[Rick Carver]

TD

Yes,,,, all warranties MUST have a TRUE cost or value clearly written out. Without an associated cost you actually have no BASE to mount any type of argument pro or con when a warranty may be in question. In court, if you did a $5,000 dollar install and guarantee the material for a year in FACT the associated cost for warranty coverage would be $5,000 in any court! Protect youself folks and protect your honesty and integrity and your customers good will by really understanding warranty and guarantee coverage.

The only thing I'm suggesting here is to stand out from the rest of your competition and simply SHOW the customer the cost of the warranty that is included with this proposal/contract.
Give the customer a chance to understand your companies PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTING POLICY regarding warranties.
Let them choose the warranty option that they like the best. Keep it simple and straight forward.
EX. Yes Mrs. Jones you recieve our standard 30 day no questions asked replacement warranty on all plant material we install. Then if you wish we will be glad to include in the contract an EXTENDED warranty for 3,6,12, months (your choice to decide here) for replacement including labor. This warranty coverage includes every plant up to a total warranty limit of $200, $500, $2,000 or untill the 3,6,12 month term limit is up. Which ever comes first.
HOWEVER Mrs. Jones,,,, I am also including our NO GIMMICK, NO RISK, extended warranty refund policy (minus a 3% or whatever administrative charge) of all unused warranty monies at the end of the term limit. WHY? Why would I offer this??? Because I am a landscaper not an insurance salesman. I am confident that not many other companies I compete with Mrs Jones can offer this.
I don't want to make money off of warranties Mrs Jones, I would rather you put your money into additional plantings or towards a maint. contract etc.

So,,,, again yes the warranty should ALWAYS BE CONDITIONAL NO MATTER WHAT!
When you really think about it,,,, why would we ever offer a warranty without conditions attached,,, such as,,,, a time limit and price cap??? Why some do? Because maybe they have never been pinched in court yet,,,,,,,, and/or maybe the following season when they are replacing plants from last year they truly do not know what kind of a hit there NET is taking.

Warranties can be used as an additional income source if you like,,, I have no problem with that,,,, just make sure you look into all the really neat and VERY VERY EFFECTIVE ways that warranties can help close sales, protect your net, portray a much better professional image, and get your customers to look no further then your organization to do HONEST business with from now on.

Man O Man,,,, 2 nights in a row,,,,, I have been able to actually take some time away from the nursery and my private gardens to see how yous all are doin,,,,, :-) :-)

Rick