Forum: bicycles.stackexchange.com
Tags: <replacement><lock><damage><theft>
Title: Warranty on lock damaged during attempted theft
Question: Someone attempted to steal my girlfriend's bike tonight and they damaged the lock.   Do you guys know if we can use the warranty to get it exchanged? The lock has a 2 year warranty and I'm planning to take it to Decathlon to check what they can do but in the meanwhile is there anything we could do?

Answers:
sents: text: Warranties exist to protect you, the consumer, against defects in materials or workmanship, not against deliberate damage.
text: The purpose of a bike lock is to help avoid your bike being stolen, so if it has prevented a theft of the bicycle then it has done its job well.
text: Perhaps you can ask Decathlon and report back to us by answering your own question for future readers, that would be most useful.
text: You would have to explore if the damage is covered by any of your insurances, check local laws on any time limits to report the attempted theft by (to police etc).
text: Sometimes lock companies will offer private schemes to replace stolen goods, like this number one Google hit , but you would probably know about such a scheme if it was advertised on your product and you'd likely need to have registered the purchase.
text: In this case, you bought a lock to protect the bike, and it worked, which is great.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/38558/Swifty
score: 34
sents: text: Some locks offer "insurance" where you can get a payout if their lock fails to protect your bike.
text: Of course there are caveats like "lock must be used" and "thief must leave lock behind" (for inspection for weakness) and so on, and even "lock must be registered with company"
text: The only places that can tell you details would be the supplier and the manufacturer.
text: Half-related, the lock has worked this time, but thief knows what is needed next time and may return with the right tool.
text: I'd add another lock, or store the bike inside from now on.
text: You've had your warning, don't ignore it.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/19705/Criggie
score: 17
sents: text: It still doesn't hurt to contact the manufacturer, but do not talk to as if they owe you anything.
text: Do an open inquiry and see if there's anything they can do.
text: Companies can actually do things out of the ordinary and isn't only bound by warranties.
text: Maybe they'll want your lock back to examine how it survived a theft and give you a replacement.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/22635/Nelson
score: 12
sents: text: Locks are consumables.
text: Just like helmets, seatbelts and airbags, you're supposed to get a new one after it's used, even successfully.
text: In general, physical security devices are never about denying access.
text: They are about delaying access.
text: Delaying long enough that the chances of getting caught rise to the point that the risk becomes unacceptable (compared to the value of the items being stolen).
text: Anyone can defeat ANY lock, given enough time.
text: That's by design.
text: Your lock worked as it should.
text: The bike was saved, your move now is to thank the manufacturer for a job well done and buy another lock.
text: There is no claim to be made.
text: Just like there is no claim about brake pads getting smaller from use.
text: As others have said, they MAY give you one for publicity, but that's quite far fetched.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/32724/Agent_L
score: 3
sents: text: You've misunderstood what a warranty is for.
text: A warranty protects you against a defective product due to, e.g., errors in manufacturing or possibly design.
text: For example, your lock's warranty might offer you a replacement if the locking mechanism jammed unexpectedly soon, or if the plastic coating on the shackle became brittle and cracked off.
text: Warranties do not protect against people actively trying to destroy the product.
text: That's what insurance is for.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/13174/David Richerby
score: 2
sents: text: So i went to Decathlon and as expected the guy told me that he couldn't replace the lock (Oxford Sentinel plus btw).
text: I asked him if he thought i should replace the lock and he said that unless, the guy had a lot of time or an electric saw thingy, the lock should be fine because he only removed the cover bit of the lock.
text: Anyway thanks for all your help!
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/46045/Yujin Kim
score: 1

Summary of the answers:
S0: Warranties exist to protect you, the consumer, against defects in materials or workmanship, not against deliberate damage. The purpose of a bike lock is to help avoid your bike being stolen, so if it has prevented a theft of the bicycle then it has done its job well.   Sometimes lock companies will offer private schemes to replace stolen goods, like  this number one Google hit , but you would probably know about such a scheme if it was advertised on your product and you'd likely need to have registered the purchase. It is advised to keep the bike inside to avoid attempted or actual theft.
Warranties protect against defective products, not deliberate damage. This lock slowed the thief down enough to prevent the theft, and should be replaced if necessary. Insurance may protect against this kind of damage, and some companies will replace damaged or destroyed locks. Since you know that your bike has been targeted, you may want to lock it up more securely or store it inside in future.