How Zippo’s Lifetime Warranty Actually Works
SEO Title: Zippo Lifetime Warranty Explained | How to Get Repairs
Meta Description: Zippo’s famous lifetime warranty explained. What’s covered, what’s not, and how to get your lighter repaired for free. The full breakdown.
Focus Keyword: zippo warranty
Category: Guides
Reading Time: 4 minutes
“It works or we fix it free.”
That’s Zippo’s promise. They’ve been saying it since 1932. But what does it actually mean?
What’s Covered
The Zippo mechanical guarantee covers any mechanical failure of the lighter mechanism—forever.
That includes:
If the core functionality breaks and it’s not your fault, they fix it.
What’s NOT Covered
The warranty doesn’t cover everything:
Important: The warranty is for the Zippo mechanism, not the case aesthetic. A dented, scratched, beat-up Zippo with a working mechanism is not a warranty issue—it’s a well-used tool.
How to Submit a Repair
Option 1: Mail It Directly to Zippo
Just mail the lighter to:
Zippo Manufacturing Company
Consumer Relations
33 Barbour Street
Bradford, PA 16701
USA
Include a note describing the problem. They recommend registered/insured mail for valuable pieces.
Turnaround: Usually 3-4 weeks in the US. Longer from Australia.
Option 2: Authorized Repair Centers
Zippo has repair centers in various countries. Check zippo.com for your region’s contact info.
Some Australian retailers can also facilitate repairs.
What Happens to Your Lighter
Here’s what Zippo does:
They try to preserve vintage/collectible pieces. The case usually stays original; they focus on the mechanism.
Real Talk
Some things worth knowing:
They really do it. This isn’t marketing fluff. People send in Zippos from the 1940s and get them back working. There are documented cases of war-era lighters being repaired.
It takes time. Shipping to/from the US isn’t fast or cheap. Budget for 4-8 weeks total if you’re in Australia.
They don’t replace lost lighters. The warranty is for repair, not replacement. If your lighter goes missing, you need to buy another one.
Inserts vs. cases. Most repairs involve replacing the insert mechanism. The case (the outer shell) is rarely the problem.
Is It Worth Sending?
Depends on the lighter.
Send it if:
Just buy replacement parts if:
For a $30 lighter with a dead wick? Buy a new wick. It’ll take 5 minutes.
For your grandfather’s WWII Zippo with a jammed hinge? Send it to Zippo.
Why This Warranty Matters
Most products today are designed to fail after the warranty expires. Zippo does the opposite.
They’ve been making the same basic lighter for 90+ years. Same factory. Same design. Same warranty. They can repair a lighter from 1940 because it uses the same mechanism as one from 2024.
That’s not just marketing—it’s a design philosophy. Build something repairable, support it forever, earn customers for life.
Not many companies work that way anymore.
Our Lighters
Every Zippo we sell at BLNTZ comes with this warranty intact. Genuine products, genuine guarantee.
If you ever have an issue, contact us and we’ll help you figure out the best path—repair, replace, or fix it yourself.
*Questions about your lighter? Get in touch.*