured.

The company said these chairs were not custom made.