Double check your electrical parts when purchasing!

SierraBoarder · January 5, 2021

I picked up a seat heater element pad for both the back and the seat bottom. The seat back element came in a box labeled with the seat bottom element part number.

Now I'm a little upset the dealer might not accept the return/exchange since it's an electrical part. I'll give them (major twin cities dealer) a chance to correct this first. I didn't think to look and compare to the picture on screen because the part numbers matched. This is not the dealer's fault I know, but had I paid for the install this wouldn't be an issue! Frustrating to say the least.

Check your electrical parts before purchase!!

Edited January 5, 2021 by SierraBoarder
Title edit

JimCost2014 · January 5, 2021

1 hour ago, SierraBoarder said:

I picked up a seat heater element pad for both the back and the seat bottom. The seat back element came in a box labeled with the seat bottom element part number.

Now I'm a little upset the dealer might not accept the return/exchange since it's an electrical part. I'll give them (major twin cities dealer) a chance to correct this first. I didn't think to look and compare to the picture on screen because the part numbers matched. This is not the dealer's fault I know, but had I paid for the install this wouldn't be an issue! Frustrating to say the least.

Check your electrical parts before purchase!!

Welcome to the site.

Who installed the parts, would think the mistake will be on them for not making sure they installed the correct parts in the correct location.

If the dealer sent you two rear axles (example), and the shop in question stuffed one up under the front of the truck, how could that be your fault for an incorrect repair?

SierraBoarder · January 5, 2021

I should clarify I noticed that I had two back elements when I had removed the seat bottom element.

No wrong parts were installed, just a mixup on what was in the box and what should have been in the box. I should have looked and said something at the parts desk. I am doing this myself so I knew right away something was not right. All because I was in a hurry. If I had paid said dealer the $515 they quoted to replace, I wouldn't have this issue. Because they wouldn't be able to install it correctly. At least I hope they wouldn't have..

SierraBoarder · January 5, 2021

UPDATE: The dealer corrected this. I returned the back element and was given the seat bottom. Still set me back a day because I failed to check the element the first time when purchasing.

reardiff · January 5, 2021

Glad the dealer rectified this for you with out any problems. My similar experiences haven't ended up as lucky. I picked up a set of tie rods once from a Advance Auto Parts once got them home and opened the box to find some old used tie rods. Took it back immediately and of course they wouldn't do anything about it. So I was out the cost and had to order new one's (from a different place). Had the same thing happen at Best Buy when I bought a PC program and got home and found the box had been opened and a fake/blank disk was in the box. Happened a third time where I ordered a GM performance exhaust from an on-line retailer and it came in the right box with the right part # on it, but clearly wasn't the right exhaust inside.. It didn't fit. This time I would have/could have sent it back but of course I threw out the box before I realized it and again this time was out over $900. (Which I still have if anybody is interested in a GM performance exhaust or even just the Borla muffler)

Moral of the story is like you said to always check every purchase you can that comes in a box, before you leave the store... and don't destroy the box until you know for sure it don't' have to be taken back.