Warranty Question

shark · Post by **shark** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 2:31 pm

I'm sure this has been debated many times.
What is the deal with your first service being done at the dealer or the warranty is void? I'm pretty sure, in TX anyway, it is against the law to force a customer to a dealer for maint. in order to maintain a warranty.

Any experiences or thoughts?

Not that I wouldnt..it's just loading that thing in a borrowed ragged out minivan(I have an 07 VW GTI and 06 Beetle Vert) and taking it 45 miles. (Could drive it if wanted to die on the freeway)
I'm a retired mechanic and do all maint at home..

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 1:38 am

I've wondered that same thing. And I've also scoured my warranty certificate and it says nothing about having to do the first service at a dealer. My dealer is a bit of a long ride and so I might only do the first service there (mainly because they offer it for free!). After that I might go to the local Vespa shop (which is part of a network that sells Genuine though they don't themselves, so it may actually qualify as a dealer).

Have you seen where it says the first service must be done by a dealer? Am I just missing it somewhere?

shark · Post by **shark** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:16 am

jmazza wrote:I've wondered that same thing. And I've also scoured my warranty certificate and it says nothing about having to do the first service at a dealer. My dealer is a bit of a long ride and so I might only do the first service there (mainly because they offer it for free!). After that I might go to the local Vespa shop (which is part of a network that sells Genuine though they don't themselves, so it may actually qualify as a dealer).

Have you seen where it says the first service must be done by a dealer? Am I just missing it somewhere?

The Warranty Sheet I was given says the vehicle must be INSPECTED/SERVICED by an Authorized Genuine dealer within 500 miles or the Genuine Limited Warranty is null and void.

I still think this illegal (at least in TX) I think. I know car warrantys are that way in Texas. What is interesting is my dealer told me I did not have to come in there for the first service. He said if I was able/had the skills do it myself.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 6:28 pm

There are a lot of discussions of the various legalities of what's contained in our warranties.

I'm no legal scholar, and the the partioculars vary from state to state. But if anyone would like to test this, read up on the federal law offering consumer warranty protections. Yeah, it does seem like this provision is not entirely legal, but there are good reasons for requiring owners to have this service done at an authorized dealer.

Either way, you need a new dealer: The first service should be done at an authorized dealer regardless of the legality of making you do it there. There are a number of checks that need to be done at 500 miles (or so) to insure the scoot is running properly and that no mistakes were made during dealer prep, no problems occurred during shipping, that you didn't get stuck with any defective parts, etc.

If your dealer is simply doing an oil and filter change, they're shorting their customers and not providing the service Genuine/PGO stipulates and doing their customers a disservice by not providing some necessary checks. After the first service, you're pretty good to go for the next few scheduled ones until you need your valves checked. (I seem to remember posting the various 1st service checks from the Service Manual, but can't find it now...)