Part Quality in general, on the decline

[Joe Marconi]

Due to our frustrations with part quality from the aftermarket on some lines, we have resorted to going to the new car dealer for some parts. A decision that does not sit well with me and one that I may end up regretting. To me, it's like supplying my enemy with ammunition.

 

Recently we had an issue with a steering gear, purchased at a local Chevy Dealer, that did not function correctly and we had to redo the job. When discussing the issue with the dealer, we were told that they are seeing an increase in their part comebacks too. These are GM reman units.

 

We are we going with this? As I have stated time and time again in the past; will this race to the bottom with looking for the best price end up to be our demise?

 

We have to get back to quality. Our industry reputation is at stake.

 

We really need to have a coalition of all the part companies and repair shops across the country to come to terms with the reality. We need to rethink "price" and seek "Quality"

 

Let's face it, as an industry we are not getting any richer with lower priced, poor quality parts anyway. So, let's take a deep breathe and dig ourselves out of this mess.

 

This is not an Advance Problem, or a CARQUEST problem, or a NAPA problem....this is an industry-wide problem. And we need to start fixing it, today.

[xrac]

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[ncautoshop]

Agree completely. We have more pull in volumes. I think the more attention we bring to the issue and the more folks who speak out the better chance we have at improvement. As you know I've been in contact with my reps. If anyone has input on addressing this on a wider scale I'm on board!

 

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[Dustin Rutkowski]

I agree 100%. But one question about dealer part comebacks. When I get a comeback my parts places will let me submit a labor claim so I can be reimbursed some labor. What happens when a dealer part fails? Are we out the labor and they just warranty the part?

[ncautoshop]

I agree 100%.   But one question about dealer part comebacks.  When I get a comeback my parts places will let me submit a labor claim so I can be reimbursed some labor.  What happens when a dealer part fails?  Are we out the labor and they just warranty the part?

Ford is the only one that I know of that offers labor compensation.

 

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[Joe Marconi]

I agree 100%. But one question about dealer part comebacks. When I get a comeback my parts places will let me submit a labor claim so I can be reimbursed some labor. What happens when a dealer part fails? Are we out the labor and they just warranty the part?

 

We have a claim in with the Chevy Dealer for that defective steering gear, but generally, Good Luck with most dealers. Ford does have a program, but it also depends on what dealership, some don't want to honor it.

[alfredauto]

I agree with the parts quality, frustrating at best. I don't see a solution, new cars are made cheaper every year with parts that are designed to be just good enough. We had a 2012 Hyundai sonata in today 44k miles and the starter was junk. 2014 Subaru 7k miles tranny leaking like a faucet. Dealer took the hit on both under warranty but it scares me to see the crap the manufacturers are producing. Hopefully the aftermarket will step up and make parts superior to the OEM, we are starting to see it on some items. Steering racks are a sore spot with me, Try a Cardone rack sometime and see if outlasts the test drive. Nothing like doing a job 2 or 3 times to make a tech want to quit.