DAMAGED FMIC - How bad is this????

[rs73]

Leak test done....

Double wrap the inlet & outlet with plastic and rubber bands and sink it into the bath tub... no air bubles leaking out....... GREAT! Taking the plastic off the inlet also reveals the inside is dry..... funny to see the FMIC swimming around the bath tub, had to hold it down to keep it from floating, which is good - means there is air inside.

Guess I'll go with option D, i'll get on with it and perhaps do some repair as Sydneykid has given some tips...

Cheers guys....

Case closed.

[lwells]

You will not be charged customs + GST on a warranty replacement: there is a customs exemption code for it -- I'm sure nengun can give it to you.

One question: how do you know it wasn't damaged during transit rather than at customs?

Lucien.

[rs73]

I do not know where it got damaged...

I ordered 2 ARC FMICs at same time. One sent to me mate, one to meself.

Mate got his package almost a week before mine - no damage.

I get a bad feeling about mine as 4 working days past no news.

When I got it, package shows signs of box been opened and resealed. Inside all plastic packaging has been opened. Maybe this is standard procedure to prevent people inserting other substance (e.g. drugs) inside. Thus damage must be during custom inspection or during repackaging they may not put the padding in the correct position anymore.

Who knows...

[Black33]

you can straighten out the small fins using a pair of tweezers which have had the ends flattened - I've done this and works beautifully.

[rs73]

On the bright side, talked to nengun and package is fully insured - so will organise claim and insurance replacement on Monday... may be another 2-3 weeks wait coz ARC makes FMIC only when someone orders (at least 10 days to make it), but I'm not really in a hurry to put it in.

[lwells]

If you going to make a warranty claim, don't bother trying to fix the current one because AusPost will take possesion of it upon payment of the claim. They auction all this stuff off somehwere (anyone know where? always wondered..)

LW.

[rs73]

dunno how it works, but i was told to just show them the photo and fill up the form. looks like the claim to the insurance will be done on seller's behalf in japan, not on my side.

[lwells]

Hmm.. when I made a claim on a domestic item that was shipped via AusPost they took possesion. Might be a bit different with o/s purchases.

Either way nice to see you won't be stuck out in the cold.

LW.

[INASNT]

dunno how it works, but i was told to just show them the photo and fill up the form. looks like the claim to the insurance will be done on seller's behalf in japan, not on my side.

If its like any otehr insurance company then it will take around a month before you get any money back.

[DoughBoy]

Are you sure it was "new" when you bought it? How damaged was the box? Those marks aren't from someone just touching the 'cooler, unless it was Andre the Giant...

[rs73]

It is new, fresh from the factory. I actually had to wait 2 weeks for the intercooler to be fabricated as they will only make it if someone order. I think most japanese manufacturers are doing it this way with most parts like intercoolers and exhaust.

Guess i will have to organise a warranty replacement with nengun as he said he'll arrange a replacement one sent as soon as he receives all documents he requires. Another 3 weeks wait... oh well.. but at least if the item is new, it may hold more value in the future...

I'll keep you guys posted how it goes...

[rs73]

NEWS UPDATE: Replacement FMIC has left Japan today. Nengun is top bloke organising the replacement. Hope this time it gets here safely... finger cross...

[Sparki_D]

c00l man, good luck hopefully it comes in good condition this time, well done on the replacement too!

[Sydneykid]

What happend to the damaged one?

[PuppaDuck]

The nerve of someone (I don't care who - customs or courier) damaging your cooler and then not saying anything...

There must be so many people out there who don't complain about these things for them to think they could get away with things like this...

[rs73]

The damaged one most likely get sent back to Japan so nengun can claim insurance on his behalf there (all cost including shipping)... Good thing I don't have to pay $200+ shipping cost back to Japan as the damaged one is sent to an agent in Sydney, so in the end cost me $20-odd only to deliver it there.... FMIC can be replaced, but the hassle, the heart break, and the wasted time waiting for another replacement can't be replaced.

And true Pappaduck, no one can even pin-point exactly the pr1ck who was heavy handed with the FMIC in the first place, they just get away with it and we just have to bit the bullet.

But hey - it's life... sh1t happens... This is the 1st time in 3 yrs it happens anyway.

No use whinging abt the past now.

[PuppaDuck]

I guess it all comes down to how good their quality assurance systems are - If they chase up on each claim made against them or not, or just raise their fees to counter-act the losses.

[rs73]

GOOD NEWS GOOD NEWS GOOD NEWS!!!!!!

Replacement has arrived today - in mint condition. It has note on it that it is a refund and the buyer (me) can show proof of previous tax paid on it (good thing I kept all my papers). Customs won't bother opening it this time, and not a single dint in it now! Very happy. Fast replacement by nengun - I'd recommend him to anyone who is after any parts from Japan.

[paulr33]

good to hear, the best part is a perfect brand newie dun settle for damaged, im sure nengun would have done everything to replace it and keep u happy

loves it

[rs73]

Yeah. he is a top bloke!