What does the word "warranted" mean?

[chickpea]

warranted, like others have mentioned means that it is guaranteed to contain ~58% gold. What does that get you if the nib is, in fact, NOT ~58% gold? It gives you a breach of warranty, which is a lawsuit against the person who sold you the pen, for the breach. You will be entitled to the difference between what you have (a nib that isn't 58% gold) and what you were promised (a nib that is ~58% gold). Is it worth bringing a lawsuit for this, probably not. So in reality, the term warranted 14K does not really provide you with any sort of added benefit. It would be no different if the nib had no writing on it, but instead was advertised as a 14K solid gold nib. Really, you are far better off purchasing a product from a merchant that you trust over relying on warranties. Same goes for all purchases (whether a trivial purchase or a multimillion dollar purchase). Ultimately, the best guarantee of performance is a trustworthy person across the table from you.

 

Just to be clear on the matter, nibs stamped "Warranted 14K" were generally made between 1900-1950, so lawsuits are really not an option (if you could even determine who made the nibs in the 1st place). Nobody stamps their nibs "Warranted 14K" anymore, so it is not relevant to new pens. While the advise on trustworthyness is generally good advice it isn't really the issue here.

 

John

 

I disagree, unless the seller disclaims all warranties express or implied at time of sale, even a RESELLER has probably warranted that this nib is 14K, provided the purchaser relied upon such assertion contained on the nib. Again, warranties for low cost items <=$5,000 are probably not worth the paper (or metal) they are written on, unless you can bring a suit for statutory damages under a consumer protection statute of some kind, which in some cases award treble damages/statutory damages and attys fees (which are irrespective of cost of item) depending on the state (US).

[Johnny Appleseed]

warranted, like others have mentioned means that it is guaranteed to contain ~58% gold. What does that get you if the nib is, in fact, NOT ~58% gold? It gives you a breach of warranty, which is a lawsuit against the person who sold you the pen, for the breach. You will be entitled to the difference between what you have (a nib that isn't 58% gold) and what you were promised (a nib that is ~58% gold). Is it worth bringing a lawsuit for this, probably not. So in reality, the term warranted 14K does not really provide you with any sort of added benefit. It would be no different if the nib had no writing on it, but instead was advertised as a 14K solid gold nib. Really, you are far better off purchasing a product from a merchant that you trust over relying on warranties. Same goes for all purchases (whether a trivial purchase or a multimillion dollar purchase). Ultimately, the best guarantee of performance is a trustworthy person across the table from you.

 

Just to be clear on the matter, nibs stamped "Warranted 14K" were generally made between 1900-1950, so lawsuits are really not an option (if you could even determine who made the nibs in the 1st place). Nobody stamps their nibs "Warranted 14K" anymore, so it is not relevant to new pens. While the advise on trustworthyness is generally good advice it isn't really the issue here.

 

John

 

I disagree, unless the seller disclaims all warranties express or implied at time of sale, even a RESELLER has probably warranted that this nib is 14K, provided the purchaser relied upon such assertion contained on the nib. Again, warranties for low cost items <=$5,000 are probably not worth the paper (or metal) they are written on, unless you can bring a suit for statutory damages under a consumer protection statute of some kind, which in some cases award treble damages/statutory damages and attys fees (which are irrespective of cost of item) depending on the state (US).

 

So you really think an ebay seller or antique dealer could be held to a 50 year-old warrant on used products? I am a little dubious of that.

 

John

 

[jbb]

I just noticed that my Gillott 404 dip pen nib (which is STEEL not gold) is marked "warranted." What are they warranting in this case? That it's a Gillott nib?

[RevAaron]

Good question- but I've seen the same thing on some fountain pen nibs. Jumping on the bandwagon? Guarunteeing that it's stainless steel, rather than a steel that will more easil corrode? No clue!