Hi All,
Not something i wanted to do but here we go.
I brought a Exedy Organic Racing Clutch Kit for my Subaru WRX STI on the 1/3/14 from ebay from the member: aztec_performance_outlet AKA Aztec Performance on http://www.superhids.co.uk
Price was £369.99
Here is a few pictures of the clutch when opened:
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/00_zps6a65201c.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/00_zps6a65201c.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/0000_zpsbb95b23b.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/0000_zpsbb95b23b.jpg.html)
Only got round to booking in to get this fitted on 22/4/14 by my Trusted garage i have been using for years called AutoMek Performance Garage.
Aztec Performance clutch seemed to be a fake copy clutch.
Here, a tech report from the Automek Performance Garage:
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/t_zps6190e69d.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/t_zps6190e69d.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/tt_zps8c389d2e.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/tt_zps8c389d2e.jpg.html)
Automek sorted me out with ordering the same clutch n had it fitted with no issues, here are pictures comparing Aztec performance clutch Vs AutoMek Supplied Clutch:
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/10376328_10152432535134875_6200771552333008898_n_zpsc5184bcb.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/10376328_10152432535134875_6200771552333008898_n_zpsc5184bcb.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/10330297_10152432535634875_7886248131119604219_n_zpsedd4ce9e.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/10330297_10152432535634875_7886248131119604219_n_zpsedd4ce9e.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/10354096_10152432533154875_4986222280450354288_n_zpsfe773ac9.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/10354096_10152432533154875_4986222280450354288_n_zpsfe773ac9.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/10341962_10152432535334875_8650597885291937629_n_zpsec751e45.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/10341962_10152432535334875_8650597885291937629_n_zpsec751e45.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/10308803_10152432532984875_3571498629130811310_n_zps615ac5de.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/10308803_10152432532984875_3571498629130811310_n_zps615ac5de.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/10300096_10152432533454875_378793392716047103_n_zps1760ee7c.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/10300096_10152432533454875_378793392716047103_n_zps1760ee7c.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/10300225_10152432535544875_6345369214584453018_n_zps8d6fa57b.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/10300225_10152432535544875_6345369214584453018_n_zps8d6fa57b.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/1511354_10152432535744875_451119862122193947_n_zpse82c6be3.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/1511354_10152432535744875_451119862122193947_n_zpse82c6be3.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/10171244_10152432535444875_299270609011174031_n_zpsec2aec50.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/10171244_10152432535444875_299270609011174031_n_zpsec2aec50.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/10271628_10152432534889875_1132471816787974916_n_zpsad33abfb.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/10271628_10152432534889875_1132471816787974916_n_zpsad33abfb.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/12729_10152432533669875_7576724213537418723_n_zpsdb7e20a9.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/12729_10152432533669875_7576724213537418723_n_zpsdb7e20a9.jpg.html)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/10255779_10152432534734875_6933180793076759501_n_zpseb980749.jpg) (http://s989.photobucket.com/user/pennzoil23/media/10255779_10152432534734875_6933180793076759501_n_zpseb980749.jpg.html)
Clutch was sent back on 30/4/14 with all evidence, report n pictures. Demanding a Full refund on Clutch n a wasted labour which totalled £849.99 all in.
A few mails has been sent to Aztec during the past few months where Aztec is trying to claim exedy for this matter.
Only yesterday i got a final answer as i said 3 weeks ago that i will only wait till 25th July as this is taking far too long.
Guy from Aztec Performance (Bob) Sent me a reply saying:
Hi Michael,
Thanks for your patience, the guy that normally deals with the warranty claims at Exedy has been away for several weeks.
I have spoken to him just now chasing the matter and a report will be forthcoming shortly. The findings of the report were that there is no manufacturing defect on the clutch, the clutch has suffered from impact damage after being removed from the packaging (most likely by the mechanic?). All items should be checked prior to fitting and the mechanic should of been happy with the product before fitting it.
The claim is rejected on the basis that there is no manufacturing defect. If you wish to escalate the claim beyond Exedy UK and would like the factory in Japan take a look and perform another report then this can be done at your shipping cost. Also you would be welcome to use an independent clutch lab at your own cost but Exedy\'s report is credible and when we have had claim in the past where there has been any issue of theirs they have paid out and reported correctly I am satisfied that no manufacturing defect has occurred and that Exedy\'s explanation to me that the clutch was dropped.
I understand you were expecting a different outcome and are some £350 down on a clutch kit but there is no claim to be made.
The clutch kit will be held for 14 days by Exedy before being scrapped. Please let me know if you wish to arrange uplift of the clutch kit, it may be worth doing as you may find someone that can repair the clutch cover for you and the friction plate also has value too.
Cheers,
Bob.
Automek also given Bob a reply saying:
Good Afternoon Bob,
As the garage who fitted the original clutch, I can confirm that the clutch did not suffer from “impact damageâ€. As per the original images which were sent to you by our customer, it’s blatantly obvious that there is a manufacturing defect with the product. It is physically impossible for “impact damage†to have caused the tension spring on the pressure plate to have been riveted onto the wrong side of the plate?
We are a performance garage and deal with these vehicles on a regular basis. Never before, in our experience of fitting in excess of 100 Impreza clutches have we seen anything like this and are not willing to shoulder the blame, from yourself, or from Exedy UK.
We have advised Michael to have the clutch uplifted and have it taken to an independent motor vehicle claims assessor. Upon completion of this report, the matter will be escalated to the financial ombudsman, and also the small claims court where Aztec Performance / Exedy will be claimed not only for the cost of the clutch / labour, but also for the cost of the Independent engineers report at £250 + vat.
If you require any further information, or wish to discuss the matter further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
AutoMek.
I will request to take the clutch back n take this case further.
This is where we are now.
Ask them for a copy of emails from exedy, also get in touch with exedy to to see if the company has actually been in touch and if they are in fact a dealer for them?
Exedy are a big reputable company and im sure if that clutch was genuine they would be changing it in an instant!
How did you buy it ? Surely paypal can help?
Did you pay via credit card? I now buy all the parts I use for my business this way after being caught by a well known clutch company in the Blackpool area.
Funnily enough, the guy who did the warranty claims was \'off ill for several weeks\', he was back in though when I asked my credit card company to charge back against them :Thumbs-up
Your next option is to go to Money Claim, it\'s only £35 but I\'d suggest you get the clutch back for an independent examination to establish if it\'s a genuine kit. If it\'s not genuine then I\'m sure the seller would refund as opposed to the bad publicity, don\'t forget, the seller may have been sold these kits as genuine even if found to be fake so will also be a victim.
Valid point you need your evidence back. Id get the clutch sent back recorded delivery as you dont want your evidence to go missing in the post.....which would.be very fortunate for the seller.
Quote from: RobMatthews;881446Ask them for a copy of emails from exedy, also get in touch with exedy to to see if the company has actually been in touch and if they are in fact a dealer for them?
Exedy are a big reputable company and im sure if that clutch was genuine they would be changing it in an instant!
Just got a reply this morning that my clutch is at: EXEDY Clutch Europe Ltd.
Unit 2, Rokeby Court, Runcorn, WA7 1RW, England.
Will give them a call and arrange ship back asap.
Quote from: boosted;881451How did you buy it ? Surely paypal can help?
I paid over Paypal.
I\'d contact paypal and see if they can help you and i would ring Exedy direct.
After i got my clutch back from Peter King at Exedy, my Mechanic Called Peter King n explained the whole satiation, after showing him the pictures he was kinda speechless n said "Ehhhhhhhh i will call u back in a min"
But Peter has Basically told us to F off as he said is not his problem as he didn\'t sell me the clutch.
In this case we have learn that this dude from Exedy has not much knowledge of clutches at n is pretty useless.
Back to calling Bob from Aztec, i said am no longer chasing labour n just want clutch money back n don\'t want clutch as replacement, Bob said he will call my mechanic again n talk but instead he didn\'t n just sent a clutch out instead.
This comes to a End n i do not recommenced anybody in using Aztec performance, u never know, u might hit with a fake item.
Here is the clutch he sent me back instead of a refund:
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/ss_zps48cae1ad.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/sss_zps6f21ecc3.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/ssss_zps8693a869.jpg)
(http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/af17/pennzoil23/sssss_zps01c524fd.jpg)
Have you spoken to exedy uk directly? Verify this is a fake clutch from then. Smalls claims if is.
Go to a little car magzine and try to publish your story. Once they see that, their business alongside exedy is being discussed in a negative way, I am sure they will mend their way and you will save future perspective buyers from this company!
Dont let it die this way at least!
Mir
Quote from: boosted;883739Have you spoken to exedy uk directly? Verify this is a fake clutch from then. Smalls claims if is.
I haven\'t spoken to Exedy myself but i heard the convo when (Andy) The Mechanic called Peter King.
Quote from: Mir;883740Go to a little car magzine and try to publish your story. Once they see that, their business alongside exedy is being discussed in a negative way, I am sure they will mend their way and you will save future perspective buyers from this company!
Dont let it die this way at least!
Mir
Am Kinda past the stage now, just sitting with a clutch does not help as it will take forever to sell.
I might tell me story to some mags too but got friends to spread the word n post of forums too, complete pathetic from Peter King at Exedy n useless with Bob at Aztec sending a clutch back, and u can see the diff from the First Aztec clutch n the 1 sent back!!
Sorry to hear of the problem you had, however it may help to know that the reason the Exedy claims dept would not deal with you was because you were not their customer.
Your argument and claim would have always been with the company the clutch was purchased from.
If this was a clutch fault with a genuine Exedy clutch you would have needed to send the clutch back to where you brought it from, then they would have sent the clutch back to Exedy for examination.
I hope this helps explain that your problem was always with the company you bought the clutch from and from what I have read trading standards would have potentially been a better route, however happily you do now at least seem to be sorted out .