Headings make it easy to find information in a document. Research has show that most people prefer to read material that is broken into sections by headings rather than one solid block of text. Informative headings can help customers find the specific information that they are looking for quickly and easily.
It is wise to use the headings for your warranty the information required by the FTC's Rule on Disclosure of Written Consumer Product Warranty Terms and Conditions.These headings will help provide important information to consumers in a concise and non-repetitive manner.
The headings they recommend are:
- What the Warranty Covers (and, if necessary for clarity, What it Does Not Cover);
- What the Period of Coverage Is;
- What We (the company) Will Do to Correct Problems (and, if necessary for clarity, What the Company Will Not Do);
- How You (the customer) Can Get Service; and
- How State Law Relates to the Warranty
You may need to use additional headings in your warranty if all the conditions and limitations cannot be dealt with adequately using only the recommended headings.
Regardless of which headings you use to organize your warranty, be sure the headings are specific and informative. You may, for example, want to use questions as headings because they reflect what consumers ask about warranty coverage. We do not recommend headings that consist of a single noun or a string of nouns. These are usually vague and general and do not give readers enough information to let them know what follows in the text. For example, the following headings, all of which come from one warranty, are not very useful or informative:
- Parts Warranty
- Extended Porcelain Finish Warranty
- Warranty Service
- Extended Warranty Service labor Allowance
- Ownership
- Warranty Conditions
- Federal Regulatory Provisions
- Purchaser's Responsibility
- Purchase Registration
- Model and Serial Numbers
- Factory Assistance
Headings are clearer and more effective if they are written in parallel grammatical structure. For example, use all questions or all statements in headings but do not mix questions and statements.
Here are some examples of parallel, informative headings:
- What Does This Warranty Cover?
- What Does This Warranty Not Cover?
- What is the Period of Coverage?
- What Will We Do to Correct Problems?
- What Will We Not Do?
- How Do You Get Service?
- What Must You Do to Keep the Warranty in Effect?
- How Does State Law Relate to This Warranty?
Whatever structure you choose for your headings, be sure each heading is appropriate for the portion of text to which it refers. This heading, for example, is not appropriate for he text which follows.
Ownership
This appliance parts warranty remains in force for one year from the initial delivery of the appliance. The warranty continues in force for one year even if the first purchaser sells the appliance.
A more appropriate way to treat headings for this text would be:
Who is Covered?
This warranty covers the purchaser of this appliance and anyone else who owns it during the warranty period.How Long Does the Coverage Last?
This warranty remains in force for one year from the date the dealer delivers the appliance.
Occasionally a piece of information may fall logically under more than one heading. Put each piece of information under the most appropriate heading and try not to repeat it elsewhere in the warranty. Repeating information makes the warranty longer and may confuse readers.
Numbers cannot take the place of informative headings. In fact, arbitrarily numbered paragraphs may be confusing. Consumers may infer a relationship among numbered paragraphs which does not exist. Here is an example of a warranty which inappropriately uses numbers as a substitute for headings:
- Flowco unconditionally and directly guarantees the faucet...
- Should any one of your Flowco faucets develop a leak or...
- We'll appreciate your prompt return of the faulty faucet...
- This guarantee covers only the operating mechanism...
- After many years of use, you may one day want to purchase a replacement for one of your Flowco faucets. They are available...
- The replacement of the operating mechanism of a Flowco faucet completely renews...
On the other hand, if you are listing a small number of related items or provisions, numbering the items may help consumers remember them. For example:
How to Get Service
Deliver the appliance, along with proof of the date of purchase, to any one of the following:
- The dealer from whom you bought the appliance;
- Any USA Co. distributor's service department; or
- Any USA Co. Authorized Service Center.
Normal Responsibilities of the Buyer
- Installing and using the appliance according to directions;
- Replacing light bulbs;
- Connecting the appliance properly to a power supply of sufficient voltage;
- Replacing blown fuses; and
- Repairing loose connections or defects in house wiring.
