What is an expressed warranty?

An expressed warranty is fundamentally characterized as an oral or written statement made by the seller regarding the qualities, capabilities, or conditions of the goods being sold. This type of warranty is explicitly communicated to the buyer, and it can derive from various forms of sales communication, such as advertisements, product descriptions, or direct statements made during the sales process.

When a seller makes an expressed warranty, they are assuring the buyer that the product will meet certain standards or perform in a specific way. For example, if a seller states that a television has a one-year warranty against defects, this constitutes an expressed warranty. The significance lies in the fact that the buyer relies on this assertion when making the purchasing decision, and it can also serve as a basis for any potential claims should the product not perform as guaranteed.

In contrast, other types of warranties, such as implied warranties, do not require a specific statement and instead arise from the transaction's context or applicable laws. Therefore, focusing on the seller's explicit assurances to the buyer is what defines an expressed warranty.