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Post subject: Best approach for defect - but out of warranty?
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 6:57 am
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I have a Blues Deluxe reissue that I like very much, but recently had a major failure. It's just over 5 years old, purchased brand new, so it's out of warranty.
While playing it went dead, completely dead. No power indicator light, nothing.
I checked the fuse and it wasn't blown, so I took it to my amp guy, and he found the transformer was fried.
Also the tubes were fried. This was a mystery as to how this was, and why the fuse didn't blow, since it was the correct fuse.
I went ahead after his analysis and had him install a new transformer and tubes.
When finished, he had the answer. Once he had it all opened up to replace the transformer, he found that the factory had left a chassis screw and washer rattling around inside. It wasn't one that had come loose, it was a "extra" left behind during manufacture. During it's time it had eventually settled onto the circuit board and arced, you can see a little burn mark where it had been sitting, and this bypassed the fuse.
It probably would've happened a lot sooner (and been under warranty) had I moved the amp around a lot, but I don't. It's been in the same spot in my studio for most of it's life.
So technically it's not a "defect", but it is a factory oversight/mistake that cost me 240 bucks, about 1/3 of the list price for a new one. It's a real bummer. I can't "prove" it, and it's out of warranty, all I really have is my amp repair guy's assessment (Jeff Snider in San Diego).
Anyone have any advice on petitioning Fender for redress? Do you think that they would even reply to this? I've found customer service to be pretty helpful, but this is the most serious, and expensive issue I've ever encountered, and am trying to think of the best way to to approach them. I suppose a statement from Jeff might be helpful. Anybody with a similar experience or more familiar with working with them? My concern is not only that it's out of warranty, but has been repaired by a third party.
Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Best approach for defect - but out of warranty?
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 7:39 am
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Seeing that the warranty expired isn't helpful. All you can do I guess, is to have your amp guy contact Fender and explain what he found . Hopefully something good will come out of it. Have him give them the amp name and serial number and a copy of the receipt for the repair job and see what happens. Good luck.


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Post subject: Re: Best approach for defect - but out of warranty?
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:26 am
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Likely you are "SOL".

You got your five years.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Best approach for defect - but out of warranty?
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:43 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Likely you are "SOL".

You got your five years.

Arjay


+1 Fender has one of the better warranties out there IMHO, unfortunate happen stance, but I agree with Arjay here, don't see Fender taking a hit on this one.

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Post subject: Re: Best approach for defect - but out of warranty?
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 11:26 am
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Depending on where you live, you may still have a case.
In most of Europe, items that are expected to last more than the warranty period are still covered by what's known (or, unfortunately, little known) as redress rights, where functional failures not due to the customer must still be repaired without cost to the owner, as long as the owner can show that the reason for the functional failure was due to the manufacturer. No matter what the warranty says. A warranty can only give extra rights, not take any away.
For consumer electronics, the mandated warranty is typically decided by courts to be in the 2 year range, and the redress rights in the 5 year range. However, musical instruments often are expected to last longer. Company ads showing examples of older merchandise being in use can be grounds for expecting a longer product life and thus increased redress right duration.

If in Europe, contact your consumer ombudsman's office, or the equivalent.

If in the US, you're screwed. Fender's warranty in the US is one of the best there is in the US, but it's still far worse than what people in other countries get by default.


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Post subject: Re: Best approach for defect - but out of warranty?
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 9:28 pm
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I guess I'll just let it go, it's not going to put me in the poorhouse. It's just an unfortunate bummer. Oh well.


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Post subject: Re: Best approach for defect - but out of warranty?
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:51 pm
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You should still try Fender's Consumer Relations anyway. Stranger things have happened and it's possible you might receive at least partial satisfaction if the company determines that there was in fact an oversight during the amp's manufacture.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Best approach for defect - but out of warranty?
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2015 3:01 am
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Arjay is on the right track. While the amp was out of warranty, based on what the tech said, there may be extenuating circumstances that may sway a hard stance about it.
I would advise asking the tech to get a hold of either one of the Electronics techs at Fender or the Service Coordinator there and explain the situation and ask if there is anything that can be done or help to be offered.
At worst, they can say "no" and you're right where you are. At best, they may offer to help since it sounds like the "right thing" to do. But I would say that your Service guys has a better chance in relaying the case since eventually they are going to ask him anyway.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Good luck with it!
All the best,
FRR34

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