Faking the dealer

[ROCKJEEP]

I have a friend that works at my local stealership. He told me that everyone is aware of the bombing we do to our trucks. One of the things they look for is the clamp on the boost elbow. A worm clamp will get you a flag on the computer. Well I found the stock clamps in my McMaster-Carr catalog. Pg # 213 part # 54285K25. They come 100 in a pack and are $10. Well I had to go to the dealership for some warranty work. I had the ez elbow on but used the stock clamp I found and they were none the wiser. So if you can keep it looking stock try to. Simple items can save your warranty.

Kory

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

YUP - nothing like bashing "unscroupulous dealers" when we feel THEY are operating with low/no scruples - but another thing entirely as WE do our damndess to lie and cheat THEM...



But of course, WE can sooth any semblance of morality or conscience we have by rationalizing as to how those nasty dealers "deserve" to be cheated whenever possible...



Situation ethics at it's best...

 

[SRadke]

Hmm..... you think they'd notice my aftermarket turbo? My warrantee is gone, that's my choice. Last time I took it in I left the fueling box on it.



-Scott

 

[Prairie Dog]

Hmm..... you think they'd notice my aftermarket turbo?

-Scott

Not at my dealership, they're oblivious. :-laf

 

[y-knot]

I think I like the HONEST approach. I made my first mod at 4 months, and I completely understood that I was my own warranty station, and I had no problem excepting the consequences. Sure you can LIE and deceive the dealer, it happens all the time, and your post proves that. But each to there own I suppose, i don't lie, cheat or steal any other time so I see no reason to start now. You on the other hand must feel pretty comfortable with that role? There is a good reason the Dealers are always seen as the bad guys, it's because of people like you that have no remorse in intentionally deceiving them. It is plain steeling to take from someone, what isn't rightly yours to take and we , the buying consumers, have to pay for those that participate is activities like you describe. I made my own choice to modify my truck, infact I modify every vehicle I buy, and I will accept what happens because of it. I also sleep very well at night, thank you.

 

[catoiler]

I ain't going to get into it to much, but comming from a dealership backround,I have seen some really bad things going on at some of the ones I have worked at and dealt with, that I have no sympathy for them!Sure their are some good ones but their are also the bad ones. Do whatever you are comfortable and can live with.

 

[RMontoya]

Dealer-Schmealer... ... I haven't been back to the dealer since I picked up the truck. Lies at the sale, lies when I called, who needs that crap?

 

[KB0OU]

At over 380,000 miles who cares about warranties????????

 

[lmills]

Yeah, I must say I have had mine in the dealer with the fuel box on and exhuast for warranty work. They have never had an issue with claiming anything under warranty. I have tried to be up front with it. Now things have progressed along a little more. I am interested to see if they still honor the warranty if I need it. If they don't I will just have to accept it.

 

[Gypsyman]

Hmm..... you think they'd notice my aftermarket turbo? My warrantee is gone, that's my choice. Last time I took it in I left the fueling box on it.



-Scott

I'm with Scott on this one. Last trip in I didn't even remove the TST and I can't hide the B1 so why bother. Just warned them to keep thier hands off of the controls as I was waiting for the truck. Don't want anyone joy riding but me!

 

[ROCKJEEP]

I'm not trying to steel anything, but my dealership flaged my truck the first time I went in for service. They said because I had a larger size tire that my brakes axles, transmission and transfercase were no longer covered by my warranty and flaged my truck. Well my truck came from them with the tries on the truck and I had the paperwork to show it. I also had a calander from them with a picture of me and my truck the day I bought my truck. Well I had a problem with the transmission and because of the flag on the truck I had to pay for it. $1200 worth. I had already filed a protect against the flag and it took 6 months to get it off and 9 months to get reinbursed. I also had not done any bombs to the truck at that time. So sorry if I am trying to protect the warranty I have from the LIERS at the dealership. Oh and also they are harrassing me now about my x monitor. Because you have to use a scotchlock for the transmission temp they are going to flag my truck again for the wiring harness. They say that I have modified my wiring. Real nice guys huh. At this point if cummins were in a ford I'd change. Because I'm tired of those nice guys at the dealership screwing me around.

 

[Tomeygun]

I have a friend that works at my local stealership. He told me that everyone is aware of the bombing we do to our trucks. One of the things they look for is the clamp on the boost elbow. A worm clamp will get you a flag on the computer. Well I found the stock clamps in my McMaster-Carr catalog. Pg # 213 part # 54285K25. They come 100 in a pack and are $10. Well I had to go to the dealership for some warranty work. I had the ez elbow on but used the stock clamp I found and they were none the wiser. So if you can keep it looking stock try to. Simple items can save your warranty.

Kory

I think the main point here is that it is very stupid that a dealer will void the entire warranty because of a box, I have heard of dealers doing that, SO because I have a box, my power seat is no longer warranty-able ???



I know our Service manager understand the correct way - the MOD only effects warranty if it is DIRECTLY related, it does not void the WHOLE thing...

BUT some dealers do not see it that way, they see ONE little non-factory part and they go all crazy on you - saying forget about your whole warranty, and you got what you deserve...



So for THAT dealer, i would not hestitate to use this factory looking clamp, because I know i will not want to pay for the overhead console that broke out of my pocket, esp. when my mods had nothing to do with it, you know?

 

[ROCKJEEP]

Tommygun get out of my head, because that is exactly what I was saying and was doing. :--)

 

[mhenon]

Dealing with the Dealer!

I've had my rig back to the dealer "one" time for a very minor issue right after purchase. They'll never see it again short of the crankcase spontaneously bursting into flames.

I actually think my dealer is one of the better ones out there. Just don't want anybody messing with the truck unless I absolutely can't do it myself.



Mike

 

[lmills]

At this point if cummins were in a ford I'd change. Because I'm tired of those nice guys at the dealership screwing me around

Well, I hate to tell you, but it is everywhere. Dealers are denying people from every make and model. They are looking for ways to get out of claims. So if you have any modification, be prepared to be questioned about it. Ford, Chevy or Dodge. The brand does not matter you are at the mercy of your dealer.

 

[mconstable]

Replying to y-knot... so is it OK that I just paid 100. 00 for a u-joint on a truck with no mods, because it was over the 3/36,000 by about 200 miles? On a part that is obviously faulty?

How about the fact that they wouldn't even check the other ones on DC's dime... have to wait until they fail, then I'll pay another 100 a pop for faulty parts one at a time!!

Do I have to pray that when I get my gauges on, that they don't use that as an excuse to void anything because my truck is OBVIOUSLY modified??????

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Owners attempting to justify their own faulty morality have no problems digging up justification points for their own obvious character flaws...



I modded my truck nearly from day one - and in so doing, fully accepted total responsibility for potential failures. I've had my truck back to the dealer twice, once to replace a defective passenger side mirror - and again to replace a failed vacuum pump seal - I made no attempt to frantically remove or disguise the obvious installation of my mods, and the dealer didn't make any mention of them either!



NO, I'm in no way applying for Sainthood here - only illustrating my own belief and practice regarding issues related to honesty and personal integrity - characteristics that seem to be on the decline with many in our society today.



Do dealers or individuals lie and cheat? SURE - but does THEIR lack of decency and integrity control how *I* must then conduct myself in my business dealings with them or others?



NOT BY A LONG SHOT!



Truth is, *I* would sorta be wary in possibly doing any sort of business with folks in this group who deliberately defraud their dealers - if they will toss integrity out the window with a neighborhood dealer, why would I expect them to treat ME any different?



The dealers will eventually answer for any deviations from the straight and narrow - either in this world or the next - and so will we ALL, and the excuse that we only did as was done to us won't likely hold much water in the sight of the "Judge"!

 

[Wiredawg]

honesty is the best policy.

I have been fortunate to have honest dealers and I'm totally honest with them. A warranty is a warranty. There has to be a cutoff somewhere and it's at 3/36.



Both of my trucks are BOMBed and are that way when I turn them in for service. I always have my hand on my wallet just in case something is not covered. If it is not, I pay because I knew the terms of the warranty when I bought them both.



No flame on anyone here; Just I've always been straight up with everyone I do business with and I ask the same from them.



Wiredawg

 

[rbattelle]

I actually think my dealer is one of the better ones out there. Just don't want anybody messing with the truck unless I absolutely can't do it myself.



Mike

AMEN! #ad




I can't pick a side here, as I sympathize with both sides. On the one hand, if you put a fueling box on the truck and burn a hole in a piston, it should be your dime. But if you put a fueling box on and your radio stops working, that's DC's dime. It's very clear to me, but as tomeygun points out some dealers have their own "methods". I have lots of gauges but NO POWER MODS... nevertheless I'd bet any dealer would question whether I have a box that I removed if my engine exploded. I hope that doesn't happen.

 

[Bunn]

Before getting into sales I worked as a tech, it is so easy to spot a truck that has been bombed. (velcro on the PDC box is one) In most larger shops its up to the technician to identify and deny warranty work. No technician would ever want to do warranty work when the customer could pay for it. Just defending the techs out there...