Buyer beware: Warranty is most underrated detail in buying a treadmill

By AARON DORKSEN – 3G Cardio Fitness Editor

When it comes time to shop for a treadmill, ALWAYS make sure to factor in the warranty.

Too often people are fooled by fancy bells and whistles, or seeing “SALE” flashed across a storefront window or a website.

Look past those attention grabbers and find the warranty information. That will tell you what you really need to know.

The price does not matter if the treadmill has a short, or limited warranty.

Many treadmills on Amazon.com seem like a good deal and have decent ratings, but what happens if you have a problem?

Always look in the detailed description of the treadmill listed on Amazon, or other websites. If it doesn’t tell you what the warranty is there is a problem.  Many of these treadmills have only a 30-day warranty!

Some companies undersell the competition, but they know full well that five or seven years or so down the line people will be coming back to them to buy replacement parts and/or service and often wind up spending another $500-700. (There goes the initial “good deal” out the window.)

KNOW YOUR COMPANY

Another key factor is to learn something about the company you’re thinking of buying from. That should go for many types of online products – not just treadmills.

Does the treadmill brand have a website? Try to find the actual website and you may be shocked to find out there is none.

Many of these “great deals” are treadmills being sold directly by overseas companies, which do not have any actual customer service departments.

• What do you do if there is a problem?
• Who is going to send replacement parts?
• Who is going to send a refund if the product is defective?

Good luck getting help from a company located in China with no dealer in the U.S.

Make sure you a buying a treadmill from a reputable company with great customer service.

3G CARDIO ADVANTAGE

The award-winning 3G Cardio company based out of Phoenix, Arizona, covers all the bases when it comes to it treadmills.

3G Cardio treadmills are user friendly, constructed out of high-grade parts, priced competitively and have outstanding warranties. That’s a grand slam.

The 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill delivers health club quality at an unbeatable price. If you are looking to save even more money, or are tight on space, it’s tough to beat the space saving of the 3G Cardio Pro Runner Treadmill. They are all built extremely sturdy, but take up small areas and can be folded up for storage.

*The 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill  is a full-size, commercial quality machine that sells for thousands less than comparable models.

It’s 3G’s biggest and best model, taking up a footprint of 84 inches (length) x 35 1-2 (width). The Elite Runner has a 22-inch x 62 running surface that features an upgraded Ortho Flex Shock suspension system, a 12-mph max speed powered by a 4.0 HP motor, outstanding entertainment and programming options and one of the best warranties in the category.

• Residential Warranty: Lifetime motor, lifetime frame, 10 years parts, 2 years in-home labor.
• Commercial Warranty: 5 years motor and frame, 5 years parts, 1 year in-home labor.

*The 3G Cardio Pro Runner Treadmill  is in the middle as far as price and size goes, but offers outstanding performance.

The Pro Runner needs a space of 74 x 35 in your home, office or wherever else you choose to set it up. It has a 20-inch x 58 folding running surface and also features the upgraded Ortho Flex Shock suspension system. It also has a 12 mph max speed and is powered by a 3.0 HP motor, while also featuring great entertainment, fitness testing and programming options.

Most folding treadmills lack the quality construction needed to run at higher speeds or longer distances, but that is not the case with the Pro Runner Treadmill.

• Residential Warranty: Lifetime motor, lifetime frame, 5 years parts, 1 year in-home labor.