FCP Euro Lifetime Replacement Guarantee Update

[George Hill]

That's how I understand it. My stance is that it should be indefinite. I spent extra with FCPeuro (since 2014) purely so that I could replace these parts in the future for no (or little) money spent (after refund).

The gap between FCPeuro now and ECS and other sellers is smaller, but it was a pretty big premium that I was spending back in 2014-2019. There were plenty of times where the price difference was sop great, I really had to contemplate the odds of needing a replacement sometime in the future.

I guess I don't understand your position. Are you saying that because you have been a loyal customer that you should be getting this same treatment with all of your future purchases? Or are you saying that you bought a part in 2014 under the impression that in 2024 you would be able to buy a completely unrelated part with the same warranty and that knowing what you know now you wouldn't have spent the money with FCP in 2014? Going forward you won't have to contemplate the purchase and can just buy from the lower seller.

[oceansize]

For anything other than consumables and few other select parts I buy the lowest price (with shipping) from whomever. One, there is no guarantee that two years from now I will own the same cars and as of now just like Tbonem3 I don't want large amounts of store credit.

[Tbonem3]

The way I read it is that everything you have bought until 11/1/22 is under the original "warranty" arrangement. From then on it sounds like they lost you as a customer.

That's how I understand it. My stance is that it should be indefinite. I spent extra with FCPeuro (since 2014) purely so that I could replace these parts in the future for no (or little) money spent (after refund).

The gap between FCPeuro now and ECS and other sellers is smaller, but it was a pretty big premium that I was spending back in 2014-2019. There were plenty of times where the price difference was sop great, I really had to contemplate the odds of needing a replacement sometime in the future.

[George Hill]

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.

The way I read it is that everything you have bought until 11/1/22 is under the original "warranty" arrangement. From then on it sounds like they lost you as a customer.

[Tbonem3]

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.

[George Hill]

Maybe some shops started to take advantage of this?

Shops get a different wholesale price, but there is NO warranty on maintenance items and everything else is 2yrs. I have not had to warranty anything I purchased on my wholesale acct.

I do have a personal account that I buy consumables on like track brake pads and window regulators (lol).

I would bet its individuals abusing more than shops, but I also think part of this problem is self inflicted. When I inquired about the minimum thickness of the brake pads to return them they said there wasn't a "spec" and that I could warranty them at anytime for any reason. I run them until I don't think I can get another weekend out of them and then return, but I can absolutely see how people would junk them with plenty of life left.

[PetrolM3]

Wait wait, am I thinking about this wrong? If you order your B8s from FCP, it's true that you don't exactly get a free set of replacement B8s when you need new ones. But you do generate $800 worth of store credit that you can use for other parts when you buy your next set from FCP. Still way better than spending $700 somewhere else and not getting $800 of credit for future use, no?

Exactly. Let's see how many people actually stop using FCP.. my guess? none. There are certain parts/situations/circumstances where FCP doesn't make sense (example - part that you are unlikely to ever warranty and you can get it cheaper/faster from somewhere else) but this specific change/update will not change that.

[ATB88]

I understand why, but it's a shame and I won't be buying as much from FCP now. At least this is for orders made after 11/1/22. And the way I'm reading it, that means the original order, not the replacement. Though, the next replacement purchase refunded will be store credit.

For example, I'll be ordering a set of B8s soon. About $8xx from fcp, but now I'll order from another vendor at $7xx. I don't want $800 of store credit in the future.

Wait wait, am I thinking about this wrong? If you order your B8s from FCP, it's true that you don't exactly get a free set of replacement B8s when you need new ones. But you do generate $800 worth of store credit that you can use for other parts when you buy your next set from FCP. Still way better than spending $700 somewhere else and not getting $800 of credit for future use, no?

[x Spades x]

I understand the credit thing...

If I buy a valve cover kit for $800 and find out it wasn't a leaking VC, but the oil filter housing... I should be able to return for a refund within 14 days.

[PetrolM3]

This seems to be completely fair - I don't get the complaining. You're still getting 'lifetime warranty' people - it's simply credit instead of refund which is fine if you plan to stay their customer, we all know how needy our cars are. Even with this update, what's the incentive of going elsewhere? Few bucks cheaper instead of store credit for full purchase price! They are more than fair but not stupid - most people will continue buying from them... I know I will.

[heinzboehmer]

Damn, I didn't know about the PayPal return shipping. That is truly a bummer.

But agreed with the sentiments of others here. I'll still order stuff from FCP, but I'll just be using store credit instead of my CC for a lot of it now.

[Tbonem3]

Think I saw that ordered before 11/1 are grandfathered in under the old policy.

I'm hoping that refers to the original part purchase, not the replacement. Though, like I said above, the replacement for the replacement will be store credit.

[Tbonem3]

I understand why, but it's a shame and I won't be buying as much from FCP now. At least this is for orders made after 11/1/22. And the way I'm reading it, that means the original order, not the replacement. Though, the next replacement purchase refunded will be store credit.

For example, I'll be ordering a set of B8s soon. About $8xx from fcp, but now I'll order from another vendor at $7xx. I don't want $800 of store credit in the future.

[stephen]

Think I saw that orders before 11/1 are grandfathered in under the old policy.

[Icecream]

Do y'all seriously ship used oil filters back to FCP? I just assumed shipping prices would exceed the cost of new filter...

Well, if you dissasemble it and jam it between the oil containers it's basically shipping for free.