Why It’s Important to Test Your Used Avionics Within the Warranty Period
Buying used avionics can be a great way to save thousands of dollars compared with purchasing new equipment. But whether you're buying a unit that was removed in working condition, bench tested or even New Old Stock, there is one thing we strongly recommend:
Check the equipment as soon as possible after receiving it.
At Skyman Avionics, qualifying equipment is covered by our 30-day warranty, beginning three business days from the date of shipment. That warranty period gives buyers time to identify functionality issues and gives us a reasonable opportunity to resolve them.
Once that warranty period has passed, things can become much more complicated, especially with consigned equipment.
Why the 30-Day Warranty Matters
A large portion of the avionics we sell are consigned to us by avionics shops and aircraft owners.
When equipment is represented to us as working when removed, we pass that information along as accurately and honestly as possible. However, because of the nature of used and consigned avionics, we don't always know every detail of an item's history. Even if we did, damage can happen in handling after removal, storage and shipping.
That's one of the reasons we provide a 30-day warranty on qualifying equipment.
If a covered item has a functionality issue that was not disclosed before the sale, let us know within the warranty period. Depending on the circumstances, the issue can be resolved through a monetary refund or replacement part. We absolutely want to help you if an issue arises and our consignors agree to do the same.
The important part is contacting us while the warranty is still active. The sooner, the better.
What Happens After 30 Days?
This is where things get considerably more difficult.
With consigned equipment, we don't simply hold the consignor's money indefinitely. Once a transaction has been completed and the applicable period has passed, the consignor has already been paid.
If a buyer contacts us well after the warranty period with a problem, we may now be dealing with a transaction that has already been completely closed out. The original owner has been paid and is no longer obligated to accept the equipment back or provide reimbursement.
That puts everyone in a difficult position.
It's why we can't stress this enough: please don't wait until after the warranty expires to check your equipment. To help with this, we are very open about our 30 day warranty period and place the terms in every product listing multiple times. Take a look at one of our listings and you'll notice that every one of them includes a photo that shows warranty terms and every description either says "30 Day Warranty!" or "No Warranty!". On top of that, we include our warranty terms on a large card that is the first thing you'll see when you open the box. Sounds pretty straight forward, right? Even with those reminders, we occasionally hear from buyers who first discover an issue after the warranty period has expired and sometimes 3, 6 or even 12 months later. We genuinely want to help whenever we can but resolving a claim outside the warranty period can create a significant financial loss for a small business like ours.
Because we operate largely on a consignment model, the majority of the sale proceeds belong to the consignor, not Skyman Avionics. Once the transaction is complete, those funds have already been paid to the consignor and generally cannot be recovered. We only retain a percentage of the sale for providing the listing, marketing, customer service, payment processing, shipping coordination and other services involved in completing the transaction.
If we choose to provide a full refund months after the warranty has expired, we're not simply giving back the profit we made on the sale. We may be refunding the entire purchase price even though we only retained a fraction of it. The portion already paid to the consignor then comes directly out of our business.
We understand that unexpected avionics problems are frustrating and we'll always do what we reasonably can to help. At the same time, we have to maintain a clear warranty period in order for our consignment model to work. We make that period highly visible before and after the sale so buyers have every opportunity to inspect and test their equipment while we still have a straightforward way to resolve a problem.
That's why the 30-day warranty isn't simply fine print—it's an important part of protecting both the buyer and our small business. If something isn't right, please let us know within that window. That's when we have the greatest ability to make it right.
"Removed Working" Doesn't Mean It Can Never Fail
Used avionics are used electronics.
A unit may have been legitimately removed from a functioning aircraft and reported as working perfectly at the time of removal. That doesn't mean it's impossible for the unit to develop an issue afterward.
Avionics can be decades old. They contain electronic components, displays, switches, connectors, capacitors, internal batteries, and other components that can deteriorate with age. Storage, shipping, handling and simply the passage of time can reveal problems that weren't apparent when the equipment was removed.
A problem developing later doesn't necessarily mean that the previous owner, avionics shop or Skyman Avionics misrepresented the equipment.
That's precisely why the warranty period exists. If utilized properly, a defective unit is nothing more than a nuisance to you.
New Old Stock Should Be Checked Too
The same principle applies to New Old Stock (NOS).
"New Old Stock" doesn't necessarily mean newly manufactured. A component may never have been installed or placed into service but could have spent years sitting on a shelf.
Age-related problems can still occur.
If you purchase New Old Stock avionics from us that are covered by our warranty, don't assume there's no reason to check them simply because they've never been used.
Verify functionality during the warranty period.
Don't Wait for Your Installation Appointment
We understand this is not always convenient.
Avionics shops can be booked weeks or months in advance. You may be purchasing equipment for an upcoming panel project, annual inspection, or future upgrade.
But your installation date does not extend the warranty period.
Whenever reasonably possible, arrange to have the equipment inspected, powered up, bench tested, or otherwise checked shortly after receiving it.
Putting a box on the shelf for two or three months and discovering a problem when your aircraft finally goes into the shop can leave very few options if the warranty has already expired.
What Our 30-Day Warranty Covers
Our 30-day warranty applies to qualifying products that were reported working when removed and begins three business days from the date of shipment.
If a functionality issue that was not disclosed prior to the sale is discovered during that period, contact us promptly. Covered claims may be resolved through a monetary refund or replacement part. We have a dedicated form on our support page that will guide you through this process.
The warranty does not cover items specifically sold or marked as:
No warranty
Sold as-is
Sold as-is for parts/repair
Unknown condition
Untested
INOP
We will disclose known functionality issues with these items to the best of our knowledge, but there may be additional unknown issues. These items are purchased at the buyer's own risk.
Additionally, incorrectly ordered parts are not generally covered as warranty claims. If we're able to make an exception and accept a non-functionality-related return, a 10% restocking fee applies. In short, do your research to ensure this is actually the part you need before purchasing. Listing and removing the item takes time and shipping back and forth creates risk. This also takes the item off market and away from someone who actually needed it.
Help Us Help You
Our goal isn't to make warranty claims difficult. It's actually the opposite.
The 30-day warranty provides a clear period where both the buyer and Skyman Avionics can identify a problem and get it resolved before the transaction is completely closed out.
So when your avionics arrive:
Open the box. Inspect the equipment. Verify the part number. Check the condition. And most importantly, test its functionality as soon as reasonably possible.
If you find a functionality issue with a covered item during the warranty period, contact us right away. Submit a warranty form and rest assured that you will be taken care of.
Waiting until after the warranty has expired, particularly after a consignor has already been paid, can turn what could have been a straightforward return or replacement into a much more complicated situation.
The Bottom Line
Used avionics can provide tremendous value but they are still used electronic equipment. "Removed working," "reported working when removed," and "New Old Stock" should never be interpreted as a guarantee that an item cannot develop a problem.
That's what the warranty period is for.
Take advantage of it. Check your equipment promptly and if something isn't right, give us the opportunity to address it within the 30-day warranty period.
Questions about an item or our warranty policy? Contact Skyman Avionics before purchasing. We're always happy to clarify the condition and warranty status of a particular unit.
Email us at info@skymanavionics.com or call at 541-604-9573
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