They just don’t seem to make many things like they did when my grandparents were young. When my grandma passed away, as we cleaned out her stuff, my mom found countless items that she still used regularly that she had received as wedding gifts. That kind of craftsmanship is more difficult to find these days, but there are still a few companies that can be counted on to stand by their products.
Tupperware
There’s a reason Tupperware has been a household staple for decades. These products come with a limited lifetime guarantee against “chipping, cracking, breaking or peeling,” according to the Tupperware website. If your grandma’s hand me down Tupperware breaks, though, and you need a replacement — you’ll be sent a comparable item or offered a company credit.
Pampered Chef Kitchen Utensils
More recently, you’ll find frugal kitchens full of Pampered Chef items. You might be a little wary of your friend who wants to host kitchen-item parties in your living room, but Pampered Chef really stands by their products. Many of their products have a lifetime guarantee for defects in materials or workmanship. If the actual product can’t be replaced, Pampered Chef will also send you a comparable item or offer a company credit.
Craftsman Hand Tools
Everyone needs a few tools around the house and with this lifetime guarantee, there’s no reason to not make them Craftsman. Now clearly, some tools come with parts that wear down and need to be replaced regularly — stripped screwdriver bits, sand paper, etc. — but any tools labeled “full warranty” are under a lifetime guarantee. If anything on it breaks, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge.
Briggs and Riley Luggage
Luggage is always an investment and it’s easy to pick the cheap way out, but with luggage you get what you pay for. Paying for a bag with a lifetime guarantee is going to be worth it, even if it is two or three times what you intended to spend. Briggs and Riley will repair any broken or damaged part of your luggage, whether that damage was done under your care or the airline’s. You do have to cover the shipping to send it in for repairs, but they pay to ship it back.
Dr. Martens For Life Boots and Shoes
Shoes take a beating and Dr. Martens are no exception; however, the company stands by their product and promises to replace any aspect of their For Life line — as long as you register the shoes within 60 days of buying them. Additionally, you have to pay a $35 shipping charge, but if you’re a big fan of Docs, you know $35 is a lot less than you would pay for a new pair.
L.L. Bean
This clothing company really stands by their 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. As long as you have a receipt, you can return or exchange any L.L. Bean clothing (as long as it’s clean). Even without a receipt, you can still return an item at any time for store credit.
JanSport
Get your kid one backpack at the beginning of school and stick with it for the next 12 years if you go with a JanSport. This lifetime guarantee applies to any backpack. If anything happens to it, send it back to JanSport and they will repair or replace it for free and mail it back to you.
Otterbox
The vast majority of Otterbox phone cases also have a lifetime guarantee. Just pay for the shipping and Otterbox will repair any issues you have with the case. Admittedly, you’re not too likely to have the same type of phone for a lifetime — but if you have a kid who is especially tough on their phone and its case, this is certainly a brand to look into.
Don’t forget — frugality is based on the idea of getting the best deal, not the cheapest. Many of these items cost a little more than you would pay for a similar version from another company, but if you only have to pay for it once over a lifetime, it’s a much better deal than replacing an item repeatedly, even if it’s only every couple of years!
More from U.S. News
12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender
10 Foolproof Ways to Reach Your Money Goals
Items with a Lifetime Guarantee originally appeared on usnews.com
