EyeSight is 20-20
…Hindsight Can Be Expensive

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The title of today’s Nylund’s Response is:

Facts Don’t Lie

The original article states: Here are the main characteristics that make aftermarket parts just as good, or better, than OEM.

Optimized Design

Automakers frequently have to issue recalls to handle widespread issues regarding parts originally installed on their vehicles. When this happens, new parts may be created to circumvent the defect causing issues for vehicle owners. Aftermarket parts suppliers will work the optimized design into their products to avoid the issues that cropped up immediately after the original release of the vehicle. Therefore, by the time a vehicle needs collision or vandalism repairs, the aftermarket parts feature the upgraded design that lacks flaws found in the original components.

Fact: Given the number of parts of on a vehicle, original manufacturer’s recalls aren’t really all that “frequent”. They do happen occasionally, and when they do – the manufacturers redesign, engineer and test the parts that are then replaced at no additional expense to the vehicle owners. Aftermarket manufacturers do not have access to this information.

Fact: Aftermarket parts are ALWAYS reverse-engineered from the OEM parts.  They are, by their very definition, less than 100% accurate copies of OEM parts.  They cannot be 100% the same – that would violate patent laws.

Fact: Aftermarket parts do NOT fix flaws discovered in OEM parts.  They simply (poorly) copy OEM parts.

The original article states:

Extensive Testing

Aftermarket parts go through an extensive testing process to ensure the components work, fit and look as expected. The parts testing process includes usage in real life situations to really put the components to the test. Aftermarket parts manufacturers may also sponsor motorsports participants to further test components in high stress situations. Aftermarket parts manufacturers also listen to their clients to determine if each item requires additional design upgrades. Clients often have brand loyalty to specific aftermarket parts producers, which drives them to provide feedback on an ongoing basis.

Fact: Just saying that aftermarket parts go through extensive testing is at best misleading and unsubstantiated, and unthinkably irresponsible.  Feedback from people who purchase aftermarket parts (“brand loyalists”) is nowhere near the documented safety testing that manufacturers put OEM parts through before producing a safety-rated vehicle.

Fact: Aftermarket parts rarely work, fit or look as expected.  They often require body shop technicians to alter original parts in order to be made to fit at all.  Examples of new holes drilled into structural parts, mis-aligned or altogether missing mounting brackets, and wrong sized parts are abundant in every shop that uses aftermarket parts.

In our next article, we’ll tackle the remaining two “reasons” that the original article states that make aftermarket parts better than OEM.  Stay tuned…

The post Consumer Alert Part III Aftermarket Parts appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

Today, we begin our multi-part series of the Nylund’s reply to the points made in the original article:

The original article starts by saying:

Auto body technicians see all sorts of damage from deep scratches to shredded panels on vehicles damaged in a collision or by vandals. The damage requires the use of new parts and materials to restore the vehicle to its original condition.

You’ve Outsourced and It Shows

In an article that suggests that aftermarket or third-party parts are just as good as OEM, we find no small irony that for all intents and purposes, it appears that even the authorship of the article appears to be… obviously “aftermarket”. 

It is our opinion, and that of many of our industry partners across the US, that NO BODY SHOP EXPERT could have written this article.  And while we find no issue with ghost-writing services in general – we do object when incorrect and ultimately unsafe information is presented as if it came from an industry expert.  There are far too many errors in the article to believe for a moment that an actual body shop owner (or technician, for that matter) actually wrote this article.

We agree that auto body techs see all sorts of damage.  We’ll also agree to the concept that said damage requires parts and materials to repair the vehicle to it’s “pre-accident” condition.  But that’s about all we are going to agree on, and in the interest of public safety – we’re setting the record straight as it relates to how – and WHY – we do what we do here at Nylund’s.

The original article states: Auto body technicians must source the necessary parts from a number of manufacturers, depending on cost and availability.

Technicians do not source parts.  Parts managers or office staff source parts.  Here at Nylund’s, we source from the manufacturer because OEM parts are the ONLY parts that are specifically patented to fit and perform to the original safety standards designed for your vehicle.

The original article goes on to say: Although technicians strive to save their clients time and money, it’s also important to obtain only the highest quality parts for the repairs.

There is an intrinsic conflict in this sentence.  Again, it’s not the technician’s role to save customers time or money.  But even if it were – that has nothing to do with obtaining only the highest quality parts for the repairs.  In most cases, it is not the customer’s money being spent to make the repair – it is the insurance company’s money.  And THAT is the real issue here. 

The only two entities that benefit from suggesting that aftermarket parts are as good as OEM are the makers of aftermarket parts – and the insurance companies.  The more money the insurance companies save by buying aftermarket parts means the more profit they make.  This, however, has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with obtaining the highest quality parts for your vehicle’s repair.

In our next article, we’ll tackle the suggestion that aftermarket parts manufacturers “meet or exceed” quality metrics used by the original manufacturers.

The post Consumer Alert Aftermarket Parts – Nylund’s Response appeared first on Nylunds Collision.

Safety and Value Are Sacrificed

If a repairer will sacrifice the quality of your repair without your knowledge by using non-original manufacturer’s parts, what other shortcuts are they willing to take for the sake of saving money for an insurance company?

Aftermarket parts are, by definition, reproductions.  They are imitations, copycats and reverse-engineered parts that are designed to accomplish only one goal: to offer an alternative “similar” part that are less expensive than OEM parts.  Their only purpose: to save money.

Ask yourself… ask your auto body shop… ask your insurance company: “Who is being saved money?  And at what cost?”  The answer is: aftermarket parts save money for the insurance companies.  They do not offer you a discount on your premiums – and in many cases, will raise your rates, sticking it to you not once – but twice.

As a consumer you should be informed, and have a full understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of using aftermarket or reconditioned parts on your vehicle.  But that means that YOU will have to ask those questions, because the great majority of body shops will never tell that they are in a financial partnership with your insurance company.  They will not tell you that they’re using inferior, untested or ill-fitting parts.  Instead, they will put the proverbial “lipstick on a pig”, making everything look great – while your vehicle’s value… and possibly your very safety has been forever compromised.

The fact is, according to the law, the insurance companies are obligated to pay whatever it costs to repair your vehicle to it’s PRE-LOSS condition.  You have the right to insist upon the original, manufacturer’s parts – specifically designed for your vehicle’s safety and value.  It does not cost you more – you pay your deductible, and they must repair the vehicle properly.  Proper repair with inferior reproductions simply makes no sense… and it can cost you everything.

In the photo above, you will see an actual estimate provided to Nylund’s by a popular cut-rate insurance company.  Please notice that this estimate is for a brand-new, 2014 Lexus luxury SUV.  Every red arrow indicates where the insurance company has insisted upon ordering reconditioned (RECOND) and aftermarket (A/M) parts.  Of particular interest are the last two arrows where they are calling for an aftermarket radiator and an aftermarket condenser unit.  Remember: those are imitation parts that are NOT identical to the original parts provided by the manufacturer.  The use of those two parts will very likely void the warranty on all parts associated with the cooling system of the vehicle – potentially including the engine.

Should you allow those parts to be used in your vehicle’s repair, no matter what happens – you will never again be in a position to require the insurance company to replace them with OEM parts.  Your vehicle will absolutely be worth LESS when it comes time to trade it in or sell.  And in some cases, your very safety could be compromised.

Ask yourself: should you really be saving the insurance company money at YOUR expense?  Or should you insist, as we do here at Nylund’s, that the only correct way to repair a vehicle is to replace broken parts with original, manufacturer’s parts.

BREAKING NEWS: As this article was being written, a photo directly related to the use of substandard parts came across our Facebook stream.  CLICK HERE to view (Warning: Graphic Image)

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