Fanatec Warranty Revised
- Thread starter novadave
- 105 comments
- 17,214 views
- 577
- NC
Have any of you looked into the routine maintenance requirements of the very high end wheels? Hint…they are not set and forget plug and play happily ever after devices.
A warranty is just an insurance policy in effect. You can buy those separately if you'd like, to any time duration. Or use Amex. Or just get spare bits for DIY service so that you (or your geek friends) can do service if you have a concern you'd like to address. Most electromechanical devices run into fairly simple issues and only 2 or 3 of those issues tend to actually happen in the event something does break. Like buttons, pots, sensors, motors, motor controllers, PSUs, wire ends/plugs.
You can also do things to improve device lifespan on your own. Such as showing mechanical sympathy. Or by modding things for better handling of heat for instance. Heat is the enemy of longevity for many components. You don't necessarily have to identify a hot running component and then just say oh I have a warranty so let it cook and cook and cook. Often you can do something about it.
Or with potentiometers, some can wear out faster than you'd hope. You don't have deal with spiking by buying a filter from someone. Many of these types of components can have a hall effect or better quality conventional pot installed. I'm a bit surprised more hall conversions aren't done, some enthusiast devices not to dissimilar to sim units have that done all the time.
A warranty is just an insurance policy in effect. You can buy those separately if you'd like, to any time duration. Or use Amex. Or just get spare bits for DIY service so that you (or your geek friends) can do service if you have a concern you'd like to address. Most electromechanical devices run into fairly simple issues and only 2 or 3 of those issues tend to actually happen in the event something does break. Like buttons, pots, sensors, motors, motor controllers, PSUs, wire ends/plugs.
You can also do things to improve device lifespan on your own. Such as showing mechanical sympathy. Or by modding things for better handling of heat for instance. Heat is the enemy of longevity for many components. You don't necessarily have to identify a hot running component and then just say oh I have a warranty so let it cook and cook and cook. Often you can do something about it.
Or with potentiometers, some can wear out faster than you'd hope. You don't have deal with spiking by buying a filter from someone. Many of these types of components can have a hall effect or better quality conventional pot installed. I'm a bit surprised more hall conversions aren't done, some enthusiast devices not to dissimilar to sim units have that done all the time.
- 790
- Germany
Changing the warranty period in the US is really not a big deal. We adapted to the competition environment and are now offering the same terms.
But there will be the option to pay for a warranty extenions just as it is very usual to do so in the USA.
The CSW premium service pack will include the warranty extension and all CSW customers who are ordering now will get the PSP for free.
Of course the new warranty terms only affect new orders and not existing ones.
But there will be the option to pay for a warranty extenions just as it is very usual to do so in the USA.
The CSW premium service pack will include the warranty extension and all CSW customers who are ordering now will get the PSP for free.
Of course the new warranty terms only affect new orders and not existing ones.
JogoAsobi
Premium
- 2,578
Logitech offers 1 year warranty for products that roughly correlate to your lower end Porsche/CSR wheels.
However Thrustmaster offers a 2 year warranty for their T500, the closest market competitor to your now $600 dollar CSR E, and even more expensive CSW package.
Thank you for confirming what I stated in one of the first posts on this thread I thought would occur:
When did you change it, care to share that with your customer base?
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- 1,358
- Redmond, WA
- mrbasherman
You know... If he'd said "You don't have deal with spiking by buying a filter from someone or cleaning the pots yourself." I'd have been fine with it. In fact, I'm completely fine with anyone saying whatever they wish about my products, esspecially if they actually own something I have made or have experience with them.
This shows his true character. I'm sorry guys, I've tried not to drag this out publicly and I am STILL holding back but I'm getting a bit sick of this and the slanderous PM's he's sending to people about me. To him: Do you not think people will forward this stuff to me???
I was asked by RacerXX not to PM him any more. I obliged his request and have not since that day, hoping he would stop this incessant nonsense. However, it has continued, veiled as it may be.
I don't want it to be messy and I don't want to mess up this topic. However, if this continues, I assure you my conscience is clean enough to speak of this publicly if necessary.
- 790
- Germany
We changed it last year but the dead line is 1.1.2013.
And please don't worry what happens with your products after the warranty expired. We have always been very generous with sending spare parts or giving discounts on new proeducts etc.
Our customers are super important for us and we will take care of everybody.
As a customer of Fanatec you are directly dealing with the manufacturer and not just some 3rd party dealer. We will take care that you buy our products again and you are not an anonymous random customer to us.
And please don't worry what happens with your products after the warranty expired. We have always been very generous with sending spare parts or giving discounts on new proeducts etc.
Our customers are super important for us and we will take care of everybody.
As a customer of Fanatec you are directly dealing with the manufacturer and not just some 3rd party dealer. We will take care that you buy our products again and you are not an anonymous random customer to us.
JogoAsobi
Premium
- 2,578
So we are dealing directly with Sysgration?
- 136
- Kingston
Thanks for posting (Thomas I presume?). Just a little heads up. With the changing policies, the increase in products on your site, and the new "extended warranty", people will and are jumping to conclusions. People such as myself, who support and put our faith in you, feel that you are moving away from the customer.
I know you have gotten a bad rap from previous issues concerning public relations regarding warranty, and the bad luck with the CSW and CSRE motors... But don't you think it is a little early to start modifying your policies. These issues are still forefront in peoples minds.
Don't get me wrong, I love your products. I Currently run a CSR, CSR Shifter Set, and CSP V1. As I have intended to upgrade to the CSW, and CSS in the not to distant future, I will need to now take the time to evaluate the value for money, versus the reliability issue. I do not want to be forced into buying an extended warranty as a must in order to enjoy your products. It should be an "in case of" situation.
LogiForce
Premium
- 4,078
- Groningen, Netherlands
- LogiForce86
- LogiForce
Thomas, will you be setting up a 'Fanatec Parts Store' or section at some point where we could just buy parts for our Fanatec products and repair stuff ourselves?
This would off-load your customer support as those who are either well out of warranty or do not wish to go through customer support, they can choose to buy the parts from you and repair everything themselves.
Mayaman
Premium
- 2,224
I know you guys are all going to hate me but this is just another Fanatec bash fest. I've checked the warranty on almost every single piece of expensive electronics equipment I own and this is what I've found.
Original fatty PS3. $599 retail 1 year warranty.
Original Xbox 360 elite $399 retail 1 year warrant changed to 3 after the red ring fiasco now back to 1 year.
My new Note 2 N7100 Paid $790 1 year warranty from Samsung
My Grado RS1 headphones Paid $695 1 year warranty from Grado
I have several high end Amps Ranging in price upwards of $900. guess what. 1 year warranty.
You get the idea. Lets be fair guys, I'm seeing a lot of this feeding frenzy mentality here for some reason any time anything Fanatec is mentioned.
I for one don't like the change one bit, not one. but I can understand why they're doing it. Is it right? To me I can't blame them, I like a two year warranty. But its par for the course gentlemen. Lets not get crazy here.
Original fatty PS3. $599 retail 1 year warranty.
Original Xbox 360 elite $399 retail 1 year warrant changed to 3 after the red ring fiasco now back to 1 year.
My new Note 2 N7100 Paid $790 1 year warranty from Samsung
My Grado RS1 headphones Paid $695 1 year warranty from Grado
I have several high end Amps Ranging in price upwards of $900. guess what. 1 year warranty.
You get the idea. Lets be fair guys, I'm seeing a lot of this feeding frenzy mentality here for some reason any time anything Fanatec is mentioned.
I for one don't like the change one bit, not one. but I can understand why they're doing it. Is it right? To me I can't blame them, I like a two year warranty. But its par for the course gentlemen. Lets not get crazy here.
JogoAsobi
Premium
- 2,578
Blow smoke elsewhere Mayaman.
Haven't seen any crazy posts here or bashing, just facts & questions.
No references to the devil or stuff like that you have trotted out in your posts elsewhere here at GTP.
Biggest issue I have here is lack of disclosure...until excrement hits the fan.
Haven't seen any crazy posts here or bashing, just facts & questions.
No references to the devil or stuff like that you have trotted out in your posts elsewhere here at GTP.
Biggest issue I have here is lack of disclosure...until excrement hits the fan.
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- 227
- Montreal
- SUPERNOVADAVE
- SUPERNOVADAVE
is this some kind of a joke.??
are you serious.
here is an example of a support response i received this morning about a wheel problem.
(i inquired about purchasing a replacement main wiring harness as i recently was having problems with random button activation and upshifting on it`s own when turning the wheel rim to the right.
i decided to open the wheel before receiving a response to troubleshoot the problem.
the harness was ok but i found that the TO-220 on the daughterboard was touching the metal fan grill of the ffb motor heatsink.
over time the heatsink had rotated to a point that the fan was all the way down against the daughterboard and shortcuircuting.
i rotated the heatsink back into it`s normal position and fixed it in place. it now works as it should.)
here is the response i got from support.
Hello Dave,
thank you for your email.
Do you mind to open the wheel and check the main cable if it is defective.
I`ve attached a video showing how to open the wheel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYQfWB9MHnE
Unfortunately your wheel is no longer covered by the warranty.
Thank you.
Best Regards / Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Mirko Tzschaschel
(Fanatec Support Team)
i know that my wheel is out of warranty.
all i asked was a price on a new main harness if it was available.
Mayaman
Premium
- 2,224
My friend,
I am simply stating the obvious. The 1 year warranty is nothing out of the ordinary for high priced electronics. Simple as that.
As for my posts, I try to be helpful when I can. If you want me account deleted put a request in. Also, simple as that.
All I see for the most part is you arguing and calling people out and going on witch hunts. Your posts are sometimes over 1,000 words in your quest to be the Sherlock Holmes of the Sim Racing forums. give it a rest.
Thanks, K, bye.
LogiForce
Premium
- 4,078
- Groningen, Netherlands
- LogiForce86
- LogiForce
Please keep in mind that 2 years is the norm here in Europe for everything. Even before the law stating a minimum warranty period of 2 years was implemented.
Also keep in mind that many (including myself) view warranty as a sign of trust from a manufacturer in their products. In other words, they warrant that a product will live as long as the warranty lifecycle dictates or else it will be replaced or repaired.
A good example is the hard-drive market. Western Digital is sure their drives will last for 5 years at least and thus give a warranty of 5 years world-wide.
Now I want to ask you and the rest; give me a valid reason why Fanatec reduced the trust (read warrant) period in/of their products?
Mayaman
Premium
- 2,224
I'm in the United States so 1 year warranty is typical here. And its the region affected by the warranty change right?
I also agree its a trust relationship, never said it wasn't. But remember that Fanatec just like any company is run by accountants. Tomas while the CEO still have to bow down to the whims of the bean counters, its like that at any company including the one I work for even though we made 3 billion dollars last year.
My statements are basically pointing out that 1 year warranties are nothing new, never have been. Blanket statements about the demise of Fanatec and how could they do this to us are kind of silly to me. Fanatec wants to make money and I'm sure they also care about their customers or they wouldn't even both to answer questions on a message board or blog.
But some of you expect answers, sometimes answers that really Tomas can't answer because he is hamstrung by legal and company policy. I'm just looking at this from a common sense point of view. I don't like it but I also don't feel like Fanatec is this evil corporation sitting on a golden chair eating Sim racers souls. LOL
It was a decision by the board of Fanatec, simple as that. We got advised that our anual bonuses were moved from Christmas time to March the following year. No explanation was given. Its just the way it is. The warranty is now 1 year for any new wheel purchased. The old warranty still applies to those that bought it last year. This isn't anything that I think is different than any other company.
But since Fanatec is in the EU they offered the 2 year warranty because its law. It isn't law in the USA so they changed it. What'ya gonna do. *shrug*
I also agree its a trust relationship, never said it wasn't. But remember that Fanatec just like any company is run by accountants. Tomas while the CEO still have to bow down to the whims of the bean counters, its like that at any company including the one I work for even though we made 3 billion dollars last year.
My statements are basically pointing out that 1 year warranties are nothing new, never have been. Blanket statements about the demise of Fanatec and how could they do this to us are kind of silly to me. Fanatec wants to make money and I'm sure they also care about their customers or they wouldn't even both to answer questions on a message board or blog.
But some of you expect answers, sometimes answers that really Tomas can't answer because he is hamstrung by legal and company policy. I'm just looking at this from a common sense point of view. I don't like it but I also don't feel like Fanatec is this evil corporation sitting on a golden chair eating Sim racers souls. LOL
It was a decision by the board of Fanatec, simple as that. We got advised that our anual bonuses were moved from Christmas time to March the following year. No explanation was given. Its just the way it is. The warranty is now 1 year for any new wheel purchased. The old warranty still applies to those that bought it last year. This isn't anything that I think is different than any other company.
But since Fanatec is in the EU they offered the 2 year warranty because its law. It isn't law in the USA so they changed it. What'ya gonna do. *shrug*
JogoAsobi
Premium
- 2,578
Why did this thread occur?
Because a community member discovered by happenstance that the warranty terms had changed without notification.
Further disclosure by Fanatec TODAY indicates it changed almost 1 month ago.
When the iPhone 4S was released, Apple changed its AppleCare warranty terms.
This was publicly announced beforehand so customers could make an informed decision...
Because a community member discovered by happenstance that the warranty terms had changed without notification.
Further disclosure by Fanatec TODAY indicates it changed almost 1 month ago.
When the iPhone 4S was released, Apple changed its AppleCare warranty terms.
This was publicly announced beforehand so customers could make an informed decision...
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Mayaman
Premium
- 2,224
I agree, it should definitely be advertised. Was it advertised with new purchases? Fanatec isn't apple. I'm pretty sure they weren't trying to be deceptive. If they were you shouldn't buy their products. No mystery there. If you're uncomfortable with this, don't buy their products. Speak with your dollar.
