On April 1, 2009 we bought a Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier, model Kaz V3500N. According to the user manual the humidifier came with a 3-year warranty. On January 12, 2010 I attempted to turn on the humidifier, it made several loud popping sounds and started smelling like burning wiring. I immediately unplugged it and took it outside. There was no warning; it just died for no apparent reason. We have always been careful to follow the directions and have not done anything that could have damaged it. This was purchased for my young sons room so I was not going to take a chance on turning it on again. On January 13, 2010 we called the company. They did give us a return code but told us we would have to mail it to them at our expense and that they would try to fix it but could not give a time frame on when it would be returned. We explained that it was needed for our sons bedroom because he has asthma and we could not go several weeks without a humidifier. The company representative said that was all they could do. We bought another humidifier as our son needs to have one. We feel that the company should refund 75% of our purchase price (prorated out to 9 months of use on a 36 month warranty). If they want the defective unit back, they should pay for return postage, not expect the customer to do it.