Parts supplier troubles - what would you do?
05-16-2008, 07:27 PM
#153
Burning Brakes
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), and having been a member of the GM LS1 and LS2 engine boards with over 10k posts to my name, I have to say that after joining here when I bought my Cayenne S (I know ITS NOT A REAL Porsche 
)the Porsche community welcomed me with open arms, and haven't left since (even though some might want my *** gone 
)But seriously...I had always thought that I belonged with the modern and classic muscle car crowd, having been an owner and restorer of dozens over my 20 years of being an auto enthusiast. But the longer and more I posted on those sites, the more attacks I began to receive (the only thing I could think of at the time was haters because I rarely get into beef on the internet as not only is it stupid, its....stupid
). And what did I really do? Well if they had a "Post pics of your cars" thread...I participated and at the time drove 4 different cars (as I am an enthusiast). "Post pics of your S.O." Again...I would simply participate along with everyone else, and then my wife (whom I feel can take on most 22 year olds for looks/fitness, but that is MY opinion)...but then people would attack her in my post.I could go on and on. Never having owned a Porsche before, and knowing ALL TOO WELL how many of the Corvette owners I have met in my life....I never really had anything in common, and began to see that they mostly DO fit the "middle aged crisis but let me buy this Vette and everyone will automatically think that I am cool as ****" stereotype.....I had my reservations on here, and honestly....expected total snobbishness. Well....to say the VERY least...I was PLEASANTLY surprised, and my experiences and interaction with P owners thus far has been nothing less than AWESOME! Hell....only having been a member for a short time, have went to a GTG where I met a few of the guys on here and they are just as cool in person
So Kraig dude....CHILL homie and just take a step back and breath or something. Its probably not what you think it is on here
Chief
05-16-2008, 07:58 PM
#156
Burning Brakes
Matt
05-17-2008, 08:46 AM
#158
Rennlist Member
Hmmmm.......driver's door glass, ignition switch. Sounds like the car was a victim of theft. I wonder on who's part.
Of course you did mention to Roger that the free door glass was going into a car you intended to sell for a profit right? If not, that is true used car salesman ethics! Seems Roger is entitled to a profit as well. But not on Kraig street which happens to be a one way street obviously.
Hammer
Of course you did mention to Roger that the free door glass was going into a car you intended to sell for a profit right? If not, that is true used car salesman ethics! Seems Roger is entitled to a profit as well. But not on Kraig street which happens to be a one way street obviously.
Hammer
05-17-2008, 10:55 AM
#159
Chronic Tool Dropper
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Am I the spoiler here?
If I bought a part, paid to have it installed, and it was defective, and the supplier said that he had received other similar defective products, I would certainly ask for the manufacturer to participate in the cost of replacement. It's not something you can enforce, but there really is an implied warranty of merchantabilty and fitness when a part is purchased.
All that said, Roger should or does state that he only passes on the warranty available from the supplier or manufacturer. It's up to the manufacturer of the defective part to stand up for any replacement costs. Most of course will say that their liability is limited to replacing the part or refunding the purchase price.
I know Jules, the guy who did the work, and he's kind/considerate enough to use parts that you bring in. He sometimes recommends that you can get the part from [pick your reputable supplier] and he will install it for you if you are too price sensitive. Since we are a supported community, we tend to know what the parts prices are from the regular vendors, and squeel when a shop marks up the price to Porsche list. Jules sidesteps that issue by allowing you to bring your own new or used parts. But... That means that his responsibility ends with installation, somewhere before function, especially if the customer has already done a diagnosis and determined on their own what the cure is, and supplied their own parts. OTOH, if he does the diagnosis, and supplies the part and the labor to repair, he's responsible for functionality and will warranty his work as well as the parts that are needed. He's as fair about this as one could possibly be. Jules also interviews customers before he accepts them into his shop. Fail the test and you are pretty much banned to someplace else. More than a few locals have their cars maintained there, and I've never heard anything but good about him.
If I bought a part, paid to have it installed, and it was defective, and the supplier said that he had received other similar defective products, I would certainly ask for the manufacturer to participate in the cost of replacement. It's not something you can enforce, but there really is an implied warranty of merchantabilty and fitness when a part is purchased.
All that said, Roger should or does state that he only passes on the warranty available from the supplier or manufacturer. It's up to the manufacturer of the defective part to stand up for any replacement costs. Most of course will say that their liability is limited to replacing the part or refunding the purchase price.
I know Jules, the guy who did the work, and he's kind/considerate enough to use parts that you bring in. He sometimes recommends that you can get the part from [pick your reputable supplier] and he will install it for you if you are too price sensitive. Since we are a supported community, we tend to know what the parts prices are from the regular vendors, and squeel when a shop marks up the price to Porsche list. Jules sidesteps that issue by allowing you to bring your own new or used parts. But... That means that his responsibility ends with installation, somewhere before function, especially if the customer has already done a diagnosis and determined on their own what the cure is, and supplied their own parts. OTOH, if he does the diagnosis, and supplies the part and the labor to repair, he's responsible for functionality and will warranty his work as well as the parts that are needed. He's as fair about this as one could possibly be. Jules also interviews customers before he accepts them into his shop. Fail the test and you are pretty much banned to someplace else. More than a few locals have their cars maintained there, and I've never heard anything but good about him.
05-17-2008, 12:15 PM
#160
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I think the Dr. is onto something. A vendor who continues to sell possibly defective products? What if instead of it being an inexpensive switch it was a piston rod installed after thousands of dollars in labor on a rebuild? Overly dramatic statements, but paint a different picture don't they?
I'm a small business owner, I never give anything away for free. In hindsight, it would have been better to sell the glass to car dealer Kraig and offered a discount on a future purchase to make up for the bad switch. Sound like a win-win situation for everyone?
I'm a small business owner, I never give anything away for free. In hindsight, it would have been better to sell the glass to car dealer Kraig and offered a discount on a future purchase to make up for the bad switch. Sound like a win-win situation for everyone?
05-17-2008, 02:00 PM
#161
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Buy the part yourself to save a few bucks and have it installed, you're responsible for the part. Have the installer get the part and install it, the installer is responsible.
NO parts supplier covers labor. How's the supplier to know whether the switch was improperly installed, damaged by the buyer or mechanic, or just defective?
Case closed.
Now,
FLOCK OFF
NO parts supplier covers labor. How's the supplier to know whether the switch was improperly installed, damaged by the buyer or mechanic, or just defective?
Case closed.
Now,
FLOCK OFF
05-17-2008, 02:28 PM
#162
Rennlist Member
I think the Dr. is onto something. A vendor who continues to sell possibly defective products? What if instead of it being an inexpensive switch it was a piston rod installed after thousands of dollars in labor on a rebuild? Overly dramatic statements, but paint a different picture don't they?
I'm a small business owner, I never give anything away for free. In hindsight, it would have been better to sell the glass to car dealer Kraig and offered a discount on a future purchase to make up for the bad switch. Sound like a win-win situation for everyone?
I'm a small business owner, I never give anything away for free. In hindsight, it would have been better to sell the glass to car dealer Kraig and offered a discount on a future purchase to make up for the bad switch. Sound like a win-win situation for everyone?
Hammer
05-17-2008, 03:27 PM
#163
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How can anyone with a clean concious sell a part that has a known history of being defective and not feel the least bit responsible?
1. The part was installed by a professional.
2. No one made Roger give the glass away.
3. Irrelevant that the car was being sold for profit.
Was he given the glass before or after the switch transaction? If the glass was given prior, then no customer is ever going to see it as the store having earned brownie points with him, just doesn't work that way. If the glass was provided free of charge after the switch transaction, then it should've been clearly stated that it was being done in order to compensate for any inconveniece that might've been caused (at which point Kraig should've said "Thank You.").
Personally, I'd rather keep a customer or build loyalty with discounts on future purchases than by giving away free merchandise. I think Kraig should've been charged for the glass, had the defective switch exchanged at no cost (does not include any labor charges), and been given a token discount ($25 off on next order over $100 or free shipping, something like that, get the picture). I've done similar in the past in order to make a customer happy when I've made a mistake. Besides, how much was that glass worth that was given away for free?!?!?!?
It's about everyone walking away from this feeling good about the deal. So far, both Roger and Kraig have come out on the losing end of this situation.
1. The part was installed by a professional.
2. No one made Roger give the glass away.
3. Irrelevant that the car was being sold for profit.
Was he given the glass before or after the switch transaction? If the glass was given prior, then no customer is ever going to see it as the store having earned brownie points with him, just doesn't work that way. If the glass was provided free of charge after the switch transaction, then it should've been clearly stated that it was being done in order to compensate for any inconveniece that might've been caused (at which point Kraig should've said "Thank You.").
Personally, I'd rather keep a customer or build loyalty with discounts on future purchases than by giving away free merchandise. I think Kraig should've been charged for the glass, had the defective switch exchanged at no cost (does not include any labor charges), and been given a token discount ($25 off on next order over $100 or free shipping, something like that, get the picture). I've done similar in the past in order to make a customer happy when I've made a mistake. Besides, how much was that glass worth that was given away for free?!?!?!?
It's about everyone walking away from this feeling good about the deal. So far, both Roger and Kraig have come out on the losing end of this situation.
05-17-2008, 04:40 PM
#165
How can anyone with a clean concious sell a part that has a known history of being defective and not feel the least bit responsible?
1. The part was installed by a professional.
2. No one made Roger give the glass away.
3. Irrelevant that the car was being sold for profit.
1. The part was installed by a professional.
2. No one made Roger give the glass away.
3. Irrelevant that the car was being sold for profit.
If you sell a 100 of something, there is always a chance one of them will be bad. It happens. The switch was replaced as soon as it was found to be bad. That's not how it's done most any place, electrical parts are as is, how is, but it was replaced.. And now this cheap *** wants to have labor reimbursed? Give me a break. There are customers out there that will use and abuse a person for no ones benifit but their own. Sometimes it is just best to tell the "customer" that we won't do any more business with them and leave it at that. But I'm sure Roger is not that way, he's always trying to make everyone happy.
He got the glass before the switch situation.
If it would not embarrass Kraig so much, the nasty e-mails he sent could be posted here, but that would just be wrong and I'm sure Roger would do nothing like that.
The only reason Rog even posted here was to give both sides, his initial plan was just to let it go and let this ***** vent, but the story was soooo one sided.