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Even After the Magnuson‐Moss Act of 1975, Warranties Are Not Easy to Understand
Author(s) -
SHUPTRINE F. KELLY,
MOORE ELLEN M.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
journal of consumer affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.582
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1745-6606
pISSN - 0022-0078
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-6606.1980.tb00677.x
Subject(s) - readability , index (typography) , actuarial science , measure (data warehouse) , business , computer science , psychology , database , world wide web , programming language
This study was designed to measure the complexity of written material in a selected group of consumer durable warranties. The Fog Index and the Flesch Count were used in determining complexity and readability of warranties. Readability levels were computed for 125 warranties in nine categories of consumer durables: washing machines, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, color televisions, coffee‐makers, can openers, stereos, bicycles, and automobiles. The results revealed that most of these warranties will be difficult to read for those with a high school education or less. As a result, the warranties examined in this study provide little protection against risk or claims for individuals who may not understand their specific terms as they are presently stated.