[ljc]

From the time I started to search this forum and became a member I've noticed a couple of things. (Maybe I'm posting this in the wrong section...sorry if I am.) 1st, there are several threads with similar scenarios, so I am not pointing out anybody in particular.
We are all entitled to do as we wish with our money, purchases, and cars. However, why does someone purchase a brand new car, choose to immediately alter, replace parts, upgrade, or modify things...and THAT alteration results in a broken or failed part; burned wiring harness; blown fuses; etc. Then the person expects warranty coverage from the manufacturer/dealer and are angry when they are denied? And to top it off, others help them to defraud the dealers by encouraging the installation of all OEM parts in an effort to make it appear as if the problems just happened on their own.
In some of these cases, people are able to "get over" and get coverage. But it makes the dealerships & manufacturers more leary of warranty claims which causes true innocent customers to be denied of warranty. So when dealerships are looked at by most customers as being crooked and deceptive....isn't this the same thing? Not trying to offend anyone here, I'm just curious.

[Glen e]

You are certainly not wrong:

[SSSHYBOY]

My similar thoughts were expressed yesterday on the thread I think you are referring to.

[parish8]

It seems like most people here understand they may lose parts of their warranty if they mod the car. If they didn't know people around here let them know.

[fastball]

Most Camaro enthusiasts understand and assume the risks when they modify their cars. I'd say the majority of Camaro enthusiasts are at least mid-level technically and mechanically inclined, meaning they can use a wrench, understand what parts do what and how they change/improve/modify performance/looks, and are comfortable with the consequences if that part fails or causes failure of other factory components.

They also generally know what companies are reputable, and the difference between quality parts and cheap parts.

Those who don't are the people who bought the Camaro as just a "cool car" and really aren't true enthusiasts. Those are the ones who couldn't tell you the difference between fuel injection and a carburetor, but found this sweet spoiler on ebay guaranteed to give you 50 hp!

[MiamiBlueCamaro]

Guaranteed mods with 50hp or more!

[JDP Sales]

We warn customers all the time that this or that product might void your warranty. If you have a cool dealer that doesn't care that you put on a ported throttle body, a catch can or even a cold air intake then you have an awesome dealer. But those are very few, most play by the book and will void the whole warranty because it easier that way. It is sad and unnecessary when people try to play dumb. I know GM doesn't have the best techs but they know when a car is not stock... Just be honest, you'll get more bee's with honey than vinegar.

Best regards,

Kayla L.
801.545.4215

[MostlyHarmless]

ljc

I am with you - I have chosen to stick with GM parts fitted by a dealer to keep my warranty intact and ensure I have no issues with any problems down the road. GM Performance Exhaust, darkened rear tail lights, changed OEM silver wheels for OEM black wheels.

All OEM parts and all fitted by my local Chevy dealer.

Could I have done these mods myself? Could I have bought cheaper parts to achieve the same results? Yes in both cases. But to me my warranty is important and I would never want to put myself and my dealer in the position of having to argue a warranty claim.

I have no problems with people doing their own mods, I love reading people's stories on here about all the things they are doing to their cars. But as has been said above, don't expect a dealer to bail you out if something goes wrong.

Mark

[mariojmoe]

lol my warranty was voided 4 days after I bought my 17 ss.

[fastball]

Originally Posted by MiamiBlueCamaro

Guaranteed mods with 50hp or more!

There's just no words for the Barney car. No words.

[ljc]

Thanks to all for the responses. Again, I was not "calling" anyone out, it was that I noticed a few threads with the same outcome.

[cellsafemode]

There are two kinds of scenarios here.

People actively looking to defraud OEM's warranty coverage by switching out the parts that caused the problem back to the OEM ones.

People who are swapping back in OEM parts of things that can be scape-goated into being the cause of a problem that the owner knows isn't but they dont want to hire lawyers to make the case in a drawn out legal battle for months or even years to come.

It's sometimes hard to differentiate these people.

[parish8]

This reminds me of a time I took a lifted truck in with a bad u joint and a blown out seat bolster. Both clearly bad because it of the lift.

They fixed both items and didn't say a word to me. I didn't expect them to but figured I would try. Since then I have purchased a couple more cars from them and take all my warranty stuff to them.

[MrChrisLS3]

Originally Posted by JDP Sales

We warn customers all the time that this or that product might void your warranty. If you have a cool dealer that doesn't care that you put on a ported throttle body, a catch can or even a cold air intake then you have an awesome dealer. But those are very few, most play by the book and will void the whole warranty because it easier that way. It is sad and unnecessary when people try to play dumb. I know GM doesn't have the best techs but they know when a car is not stock... Just be honest, you'll get more bee's with honey than vinegar.

Best regards,

Kayla L.
801.545.4215

This post explains why it is really important to find a knowledgeable vendor with a standing reputation. Especially when talking about new aftermarket parts for a new model/generation car. Anybody can sell anything on E-Bay with no accountability. Sure you can dispute and get your purchase money back, but when it comes to repairing the damage their inferior product caused, good luck with that.

If you are the modding type, yet warranty is important to you, and if a big repair bill is going to take food off the table, warranty is important, then be careful. My first suggestion is to find the right dealership for service, and start a relationship before you do anything. Finding such a dealership isn't too difficult. Look for a dealership that sells a lot of the performance line, Corvettes, Camaros etc. True gold is finding a dealership that sponsors an enthusiast club. These are the people that really know the cars and the people that own them. Many of them are likely to be enthusiasts themselves. They will be the ones to know what they can and can not do with warranty work. Seek them out, ask around and go get an oil change or other routine thing. Seek out the service manager and talk to them about what you are thinking about.

The one thing that I cannot stress enough about modding a new car is to put some miles on it first. The biggest reason is to give any gremlins time to show their face before warranty becomes a question mark. The difference can be getting a new transmission for free or having to pay for it even though it was a manufacturer defect (just an example). The other reason is to give the car a chance to show you what it does well, and what you want it to do better. There is no bigger waste of money than that spent on a mod that makes your car less fun to drive to you, and that's what modification just for the sake of modification will get you.

About customer service, I have found that if I approach the situation with honesty, and a little bit of humility, and treat folks with respect and a little friendliness, it goes a long way. I've seen what happens to the folks that come in aggressively, ranting and raving. They get whatever is the very least necessary to get them out the door and on their way, and typically pay more in the end. I have found my approach makes them more motivated to actually help, to actually find the best solution, and it typically saves me money in the end. The best part is that there is now a positive relationship going forward.