I intended for this post to be a vlog but as you can see that didn’t work out so well for me this week. I will come up with something else to vlog about, don’t you worry! 
What seems like a year ago, I tweeted one Saturday morning that I was working on “registration management” and how it’s so important to register all products that have the option to do so.
I received numerous questions asking what “registration management” was and also why I was still working on my “baby registry!”
“Registering” and “registering products” are two very different tasks. Registering your products is filing your information as an owner of the product with the manufacturer of that item.
So why is this important?
Three Main Reasons to Register Your Products
1. To ensure you can take full advantage of the manufacturers warranty.
Most products from electronics to small kitchen appliances to baby gear all come with warranties of some sort.
2. For recall purposes.
Every now and then (or very often) products have some sort of recall. If you are registered as an owner of one of those products, the manufacturer can easily contact you.
3. Receiving Replacements.
If something breaks or is recalled, the manufacturer already has all of your information and proof of purchase to send you new product or needed products to fix certain items.
Tips for Registration Management
1. Designate a place in your home where you put ALL materials of this kind.
2. What to put in that designated place: Original receipt, product instruction manual and registration card (even if you do it online) for each item.
I do all of mine online but I mark the serial #, manufactured dated and any other info on the registration card. Below is a picture of a standard “product registration card.” I also recommend putting each product in it’s own plastic zippered bag (see above picture).
3. Take pictures of your original receipts and registration cards.
I created a Picasa web-album and I uploaded all of my pictures to that album so it can be accessed from anywhere. God forbid something disastrous happens to our home, I have all the documents online. I’m still working on adding all of our old items too. This is extremely beneficial for any and all insurance claims.
4. Create a section in your Home Management Notebook for products that need to be registered.
You don’t want to lose the original receipt, card or any other important paperwork.
If you do not have a Home Management Notebook yet, you can read all about mine here and also check out ListPlanIt for hundreds of lists to put your world in order.
5. Stay on top of it!
This is probably the hardest part. I’m all too familiar with this part. For example, I had not yet registered my Bugaboo Cameleon until a couple of weeks ago when I initially mentioned working on this project. But I knew it was critical that I do it ASAP because I’ve had problems with the chassis of the Cameleon since I started using it back in July. During my visit to Kansas City, I went to a BuyBuyBaby since they’re a Bugaboo retailer. They were able to call Bugaboo for me, explain the problem, I was able to talk to the Bugaboo rep on the phone while in the store, she sent me the necessary email while I was on the phone with her, and I was able to forward all the documentation to her within minutes because of my system. They are fixing the problem. This would NOT have happened if I had not saved my original receipt and had not registered on the Bugaboo website.
Please feel free to email me at nina@accordingtonina.com with any questions!
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I always throw those cards away, it always seemed like a waste of my time and a way for the company just to send me a bunch of unneeded junk mail…but I think you just sparked a change in me!
So smart! I generally only register “big ticket” items, but it makes sense to register any product that allows you to do so. And I love your idea about taking pictures too! Very helpful.
I didn’t know any of that! I know my husband told me to register my products and I did, I just never really fully understood why and now I do. Thanks!
I completely agree with the importance of registering your products! I register everything. Brody’s crib was recalled when he was almot 2 years old and my breast pump also had an issue that needed to be replaced. I found out about both because I had given the company my contact info when registering for the products.
Great post!
I completely agree with the importance of registering your products! I register everything. Brody’s crib was recalled when he was almost 2 years old and my breast pump also had an issue that needed to be replaced. I found out about both because I had given the company my contact info when registering for the products.
Great post!
Oh my goodness, I need to add this to my to-do list! Great idea and suggestions for the picassa web album. What is your recommendation if you received the item as a gift and do not have the original receipt?
Oh dear this is such a good idea, I only wish I had read this before I had Jack!!
I used to notice the registration cards when I bought something new, but never knew what they were for and didn’t bother to figure it out! I’m kicking myself now!! This post was so helpful….thanks for reminding me about the importance of doing this!