William (owner of the S/C'd R/T) was under extended warranty. Brought it in
for driveline vibration (TSB) and other warranty work. They took it in,
diagnosed, ordered parts, then asked for him to return later (once parts
were in stock). We brought the truck back and found that it was
black-flagged.
So...
Step 1: Contacted SEMA (received case number and phone number for FTC -
yes...you can look it up yourself but SEMA gave it to us)
Step 2: Contacted Dealer with case but they refused
Step 3: Contacted DC with same results (won't remove black-flag)
Step 4: Contacted FTC (they contacted the dealership and DC)
Step 5: Received phone call from dealership with apologies and an
appointment to have anything done that's covered under warranty (have a
whole bunch done)
That's the actual steps that occurred. FTC and SEMA contacted William after
all repairs were completed to make sure it was done properly. Case closed.
You're correct that they won't drop what they're doing in all cases...but
this was one that stood out from the rest.
- 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 12:41 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: RE: DML: Warranty Trouble with Supercharger and other mods?
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.
> >
> >
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Feb 01 2004 - 16:29:49 EST