FTC Cracks Skulls at Weber - RTR

Ozzie_Isaac

https://www.vice.com/en/article/7k8vb4/ftc-orders-weber-to-honor-the-sacred-right-to-repair-your-own-grill

Ozzie_Isaac

I wonder what this means for BGEs stance on aftermarket parts like Kick-Ash basket?

lousubcap

Okay - I have had a couple of cocktails and had to pause about why Foil, Towels, Cooler suddenly found a platform.  I will survive-

Ozzie_Isaac

lousubcap said:

Okay - I have had a couple of cocktails and had to pause about why Foil, Towels, Cooler suddenly found a platform.  I will survive-

Lol, true BBQ head right there.  I always think Federal Trade Commission when I see FTC.

RyanStl

Weber sells parts on their website, don't know what this article is about.

Langner91

The article is about the use of NON-Weber parts voiding the warranty automatically.

This is a common Harley issue.  Harley hates to fix stuff for free after you bolt-on a bunch of non-Harley parts.  Mufflers (exhaust) are the most common thing they would deny warranty for.  A person would put a set of cheap / loud mufflers (made by someone besides Harley) on a bike and then take it to the shop because it burned a hole in a piston.  Well, did the slip-on muffler make the fuel / air mixture different which caused it to run lean?  Maybe, maybe not.  But, the FTC said they can't deny warranty automatically because of the use of 3rd party parts.

Langner91

It also happens with new cars.  If a Salesperson ever says "Don't forget to bring it back here for your oil changes so you don't void your warranty," get clarification.

Do I void my warranty the moment I change my own oil? That would be illegal.  Or, if I forget to change the oil do I void my warranty? That is perfectly legal.

WeberWho

The same problem with John Deere:

https://youtu.be/EPYy_g8NzmI

JohnInCarolina

WeberWho said:

The same problem with John Deere:

https://youtu.be/EPYy_g8NzmI

I have my reservations about VICE, but man there are so few outlets doing reporting like this.

RyanStl

Langner91 said:

The article is about the use of NON-Weber parts voiding the warranty automatically.

This is a common Harley issue.  Harley hates to fix stuff for free after you bolt-on a bunch of non-Harley parts.  Mufflers (exhaust) are the most common thing they would deny warranty for.  A person would put a set of cheap / loud mufflers (made by someone besides Harley) on a bike and then take it to the shop because it burned a hole in a piston.  Well, did the slip-on muffler make the fuel / air mixture different which caused it to run lean?  Maybe, maybe not.  But, the FTC said they can't deny warranty automatically because of the use of 3rd party parts.

What kind of non Weber parts? If you need a part you would file warranty, not buy a cheap knockoff. The Harley thing I get because people change out a lot on those for customization.

Edit: I just bought a cheap burner for my Weber Q, but I don't care about warranty. The grill is 14 years old.

Langner91

Grill Grates?
A-Maze-N Tube?
Griddle top?
Propane Tank gage?

I don't know.  Basically, their warranty must have stated that it was void if non-Weber parts / accessories were used.  They can't state that the use of a third party for repair / parts / accessories automatically voids the warranty.

If a third party part/accessory does damage the grill, they can deny the warranty claim, but they can't prohibit them in the warranty terms.

If your cheap burner somehow caused a flashback that blew up your grill, Weber could say "Sorry not covered, that bad burner caused it."  But, their old warranty must have said "If you use a cheap burner (or any nonWeber part), your entire warranty is void".  So, if the knobs fell off, you would be out of luck, even though your cheap burner didn't cause your knobs to fail.

That's my understanding, anyway.  I am not a lawyer, just from what I have gathered from the Harley thing.

kl8ton

If you remove the factory air intake on your Weber and replace it with a free flowing K&N air intake system, just beware . . . when that transmission goes out, you will be denied warranty coverage.  All that added power likely blew the tranny apart.

JohnInCarolina

What has been BGE’s stance on warranty claims after a Rutland gasket is installed?  I assume @RRP knows?

lousubcap

@kl8ton -  those K&N oil soaked air filters do make a difference at least for a non racer like me.  But I have moved on, primarily based on my age and the noticeable slowing of reflexes especially at three digit speed.  
It sucks getting old!  And in more ways than one.  

Ozzie_Isaac

JohnInCarolina said:

What has been BGE’s stance on warranty claims after a Rutland gasket is installed?  I assume @RRP knows?

Per letter of their law, it voids it.  As does the kick-ash basket and smokeware cap.  However, I have never heard of a claim denied due to any of those.

Ozzie_Isaac

JohnInCarolina said:

WeberWho said:

The same problem with John Deere:

https://youtu.be/EPYy_g8NzmI

I have my reservations about VICE, but man there are so few outlets doing reporting like this.

Vice is a very odd entity.  They have stupid trash "news" articles and then a few absolute gems like this.  I scan their page a few times a month to see what they have.  They used to have a phenomenal investigative reporting show in HBO years ago.  Was an top shelf program with reporting you wouldn't see anywhere else. Now, Disney owns them!