Bullbar Faulty but Manufacturer Refusing to Pay for Refitting Costs

Lgilly2gillygilly on 05/04/2023 - 00:49
Last edited 05/04/2023 - 10:38 by 1 other user

Hey guys, looking for some advice regarding a warranty claim on a bullbar and rear bar I had installed on my Ute.

Purchased and installed through a 4wd store. Within a few months after the install, big chunks of the powder coating starting flaking off. I have never taken it near salt water or even done any off-roading with it. I notified the shop about the issue and they contacted the manufacturer.

After many back and forths, the manufacturer has agreed to pay to re-powder coat it,but refuses to pay for removal and refitting of the bars and has put it back on me to pay for this. During the initial install, it cost $1,200 to fit the bullbar and rear bar (not including the cost of the bars) so I assume it will be somewhere in this ballpark.

My question is should I be liable to pay for this? Or should the manufacturer be covering all costs involved due to supplying a faulty product? Seems unfair that I need to pay again to install something I already paid to get installed.

Automotive

Comments

  • aoeueoa on 05/04/2023 - 01:49
    -3
    • under the law they're not obligated to cover the refitting costs
    • don't know what brand, but under their own warranty they also probably state they don't cover fitting costs
    • haven't come across any automotive parts that will pay for the labour involved.

    It probably doesn't count as a "major fault" either, it's probably mostly cosmetic in nature. It definitely sucks yes. You should just make your case known on the forums and be factual with your account so someone in future can save their money and buy a better product.

    • deme on 05/04/2023 - 09:41

      Err yes they are, it's clearly spelled out as consequential damage.

    • brad1-8tsi on 05/04/2023 - 11:23

      Show us this law.

      • Jugganautx on 05/04/2023 - 18:55

        It's marbo, it's law, it's the whole vibe of the thing.

  • cashbackman on 05/04/2023 - 02:07

    In this case I would say the manufacturer is liable for the uninstallation and installation costs because:

    1. You did not buy the Bullbar just to have it sit around as a decoration for your home.
    2. You wouldn't have bought the Bullbar had you known it was going to fail.
    3. You have suffered a loss of $X amount because they have ruined the value you received out of the money you paid for the installation.
    4. The loss you suffered is reasonably foreseeable for a Bullbar manufacturer and is of reasonable value and nature.

    This is called "consequential loss".
    https://legalvision.com.au/manufacturer-liable-faulty-goods/

    I would be getting the whole job payed for by the manufacturer.
    Good Luck :)

  • xuqi on 05/04/2023 - 02:34
    +6

    "the manufacturer has agreed to pay to re-powder coat it"

    No, given the relatively short period since purchase (a few months), the manufacturer should replace the bullbar (inc. removal & re-install costs).

    They can/should take the old unit back and do whatever they want with it (recoat, refurbish, re-sell, etc.).

  • JIMB0 on 05/04/2023 - 06:43
    +7

    $1200 is a lot of money for fitting. The 4wd shop must be making a bit on it. Seeing as you purchased it through them they should come to the party and do the remove and refit for free.

    • barge-in hunter on 05/04/2023 - 08:18
      +5

      ^^^this

      Despite the warranty paperwork, your contract is with the company that sold the items to you - who also happens to be the company that charged you for install labour. Time to turn your frustrations on them

    • pharkurnell on 05/04/2023 - 10:23

      $1200 is insane.

  • Traveller107 on 05/04/2023 - 07:09

    I know someone who had a faulty bullbar (can't remember what the problem was). When they contacted the installer the manufacturer of the bullbar took care of the expense to replace the bullbar(i think it was ironman).

    Regardless, doesn't the manufactured have to pay for shipping and handling if the item is bulky? You shouldn't have to pay for refitting op.

  • Sterio on 05/04/2023 - 07:40
    +3

    What brand is the bullbar, and who is the retailer?

    I would contact the manufacturer direct and voice my concerns. If they can’t powder coat it right the first time, what makes them think second time lucky. And to be expected to pay twice for installation is unacceptable.

    • gilly2gillygilly on 05/04/2023 - 12:52

      The manufacturer is Hamer. And the powder coating will be redone at a at a local powder coating place, not by the manufacturer. Hopefully they can do a better job

      • Sterio on 05/04/2023 - 14:34
        +3

        Bloody hell. Now involving another party to the party.

        The manufacturer should replace the old with new and wear the cost of reinstall I.e no further cost to you. Otherwise time for Fair Trading and/or other consumer law bodies.

        Do not accept any excuses.

  • WreckTangle on 05/04/2023 - 07:44
    +2

    The manufacturer is repairing the part for free. Installer should wear the cost to re-install…it won’t cost them much and returns are just a cost of doing business.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/04/2023 - 08:06
    +6

    The 4WD shop is responsible for the whole repair. They should be getting new parts from the manufacturer and replacing. The manf can then get the parts back, repowdercoat and sell as seconds or refurbs. None of this repair should be covered by you.
    If in doubt contact your fair trading department.

  • pegaxs on 05/04/2023 - 10:01
    +3

    From the ACCC website;

    Businesses have a right to have their costs of providing a solution to a consumer repaid by a manufacturer, where the problem is the manufacturer’s fault.

    If the bull bar has a manufacturing fault and it needs to be repaired by the manufacturer, then the cost to remove and refit the bull bar is borne by the retailer and subsequently passed onto the manufacturer, not the end user.

    Just politely say that you understand there is a cost involved for removal of the bullbar, but that is something between the installer/seller and the manufacturer to sort out.

    And really, how hard is it to remove an installed bull bar? 30 mins? Initial installation can take a while, but removal and refit, maybe an hour, tops. (source: removed more than my fair share of bull bars in my time.)

  • Surfsalot on 05/04/2023 - 10:11

    As I am in the market for one please tell the brand?

    • gilly2gillygilly on 05/04/2023 - 12:37

      Hey mate, the bullbar and rear bar is by Hamer. Looks nice and sleek but has been pretty disappointing quality wise

  • Drakesy on 05/04/2023 - 10:18

    Depends on the warranty that they provide.

    In the bike industry the cheaper companies didn't cover bike rebuilds when the frame failed.
    The more expensive ones did, it was all covered in the warranty booklet.

    There's no right or wrong answer.

  • pharkurnell on 05/04/2023 - 10:23

    it cost $1,200 to fit the bullbar and rear bar

    WTF?

    • gilly2gillygilly on 05/04/2023 - 12:42

      They said it was a more difficult bar to install and I coughed up the money. Starting to regret that decision

      • pharkurnell on 05/04/2023 - 12:58

        Ring up as a random customer in a few days pretending to be in the market for one….
        see what they say

        Is this a branch of the company that sells the bar (EG: ARB/TJM/Ironman etc) ??

        • gilly2gillygilly on 05/04/2023 - 13:21

          Nah it’s a local 4x4 shop here in north QLD. Not associated with Hamer (the manufacturer of the bar)

  • TimmyTims on 05/04/2023 - 10:46
    +4

    As others have mentioned, you only need to deal with the store. That's who you gave your money to. Chase the store to replace it with a new unit as you won't drive around with missing bumpers while you wait for them to be repaired.
    It's up to the store to chase the manufacturer to cover their costs. Don't let them palm you off to the manufacturer

    It's also unlikely the refit for the same part will be the same as the initial cost. The high initial cost of $1200 probably covers all the modifications to get the aftermarket bumpers to fit (I'm totally guessing though as I have no idea what car/ bumpers you bought)

    • stratbargain on 05/04/2023 - 11:22

      Yep agreed.

      It's probably a 20 minute job to undo a few bolts rather than the original modification and install fee.

  • brad1-8tsi on 05/04/2023 - 11:26
    +5

    Your warranty is through the 4WD shop that supplied and fitted the items. You should be dealing directly with them. It is up to them to discuss re-imbursement for labour costs from the bullbar manufacturer.

  • cheesecactus on 07/04/2023 - 10:49

    You dont need to deal with the manufacturer.

    You deal with the store you bought it from.

    The product they sold you isnt fit for purpose, you can choose replacement or repair. I would take replacement at this point, especially if theyre trying to get another company to powdercoat it. Thats not your problem. If there's problems with the powdercoating in the future, everyone is going to say its not their problem.

    • gilly2gillygilly on 07/04/2023 - 17:10

      Very good point. Thanks mate. I’ll see how I go requesting a replacement.

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