Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

OK. I had trouble with my 1 year old Ariens 8526LE throwing snow 3 weeks ago. I did everything in the manual to try and fix it. When I took the casing off to look at the belts I noticed the belt that controls the auger was shredded. So I took it to the dealer I bought it from. It took him 3 weeks and 3 phone calls from me. He told me it is ready and that a rock was caught in the impeller. Well before I brought it to him I made sure the auger was spinning, which it was. I also looked down the shoot to see if the impeller was spinning, and it was. So if there was a rock caught in the impellar it wouldn't spin, right? Also could this cause the belt to shred? I am going there this Saturday to pick it up and let him have a piece of my mind. I also want to make sure it isn't a bigger problem, like pulleys out of line causing the belt to shred. I still have 2 years on the warranty and want to make sure this isn't a lemon.

Well I am going to pick up my machine today from the dealer. I will see what happens.

1. Toolpig: There was no roaring that would be caused by a rock jam as you suggested. It seemed to work fine all of last year. I probably used it 15-20 times last year. We get some pretty deep snow up here in the Northeast. Sometimes greater than a foot and it seemed to be working.

2. Plugger: Well when I took the machine in I told him what happened. Before he even looked at it he gave me the line "Well when you shut the machine off to clean your car off some ice probably formed. This could have put stress on the belt causing it to fray". Right there I knew he was full of crap. Then he tells me a rock is stuck in the impeller.

3. Gary31570: I actually called the warranty department at Ariens yesterday. I told them that the dealer theorizes that a rock was stuck in the impellar causing the belt to wear. He said in that instance the belt is not covered under warranty. I said well the dealer is "theorizing" this happened. What if he has no proof? I would have to prove him wrong in order for this to be covered. Also I already know where there is another dealer. I have talked to people about that dealer and they have nothing but good things to say. So I will be bringing it there for service from now on.

Stay tuned.

Well I went to Dupuis Power Equipment in Leominster, MA to pick up my snowblower that he told me was fixed. So when I got in the store he gave me the line about how a rock was stuck in the impeller. I said wouldn't that cause the impeller to stop spinning and the belts to grind? He said not necessarily, it could be a small rock, blah, blah, blah. So I knew right there he wasn't going to cover this on the warranty. So I asked are you sure that all the pulleys are in line, etc? He said this is the first thing we look for. So I bite my tongue and pay the $50 for the new belt. Then I go out back to get my snowblower. Guess what, it won't even start!!!! I ask what the problem is. They say the oil is probably cold. Do you believe this? I say well I store it in an unheated garage and it used to start fine. Also my car seems to start when I leave that out at night. Then he says well it has been sitting outside. Well isn't that nice. It has been sitting through snow storms for 3 weeks outside. So they replace the starter at no cost of course. They drive it out to my truck and I take over. I immediately go to the biggest snow pile I can find and try out their fix. Guess what, same result, it doesn't throw the snow. So now I am pissed off. The kid takes off the cover and looks. Guess what again. The belt is extremely loose and the little pin that is supposed to keep tension on the belt is totally out of place. I am not sure that that little pin is called. So they take it back in the shop to put another belt on it and adjust that pin. So I go back into the store to talk to the owner and tell him that I want my $50 back. Here is how our conversation went.

Me: That belt should be covered under warranty:

Dealer: Belts are only covered for 90 days

Me: 2 years

Dealer: 90 days

Me: 2 years

Dealer: You should read your manual

Me: I DID !!!!!!!!!! I said don't you have a manual here to read?

So we read this years manual and sure enough it states belts are covered for 2 years. Now he says, well this is not last years manual. So I need to call Ariens and check. I wanted to kill this guy. How about a dealer who doesn't even know what is covered under warranty. So Monday morning I am going down with my manual and show him and demand my $50 back. This will be the last time I ever deal with this place and I will let everyone I know not to buy from this dealer.

I am also thinking about calling Ariens and putting in a complaint. What do you guys think?

DB,

Email and call Ariens!!!

The squeaky wheel always gets the grease!!!!!!

                                            Fred

DB,

You might attach this thread when you emai Ariens!

I think it would give them some insight to your problem!!

                                                               Fred

jubol wrote:

db_9 wrote: Was the snow frozen like it is around here? 

I think the best solution for both of you would be for him to refund th $50 and for you to try another dealer.  I know there's one in Gardner and another in Ayer.  I've dealt with both of them and the seem reputable to me but that's the way I feel about Dupuis so I may be wrong.

I should have mentioned I had my machine in for service at Dupuis about a week ago.  The turnaround time was less than a week and as it turns out the problem was caused by something I had been doing with it.  There was no charge for the service.

plugger wrote:
 

Well here is the latest in my service man saga. This past Monday I made sure I got up nice and early. I grabbed my 2005 Ariens manual and headed back to the service shop when they opened. I walked in and there he was on the computer saying he was putting in the warranty claim to Ariens. Then he tells me that the way it works is that if he doesn't hear back from Ariens in 30 days the warranty claim went through. So I am thinking in my head, "I am not leaving this store until I get my refund". Then he says what he will do will refund my money, but if Ariens contacts him in the next 30 days I will have to pay him. Ya right!!!!

So I wrote to Ariens on Monday to ask how I put in a formal compaint on one of their authorized Ariens dealers. They replied to write a detailed description of my encounter. They would then forward it to the district manager of the area and they will confront the dealership. So we will see.

I thought I might have had it bad, but unfortunately you get the gold star. I think what is worse is that your dealer hasn't admited to making a mistake and taken action to retain you as a customer. I hope you have good luck with Ariens.