Buyer Beware! ***no warranty on Viper Security products from unauthorized vendors***

[11secdsm]

Although Directed Electronics has mentioned this in the past, it is finally going into effect. As of Feb 1, they will bee keeping track of serial numbers and will no longer be offering any warranty services on products purchased AND installed from anyone other than an authorized dealer.

Be careful what you are buying online and don't believe that the manufacturers warranty still applies when purchased through those sources...I know most of these dealers are still telling everyone that their parts are "new" and "under warranty". Neither of which is normally true.

Quote from a press release...

Directed Electronics is launching a new program called “100% Pure Viper” on February 1 to crack down on Internet sales of its Viper remote starters.

Directed introduces 100% Pure Viper and Shopatron programs in a memo to retailers last week, Viper introduced both programs.

Directed is also now tracking serial numbers of Viper products. It will not warranty any products sold uninstalled or stocked by an unauthorized dealer.

In the past few months, the company took legal action against multiple retailers in violation of transshipping policies, and it is shutting down thousands of illegal online product auctions a month, it said.

But since the Internet is where much of the business now takes place, the company also instituted a new program with Shopatron that starts mid-February.

“The Internet is not going away, and over 80 % of consumers first shop at the manufacturer’s site before searching for the product online. We want to capture these consumers…” it told retailers. So using Shopatron software it will let consumers buy from its Web site but the product must be shipped to a local Viper dealer where it may be picked up by the consumer. (Product will NOT be shipped directly to the consumer. And Directed won’t warranty it unless the dealer installs it).

Directed said in the memo, “We have set up extensive criteria for Viper dealers to become part of this program, and we are only allowing retailers to join that meet these criteria…”

[SvicksTc]

so people are retain their warranty prior to feb 1st?

I mean im good to go, you guys hooked me up

[Big_Jim]

so did viper cut out their wholesalers and are selling direct to shops now?

[11secdsm]

Originally Posted by SvicksTc

so people are retain their warranty prior to feb 1st?

I mean im good to go, you guys hooked me up

If the serial number wasn't tracked then those people have nothing to worry about. You're definitely in the clear since you bought a legit piece.

Originally Posted by Big_Jim

so did viper cut out their wholesalers and are selling direct to shops now?

Viper was never a distributed line (meaning no wholesalers). It was always sold direct to shops who made the buy in ONLY and keep their quarterly minimums. Only Python, Avital, and Clifford were distributed amongst DEIs lines.

[Big_Jim]

aaahhh makes sense. thanks for giving everyone the heads up!

[SovXietday]

Well that sucks for someone like me now doesn't it? :/

[11secdsm]

Why's that?

[SovXietday]

Pretty simple. I have always worked for authorized dealers, but shortly I will not be any more, and I probably won't ever again. So basically, if I put my own remote start in my friends/girlfriends/family's car it's not going to be warrantied.

Awesome, and I'm not about to pay to have someone else do it when I can do it myself in a couple hours.

[Big_Jim]

does the tracking system apply to only the viper line, or is it for all of dei's security products?

[11secdsm]

Just Viper.

[grimm]

I had a viper alarm installed by a authorized dealer a few years ago, but it's all jacked up now, can you guys fix it?

[11secdsm]

Yes sir. What's going on with it?

[oBMTo]

Is Amazon an authorized seller?

[11secdsm]

No. They're not an authorized seller for anything.

Here's a short list of online retailers that are not authorized...directly from Viper's site.

[Scapegoat]

what exactly does the viper warranty cover?

this doesn't seem like a good move on their part. There are a lot of do it yourselfers out there, like SovXietday, who going to get another product because of this. If i buy something and am capable of installing it why should the warranty be void? thats bs.

[11secdsm]

It's a lifetime warranty on the brain and 1 year warranty on the remote. Most authorized Viper installers also include a lifetime warranty on labor in addition (I do). The main purpose of this new movement (they're not the first) is to eliminate all the fraudulent pieces being sold on the internet.