Bought a Harbor Freight Battery charger back in July. 3-1/2 monts later it doesn't work. Kept the box it came in and looked at the paperwork. Harbor Freight warranty is for 90 days. Purchased it using my Citi-Mastercard. Mastercard is suppose to double the warranty on anything you purchase with a warranty up to one year. This means they double the 90 day warranty and cover you for another 90 days. Called up Citi-Mastercard. They in turn connected me to another department for Extended Warranty. I tell the Customer Service Representative of my problem that the Battery Charger I purchased doesn't work anymore. The dumb Customer Service woman tells me she doesn't think the battery charger is covered by the extended warranty being she thinks it is considered a automobile accessory so they denied the claim. Many on this forum know I have been in the auto parts business a long time. Actually 35 years as I retired from it this past Summer. If anyone knows I know that a Battery Charger is actually a Tool and not a accessory. A accessory is a pair of floor mats, a air freshener, extra mirrors. Maybe a Radar detector or GPS but surely not a battery charger that is used also charge Lawn Tractor batteries, some electric generator batteries w/battery start,snow blowers w/battery start and motorcycles or scooter batteries, gulf carts etc. I called back to Citi-Mastercard and told them they are going to lose my business now of 22 years over this. Curious what others think about this. Do you consider a Battery Charger an Accessory or a Tool? I believe I am right and I also believe the Rep at Mastercard doesn't want to pay out period. Funny I only paid $35 for the charger on sale. I guess they rather lose my business over $35.
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1967 Marlboro Maroon 4spd Coupe 1973 Dark Blue 4spd Coupe w/air, original 25,000 miles 1999 Black C-5 Hatchback Coupe 6spd LS1 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe eng. code "ZZZ" 350-345hp Chevy Powered! 1970 Black on Black Monte Carlo(FOR SALE)Asking $18k
If it was an accessory you would be able to drive your car with it attached. Since you can not do this, it can only be a tool. It is a tool that converts power from your home electrical outlet to a battery. Or are home outlets now a car accessory also? It is not attached in any way to the car itself but only to the battery for the sole purpose of charging. When not in use it is kept in the tool shed with other tools. They are called BATTERY CHARGERS and not CAR CHARGERS. How does one even think they are a car accessory? I would go to a manager with the issue and ask for a denial letter in writing with how they defined it as an accessory and not a tool. I would also go back to Harbor Freight as they might exchange it since it is only 3 1/2 months old.
Your correct It is not an accessory and who ever you talked to at the credit card company was not knowledgeable .
About one few things that Maine has is what is called implied warranty.the exceptions are automobiles and items bought by a business.Example if you go to Sears and buy a new freezer and do not get the store warranty your still covered .The freezer should last 5 years and it dies a 4years you can take it back .Each item has an anticipated life.
I am attaching a copy of the denial letter from (TWG Innovative Solutions) who handle this in another division for Mastercard. As you can see and already know they are very unknowledgeable about the Battery Charger calling it a car accessory other then a tool which it is. Again I plan to stop using my Citicard Mastercard over this. I feel I got burnt here and I can't do business with someone who burns me no matter what.
For the heck of it read the line about although they denied my claim they really appreciate my interest in the program. WTF is that suppose to mean? lol
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1967 Marlboro Maroon 4spd Coupe 1973 Dark Blue 4spd Coupe w/air, original 25,000 miles 1999 Black C-5 Hatchback Coupe 6spd LS1 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe eng. code "ZZZ" 350-345hp Chevy Powered! 1970 Black on Black Monte Carlo(FOR SALE)Asking $18k
Below I attached a copy of the page that Mastercard provides to everyone about their Extended Warranty program as to what is covered and what is not. As a schooled American I do not read into this the same way it was determined by the Claims Adjuster from TWG Innovative Solutions. Am I reading this wrong or is claims adjuster wrong? Curious to others thoughts.
When making the complaint to Mastercard I was told that the Claims Adjuster claims she went up online and found her answer as to the Battery Charger being a accessory. I don't believe that for a minute and would like to take it further just for the principle.
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1967 Marlboro Maroon 4spd Coupe 1973 Dark Blue 4spd Coupe w/air, original 25,000 miles 1999 Black C-5 Hatchback Coupe 6spd LS1 1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe eng. code "ZZZ" 350-345hp Chevy Powered! 1970 Black on Black Monte Carlo(FOR SALE)Asking $18k
So, if you buy a nice down jacket from Sears and you want to use the car but it's cold out so the jacket becomes an accessory since you use it in the car. Right? Never mind you wear it outside the car and leave it in the closet during summer. I would like to see how they define the charger as an accessory or part to the car. I guess I am getting really old but I would take it to the limit. They will lose so much money in the end by making a poor decision so maybe you don't want to stay with them anyway. Ask them when they buy a car, what options or accessories are available? Battery chargers? I don't think so. Fred, you are right and they are wrong. That's all that really matters. Have fun with them but don't let it get to you. (been there, done that too many times).
-- Edited by kensmith on Wednesday 19th of December 2012 11:52:52 AM
