|
|
Advice on returning defective alternator
|
|
|
| |
|
|
msmoore27
Anonymous Poster
annamoore@yahoo.com
Jan 21, 2009, 1:06 PM
Post #1 of 4
(2809 views)
|
|
Advice on returning defective alternator
|
Sign In
|
|
This is not a diagnose question, more of a what to do? conundrum.
My husband recently drove our 1990 Honda Accord in great condition, 135K, from Boston to Philly. 45 minutes outside Philly all electricity died: alternator had died. Car was towed to nearest mechanic, somwhere near Camden, NJ. They put in a NEW alternator and a new battery: $681. Car ran fine rest of the weekend in Philly and made it four hours on the highway back to Boston but whaddya know, same thing happened again 60 minutes outside of Boston. Had the car towed to our local mechanic; defective alternator!! We needed to get the car up and running again ASAP so they went ahead and replaced it while my husband called the mechanics in NJ. They said the defective alternator was under warranty, so we would need to return it to the manufacturer for repair. Of course, now we have a new (fingers crossed) fine working alternator already in the car (an additional $481 in parts & labor). We also don't really feel we should be obligated to pay for the labor of the installation of the defective alternator (we are fine with paying for the new battery & that portion of the labor cost) and are thinking about disputing on our credit card bill.
Don't have much experience with car repair, so thought I'd see what y'all thought!
Thanks.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 21, 2009, 2:00 PM
Post #2 of 4
(2806 views)
|
|
Re: Advice on returning defective alternator
|
Sign In
|
|
I see your issue but here's what I think should be and what should have happened.
1. The original shop in NJ would no doubt replace a defective part they installed if you went back to them - feel free to do that! Duh - that's not practical.
1a. Hopefully they used a nationally known source for the part knowing you weren't likely to be back there and your mechanic up here could have swapped the part here (I'm from up here too) but would be due a labor charge and perhaps add'l charge for the part swap as it wasn't their sale to begin with. If the defective unit was turned in as a core (if rebuilts were used) you could have troubles now as you don't have the defective part or do you?
2. IMO the shop in PA is due their charges and would probably replace the unit by swapping it if sent to them as the source they purchased it from would warranty it to them as well. Shipping charges could be negotiated and in good faith. If you have a different part maker/rebuilder you just may own two alternators right now. If you don't have the defective unit now and it's a different parts source there's trouble with this. Both you and the shop here should have worked something out.
If this isn't a cooperating chain of auto repair places then the second place is due their charges and if you sent the defective part back to NJ they should refund the price of the part and you can discuss labor charges. Again - if you don't have the defective part now hurry up and get it. Rebuilts require a "core" charge and are swapped for rebuild ones or you pay the core charge to keep it if you wish.
Talk this out quick with both shops and come to a reasonable aggreement. Perhaps too late now, but if and when something happens when away from home try to make it clear with a repair shop that you won't be able to be back at the time of repair such that part(s) could be purchased at nationwide outlets or thru nationwide repair shops that freqently would honor another's work and warranty.
Cases like this a Motor Club would be your best friend for help broken down away from home.
Note: Parts are marked up by the selling shop as part of profits and I consider some of that markup ins if it has to be replaced again for N/C to the customer. If two totally different concerns and parts you may have just paid twice and again IMO are at the mercy of the original shop for any consideration if you don't go back or sent the part back. Bummer!
T
|
|
| |
|
|
msmoore27
Anonymous Poster
annamoore@Yahoo.com
Jan 21, 2009, 2:20 PM
Post #3 of 4
(2803 views)
|
|
Re: Advice on returning defective alternator
|
Sign In
|
|
Hi Tom,
Thanks so much for the detailed advice!!
The mechanic here in Boston is holding on to the defective alternator for us--so we still have it and not all is lost. I think returning the alternator to the mechanic in NJ for some sort of refund (hopefully all, but I would take 75% of purchase price) would be an solution we would be ok with. It just seems like (I have not actually spoken with the mechanic in NJ, just my husband) they wanted us to send it in for repair. Do you think we have any standing to insist they take it back?
We are in a bit of a pickle here as we are actually getting ready to move out of the country in a couple weeks and had hoped to have sold the car for close to its BB value by now (approx. $1850). We won't have much use for an extra alternator when we don't have a car and are living in Greece!! Basically, we just want to have the whole fiasco over and done with, and hope to at recoup as much of our cost spent on fixing the darn thing as possible. The car was given to us as a gift by my in-laws a few months ago, with the idea that we would sell it before we left the country for some extra cash. I guess the lesson here is: maybe you should look a gift horse in the mouth!
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 21, 2009, 3:00 PM
Post #4 of 4
(2799 views)
|
|
Re: Advice on returning defective alternator
|
Sign In
|
|
I see your delema and it stinks no matter how you cut it! I've fixed vehicles here taking right off for FLA for example and have to discuss that I can't really help defective parts so they know up front they are on their own.
I would make a choice to buy from a source that they can deal with elsewhere in a case like that.
Again - I think you are at the mercy of hopefully understanding folks. True - shipping it back could be very costly. Find out where the place in NJ got the part and see if the same is also local. At worst I'd expect a store credit for something easily resellable like popular motor oil or ask what your shop here might buy from you - supplies or something.
If you can find out WHO the maker/rebuilder is I'd bet they would take care of you in some way to your satifaction. It should be marked and the maker should be able to tell you who in this area sells those here. It isn't really either shop's fault directly - you can see that - right?
More: There are issues with electrical parts that the basic rule is replacement only not refunds. However, you can just state you case and hopefully folks will be reasonable. The part maker probably would help you so do find out who made the part or rebuilt it.
Wish you luck - stuff happens,
T
|
|
| |
|
| | |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
mdma pills for sale : WhatsApp +33758633852
Drive Shaft Repair
2006 Toyoto Camry XLE Driver Side Electric Window Trouble
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
equipment
