Part warranty???

I just had an interesting visit to the local Ferrari dealer parts counter. 1997 F355 GTB. Front shock actuators were purchased over the counter (pn 158732). $880 and change on July 30, 2007. One of the actuators is defective. Diagnosed by the technician. It locks up while activating the shock, and to the touch you can feel the internal gears bind.

New part over the counter warranty is one year, great. Well, not so fast. I'm being told that the new cost of the part is $1,500 and change, and the warranty covers the original part. Therefore, the cost difference is now my responsibility.

This doesn't sit quite right with me, so I'm looking for any experiences that the reader may have. How the parts price fluctuation effects the warranty is beyond me. Conversely, would the part price have been lowered, does that mean FCNA would owe me money?

Thanks for any insight anyone might have. I did a search and nothing similar to this has been posted.

 

No, that's not right and violates the term of any half-credible warranty. The part they gave you, that YOU BOUGHT, was defective. It's their responsibility to fix it. When you bought it, it was $880. That $880 included the warranty. Where is the extra money coming from? This is pretty much common sense.

 

I take it that you have the receipt - does it spell out any terms for the warranty?

If the dealer is trying to gouge you for the price difference between 2007 and 2008, speak with the parts department manager, and politely ask him to put it into writing, on dealer letterhead, signed and dated.

I don't think the warranty is through the dealer anyway, he gets reimbursed for whatever the cost is, through Ferrari NA. If he files a claim through Ferrari NA for a defective part, he should get reimbursed for whatever he paid for the part, and the defective part is returned to Ferrari NA.

 

Something dont smell right here.......

 

No way is that right!

There are only 2 new Ferrari dealers in the Chicago area, both are reputable. My guess is that whom ever you spoke to didn't know what they were talking about!!!

 

I work for another auto manufacturer and that is absolutely way far from their parts warranty policy. It's a straight exchange of the part. Now with that said, we all know that Ferrari plays the ball game differently than all of the other automobile manufacturers.

 

I smell a rat!!
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He {dealer} should also get the labour paid to him by Ferrari NA. He only stands to gain more business with this customer if he goes through with this.

 

Yup that's some rat...

 

The price you paid ($880) is what that identical part costs for a Maserati (I bought one from them last year). The higher price is what I was quoted from Ferrari at the same time.

I have no idea what the mumbo-jumbo you're getting is about other than trying to get you to pony up more cash.

Corvettes in the 90's used a similar Bilstein shock actuator (black instead of red) and I've wondered if they would work on a 355.

I've seen them for sale as low as $150
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Im a Porsche Part Specialist so let me chime in. If a part is defective you in theory should just be able to return it(with the original invoice)and be on your way. Im not sure what Ferrari parts warranty intails but I know with Porsche if you had a Factory Certified tech install the part and it later fails within the allowed warranty period, it will get replaced, and the dealer files a warranty claim just like regular warranty work on a car. Now if the said part failed because of another part that was bought aftermarket and is not a genuine Ferrari part, then Ferrari and dealer can deny the claim. This is not the case with you. As for the price difference, that should not matter as all manufacters change there prices yearly and some every 30 days.

Good luck, that part should be warrartied

 

Hello All:

Thanks for the feedback. I'd like to say that there is a resolution, however there isn't. I was offered a working used part! I declined. I'm playing phone tag with FCNA, as I would like clarification of the warranty statement, which I can't get a copy of.

The dealer won't contact their FCNA rep to clarify, apparently this has not happened in the past (which would surprise me), there is no dispute over the purchase of the part and when, and that it is within the one year warranty period. The warranty statement, as I remember it, did not even state a stipulation over price adjustments. Furthermore, I would be highly surprised if the warranty from Bilstein to Ferrari isn't one year also. Bilstein would then be ultimately liable for the part.

The saga will continue next week when I follow-up with the dealer and FCNA on Monday.

 

Who is FCNA (did you mean FNA), and which dealer are you working with?

 

They are going to jack you around until you either go away or fork over the extra bucks. This policy, which to me does not at all sound legal, might be some wise-guy's way of lining his pockets without anyone else knowing (the owner may not be aware this is even being done). In any case, I don't know the laws of Illinois, but in California you can file a small claims court over the internet - name everyone you can think of including the GM and the franchise licensee. Also locate the governing body that regulates dealerships, and any other regulating agency you can think of (research on internet) and start filing complaints. I guaranty you the problem will be fixed the very day they get served the summons (those guys have to give up a day and show up to court without a lawyer). Also in Calfornia there is a code - unfair business trade practices- in which the government, if warranted, will investigate and may levy a fine against the offending business for the sum total of their offenses. This is potentially a huge fine and although the government keeps any recovered money, the threat of this can give you leverage for them to fix your problem before it gets out of hand. Best of luck.

 

Have you actually seen a FNA "Parts Warranty" policy in writing yet?

 

Someone is trying to 'hose ya.'