RE: Warranty Trouble with Supercharger and other mods?

From: Bob Mankin (bob@coralfarms.com)
Date: Thu Jan 08 2004 - 13:41:06 EST


Bernd, I could give you the number for the FTC. BFD! Don't know all the
particulars of your case, but if you're thinking Magnusson-Moss is going to
cover your butt in an extended warranty case, best read the FTC's own words
on the subject. Sam's issue is not under the original 3/36 WARRANTY.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/autos/autoserv.pdf

It's only a couple of paragraphs in where they tell you themselves that
extended service contracts are not considered warranties according to
Federal law. Magnusson-Moss applies to warranties.

You're representing this like the FTC is going to drop what they are doing
and get on the horn to help this guy. I think you're kidding yourself.

Bob

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net]On Behalf Of Bernd D.
> Ratsch
> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 9:30 AM
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> Subject: RE: DML: Warranty Trouble with Supercharger and other mods?
>
>
>
> Sema gave us the FTC number (and a case number) and we called them. Took
> all but 4 days for everything to get resolved.
>
> - Bernd
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Bob Mankin
> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 10:02 AM
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> Subject: RE: DML: Warranty Trouble with Supercharger and other mods?
>
>
>
> The FTC is not an enforcement arm, plus the fact they are woefully
> understaffed. The FTC logs complaints and if it finds a pile of complaints
> with a particular organization it *MAY* take some action at some
> undetermined later date once it receives some undetermined number of
> complaints. You might be able to get a form letter response, but that's
> about it. IOW, don't hang your hat on it.
>
> SEMA might help you if this were a regular warranty issue. I don't think
> that applies in Sam's case.
>
> Sam, you're gonna have to round up the facts, research the laws, then file
> pro se. Attorney would cost you far more than the tranny job would and if
> you're not airtight, you're on the hook for his fees as well as attorney
> fees on the other side. Small claims is about your best hope.
> Letter writing
> or playing poker over the phone won't get you anywhere on that one.
>
> Bob
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> > [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net]On Behalf Of Bernd D.
> > Ratsch
> > Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 3:51 AM
> > To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> > Subject: RE: DML: Warranty Trouble with Supercharger and other mods?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > http://www.sema.org/warranty (Open a case, contact the FTC as well,
> > and watch what happens). We did this with a '99 R/T (Supercharged,
> > HEAVILY modified as well) and a driveline vibration. Was "Black
> > Flagged" (as it's properly called) and after the complaint...had all
> > of the warranty items taken care of and then some.
> >
> > Hey...scan those sheets, I'd like to take a look at them.
> >
> > - Bernd
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> > [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Sam
> > Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 2:12 AM
> > To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> > Subject: RE: DML: Warranty Trouble with Supercharger and other mods?
> >
> >
> >
> > Yeah I got blackballed by the area rep 2 weeks ago. Complete BS-- the
> > tranny rebuild was a complete FUBAR by the dealership 1850 miles later
> > it comes apart--, and all that the area rep can comment on (after I
> > told him specifically I had an M1, a mopar PERFORMANCE part sold by
> > their dealerships, and Mopar Headers)--- "UH-- your truck is heavily
> > modified, it does not have mopar headers (BS, they are ceramic
> > coated), your truck doesn't have a mopar intake manifold (HELLO, it's
> > not a factory manifold, but It's definitely mopar-- has the LOGO
> > Pentagram right there), uh-- you don't have stock valve covers (I do,
> > they are
> > powdercoated)-- UH-- your truck has different seats (YEAH, sure does,
> > WTF does that have to do with a transmission that had a defective
> > reman'd mopar converter installed + a tranny that was 2 quarts over
> > filled + the tech left
> > the magnet out of the pan!)--- and you have some sort of exhaust
> > system on
> > this truck--- I am denying any warranty claims, and also flagging
> > your truck
> > to prevent further services by any DC dealership-- they will not service
> > your vehicle. If you have any questions, call me. Have a Happy
> > New Year!"
> >
> > I've got a few printout sheets to let yawl know-- mopar is averaging
> > 490 46RE front clutch kits a week nation wide, 489 46RE torque
> > converters nationa wide, and nearly 300 complete seal/rebuild kits
> > nationwide-- PER WEEK!
> >
> > ALSO-- local dealership-- a guy recently came in with a 2002 3.9L
> > dakota for a 3k oil change. During the oil change he noticed a Mopar
> > Cold Air Intake kit in the parts department-- he asked a few
> > questions, and $300+
> > dollars later, the mechanics threw it on. Then about 2-3 months later
> > he came back with a condensor that blew, and dumped all the R134...
> > dropped off the truck (it had only ~12k miles on it)-- and that
> > afternoon was told it would cost him $9xx.00 dollars for the repair...
> > WTF? I have a 7/70 powertrain warranty --- Well, turns out DC had a
> > inspector going around, and
> > the day he had his cold air kit installed, 3 months back, they
> checked his
> > vehicle during the oil change, and noticed the intake-- took
> down the vin
> > number and off he went... and the
> > inspector VOIDED his warranty, without warning or notice. That said,
> > the gentleman with the 3.9L 2002 is now suing DC, and the
> > dealership, and is
> > mad as hell.
> >
> > Wonder how this new Mopar SPEED crap is going to pan out-- let's see--
> > we sell the parts that will void your warranty, and we'll have a new
> > catalog for it too.
> >
> >
>



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