EDIT 01/30/2011 - Didn't anticipate people NOT reading the entire thread so I am editing the original post.

Fender has agreed to replace the case and should be shipping it out to me soon. A big shout out to Steven at Fender Customer Relations, THANKS!!!

Probably not a good idea to post while I am upset but I and going to do it anyway. Sorry for how long it is but hopefuly you all wil read it anyway.

I have about 6 SKB hard cases for my electric and acoustic guitars. Some of them are Fender branded SKB cases. I have never had an issue with them until this week. I bought 2 of the SKB/Fender Tele/Strat cases as I bought a Classic Vibe Tele for myself and a Classic Vibe Strat for my daughter for Christmas.



I bought the cases in August and they sat in their original boxes until December. We are both hobbysists, we don't gig or travel with the guitars. The furthest they go is from one side of the bedroom to the other.

Earlier this week I noticed a crack in the corner of my case. Keep in mind I treat ALL my gear with kid gloves. There is NO REASON the plastic should have cracked like it did.

I contact SKB as I have in the past for my other cases. Well I come to find out that SKB's awesome warranty and customer service does NOT apply to the Fender branded cases, Fender handles the warranty.

I forwarded a picture of the crack and my proof of purchase to Fender Customer Relations (reference #13620) and I get a reply stating that they only cover manufacturer's defects. Basically they are NOT going to do anything for me.

SKB would have replaced the case if it didn't have the Fender logo on it!

I am not swearing off Fender but, in this particular case NO MORE FENDER branded SKB cases for me.

BEWARE that the SKB lifetime warranty does NOT apply to Fender branded cases...

_________________
Bob

Fender CD280S NAT, Recording King RO-127
Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster BSB
American Special/Highway One Telecaster hybrid Partscaster
Fender 60th Anv Am Std Telecaster, Natural/Rosewood
http://community.webshots.com/user/rjstaaf

I`m surprised the case has a crack without mishandeling it. Do you think it was there new and went unnoticed ? My Strat came in one and what I didn`t like is that theres no storage compartment in them. Sorry to hear their not helping you with the issue. Look for a good bonding glue and try to do a neat job. Good Luck

_________________

To me it looks like the plastic was stressed by the aluminum frame. The crack obviously started behind the aluminum and is working it's way up the corner of the case.

_________________
Bob

Fender CD280S NAT, Recording King RO-127
Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster BSB
American Special/Highway One Telecaster hybrid Partscaster
Fender 60th Anv Am Std Telecaster, Natural/Rosewood
http://community.webshots.com/user/rjstaaf

I would try and bond it . You don`t want it to run like a crack in a windshield. Before you know it the case will be usless.

_________________

I can't mess with it just yet. Fender's initial reply was that there was nothing they could do. I have sent a couple of follow up messages and will wait to see what happens.

_________________
Bob

Fender CD280S NAT, Recording King RO-127
Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster BSB
American Special/Highway One Telecaster hybrid Partscaster
Fender 60th Anv Am Std Telecaster, Natural/Rosewood
http://community.webshots.com/user/rjstaaf

Ok and good luck. I hope you get some satisfaction and they make good for the damage.

_________________

If you can't get it resolved, here is what you could do...
At the very end of the crack drill a 1/8 hole so it will stop the crack from continuing on (like how they did on the Liberty Bell). Be sure to use a bit made for plastics (they have a different taper to them so they wont chip plastic -- important 'cause if you chip the hole you may get another run. Plastic supply houses or even glass repair places should have them. I have found that Unibits (step bits) work good for plastics too, but they are spendy. When you have the hole done, seal the crack with a good (for plastic) two-part epoxy. I've worked with various plastics over the years and have had to deal with odd stuff like this on occasion -- had to do something similar on a Kitty Kat snow machine cowling, worked like a charm.

You could also go the redneck route and use duct tape. lol

Can you post a pic of the crack? Manufacturers warranty will only include defects- yes. But if you can post a pic of the crack we can see for ourselves and give you our opinion.

Basically, if they are calling it impact damage- then that that will void your warranty as it is deemed excessive wear and tear. Talking directly to the manufacturer won't help at all, talk to your retailer who sold it to you- I think you would have more luck. Give him/her a chance to rectify the issue first before posting perhaps. It's fair, and it will give them the opportunity to try and come to a resolution for you. Customer service is key when rectifying things like this or you can go sour quickly if you are dealing with manufacturers. They only deal with retailers. If they cannot help you then maybe the case had enough stress on it to crack somewhere or at sometime. Perhaps you just didnt notice it.

Aluminium edging will not cause a crack like this in my experience. It's bent to the shape of the case, and if you look at the case in the picture above, its actually hard to bang it on a surface that will make it break if you know what I mean.

See how you go, but I would like to see a pic of the crack.


One more thing, I know that it was bought a while before christmas but that doesn't help the situation, ideally retailers would prefer that issues can be raised quickly in these cases.

In my line of work we call it an ELF (Early Life Failure) period (2 weeks) where there is a standown period where if something was substantially faulty, it will be replaced at retail store level provided it is in brand new condition that the retailer is happy to sell it at. The product then is taken from you, and you are given a new one. The old product is taken from the retailer and then repaired to manufacturer specs then issued again to the retailer to sell.

Anything outside of that will need to be sent for repair at an approved repair agent at the manufacturers choosing.
So if your case is still deemed outside warranty, the retailer should still be able to repair it for you at a cost. If not, then I would ask for my money back.

_________________

Well everyone I have an update on my situation.

Fender has come through for me after talking with Customer Relations again.

They are sending me a new case to replace the one that is coming apart.

They are not even asking for the existing case back as they said it can't be repaired anyway.

My appreciation goes out to Steven at Fender Customer Relations, THANKS!!!!

_________________
Bob

Fender CD280S NAT, Recording King RO-127
Squier Classic Vibe 50s Telecaster BSB
American Special/Highway One Telecaster hybrid Partscaster
Fender 60th Anv Am Std Telecaster, Natural/Rosewood
http://community.webshots.com/user/rjstaaf

Nice to see a good resolution to a bad problem ^^

_________________
I traded my car in for a microphone.

Great!! Way to go Fender Customer Relations!!

The one and only time that I had a problem with any Fender gear (over 30 years ago) they dealt with it quickly and no questions asked.I'm glad to see that their interest in customer satisfaction is still right up there.Way to go Fender,you're a class act.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

+1

I do still miss the G&G cases when they were standard issue though.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Good deal - way to go Fender!

You gotta Love it when a company does what it should do. It kinda gives you hope