For Christmas my wife gave me a Lotus Triple Torch Lighter (The Wedge). Saturday, I get out of the truck, light a cigar and walk up to the deck with the lighter in hand. I sit down on the deck and after a few minutes go to touch up the cigar and no joy. The lighter has not been out of my hand, not struck or bumped anything, not been dropped, nothing. Gas comes out of the lighter, but no ignition. Usually there is a "click" as the piezo is triggered, but now, nothing. WTH...

I know where my wife bought the lighter so I run down and see Howard about it. He confirms that Lotus has a 2 year warranty, but that I'll need to send it back because Lotus doesn't like too deal with their dealers on warranty items. He even looks, but doesn't have a replacement lighter. No problem really, just a hassle having to send the lighter back. Fortunately my trip to the Keys has been postponed and I can make due for a couple of weeks until it comes back.

[rant on]

Here's my pet peeve: I have to send $9.00 with the lighter to cover return postage. I guess I could understand if I had had the lighter for several months, but I have had it less than a month before it failed. It kind of chaps me that I have to spend an additional $9 on top of what my wife spent. I spoke with a lady on the phone a few minutes ago, and although she was very nice about it, she confirmed that I need to send the money.

[/rant]

Am I off base here or does this bother anyone else? Some of ya'll know me, and you'll notice I don't gripe and complain about a lot of things, but this just strikes me kinda wrong. I'm sending it in tomorrow, but I'm going to include a letter expressing my "disappointment" that I need to pay more money for a defective product. We'll see what happens.
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Spot on far as i'm concerned. They should replace it no charge.
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So you have to pay postage to return it to them and again for when they ship it back to you?

That blows big time.
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Return it for a refund if you can and pick up a Xikar.
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:-) :-)
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Just use your $9 and buy 3 Ronsons that will last the rest of your life and light first click every time!
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Well for $9 you can get three of these delivered to your door and have a buck leftover for a Double Cheeseburger! :-) Not as pretty but much more functional(you can see the fluid reservoir). These are also extremely durable lighters. Warranty??? Who needs a warranty for $2 each!

http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4179
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I just did :-)
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Did you get the cheeseburger too???:-):-)
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Those are bad for you :-)
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Thanks for the responses. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't out of line.

I have a Calibri that I've had for close to 10 years that stopped working last year. Even with a lifetime warranty I would expect to pay postage on that, but not on a product that failed after less than a month of use.


I thought about that, but as it was a present from my wife, it is special and I would like to honor the spirit it was given.

Actually, the Ronson that DrHalle gave me last year at ggainey's herf has been the most dependable lighter I've had since my old Calibri died. Kinda sad when you think about it!

Again, thanks for the input!
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Dan aka Elderboy gave me one of those cheapies from the link. Works every time!
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That sucks they should pay the postage back
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These work great. Well worth the $2
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Steve, I have a feeling that you'll send the dang thing with the money and never see your lighter again!!! It will get lost in the postage and they'll tell you "Too bad, so sad"!!!

Keep the gifted lighter as a paperweight and use something that works!!!:-)
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I'll send it with delivery confirmation :-)
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Sorry Steve.

My wife bought a Vector for me, she bought it online from a link that I provided to her. It was acting strange recently and I took it into a local B&M that I know sells them. They sent it off for me no questions asked, no money out of pocket, no cost whatsoever. Matter of fact, I'm going to pick it up today.

They'll get more of my business.
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This really stinks. Thanks for letting us know. I've been thinking of upgrading lately. I know what lighter I'm not going to buy...
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