Yep - That's what I remember from my very basic business law - Isn't mechantable quality mentioned somewhere, Richard? Merchantable quality meaning that the item should last the length of time that can be reasonably be expected of the item? I would say that it is more than reasonble to assume that treated fairly FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE - not before - a Martin guitar should indeed last more than a year! I used to know some of the case thingies but that was way back in the mid 70's and they have probably been supersceeded since! And I have drunk a lot of brain cells away of course...

Hey! Now there's a thing. Can I sue God if I don't last a reasonable time - say 80 or 90 years. Hmmm.

Hope it gets sucessfuly resolved anyway.

Cheers

DtG