FTC warns companies to stop warranty practices that harm consumers’ right to repair

The Federal Trade Commission put eight companies on notice that two common practices likely violate the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: requiring you to use the manufacturer’s own parts or service to keep your warranty, and placing “warranty void if removed” stickers in spots that block routine repairs. With narrow exceptions, neither is legal — a manufacturer generally can’t condition your coverage on buying their parts or using their technicians.

In plain terms: you can usually open, inspect, and repair what you own — or hire an independent shop — without forfeiting your warranty. The reason people don’t is fear and uncertainty; those stickers work because they’re intimidating. OwnWise replaces the fear with facts: it diagnoses the likely fault, tells you whether it’s a safe DIY fix or a pro job, and helps you document the repair so that if a warranty dispute ever arises, you’re standing on the law, not a sticker.

Know your Magnuson-Moss rights; let OwnWise help you exercise them.