‘Check The Part’: Return Guide For Shocks And Struts

‘Check The Part’: Return Guide For Shocks And Struts

KYB offers five tips to help determine if it's a valid warranty claim.

In the October issue of AMN/Counterman, we talked about the Automotive Sales Council’s “Check the Part” campaign – an initiative that aims to reduce the sky-high return rate in the automotive aftermarket.

Members of the Automotive Sales Council include representatives from KYB, Dorman Products, FDP Brakes, Motorcar Parts of America, MotoRad and Standard Motor Products. The group developed the “Check the Part” campaign to hit home with counter professionals, who are on the front lines of processing parts returns and weeding out warranty abuse.

Endorsed by AASA and the Auto Care Association, the campaign’s messaging is simple:

√ Open the box.

√ Inspect the part.

√ Verify the return.

Shocks and Struts

Recently, KYB published a return guide for shocks and struts. If a customer wants to return shocks or struts, KYB offers these five tips to help determine if it’s a valid warranty claim or not.

  1. Confirm that the brand on the part matches the brand on the box. Some customers might try to return worn OEM parts, or parts from a different aftermarket brand.
  2. If the part hasn’t been installed previously, it can be returned – but it should not be processed as a warranty.
  3. You can check if a shock is missing hardware by looking at images on the manufacturer’s website. If a part is missing hardware, you can order hardware and place the part back into inventory.
  4. A part that was damaged during installation can be denied as a warranty claim.
  5. Inspect the rod for vice-grip marks. If a shock or strut is leaking, someone likely used vice grips during installation and those marks damaged the seal, causing a fluid leak. This is not a valid reason for a warranty and should be denied.

You can download a PDF of the return guide below:

You May Also Like

Q&A with Advance Auto Parts Exec Lauren Beaulieu

Beaulieu is vice president professional marketing for Advance Auto Parts, Carquest and Worldpac.

Lauren Beaulieu

In our cover story for the January issue of AMN/Counterman, we asked distribution leaders to reflect on the successes and challenges of 2022 and share some of their insights for the industry in 2023.

Here’s our Q&A with Lauren Beaulieu, vice president professional marketing for Advance Auto Parts, Carquest and Worldpac.

The Evolution of Transmissions

It’s interesting to see how the planets have aligned over the years.

Filters: Keeping Contaminants at Bay

Filters have an important job to do, and so do we.

What’s New With Spark Plugs?

While today’s plugs might look like those from 50 years ago, they’ve remained in constant evolution.

Tis the Season for Diesel Additives

Cold weather is harsh on diesel fuel and the fuel system.

Other Posts

Keeping Ride-Control Returns in Check

When you’re recommending shocks and struts, quality matters.

Get to Know Performance Ride Technology

PRT displayed a new product line and its extensive portfolio of heavy-duty applications at AAPEX 2022.

Automotive-Themed TV Shows and Episodes

We’re reprising our continuing series on car-centric movies – with a new twist.

Snow Season, S’No Problem

As we plow into winter, here’s how to turn the white stuff into green.