FCP Euro Lifetime Replacement Guarantee Update

[x Spades x]

What if FCP uses the Costco model? Everyone pay a $50 per year membership, and have the ability to exchange for cash, etc. THAT would have been an understandable change and offset some of their COGS.

[thegenius46m]

This is pretty much what it boils down to for me and some others in this thread who chose to buy these parts for way more than they could have been purchased elsewhere. We decided it was worth it to pay more upfront and never pay for it again. I don't think there is any way for them to get out of this legally. Other people may have their own reasons why they purchased from FCP and why they continue to do business with them and that is respectable too. I am not here to bash other people's view on this topic but to call some of us who are upset "spoiled americans" or "complainers when we chose to pay $550 for a pair of rotors instead of$ 380 is completely uncalled for.

I think its time we email the CEO about these "fraudulent business practices" and threaten to expose FCP as a company if they don't offer some kind of grandfathering for those of us that made our purchases during the original termed program based on false promises just to increase their business. For those of us that have given them thousands of dollars over the years, you have every right to be mad at a company that sucked additional profits out of you to cover the cost of a program that is now changing its terms because the marketing didn't do its job to determine if the program was sustainable for operating costs long term. This is inexcusable and I for one won't sit here in silence and let them get away with it. This is literal bs

[Maxima SE]

Would you have gotten any kind of lifetime warranty/value coverage if you bought them elsewhere for $190? If you have to replace them down the road and they're now $295 a piece due to inflation/supply/demand, I assume you're still getting $510 credit towards the now $590 set of front rotors. Is $80 for a new set of $600 rotors not worth the $130 markup you paid earlier?

I dont see it that way at all. I see it like this:

The odds of me ever replacing a set of front rotors is 10%. I paid $130 more for a pair up front. If I was to change them in 4 years, I would probably have to pay the difference which will likely be $200, plus another $50 to ship them back. That is $380 which gets me a pair of rotors now. So I rather buy two sets of rotor for $190 per rotor now and be done with it. If I don't use the second set in 4 years then ill sell them for profit in the future which is way better than hundred of dollars in store credits and investing into all this "lifetime warranty crap".

Now also lets also evaluate this situation. 10 years ago I bought an aftermarket starter for my nissan at autozone. 8 years later it went bad and I took it out, went to a local autozone that had a replacement in stock and $0 later I walked out with a new starter 8 years later. They never charged me for the difference, I never had to pay for shipping fees nor did I have to wait for items to be shipped to me. That is a true lifetime warranty and very convenient in person transaction worth the premium autozone charges.

[dukeofchen]

Consider the state of the global economy. Then add in the fact that our cars are getting older and will be more and more difficult to attain certain parts for over time (particularly with manufacturers focusing more on newer cars/EVs/EV infrastructure and everything therein). One can deduce that living in a perpetual state of free & unlimited lifetime oem euro parts replacement might not be feasible or realistic (whether for us or for the vendor, whether monetarily or materially, and whether explicitly promised or not). Being upset w/ FCP Euro for revising their lifetime warranty policy is like being upset with inflationary energy/gas/food/living costs: for the most part, you're just gonna have to deal with it and adapt.

I do acknowledge the issue of honoring replacements (and outlining detailed criteria/rules) for purchases made under the original policy that they have so publicly promoted. By all means, one is free to pursue legal action if they think it's worthwhile.

Exactly. Wholesale prices are up and will continue rising, freight prices are up albeit stabilizing, and carrier costs for shipments is up.

I'm sure their business is still doing quite well, but looking at how the last 12 months have gone it wouldn't take a financial wizard to see the program is becoming a much bigger drag than they had bargained for before the world went haywire. They can cut losses on the old high-dollar parts, get customers to come back to spend the credits, and continue to market it similarly despite the fine print changing. The loss of old customers like those in this thread will be a small minority against their huge base of wholesale and retail customers, most of whom like the warranty but don't even take advantage of it to a large extent. Feelings might be hurt and they could have grandfathered people in as a show of good will, but it's just business at the end of the day.

FYI - I spoke with support on a warranty claim back in July and at that time they told me that anything before 90 days would be issued as a refund, and anything after 90 days would be a store credit. So this isn't actually a radical departure from what they have been doing recently.

[Nate047]

Just read the whole thread, there's a really interesting spread of opinions here. I would rather have cash than store credit, yes, but we also have 3 German shit boxes so I can always find a use for store credit. I understand their changes, but I also think purchases made before the change should be honored (sounds like they will be) and FCP doesn't need to be perpetually held to a price from years ago which has changed. Yes they can set their own retail price, just like you can decide to buy from someone else. I think it still makes sense to buy wear items if the price gap is not massive.

And if the whole program goes away entirely, so be it. This was an uncommonly good deal while it lasted. Now FCP is all like, I am altering the deal, pray I don't alter it any further.

[x Spades x]

Consider the state of the global economy. Then add in the fact that our cars are getting older and will be more and more difficult to attain certain parts for over time (particularly with manufacturers focusing more on newer cars/EVs/EV infrastructure and everything therein). One can deduce that living in a perpetual state of free & unlimited lifetime oem euro parts replacement might not be feasible or realistic (whether for us or for the vendor, whether monetarily or materially, and whether explicitly promised or not). Being upset w/ FCP Euro for revising their lifetime warranty policy is like being upset with inflationary energy/gas/food/living costs: for the most part, you're just gonna have to deal with it and adapt.

I do acknowledge the issue of honoring replacements (and outlining detailed criteria/rules) for purchases made under the original policy that they have so publicly promoted. By all means, one is free to pursue legal action if they think it's worthwhile.

They are updating their policy yo maintain their Arizona expansion, which is understandable... its not bc they are bleeding money and about to close down.

I just think if they revise the warranty, it should be on products purchased AFTER 11/1... and all activity prior stay put. This will keep the older customers until they sell their cars as well as take advantage of their newer purchases (for the same or newer cars)... as well as newer customers not grandfathered in..

Verizon wireless did it with their unlimited internet customers (initially $49 per month), for like 10 years... then they change back and upped the overall price (to like $100) when ppl left.

[Boost]

Consider the state of the global economy. Then add in the fact that our cars are getting older and will be more and more difficult to attain certain parts for over time (particularly with manufacturers focusing more on newer cars/EVs/EV infrastructure and everything therein). One can deduce that living in a perpetual state of free & unlimited lifetime oem euro parts replacement might not be feasible or realistic (whether for us or for the vendor, whether monetarily or materially, and whether explicitly promised or not). Being upset w/ FCP Euro for revising their lifetime warranty policy is like being upset with inflationary energy/gas/food/living costs: for the most part, you're just gonna have to deal with it and adapt.

I do acknowledge the issue of honoring replacements (and outlining detailed criteria/rules) for purchases made under the original policy that they have so publicly promoted. By all means, one is free to pursue legal action if they think it's worthwhile.

[Boost]

They aren't taking big losses.

Maybe, maybe not. But with inflation/supply/demand + high return/warranty rates, its certainly possible. Seems they either are taking some loss, or are on the verge of doing so. Hence the whole update to the lifetime policy

They buy the parts for less than they are sell to us... PLU they are marked up bc of the lifetime warranty

Its almost as if they're running a business.. Margins are not particularly massive on most parts. Sometimes I order from the dealership @ wholesale and other times I pay the premium with FCP because the lifetime policy (whether original or now revised) is worth it.

They take that initial $3k and their Finance/Treasury team manages that money (investments, etc). They are making money on you first purchase upon you buying, then the time in between your exchange. They generate money on a different side of the P&L. They would have went out of business after 2 years, if they didn't. They have enough money to now build a multi MILLION dollar facility out in Arizona, 😆 🤣. WE have paid for that growth...

Good for them? I guess their "finance/treasury team" ran the numbers on profitability X market X lifetime warranty and said hey we need to make a change. Maybe they're trying to stay profitable and maintain growth, or maybe they're turning into greedy assholes. If people think its the latter, they're free to purchase parts elsewhere. I think its still worthwhile for those of us on the long-term ownership boat to at least get our original investment credited and only have to pay the difference (where there is one) when using the warranty to refresh/replace parts.

[x Spades x]

I agree with you guys on the pre-revision purchases needing to be grandfathered in. But moving forward, between lifetime store credit on certain parts (based on pricing at time of purchase) vs buying a little cheaper elsewhere without any credit/warranty, I'll still be shopping w/ FCP euro for certain parts. If an N54 injector is $500 and I buy a set of 6 for $3k, and in 7 years they're hypothetically $1k each for a $6k total, why would FCP take that kind of hit? Some of the "ive spent millions of dollars with this company" sentiment holds a little less weight if you expect the company to take big losses and go out of business at your expense (or savings, technically speaking)

They aren't taking big losses. They buy the parts for less than they are sell to us... PLU they are marked up bc of the lifetime warranty. They take that initial $3k and their Finance/Treasury team manages that money (investments, etc). They are making money on you first purchase upon you buying, then the time inbetween your exchange. They generate money on a different side of the P&L. They would have went out of business after 2 years, if they didn't.

They have enough money to now build a multi MILLION dollar facility out in Arizona, 😆 🤣. WE have paid for that growth...

[Boost]

Legally though, this will get very interesting for anyone in the old program

Brb, gonna hire Johnny Depp's team of attorneys to make sure I don't get skimped on those injectors I bought.

[Boost]

lol uncle ECS and his bastard child turner can go to hell too. Honestly there are plenty of other sites that sell OE stuff for cheap, like eeuroparts and plenty of online vendors that sell genuine BMW stuff for way cheaper. Bottom line here is that anything purchased before 11/1/2022 should be grandfathered in and replaced under warranty without store credits or having to pay the difference when being replaced. That was the store policy AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE when you bought the item THEN. If you knew what you know NOW, you may not have bought the item THEN. If they want to play dirty they're going to get sued big time in my opinion. I'm sure a lot of their customers are lawyers

I agree with you guys on the pre-revision purchases needing to be grandfathered in. But moving forward, between lifetime store credit on certain parts (based on pricing at time of purchase) vs buying a little cheaper elsewhere without any credit/warranty, I'll still be shopping w/ FCP euro for certain parts. If an N54 injector is $500 and I buy a set of 6 for $3k, and in 7 years they're hypothetically $1k each for a $6k total, why would FCP take that kind of hit? Some of the "ive spent millions of dollars with this company" sentiment holds a little less weight if you expect the company to take big losses and go out of business at your expense (or savings, technically speaking)

[Boost]

Yeah I agree. I regret buying my Z4M front rotors from them last week @ $255 a piece when I could have gotten them cheaper for $190. That is $130 more up front. I sure do not want $500 in store credit if I ever end up using lifetime warranty on them.

I think they are going to lose a lot of business.

Would you have gotten any kind of lifetime warranty/value coverage if you bought them elsewhere for $190? If you have to replace them down the road and they're now $295 a piece due to inflation/supply/demand, I assume you're still getting $510 credit towards the now $590 set of front rotors. Is $80 for a new set of $600 rotors not worth the $130 markup you paid earlier?

[Boost]

I like you guys get to decide if this is an issue for people or not. 🙄

I've been using FCP longer than both of you combined. I've replaced everything on my car. No, I don't want store credit since there's nothing left to buy for my car. I simply want to replace the parts.

I'm not looking to get original $ back, just the $ spent to replace a warranty part.

It also makes no sense to only credit the amount of the part as it cost when you originally bought it. I'm not looking for that $ back - I want the $ back that was spent to purchase the replacement part.

The goal should be to not spend any money (less shipping costs, maybe tax) in order to get a replacement.

It is no longer true to call it warranty or replacement or any of these phrases. I bought all these parts wit the understanding that I'd be able to replace them for free in the future. Now, you must spend money (more due to inflation/rising costs) to replace the part, and you don't get that money back.

I understand/accept that store credit will suffice for some people, but it does not for me.

*Or at least grandfather in the parts purchased before 11/1/22 and I mean not just the first replacement, but subsequent.

You can still put the credit towards the replacement part. For you to expect forever-2018 pricing on say, an n54 fuel injector, when it costs FCP double in 2022, would not make any sense. If I have to replace a water pump that I bought for $350, but its now $440, I will gladly take the 350 in credit and pay my 90 for a new pump.

[sda2]

I wish we had a service for BMW parts like FCP in Germany at all. We can't even return parts because often its "special requirements" and therefor not covered by any return policy. Let alone a lifetime warranty for parts or even oil

[George Hill]

tldr; If you aren't running a shop and you aren't going to the track on the regular then skip FCP for most everything except fluids and other small consumables. Their prices stink.

There wholesale pricing IS competitive, but does NOT carry the lifetime warranty before or after this change.