Warranty - Netgear is not what it used to be

schumaku Makes a good point. They let you register it right away. 

The only other point I have to make is you've had a single product fail in how many years? 

I've had quite a few networking devices for more than 1 company. I've only had 1 netgear device fail and I could have gotten it replaced but choose not to because I didn't want to pay to have it RMA'd when I had enough other devices. I've had a lot more from other companies fail. 

I can't fault a company from needing proof of purchase because there are so many unauthorized resellers and people selling used products these days. I'm not even slightly saying you are doing this.

I'm just saying when you're one of the market leaders for networking gear, people are going to try to take advantage. Requiring proof of purchase is something I can't fault a company in requiring. 

Sadly, yours faded or had issues. 

Maybe DarrenM or ChristineT can help with it. 

eitherway, I wish you your best with your next venture if you decide to go with another company. I've had good luck with TP-Link devices but have ran into nothing but issues/firmware troubles with linksys/dlink.