a header should not take more than 2 hours to install so whatever your mechanic charges per hour.

My mechanic was 75 per hour x 2 = 150.00

 

Again, I'll have to invite you to visit Minicorsa.com and select the services tab you will see that it costs $250. But this is not about Jan paying for a removal and install, it's about him refunding my money.

 

ez1putt it's obvious you're unhappy with your header and the response you've received from Jan, but coming on here and handling it the way you did is definitely not the way to get what you desire (your money back) so I'd have to agree with MrCooperS' comments.

It sounds as though you've changed your mind through this ordeal as you've gone from wanting to get the header repaired to wanting your money back. It's common in the automotive aftermarket accessories world that if you have a problem with a product you send it back to the manufacturer on your dime. The manufacturer then assesses the problem and if it is manufacturer related they repair or replace the product and then ship it back to you on their dime. You indicated that Jan has given you this as one of the options to take for repairing the problem, yet you are upset with the fact that you have to pay someone to R&R the header again. I can understand your frustration with this, however there isn't a manufacturer out there that is going to pay for you to have their parts R&R'd from your car.

At this point I don't think you want any RMW product on your car, and at the same time I don't think Jan is going to refund you your money, or send you a shipping package so that you can send your header to him. You've already mentioned that you're thinking about the Myne's header, and that Myne's is local to you. So why don't you go have Myne's remove the RMW header, and mount their header at the same time. You would then have a driveable car that you could pass emissions inspection with. At that point send the RMW header to Jan for repair. He'll repair it, send it back to you, and you could sell it on the board here or another MINI related forum and get some of your money back.

Good luck whatever you choose to do.

 

Why should the consumer have to do all this? So you suggest he go buy another header THEN wait for rmw to fix this and THEN try and sell the header? What if he doesn't have the money? Again, the consumer loses. Who wants to buy a header that has been welded and and re-welded? I dont. I sure hope what I am getting as a replacement is a new header not some old one with a new cat. Then I would demand a refund as well.

While I may not agree with some of this thread the bottom line is the consumer loses. I am glad some people dont mind having a car with codes, I am not one of those people though.......

 

mdbsat - I suggested that ez1putt go get the Mynes because he previously indicated that it was at the top of his list, and their shop is local to him, besides the fact that he is done with RMW. ez1putt is in a tough position where he needs a vehicle to drive, has to get an emissions inspection, and can't afford to have his car down while the header is being repaired. It is due to these factors that I suggested he go get the Mynes then have the RMW repaired and then sell it afterward to recover some of his money.

As far as the header repair goes, you are not going to get a new header, I'm pretty sure of that. The only thing that needs to be replaced is the cat. The cat can be removed and a new one welded on without the complete header looking like trash. The same guy who builds the headers, is the same guy doing the replacement of the cat on these headers. He takes pride in his work, and wants to make sure his end product looks good and is of good quality.

 

Do you work for RMW? So I am going to get a used header? I dont think so. This is amazing. Ill call and ask myself.

 

I am not a rich man I cannot afford to go out and buy another header. All I am asking Jan for is to refund my money and send me a shipping lable so I can send his header back, thats it. As far as being on this forum it is the only way that I can speak to Jan, he will not answer his phone,e-mails or the pm's that I send him, as a matter of fact I sent him one this morning while he was on line and got nothing but crickets. As far as a replacment header I would expect nothing but a NEW header and not a repaired unit, that is what I payed for, plus a month or more wait for him to send it, hence the change of mind. Now as far as buying new headers and sending headers back and forth and putting them up for sale and then sending it again, lets use the K.I.S.S method, Jan sends me a check for $850 and a shipping lable, I send him a header,end of story,everybody happy. Simple huh.

 

I don't work for RMW. I have been to the shop where the headers and exhausts are made, and have watched the person who makes these products. He's the same person who performs the repairs as well, and is very good at what he does.

I don't know what your situation is with your header and whatever communication you have had with Jan, so calling and asking for yourself would definitely be the best way to go.

 

You may think it's simple, but it's not realistic. In the end if it turns out this way, hey more power to ya!

Good luck with this.

 

And why would this not be realistic?????? He had no problem taking my money, he should not have any problem returning it.

 

K5Cruiser, what is the name of the exhaust shop that builds the headers? I think they should get some credit for the excellent welding and metal work that went into the header.

 

Scenario:
Consumer buy's computer part from company such as... "NewEgg" for example. Consumer installs or has computer store install this part into computer. The part isn't working efficiently or up to the consumer's standards. So then the consumer removes the part himself or has computer store remove it. Consumer sends part back to "NewEgg" for refund.

Some companies cover shipping refund. Some companies don't. As far as I'm concerned I can't think of any type of parts company that would pay the consumer to remove the part to return the part. As K5Cruiser said, on internet transactions it's common for the consumer to remove and send the parts back on their "own dime" for a refund. I just think ez1 is expecting way too much; although there's nothing happening from RMW's side at the moment and I can understand. I just don't think ez1 should set his expectations so high. Thinking realistically nobody's ever going to get ALL their money back; refund and installation and all because a product didn't work as expected.

 

Man I feel like Mel Gibson in that movie(I can't remember the title)where he's trying to get his money back from the bad guys and they keep getting the amount wrong,saying is more than hes trying to get. ALL that I want back is the cost of the header $850 and one shipping tag that's it. ANY stand up vendor would do this.

 

ez1putt....and must agree with them..I dont think RMW will refund your money..

but im hoping that they will..surely USD$850 is not alot for RMW as they're maybe the most successful mini moder out there...

 

The only point I was trying to make was that swapping out your old exhaust manifold and installing a header should not take more than 2 hours by an experienced mechanic. In my case the mechanic charged 75 per hour, other shops may charge more or less per hour. I also want to point out that for the 150 I spent was exclusively for labor. I had to supply new header bolts or re-use the old ones and grafting on my stock cat (in my case) was additional.

Regarding your specific issue w/ RMW; its apparent that your unhappy but you need to be prepared to accept other options such as perhaps a store credit or allowing him to fix/replace the header. Both would be legitamite solutions in this business.

 

Luckily in not in the US, a mod shop installed my headers for about USD$45

and another shop will install my cam and future head for around USD$180

 

I see what you are saying and it's good that you have a talanted wrench that charges a reasonable price,good service is getting harder to find these days. Refunding my money would also be a legitamite solution,as Nazrin points out it's not alot of money to him but its quite a sum to me. As far as store credit,I'm not interested in any more RMW parts the way this issue is being handled not only on my part but on others as well,I'm not interested. As far as sending a new header,the time line here is a factor he has not given me or the others a firm date that he will deliver a new header. Here is the problem with that, he had said that it would be a month or so,as you have read I'm getting painted into a corner with emmissons testing, if he sends another code thrower and I have to wait another month..ect...ect you see what I mean. The best solution would be that he refunds my money and then he done with me and I'm done with him and life goes on. And to be truthful this is his business, think about it, if I were a potentual customer reading this thread I would have to think about spending my hard earned money with him. With two versions of headers throwing codes and Jan standing more off to the side of his product and not firmly behind them, I do believe that I would take a pass on doing business with him.

 

ez1putt...if I were a businessman and I were to get you what you want (i.e send you a check for USD$850, etc, etc)...It would not be good business for me...this case would then be used as an example and other unhappy customers would want their money back too...

So, the future looks bleak my brother...I'd be surprised if any vendor would give you money back...But I really wish the best can come out for you..

 

You haven't heard anything at all from Jan yet? That's odd...I would think that he would want to get this resolved.

 

So if you sold a crappy product and your customers complained you would, hold them for ransom and just keep sending another verson of your product and use them as product testers? No matter what their situation is? I think that the saying is something like "you build a better mouse trap and THEN they will beat a path to your door" not "I've sold you a usless mouse trap and your stuck with it untill I can figure it out"

 

No, I sent a pm the other day while he was on line and got nothing back except crickets. It's a shame really I thought he was better than this.

 

hmmm....if I were a successful vendor...i'd put my customers first, cos in this business, if your customers are happy, your on top on the world...and if customers turn on you, then your history...

and I strongly believe, in any business you need to keep your reputation and the only way to do this is by make your customers happy...

 

Your a liar....


He's given you three options and you said so in this thread or another. He has gotten back with you

 

Oh wait, found it. Looks like you have some options and your crying about every one of them

 

Intense, I think what ez1putt is saying that Jan hasn't come back to him on the only option he wants..which is for RMW to refund his USD$850 and send him a shipping label to sent the header back...