(2007-11-27) B & M Custom Cycles/Tiffany Jackson
Consumer protection act regulates product warranties and demands that manufacturers abide by the exact terms of the agreement.
In 1975 Congress enacted the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in response to widespread misuse of warranties by merchants. The Act was meant to furnish consumers with detailed information about warranty coverage and allow them to file lawsuits against suppliers to enforce written or implied warranties. This law has been used countless times to protect consumers; recently in a case decided on July 18, 2007 when the Ohio Supreme Court sided with Stadium Lincoln-Mercury, who purchased a problematic Beetle from Volkswagen of America, ruling Volkswagen had breached its warranty.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act also relates to a recent question in a motorcycle industry magazine. A motorcycle owner asks if using a certain type of lubricant which is not expressly mentioned in the owner’s manual would invalidate his warranty. The answer given, that one must use a specific brand of lubricant in order to not impact the factory warranty, was clearly in violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The law states “No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name.”
Because warranties are complex and use technical language, many consumers find them difficult to decipher. This difficulty allows some manufacturers to circumvent the terms of their warranties. According to recent verbal accounts given to B&M Custom Cycles staff, employees of certain OEMs, or original equipment manufacturers, are creating the impression that visiting custom motorcycle shops will void factory warranties. An examination of the law reveals that warranties will remain intact when brand name motorcycles are serviced at independent service centers because warrantors cannot stipulate that consumers use particular parts or service centers in connection with their product. If you are interested in using parts and accessories from or having service work performed at B&M Custom Cycles but are concerned that visiting an independent dealer to service your Harley Davidson or other brand name motorcycle may void your warranty, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act ensures there is no need for concern. Adding aftermarket exhaust pipes, handlebars, foot controls, levers, lighting, chrome covers, etc. to your motorcycle or having it serviced at B&M Custom Cycles, any independent service center or servicing the motorcycle yourself will absolutely not affect your warranty.
B&M Custom Cycles routinely performs maintenance and repair work on many makes and models of motorcycles. The work is performed by a highly trained service department with nearly 30 years of combined motorcycle experience. The service manager is a Mechanical Graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute and is Harley Davidson PHD Certified. He has extensive experience with Harley Davidson, custom and Top Fuel motorcycles. The service Department at B&M Custom Cycles is open 9am to 6pm Tuesday through Saturday.
B&M Custom Cycles (www.bmcycles.com) specializes in motorcycle parts, accessories and service for Harley-Davidson and Custom Motorcycles. With over 18 years of experience, they provide superior service, sound technical advice, reliable customer service and reasonable prices on top-quality motorcycle parts and accessories.
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B & M Custom Cycles
508 North Kings Highway
Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29588
(800) 721-4647