Big fat warning in advance to anyone that ever considers purchasing a Belkin product -- DON'T DO IT.
Most especially don't do it if you aren't prepared to find that their so called "lifetime warranty" on their product is anything but.
Why am I attacking what should be a fine company that stands behind their products? Because they don't, or should I say, won't stand behind their product.
Recently I purchased a used/like-new Belkin Bluetooth adapter via eBay. There-in lies the problem. In it's infinite wisdom, Belkin's support staff has decided that because I purchased through a third-party, I must go back to said third party to get the item replaced or repaired, and then that third-party may in turn get the replacement. Unfortunately, since I purchased the item from a third party, Belkin feels that they can void their own warranty and ignore their promise to their customer.
Such exclusions can be common place, but I've never experienced difficulties with Belkin products, and in fact have had to get some Belkin products which I purchased from retailers such as CompUSA or others replaced. In those instances, Belkin has generally stood behind their products, which I greatly appreciated.
But it is not acceptable to me that Belkin has now decided that they can void their warranty because someone has purchased an item used, or from a third-party vendor.
Not providing support reflects incredibly poorly on Belkin. They used to be a company I would go out of my way to buy products from, but if they wish to start trying to weasel out of providing support for their products, than they are most certainly no better than any other provider I can buy from, and also most certainly not worth spending any sort of premium on. Their prices have traditionally been higher than cheaper alternatives, but again, they deserved to be paid higher prices because they stood behind their products.
Now they no longer wish to stand behind their products, and instead wish to use technicalities to avoid having to provide replacement for their products. Such business practice is shameful. When a customer is honest with Belkin about where they purchased a product, they are turned away, where if someone lies to them and says that they got the product as a gift, or purchased it long ago from a retailer like CompUSA or Best Buy they will continue to receive support.
The best answer I have is to vote with my wallet, and to encourage others to do the same. DO NOT BUY BELKIN PRODUCTS. They won't support you, especially if you buy from a third party. Give your money to other vendors that will provide support. I know that Belkin just cost themselves big at my normal place of employment, and any future place of employment I might be involved at. Congratulations Mr. Tyler and the Belkin customer service department for a great reputation that you've now ruined.
