Just got off the phone with Fox Valley Motor Cars in regards to a part that I purchased for my Jalpa (brake master cylinder). Even though i gave them all the correct information, they sent me one for a late model vs. the correct early model year car. Stupidly, I assumed the part was correct considering I sent an hour on the phone with the parts guy at that time. The whole problem with this is that I purchased this item a long time ago (sept 03). I realize that I was in the wrong for not checking the part sooner: but I only recently had a need for it. I called Fox Valley......no help what-so-ever. This part is no longer even made.....what would be the big deal to give me a dealership credit and take the part back. I'm sure with their volume, the part would come in very handy in the future to have in stock. I might add that we spent over $10,000 in service before I took delivery of the car. Am I asking too much of the dealer to take back this part since it's been so long? I am not asking for a refund.....just a credit with the dealership. I know in my business, I would bend over backwards to satisfy a customer, particularily if it was my mistake that caused the problem. Now, I am scrambling to find a part that is no longer manufactured, and will probally have to rebuild the brake master that is currently on the vehicle. We are not dealing with Hondas here.......The pool for customers is small. I will not be dealing with Fox Valley again...................


Frank D

I assume you tried going up the ladder with your complaint? How did you pay? Maybe your credit card company can help and act as a go between

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www.212motoring.com

At least with you it was just a part! lol!

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www.212motoring.com

Frank:

It has been TWO YEARS. What do you expect? Seriously? If in your business you would let a customer return something after two years and then you inventory, especially a critical item like a master cylinder, then share with us the name of your business so we can avoid it completely.

It doesn't make sense. Why did you buy a master cylinder two years ago? If there was ANY sign of a problem with my MASTER CYLINDER i would replace it ASAP. And if there were no signs of a problem, why would you buy one??

And now you got YellowMurci helping you make a big deal out of this. LOL.

I am sorry this happened to you, but do not knock or bash the dealer for your own mistake.

You seem like a nice guy, but if it was me, my decision is: throw it away or try to pawn it off ebay.

I agree with you on a few issues: one getting Yellowmuci upset, and two, bashing the dealer for a good policy of not accepting returned items from two years ago. However, you can surely make a deal with them for a restocking fee.

Lastly, if Frank takes back items after two years in his company, why would you want to stay away from his company? As a purchaser, I would love that option. It is not unusual for companies today to have a policy to return things that are very old as long as you have a receipt:
Macys
Sears
Kmart
Walmart
Pepboys
Summit
Many, many others

They may charge a restocking, but will always take things back.

Frank - keep trying. Only as a last resort bash the dealer. Even then do it incognito!

That's strickly a judgment call for Fox, they obviously don't see you as a future customer, but I don't blame them. No right or wrong IMO.

Im not upset guys! hahahahaha Thanks for worrying! To make it easier lets all pay for the part!

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Frank,

I also agree with the others, two is a bit long. They have no idea where that part has been for the 2 years. I am really good friends with Fox Valley. I would be willing to help you out and talk to Bill about it. But to just start bashing them right off the bat and not ask for others opinoins or help first is again a small mistake. Let me know if you want me to try and help you out.

-Dave

Well, I run a parts business for the past 15 yrs. This happens occasionally to me. I have a stated policy that says " no returns after 90 days", but what do I do? 99% of the time, I take the part back. I believe in customer service. The only way I would not take the part back is if I had special ordered it (non-stock item), and thought I could never sell it again or could not return it to vendor. Otherwise I would take it back. I may or may not impose a 15% restock fee, depending on how well I knew and valued the customer. Just my .02.

I did not post here to "just bash the dealer". Never in the post did I say "no one should ever deal with Fox Valley again". I was told the decision came from the owner of the dealership. The reason for the post was to get opinions and prespectives from a group of people whos' opinions I deeply respect. This is not about a part to me or money.......thanks for the offer though. To me this is about accountablity. Others may disagree: but I feel that if it was their mistake........they should make it right. In my business, I will occasionally get someone in with old product. I would normally bend over backwards to accomadate them: especially if the product was incorrect on our part. This is about inconviencing a customer......all of us, no matter how big or small, deserve better. Detour, it made me sick when I read what you had to do to get your car running.....don't you feel the people who did the work on your car before you owned it should have been held accountable? I'm sorry to take up so much space.....don't mean to take up peoples' time. I understand everyones point....and appreciate the feedback. I guess we can just agree to dissagree. In the end, personal experience is the best barometer.