Did I get screwed? thepartsbin.com

[tucker8235]

Hey, I found a new A-pipe at thepartsbin.com for $125 and decided to buy it to replace my rattling one. I put it in myself and was dismayed to hear an exhaust leak when I started the car. I took it to Balanced Perfomance here in Ga. and they noticed that the flange was uneven. They machined it off and reinstalled it and everything was fine. I then contacted thepartsbin.com to let them know my troubles and to see what they would do and it wasn't until 3 emails later and a very large font (They have no customer service # - the only way to communicate about a problem is through email) that I received this response.

"We do not cover part alterations. If the part was defective it should have
been returned and a new one ordered. We are not responsible for the
changes you made to the part or the amount you paid to have the
alterations done. Thanks"

This was a frustrating experience and in the end of course I wish that I had just bought a whole new aftermarket header. The total for the part $125 + labor to fix and install $215 was $340.

I guess I never really thought the part would come defective since a flat flange doesn't seem like a normal defect...
I can't believe that the only help they would give me was to send the part back for a replacement. You would think they would say "hey we know you've had some troubles, we'll knock $25 off and we are really sorry about our crappy defective part."
What do you think?

[Provocateur]

You could have just gotten a new header for that and still had money over.

I guess you have to live and learn. I wouldn't have taken the part back if it was modified either.

[Nors]

So the labor cost more then the part (to fix)?


I am happy I know many machinists who are always looking for projects

[tucker8235]

A new header indeed. I was trying to tide my car over until I decided for sure what I wanted to do with it. $125 and be done with the rattle for a while.

Damn crappy decisions and crappy parts I say!

Hey Nors, are you saying I got screwed by Balanced performance? Great!
They did diagnose what the problem was...

On a positive note, the car is running beautifully. The rattle was really getting annoying. Now it is much more enjoyable to drive.

[Nors]

No thats probaly the correct price, I am just glad I never had to pay to have anything machined, I live with a machinist, and know many others.