Service Bulletin Costs

[bkc3921]

I'm a little confused....If Van's made the parts...and Van's determined that the parts are defective and unsafe (hence the mandatory recall)...then why is Van's not footing the bill for this??...I don't mind putting in the labor to change it..but that does not help with the parts cost. This is different than a "warranty" issue....yes, we all signed a license agreement that states no warranty is implied..but this seems to be a different issue. Could some legal eagle out there help me understand why the customer is responsible for this? When they did the rudder recall a few back, they supplied the parts..we just had to build the new one...

[n468ac]

welcome to avation

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by bkc3921

I'm a little confused....If Van's made the parts...and Van's determined that the parts are defective and unsafe (hence the mandatory recall)...then why is Van's not footing the bill for this??...I don't mind putting in the labor to change it..but that does not help with the parts cost. This is different than a "warranty" issue....yes, we all signed a license agreement that states no warranty is implied..but this seems to be a different issue. Could some legal eagle out there help me understand why the customer is responsible for this? When they did the rudder recall a few back, they supplied the parts..we just had to build the new one...

It's simple......

You add a few thousand bucks to the initial price of the kit, for this sort of thing. Van's doesn't, and hence the very reasonable pricing of kits.

These parts are not exactly what you'd call defective and unsafe, considering many have flown thousands of hours with them; and could probably get thousands of more hours.

This is just one of those stinking liability issues, where we have to protect us from ourselves...... as mentioned by someone else.

Be happy, with what you did get for free!

L.Adamson

[cytoxin]

when i received my finish kit (or which ever one they were in) i asked why didnt i get the new style parts? and was given the, well, uh, these are fine and there isnt any proof the others are better... what ever, i know i got a raw deal. and really dont appreciate it. my one and only gripe with vans.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by cytoxin

when i received my finish kit (or which ever one they were in) i asked why didnt i get the new style parts? and was given the, well, uh, these are fine and there isnt any proof the others are better... what ever, i know i got a raw deal. and really dont appreciate it. my one and only gripe with vans.

As far as I'm concerned; I think the new forks are wimmpy. I believe the new spar/wing attachments are wimmpy, compared to those 60+ bolts that hold the 6's spar together, and the pre-punched everything, without the forced use of jigs, just makes it too easy...

Is the new; better, worse, or just lighter and easier?

Looking at the wheel/bearing setup, I DO think that the "old" way is better.

L.Adamson

[bkc3921]

..I don't have too many gripes about Van's..but this one has to be the worst..I hope they don't decide the wings are crappy!..they will bust my bank..
Someone posted that I should be happy with what I "got for free" (?)..not sure what that meant, I have a stack of invoices that would choke a horse...

Brian Cutler
N433BC Reserved
Firewall Forward..Panel..Cowl..

[plehrke]

Originally Posted by bkc3921

..I don't have too many gripes about Van's..but this one has to be the worst..I hope they don't decide the wings are crappy!..they will bust my bank..
Someone posted that I should be happy with what I "got for free" (?)..not sure what that meant, I have a stack of invoices that would choke a horse...

Brian Cutler
N433BC Reserved
Firewall Forward..Panel..Cowl..

Buy a certified airplane and see how many of the AD's are paid for by the manufacturor. None. Buy a kit from anyone else and see who pays for a SB (if they even care enough to issue a SB). Besides, in an experimental you are the manufacturor and Van's just sells you parts. You are responible for the aircraft.

[brenegan]

Originally Posted by bkc3921

I'm a little confused....If Van's made the parts...and Van's determined that the parts are defective and unsafe (hence the mandatory recall)...then why is Van's not footing the bill for this??...I don't mind putting in the labor to change it..but that does not help with the parts cost. This is different than a "warranty" issue....yes, we all signed a license agreement that states no warranty is implied..but this seems to be a different issue. Could some legal eagle out there help me understand why the customer is responsible for this? When they did the rudder recall a few back, they supplied the parts..we just had to build the new one...

I agree. Although this particular SB doesn't affect me; I think they should have, at the very least, given a discount.

[N916K]

Originally Posted by bkc3921

then why is Van's not footing the bill for this??

When the aircraft manufacturer of my plane made me move the nose wheel 18 feet back it cost me 1500.00. You're getting off cheap if your manufacturer only requires you change the fork.

[asav8tor]

If you tried to scratch build a plane from plans only, ( used to be done ) there is no way you could source the materials for the price of the kits. You simply don't have the buying power of Vans. As a result you get the kit with all that work done for free since you get in on Vans "Mother of all Group Buy" discounts. The airframe kit is an incredible bargain.

The company was obviously built on small margins. I would not be surprised if only a small percentage of their profit comes from kits and the bulk from the optional items catalog. I don't want to sound like an ad, but I do try to buy extra stuff from Vans first because I think it helps keep the kit prices where they are, encouraging more to build, etc.

With that perception I don't think it's reasonable to expect Van to pay for SB related stuff. Each entitled to their own opinion. That is mine.