Does that shiny new coaster come with a warranty?

As everyone in this group knows, Hershey park’s new RMC coaster (Wildcat’s Revenge) opened last month. Earlier this week, the coaster broke down for some reason and it has been closed for the third or fourth day in a row now. Rides break down all the time, I understand that. I am sure Hershey Park and RMC are doing everything humanly possible to get that new ride up and running, especially going into the busy Fourth of July holiday. I can’t turn on my TV this summer without seeing a Hershey Park commercial, of which of course, they are hyping the new coaster. The coaster being down doesn’t make much of a difference to a season pass holder. However, I do feel bad for non-season pass holders, who go just one random day, with the intent of riding the new ride, only to find out it has been closed for days.

That got me wondering do new rides/coasters come with a warranty? They have to, right? When you buy a new car, it usually comes with a 36 month, bumper to bumper warranty. If anything goes wrong, the manufacturer will fix it at no cost. Does the same thing go for a new multi-million dollar RMC coaster? I imagine the support package is negotiated with the purchase of the ride from the manufacturer.

RMC - “I have been informed that Hershey Park has decided to purchase the “White Glove Diamond-Platinum-Gold” support plan? Excellent choice! That is our top of the line support plan that comes complete with six engineers that will live in Hershey, PA for the next year and will be available on call 24x7 to fix any issue that should arise. This awesome support option is valid for one year, then it drops to our “Standard Support “ plan. Once that plan kicks in, you will have access to our 800 support phone number. After a remote diagnosis, we offer free shipping on any needed part. After the first year, installation and an onsite support engineer is unfortunately a separate cost.”

I could be way off base here. Perhaps roller coaster support is much different than buying a laptop from Dell 😊 What do I know? That’s why I am asking the question and I am pretty sure someone in this forum will have some insight on how all that stuff works.

I think their only real recourse is to leave an unfavorable Yelp review.

I hope Carowinds saved their receipt, because Fury broke.

https://www.facebook.com/55...9981233922

'tis but a scratch

That will buff right out.......

Dutchman:

That will buff right out..

I doubt roller coaster companies provide a warranty, at least not the kind consumers are familiar with (e.g., cars, phones, etc.). I could see some kind of commissioning or service agreement, but in my experience from the construction industry, warranties are for off-the-shelf products manufactured in the thousands/millions of units where there is sufficient control/data for the entity offering the warranty to know there is a low probability of issues. I’ve not come across any architects or engineers that provide warranties for their designs.

I have heard that S&S has paid for all the various issues on Steel Curtain out of their pockets. Speaking of which, it's down for another extended period of time. Why oh why couldn't we have gotten a Vekoma...

If it was 2000, that would be the weirdest possible thing you could say.

@Jeff
Just the other day I had the random thought "I cant believe that Batwing has been running 20+ years!"

They have insurance policies to act as their warranty

I recall reading Cedar Point state that they don't carry insurance, that they insure themselves.

The park is probably self insured (to a degree, they wouldn’t go completely bare IMO) but any mfg, architect/engineer or construction company that does installation will carry ‘errors and omissions’ or professional coverage to handle claims for mistakes in design, failure in installation, etc

Ride manufacturers will honor warranties on individual components on attractions, things like pumps, motors, electrical, tires, belts, etc that all cary a warranty themselves from the company who provided/built them. Most of the time you have to go through that company to claim it though. Specific items manufactured in house by the ride manufacturer won't necessarily carry a warranty but it is good business by a company like Vekoma to repair/replace broken parts for a period of time to keep a good relationship with a park. I go through this with some of the companies I deal with and they often continue to repair/replace well after a warranty expires just because they want to continue getting my business. When it comes to programming, most will continue to offer support if you don't have an in-house controls department.