New Purchase Warranty: A Must Read For New e-Scooter Owners
Electric kick scooters- aka; e-scooter, are being sold at major retail websites like Bestbuy, Walmart; and also at the websites of those who sell the brand name e-scooters, and there are plenty of those online.
Whether you pay $400, or $1400 for your new electric kick scooter, it will most likely have a new purchase warranty. What the warranty includes(scooter components), and what time duration(6mth,1yr,2yr) it covers, is where the electric kick scooter brands can vary. Whether you purchase your scooter at a website like Amazon, or a specific brand website like NiuKQi, it will include a 30 day return policy, and also and a new purchase warranty of 6mth, or 1 - 2 years.
30 Day Return
For any shipping, especially if you are returning your escooter within the first 30 days, you must return it in the same box you received it in, with all the packaging. If you don't they can charge you a fee, and some brands won't accept it if shipped to them without the original packaging. Also important; you must contact the brand first before sending any e-scooter to them, because they want to send you a 'return shipping label'. Each brand website can vary on this so read their warranty page carefully for instructions on how to return ship your escooter.
Example, if you are returning it within the first 30 days, a particular e-scooter brand may require you contact them within a specific time-frame from the purchase date. If you don't, they may not honor the 30-day return policy. Each brand website can vary on this, so read their warranty page carefully for instructions on how to return ship your escooter and within what timeframe.
One Year Warranty
In my research covering the major electric scooter brand websites, I found that most offered a one year warranty for a new scooter purchase, while a few offered a six month warranty. And, some brand websites also gave the option to purchase additional extended warranty coverage for a cost, which can be purchased at the same time you buy your e-scooter.
We don't always research the warranty for the tiny details on our new purchases; because usually so many things we buy don't require warranty service or maintenance. Buying an electric kick scooter(aka- e-scooter) is definitely an exciting purchase. And, one that might require warranty service after you've been commuting for some time. e-Scooter components are overall quite affordable, but some components are a tad pricey, like the battery. So, knowing whats covered for your new e-scooter, for both parts and servicing and/or replacing them, is worth researching, as not all e-scooter warranties are the same.
Component Coverage Time Frames
eScooter component coverage can vary from brand to brand, both for warranty time frame, and for things like labour(cost to replace or fix the warranty covered part). For example, with some brands, they will supply the scooter part, but you are responsible to pay the cost to fix it. While other brands will cover the cost for the part and to fix it. And for shipping; most brands do not cover the cost of shipping your e-scooter to them for warranty work, however, some brands will cover the cost if it is a defect issue or within the first 30 days of purchase. Note: some brands highly recommend you buy some type of 'shipping insurance' when returning your e-scooter for servicing, warranty or otherwise; because if you don't and something happens to your e-scooter, they will not replace it.(Pricey!)
Warranty Repairs
Warranty repair work on your escooter is covered for the majority of electric kick scooter components. Brand websites, at their warranty section will list the components covered and the warranty time frame on them, and if you have to pay the cost to have a part repaired or replaced.
Batteries on electric kick scooters are usually only covered for six months. Except for a couple of brands, this is common across all brands I researched.
How To Start A Warranty Claim
To get warranty service for any issue, you must take a photo of the e-scooter at the repair site(example your tire), and send those to them with an explanation of what happened. This can be sent by email to their warranty service email address which is listed at the website. They will then contact you with instructions to send your e-scooter to them if necessary, or instructions on how to fix it yourself.
If you opt to fix it yourself,(if it's possible), they will confirm that with you, and then they send you the part you need and an instruction video on how to repair or replace that part.
If you do have to ship the e-scooter to them, you usually have to pay the shipping fee unless it is a defective issue with the escooter. In that case, they usually will pay the shipping fees. Some brands will pay the shipping cost for one way.
No warranty coverage is available for misuse of your e-scooter, or neglect on your behalf.
Best to read the warranty details at your brand's website to get the exact coverage info about your new scooter. Most brand websites have a section dedicated to warranty service.
Maintenance Videos
To keep your e-scooter in excellent shape, many of brand websites have 'Maintenance', or 'How To' videos available for free; whereby you can watch a particular video that gives instruction on how to repair, and replace components that can be easily fixed. And, many e-scooter brand websites also sell their own replacement parts making it easy for consumers to maintain their e-scooter without a big expense of having to ship it for simple maintenance or repairs they can do themselves.
Amazon Shopping
Amazon now offers an extended warranty plan for e-scooter purchases with a third party Insurance Company(Asurion). You can simply select it at the time of purchase. The plan details the cost, duration, and what's included; so you get all the information at the time of your purchase at their website. If you decide to purchase the extended Warranty Coverage, the packet is sent separately from your e-scooter purchase, but does arrive shortly afterwards.
200+ million customers have purchased the extended warranty coverage that is available shopping at Amazon. From what I have read, the cost is reasonable, and the coverage is quite good, featuring a 'no deductible', should you require warranty service. And, if they cannot fix your e-scooter, they send you an Amazon gift card for the value of your e-scooter, based on the extended coverage you selected, which is basically the 'value' of your electric kick scooter when you purchased it. And, also good, they pay for shipping costs.(Nice!) Ok, how much you ask; Example: I put an e-scooter valued at $400 in my cart, and said 'Yes', to the 2 year Extended Warranty, and got a price of $49(one time) for a 2 year plan. Keep in mind, this extended warranty begins after your e-scooter manufacturers warranty expires(1yr usually). As mentioned, you can check the nitty details covered by browsing to the website link from Amazon for the Insurance Company that provides this warranty service.
Another nice feature of shopping at Amazon is their free delivery service(on millions of items) which you can get by purchasing an Amazon Prime membership. And, with Prime you get same day to two day delivery service on lots of items like movies, whey protein powder, coat racks, drapes, cell phone cases, and groceries. In addition to free and fast delivery service, you have free access to lots of movies(including originals), music, books; and my favourite; free food delivery for up to one year with 'DashPass'.
Many restaurants and fast foods now have DashPass service, so no matter what delivery service you use most, they likely offer the 'DashPass' free food delivery. You can easily check by browsing food providers from UberEats, SkipTheDishes, and look for the little logo that says 'DashPass' next to your favourite restaurant logo or name. If they have it, you get free delivery because you are a Amazon Prime Member. After the free year trial(Canada, USA), you have to pay a fee if you want to continue the DashPass service. In USA, the DoorDash(DashPass) offers a similar service to its' Amazon Prime Members.
Summary
Buying your first e-Scooter is a big deal! You'll be contributing to the micromobility era and at the same time having fun scooting around on your new wheels. The one you buy will have a standard e-scooter warranty covering most major components and with some brands, other smaller components are covered also. Given the expense of shipping, even for covered warranty repairs, you might opt to repair and replace components yourself. The good news is that they are so affordable, and easy to maintain yourself with the many readily available 'repair, and fix it yourself' videos and tutorials online.The cost to own an e-scooter is affordable compared to other modes of transportation(except walking). Whether you want to invest in an 'extended warranty' is really a matter of cost convenience. The battery is going to be your biggest expense, and typically they last about 2 years with average commuting. Depending on what you pay for your first e-scooter, and what a new battery will cost down the road; plus factoring in expected repairs like tire maintenance(tire tubes, new tires), you might decide it's more cost efficient to just buy another e-scooter in a couple of years time.
And, another consideration, e-scooters are still evolving: new brands -models, new features, better batteries - more efficient; so these factors can also affect your buying decision now and for the future.
Homepage