Date:         Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:18:51 -0400
Reply-To:     T Collins <tonycollin@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         T Collins <tonycollin@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      A letter to ANSA Mufflers
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

Thought I share.... I do not know what would come of it, but I could
report back I tell them on my subject line that this is a muffer for a
1985 VW Vanagon

I’m writing to you to let you know about my dissatisfaction with one
of your products. I bought a replacement muffler from an online parts
supplier September 1st 2009. The muffler was not installed until Sumer
2010 due to the vehicle being stored for the winter.

I realize now that the warranty for one of your OEM replacement
mufflers is 12 months or 12,000 miles from the time of purchase. I can
understand that. But still there are some troubling issues that I find
with the item and with the difficulty to find information about the
warranty.

Let me address my dissatisfaction with the part first. As I mentioned
above this part was place on the vehicle July of 2010 and by last
month the 3 bolt flange that held the muffler pipe to the muffler
separated leaving the muffler without a ready way to attach a new tail
pipe to the muffler.

I would have understood if this area of the part had been subject to
abused or if it was rotted by rust, but my understanding is that the
welded seam for those 3 bolt flanges are created in a very methodical
and controlled way. I cannot explain why this seam would have failed
with the exception of workmanship being an issue here.

Before embarking on buying another of your products, I thought I give
you an opportunity to reply and explain your position. I am an active
member of various VW clubs and forums and your response (or lack of)
will be shared with these local and national groups.

I hope you can understand my position as a consumer of your products.
Your website mentions:

 ANSA has a full line of durable, high-quality factory replacement
products to satisfy even the most hard-to-fit import vehicle. Our
complete inventory features direct-fit, stamped or welded exhaust
systems and installation hardware that meet or exceed industry
standards, are fully compatible with factory components and are
engineered to bolt-on accurately every time.

Given my current experience, I would disagree with this muffler being
of high quality or that this product exceeds industry standards. The
19 months of usage for this muffler, on surface roads with no abuse to
this part and a vehicle in good working order maintained by the
dealership seems less than substandard to me.

Now the second issue, the warranty page although available through a
goggle search is not apparent or easily accessible on your website.
As a consumer, I feel that your warranty information should be very
visible for those who trust in the purchase of your products. I am
sure than from this letter. This could be the easiest thing that you
could solve.

There are many things I like about Goldsborough, North Carolina.
Please allow me to add the way you handle my contact with you today. I
hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,
David Anthony Collins