Glossary · Consumer purchase law

3D printing

Manufacturer's warranty

A voluntary promise, usually from the manufacturer: if the device breaks within a certain time, it is repaired or replaced. What exactly applies is set by the warrantor.

Explained in more detail

A warranty (manufacturer's warranty) is an additional, voluntary commitment, regulated in section 443 of the German Civil Code (BGB). The warrantor can be the manufacturer, the seller or a third party. The warrantor decides the duration, scope and conditions, for example which parts are covered, whether proof of purchase is required and whether the warranty passes on when the device is resold. The statutory warranty towards the seller continues to apply alongside it. For consumers, the warranty statement must be provided on a durable medium at the latest on delivery under section 479 BGB. For maker devices, wear parts often have shorter periods: Anycubic, for example, gives 6 months of warranty on the display of the Photon Mono M7, and eufyMake gives 3 months on the E1 print head.

Where does the term come from?

From the French garantie, "assurance, surety". In everyday speech warranty and statutory warranty are often treated as the same, but legally they are two different things.

In practice

• Read the warranty terms before buying: they regulate which parts are covered and for how long.
• Whether the warranty transfers when buying used is regulated by each manufacturer itself. For Snapmaker it is tied to the device according to the terms, and for Atomstack it is not transferable.
• Many manufacturers attach conditions to the warranty, such as original ink for the UV printer or proof of purchase from an authorised retailer.
• Keep the invoice and serial number; without proof of purchase, many manufacturers reject warranty claims.

Not to be confused

A manufacturer's warranty is not the statutory warranty: the statutory warranty is required by law and is directed against the seller. The manufacturer's warranty is voluntary and applies in addition, under the terms of the warrantor.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I report a warranty claim?

From the warrantor, usually the manufacturer through its support. Statutory warranty claims, by contrast, go to the seller.

Does a manufacturer's warranty extend the statutory warranty?

No. The two run independently of each other. A manufacturer's warranty of three years does not change the fact that the statutory warranty at the retailer lasts two years.