The FCP Euro "Lifetime Guarantee" In Actual Practice

[packetfire]

Many may already know this, but I only recently realized what the actual process was for a item replaced under their Lifetime Guarantee.

While this is an excellent program, and a wonderful thing, it does not work exactly as one would expect.

Here's how it works:

1) Buy something (even oil and other fluids!), and pay the money.

2) Return something (the oil bottles, refilled with what you drained from the crankcase, and be sure that each is filled to the proper level, so use a scale to compare to a new bottle).

3) But you DON'T GET A REPLACEMENT - to effect a "return" under this Guarantee, you first must BUY ANOTHER, paying out MORE money.

4) Now you get a "store credit" for the amount paid in step (1). If that is less than the current price you paid in step (3), tough luck.

5) The store credit can be used for yet another FUTURE purchase, but not to pay for the replacement of the original item.

This does not apply to things that are defective right off the bat, those can be outright "returned", this is just for items that have performed for some period of time, and then are replaced under their Guarantee.

The end result is that one would tend to have a credit balance with FCPEuro. Yes, oil changes can be "free", but you paid them once for the first oil and filter, then you paid a 2nd time, then you get a credit that you can use to pay the 3rd time through nth time, but that credit from the 2nd time has to "ride" as a credit for this scheme to work correctly without you laying out even more money. For large and expensive parts, this approach of "buy another, and get a credit toward future purchases" means that you might never find a way to spend your credit balance, unless you post a message here offering to buy someone something from FCPEuro and give them a discount, taking a percentage loss to "launder" your credit balance back into cash you can spend elsewhere.

The lack of any such secondary market to trade and utilize those store credits here on Matthew's site is puzzling, so I conclude that most people are not aware of the program, or not aware of how it works.

[BlackBart]

I've never used it, but it seems like a good deal - faulty parts are replaced gratis, and/or you have an FCP credit for parts you're going to need eventually.

[erikv11]

Yes, it's basically a loyalty rewards program. The rewards are high.

[Krons]

I’ve used their process before—works well.

[abscate]

We don’t trade credits because that would be screwing them , and with the best customer service and stock in the business and 5 Volvos on the road, the last thing I want is for this program to end.

Parts are tied to VIN as part of the TOC. Credits are not.

I have some parts in their fifth replacement Given that I haven’t paid for four of them, FCP holding a balance is a small concern

[Williamad33]

Many may already know this, but I only recently realized what the actual process was for a item replaced under their Lifetime Guarantee.

While this is an excellent program, and a wonderful thing, it does not work exactly as one would expect.

Here's how it works:

1) Buy something (even oil and other fluids!), and pay the money.

2) Return something (the oil bottles, refilled with what you drained from the crankcase, and be sure that each is filled to the proper level, so use a scale to compare to a new bottle).

3) But you DON'T GET A REPLACEMENT - to effect a "return" under this Guarantee, you first must BUY ANOTHER, paying out MORE money.

4) Now you get a "store credit" for the amount paid in step (1). If that is less than the current price you paid in step (3), tough luck.

5) The store credit can be used for yet another FUTURE purchase, but not to pay for the replacement of the original item.

This does not apply to things that are defective right off the bat, those can be outright "returned", this is just for items that have performed for some period of time, and then are replaced under their Guarantee. play instant win games at Kokobet

That kind of dedication to maintaining and restoring classic Volvos is what keeps these cars alive on the road. I especially appreciate how the community shares knowledge about rare parts, retrofit upgrades, and the “little fixes” that keep old cars running reliably.

One thing I’d add: documenting everything in photos and notes makes a huge difference — not just for your own reference, but for others who might try the same work later.

[abscate]

On that same note, upload your pictures to the MVS servo vs. using services. Eventually , all those services go to pay to play, sndthe links break, leaving us in the blank space, Baby…

[packetfire]

I have some parts in their fifth replacement Given that I haven’t paid for four of them, FCP holding a balance is a small concern

OK, so wait a moment here - how did not "not pay for four of them"? Did you use your credit balance to buy the replacements? Do they at least allow that?

[abscate]

You can use the credits to buy any parts on the FCP website. I never have a credit balance AS I owned a BMW, maybe that will change now…