Debating turning in skates for a warranty claim

[Ahriman 1]

Ok so I've been on the ice maybe 8 times so far with my One95s. I got them the last week in May, so they're very much still in warranty. What I'm wondering, is if it's worth it to call in the warranty for the pictured damage.

bigger version: Biggified

Additional images here, more detailed and slightly larger:

one

two

So clearly its mostly a cosmetic thing, but then again, they are brand new, still in warranty, and thats two cut/scrapes on them that severed some of the outer material pretty good and cut into the actual structural material of the boot. I intended for these skates to last me many years so part of me is screaming "get a replacement while you still can" but I just don't know; from experience I know bauer's customer service is really good all around and would most likely replace them but I'm still just wondering if I should bother.

I'm a little torn wondering if this is something that's gonna get worse or if I should just suck it up, glue the piece down and try to put it out of mind. What does the modsquad hive mind say?

[likwidsix 0]

as long as you dont mind waiting to get them replaced, you should definitely return them, they are $750 skates not $200 ones.. i say inexcusable

[michael.yue 2]

well it does look like it's cracking and if it was me i would go through the warranty. Also if you intended for the skates to last you a long time you should try to get a replacement while you still can

[Krev 86]

Warranty those suckers. Get it done while you can, warranties are there for a reason.

[kevineleven 0]

I say Warranty - I would not take any chances with skates that expensive

[automorph 0]

Warranty but have to ask, how in the hell did that happen? Level of hockey/position you play? How many times/week you skate?

From looks of mine one95's are tanks.....

[Stacey 0]

Then again, it's not a 'manufacturers defect' it's was sustained through use possibly through incidental contact with a skate blade. Nothing would suggest it was due to bad construction from the factory. But you never know, it seems like you've already made your mind about warrantying them - Bauer's always been good with keeping their customers happy.

[big_bt 0]

One of our guys at the shop have the one95s as well and this happened to him. We called up the rep, let him know what happened and found out that there's nothing he could do. The boot was under warranty as well, but as you said it is a cosmetic thing.

[Too Old 1]

If it's a cut then how is that considered a warrantiable issue?

[interpathway 9]

For the same reason everyone takes their OPSs back to shops. Remember, manufacturer's defect replacement, not through breaking/wear from games.

[Leafsrule16 5]

Try it anyways, why not? What do you have to lose, I'd send them back asap the worst that can happen is you get the skates back, but bauers pretty good with there stuff.

[Too Old 1]

For the same reason everyone takes their OPSs back to shops. Remember, manufacturer's defect replacement, not through breaking/wear from games.

A broken stick is much tougher to pin a specific cause of breakage upon than a skate with a cut. I'm not coming down on him at all... just appeared at least in the pics that it wasn't a manufacturing defect or flaw. In my job I deal with similar issues every day and as long as we're reimbursed I'll do what I can to help a customer. But there are times when it's painfully obvious that I won't be able to warranty an item that isn't defective; rather it's damaged. If an item truly has a defect then by all means it should be replaced. If not... then you'll quickly understand why goods cost as much as they do. Cost of business is built into goods when a company has very liberal warranty policies. This can be good, or bad. Good if you have an issue; bad if you want to buy a product that in reality could sell for far less if realistic warranty policies were adhered to. Again... nothing against the OP... but if I'm missing something there in terms of a manufacturing defect please let me know.

[Ahriman 1]

Honestly I dont know how it happened exactly, I dont remember any skate to skate contact with anyone, no major spills into the boards, and the laces are in perfect condition still as well; I just came off the ice at the end of the night, took them off and was surprised to see them, but it does look like incidental blade contact from someone with a fresh sharpen.

I'm fairly confident that's what happened, I am worried that it will affect the integrity of the boot as time goes on though because it is a cut partly through the boot. I'm not sure it's entirely cosmetic, the cut through the outer material yeah cosmetic, the 2 cuts going through the stiff structural part of the boot worries me. I assume any actual replacement through warranty would be done because Bauer is "really awesome" giving the benefit of the doubt etc etc and not necessarily because they where defective right out of the box.

Just interested to see what people thought of the situation, if they had a chance at being replaced or if I should just start mixing some epoxy up to seal it as best I can right now.

[kovyperron5727 0]

Try it anyways, why not? What do you have to lose, I'd send them back asap the worst that can happen is you get the skates back, but bauers pretty good with there stuff.

I would try the warranty, that same thing happened with my One90's. If they were still under warranty, I sure as hell would have sent them back. High quality skates are expensive, and for all that money you should be getting skates that hold up better than that.

[porky45 1]

Most warranties have to go back through the LHS or Online retailer that you bought them from. It's generally their discretion as to whether or not they will take it back. In furtherance, it's cosmetic and does nothing to the structual integrity of the skate. It's basically a fleshwound, not a broken bone.

A skate doesn't magically rip there by itself.

[BMcDonald19 0]

i would trying an warrenty them. from what it looks like, it is just normal wear. they will only send you a new pair they are damaged because of a defect, and unfortunately that is just skate on skate crime... call and ask Bauer has been good to me with sticks and it doesn't hurt to ask. if not try and get them repaired... good luck man!

[Ahriman 1]

Most warranties have to go back through the LHS or Online retailer that you bought them from. It's generally their discretion as to whether or not they will take it back. In furtherance, it's cosmetic and does nothing to the structual integrity of the skate. It's basically a fleshwound, not a broken bone.

Aye, I had them in the shop where I got them for a sharpening and they seemed cool with sending them back, I just needed them that night still, so I think they'll probably go back. If nothing happens oh well, if something does, yay.

[SolarWind 23]

as (most) everybody suggested I'd personally try to warranty them

but this looks like a regular cut, and so technically falls under regular wear&tear and so isn't normally covered under warranty

BTW ever since One95 came up I maintained that the Alive material is subject to cuts because of it's texture (brittle?) - there's been multiple incidents discussed here - I also have a couple of cuts, but nothing as major as this one

[sogaduch 0]

what bauer will do honestly just glue the pieces back together with a very strong epoxy

[DarkStar50 680]

Any freshly sharpened skate applied with pressure, speed, and force will cut any skate upper boot material except Eastons. The Eastons will self destruct on their own.

[fieldofdreams 0]

Any freshly sharpened skate applied with pressure, speed, and force will cut any skate upper boot material except Eastons. The Eastons will self destruct on their own.

You bite your tongue!! Luckily, mine are still holding up, under the severe rigors of Division 8B.

[DarkStar50 680]

As I understand it, it's the skater,not the skates that seem to be having a problem lately. I hope your leg is ok.

On topic, send the skates back. While it is not a clear case of manufacturer's defect, you never know if they will get replaced unless you try. Plus, once the 90 days warranty is up, game over.

[eric42434224 1]

Any freshly sharpened skate applied with pressure, speed, and force will cut any skate upper boot material except Eastons. The Eastons will self destruct on their own.

My custom pro s15's are in near perfect shape after almost a year. Not one single stich or leather seperation, no glue issues, and still 90% stiff as day one. Granted it is twice a week adult league, but I play hard and am 225 lbs. I think some of the custom changes on my skates were incorporated into the new s17 (actually I am 100% sure that at least some were). This bodes well for Easton improving their durability. My first gen s15's fell apart in 3 months, but after these improvements, I could give them another shot with my next skate, especially with the success of my current pair. It might be a while before I am even able to try a new pair as my s15's are holing up like tanks. I know, it is wierd to me too seeing the words "s15" and "tanks" in the same sentence....but it is true.

[osurh18 0]

It can't hurt to try to send them back. The worst that can come out of it is they don't repair them.

[DarkStar50 680]

Any freshly sharpened skate applied with pressure, speed, and force will cut any skate upper boot material except Eastons. The Eastons will self destruct on their own.

My custom pro s15's are in near perfect shape after almost a year. Not one single stich or leather seperation, no glue issues, and still 90% stiff as day one. Granted it is twice a week adult league, but I play hard and am 225 lbs. I think some of the custom changes on my skates were incorporated into the new s17 (actually I am 100% sure that at least some were). This bodes well for Easton improving their durability. My first gen s15's fell apart in 3 months, but after these improvements, I could give them another shot with my next skate, especially with the success of my current pair. It might be a while before I am even able to try a new pair as my s15's are holing up like tanks. I know, it is wierd to me too seeing the words "s15" and "tanks" in the same sentence....but it is true.

That would be your answer right there. Glad to hear your CUSTOM, not retail Eastons are holding up.