Bob, get with Bernd on this issue. I think he has or knows the website that
has the copy of the last Supreme Court ruling over this very issue and
outcome was that the consumer was right. This could be a class action law
suite with DC if this gets really ugly and will embarrassed the wonder child
called the FIVE STAR dealer over national TV. I would present a copy to the
dealership general manager or the owner if they continue on the same course
with your warranty.
-------------------------------------------
Steven St.Laurent
Test Engineer
Test Branch, GSD, MCTSSA
MARCORSYSCOM, USMC
760-725-2506 (DSN 365-2506)
Work:mailto:stlaurents@mctssa.usmc.mil
Home:mailto:saint1958@home.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Mankin [mailto:bob@cadpros.com]
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2000 4:31 PM
To: dakota-truck@buffnet.net
Subject: Re: DML: another hotchkis Question
Sam Parthemer wrote:
>
> Answer #1: The only thing affected are the parts removed
> (springs, shocks, etc.) So, really, NO, it won't affect
> your warranty-- I've had my '00 RT to the dealership for a
> few items under warranty, and no problems having the
> Hotchkis suspension.
Sam,
Be careful. It depends on how big a prick your dealer wants to be. Today
I learned the local service manager CANCELED my ENTIRE warranty(both
standard and extended that I paid extra for) over a dispute I'm having
with them on warranty issues from last week. At first they were going to
replace some bearings in the rear end, but once the service head got
involved, he stated he would not service my vehicle and that was that.
He is pointing to the suspension modifications as his reason.
The cancelation was a complete surprise to me and it was only after I
called the national customer complaint line today that I even learned
about it. I was livid when I heard. The dealer said nothing about
canceling and I haven't been able to get any straight answers yet. All
my calls to the general manager are being referred back down to the
service manager that I have the beef with. There is NO RECOURSE beyond
the district representative on these issues and the guy here is already
on the service managers side(Good ole boys club). The warranty maunal
will suggest differently, but call the national number yourself and ask
questions. Lots of them. It and the whole 5 Star program they brag so
much about is a complete sham, IMO and IME. As a consumer with a
borderline warranty issue, you are at their mercy, sorry to say.
I see a really ugly, drawn out situation ahead for me and legally I
don't think their moves will stand, but it'll be some painful exchanges
and lots of arbitration before I ever get any relief on this one.
Buyer beware. And if anyone on this list is considering buying ANYTHING
from Stevens Creek Dodge in San Jose, CA, just say NO! You're setting
yourself up for a nightmare if you ever attempt to modify the truck
during the warranty period. Not my first, but my third bad experience
with this service department over 2 different vehicles. Never again!
Bob
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 11:51:15 EDT