[Sharkbait40]

Below is my complete conversation with a Pypes Customer Service Rep. Basically I recieved a exhaust system from my wife for Xmas, the only thing it was missing was the down pipes. I ordered them from the company and had an exhaust leak on the passenger side since day one. I called them and they said some had a problems with them but- just grind it down and you should'nt have a problem. Well, that created another problem - see below for details and there response. Is there a exhaust donut or something else that can resolve my problem since they won't replace the defective part.

Conversation - 2-19-07:

Please wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with 'Stacey'
Stacey: Hello. How may I assist you?
you: Hello – I have a 2.5” pypes system purchased though your distributor with the only exception being the down pipes that, I purchased directly from Pypes. After installation I had an exhaust leak where the stock manifold connects to the down pipe on the passenger side only. After talking to your customer service tech people they suggested grinding down the end of the flange so it wouldn’t bottom out. I looked at the fit again when I got home and agreed that it was bottoming out. I used a micrometer and measured the flange and ground the down pipe down until it would no longer bottom out. Then the problem wasn’t bottoming out but, now there wasn’t enough flange left for the 2 bolt retainer ring to hold onto. As I attempted to tighten it would eventually slide over the existing flange. Is it possible that I just got a bad one that wasn’t correctly machined, what do I do now? Norm - Phoenix, AZ 85007
Stacey: let me ask one of our tech guys about this
you: ok
Stacey: ok, he said if you ground too much off that the flange won't stay on you can take it to a local muffler shop and they can re-bevel the end so the flange will stay on
you: I will try that, but that will put me back where I started and it will bottom out again ?
Stacey: as long as they don't make the bevel too much again you should be fine. Since it will be a person not just a machine I wouldn't think you'd have that problem again, sorry.
Stacey: I think machines make the ones we sell so a person isn't seeing that it's too much. I hope that makes sense.
you: I try but it not exactly the help that would be provided from someone with your repetation.
Stacey: I'm sorry about that
you: What's your return policy ?
Stacey: let me ask
you: Thx
Stacey: since it's been ground down too far it's not returnable. generally anything that's been installed or damaged while trying to install isn't returnable, sorry.
you: I will call the credit card company and let them handle it. It is without a doubt a defective part and it doesnt say much for a company that doent stand behind there product.
Stacey: I apoligize for that.
Stacey: Please hold one moment
Stacey: I'll be back as soon as I can, I'm on the phone with another customer
you: “since it's been ground down too far it's not returnable” -your company was the one who told me to grind it down which now voids the warranty ?
Stacey: that is correct, since it was ground down too far it is not returnable. we did have some where the bevels needed to be ground down a bit for clearance but that fixed the problem.
you: You don’t mind if I post this problem in every Pontiac forum for people to see what they are possibly in for with your products and how you stand behind it when there’s a problem?
Stacey: if you have any other questions you can call us at 215-712-9982, thank you.
you: I think you answered the question - I'll post it to see what others think.Thx, Norm