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There is a way to fix the return issue. Did you use a credit card? Do you know what a chargeback is? Get the card issuer involved and I bet somebody may come around.
Will they do a chargeback in that situation? I sort of thought they were only possible when merchandise was never delivered.
To answer your questions:
1. I used a debit card
2. Not sure what a charge back is but I'm going to try rockauto again on monday
3. Jack, how did you get the email of an RA rep? Trying to get contact info is a never ending loop throught their "report problems/returns" page. I googled their customer service number, and when I call it asks for an extention number, and then says they don't have customer service agents and all issues can be handled through the website but I haven't found a way to send an email. I know they DO have customer service people because I talked to one a few months ago when the website wouldn't allow me to return a core and a new part in the same order. Just don't remember how I got to him.
4. The voltage reading came directly from the alternator stud so I'm not sure what the wiring has to do with it, or what wiring you're suggesting I should check. Please advise.
Well now I'm stuck. I thought I could use the old alternator to get by until this gets figured out, but it appears it got chucked. Saved the box but not the old part. Unbelievable!
Looks like I'm gonna have to feed the beast and order one from amazon. It will be here tomorrow or monday. Then I can go back to work.
To answer your questions:
1. I used a debit card
2. Not sure what a charge back is but I'm going to try rockauto again on monday
3. Jack, how did you get the email of an RA rep? Trying to get contact info is a never ending loop throught their "report problems/returns" page. I googled their customer service number, and when I call it asks for an extention number, and then says they don't have customer service agents and all issues can be handled through the website but I haven't found a way to send an email. I know they DO have customer service people because I talked to one a few months ago when the website wouldn't allow me to return a core and a new part in the same order. Just don't remember how I got to him.
4. The voltage reading came directly from the alternator stud so I'm not sure what the wiring has to do with it, or what wiring you're suggesting I should check. Please advise.
Assembled in USA, from parts unknown. It could be Mexico, could be China, they are leaving their options open. some Leece-Neville parts are made in China too.
Getting an email to a real person was not easy, the site is very hard to navigate. I remember getting very frustrated in not being able to do so going through the same loop, but there is a way through the return process but can't remember exactly right now. I'll try to look later today.
This is your second alternator in a short time, and the Bosch has been reliable to me and it seems like others. I'm just wondering if there is something downstream of the alternators hurting them. A loose connection that may be arcing, internal battery fault, something. I have no direct answer.
Earliest delivery from Amazon was Tuesday with prime, which I don't have, so I got one on sale at Pepboys: New 110a with lifetime warranty for $153 out the door. Now I have a back-up I can replace same day if it goes south.
Get the 140A upper for the dual system if your going that route.
Now to answer that question. Short answer chargeback is when the credit card tells the seller to take it back because they are going to take the funds back.
Now there are rules and the very. One of the rules is lying about items suitability. In the case of an alt the suability being that is should supply the correct power
that is it rated for. Where they get them is the warrantee. Some cards enhance the coverage ad if it crooked in less time you likely have a reason.
Some companies cringe at the hint of a charge back because it has an effect of the rate they pay for the service.
Thanks for the info Sean. I'm not sure those same terms apply to debit cards, but I've figured a way around the problem of replacing the Bosch if rockauto wants to be obtuse.
For future reference, at the top of rockauto's help page there is a row of six horizontal tabs (big tabs, hard to miss unless you're really irritated), the one on the right is "About Us". If you go there it has their address and local phone number:
RockAuto, LLC Corporate Headquarters
6418 Normandy Lane
Suite 100
Madison, WI 53719
1-608-661-1376
This number is different than the one I found on google. I'll give it a try in a few hours.
I called Rock Auto at the number posted above, dialed 3 for operator, and got "There is no one here to take your call." Maybe the operator has the week off for Christmas, but the recording does divulge a customer service email: service@rockauto.com
Here's the email exchange that took place:
Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 10:06 AM
Hi,I attempted to set-up a warranty replacement of an alternator that went bad after 3 months. But after inputting the information on the type of vehicle, your system says it is not returnable because it was not installed on the proper vehicle. My truck is a 2003 Ford F250 6.0L. The specified vehicle is 2003-05 6.0L F450 or F550 for the Bosch AL7606N alternator. The only difference between these trucks and mine is that they have dual alternator systems. The suggestion that the premature failure was caused by this alternator being installed on a single alternator system is rediculous at best. I have been on multiple diesel truck forums as well as Amazon reviews where many Ford 6.0L owners have had success running this alternator on their single alternator trucks. Additionally, I have scoured your website and haven't found any disclaimers about warranties being voided by installing parts on an unspecified vehicle. That said, I expect Rock Auto to honor the manufacturer's lifetime warranty on this part. Please advise.
Thank you,
Chris Dominic
On 12/18/2018 at 10:06 AM, "RockAuto Customer Service" <service@rockauto.com> wrote:
Dear Mr. Dominic,
The manufacturer will only honor warranty on their parts if its installed on a vehicle they list it as fitting. If its installed on any other application the warranty is void. I apologize but we cannot offer warranty on this order.
Thank you,
Ashley
RockAuto Customer Service
Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 10:17 AM
Then I would like you to consider clearing the fields related to this order so that I may re-apply for warranty replacement and input the truck the manufacturer requires. I have a long history ordering with rock auto. I have placed an order every month this year, for example. I hope you appreciate this relationship as much as I do.
And that's where it ends. No reply. I'm going to wait until after the holidays and try again. Hopefully I'll get someone else who knows what customer service and business relationships are all about. I've been ordering from them since 2005. If they're willing to throw that away over a $146 part then that makes them really dumb. Makes me want to start a Rock Auto bashing thread and send them a link.
In the meantime, I called Bosch on Wednesday. I got a return call same day from a "Product Specialist" who took down all the information and forwarded to the warranty dept. I told him it bolted right up and didn't even have to replace the belt. And that 6.0L owners of all stripes are running this alternator, among other things. No call back yet. I'm hoping they wanted to do some research before making a determination.
What situation is that, Jack? The one where I'm an undercover Bosch warranty agent testing parts distrubutors' honesty?
If rockauto isn't going to post those warranty details on their website, then it would seem that they are responsible for the cost of the replacement. And if all the business I've given them over the years and future business isn't worth their cost on a part that retails for $146 then they can suck it. The lifetime warranty is the MAIN reason I bought that alternator. I was willing to spend $300 on the 185amp at ficmrepair, but I figured I'd get the Bosch, upgrade later as funds allowed, then use it as a back-up.
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