Carriage Works Billet Grille Problems

Titan4x4Aggie · 11-09-2004, 11:42 AM

Myself and Titan-Bill have purchase and installed the Carriage Works billet grille and have noticed fit issues with the center section (Nissan logo showing). Seems the center billet insert section is slightly larger than the stock nissan grille it fits into. This causes the stock grille to bulge at the top and 1) looks bad 2) bulges into the hood and 3) may permenatly warp the stock grille.

I removed the center insert and took some measurements, and the center opening in the stock grille is 8 5/8" tall, whereas the carriage works insert is 8 3/4" tall, resulting in 1/8" of interfence fit. This overhang causes the stock grille to bulge into the hood.

I'll edit this later tonight and post some pictures.

Anyone else purchage this grille and have problems?

I love the look and build quality of this grille, but if it doesn't fit, it's kind of worthless. I conacted Carriage Works and they told me to talk to the dealer, even though the problem seems to be with manufacturing quality, which is Carriage Works problem, NOT autoanything.com 's problem.

Until Carriage Works can make a grille that fits, I wouldn't advise anyone to purchase one.

- Mike

Titan-Bill · 11-09-2004, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan4x4Aggie

Myself and Titan-Bill have purchase and installed the Carriage Works billet grille and have noticed fit issues with the center section (Nissan logo showing). Seems the center billet insert section is slightly larger than the stock nissan grille it fits into. This causes the stock grille to bulge at the top and 1) looks bad 2) bulges into the hood and 3) may permenatly warp the stock grille.

I removed the center insert and took some measurements, and the center opening in the stock grille is 8 5/8" tall, whereas the carriage works insert is 8 3/4" tall, resulting in 1/8" of interfence fit. This overhang causes the stock grille to bulge into the hood.

I'll edit this later tonight and post some pictures.

Anyone else purchage this grille and have problems?

I love the look and build quality of this grille, but if it doesn't fit, it's kind of worthless. I conacted Carriage Works and they told me to talk to the dealer, even though the problem seems to be with manufacturing quality, which is Carriage Works problem, NOT autoanything.com 's problem.

Until Carriage Works can make a grille that fits, I wouldn't advise anyone to purchase one.

- Mike

I looked up the return policy on the autoanything webpage http://www.autoanything.com/help/hel...c=returnpolicy

It states:

At AutoAnything, we make it easy to return items.

We guarantee ALL merchandise sold by AutoAnything. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase within 30 days of delivery of your order, you may return any item in a new condition including original packaging and paperwork, for a prompt refund.

AutoAnything is currently unable to accept returns of used items, or items returned more than 30 days after delivery.

International orders may only be exchanged when defective.

Titan-Bill · 11-09-2004, 04:41 PM

I am attempting to post a pic of my Carriage Works grill which I just took in the dark. Sorry if it doesn't show up. It says it's attached but I don't see it in the "Preview Post". If you can see it you will notice it's bowed pretty badly at the top.

Titan4x4Aggie · 11-09-2004, 08:23 PM

~~~ Update ~~~

I spoke with Mike Comendador - Customer Support Specialist at AutoAnything, and he sent me an email saying:

"We’re sorry for the inconvenience on the order. It looks like the best thing to do at this point is to return the whole grill you received to Carriage Works and reorder a new one. Carriage Works needs the whole part back to replace it. Please let me know if you won’t be able to get the current grill working and I’ll send you the return info for it."

Not the response I wanted, since now I will have to buy another box, bubble wrap, and pay for shipping back to Carriage Works. Then I have to wait for them to process my order and send me back another grille which may or may not fit!

I'm losing my patience already. I'll talk to Mike again tomorrow and figure out what needs to be done. I'm half tempted to just get a full refund since Carriage Works cant seem to make grilles that fit.

Below is a picture of my bulging grille. Not quite as bad as your's Bill, but still annoying and not what I expect for $130.

Titan4x4Aggie · 11-09-2004, 08:40 PM

After thinking about this situation, I'm only getting more annoyed. Here is my reponse to Mike's email:

Mike,

Thanks for your help, but this is not the response I wanted to hear. I dont really understand why I have to go through so many hoops just to get a part replaced. The whole process of shipping the parts back to the manufacturer, waiting to be returned the money, ordering a new part from the dealer, and waiting for it to arrive will take at least 2 weeks (could go faster, but I'm not paying for overnight shipping out of my pocket).

It also seems this problem is not an isolated event, but occuring in a number of grilles (internet complaints mentioned below). This makes me seriously question the design or quality control from Carriage Works, and makes me wonder if replacing the grille will result in a new grille that fits properly.

I am half tempted to return the grille for a full refund and take my business elsewhere to a company that knows how to make Billet Grilles (E&G Grille) which will fit my truck...properly.

I have posted this problem as a topic on TitanTalk.com (Nissan Titan internet forum). Another member has already replied, stating his bulges worse than mine! This page has multiple pictures of the problem at hand. Based on the number of replies from Carriag Works customers (good and bad), I will make a decision as to whether or not it is worth replacing my bulging grille with another one from Carriage (Does NOT) Works.

Thanks you for your time,

Mike Shaw

Titan-Bill · 11-10-2004, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan4x4Aggie

~~~ Update ~~~

I spoke with Mike Comendador - Customer Support Specialist at AutoAnything, and he sent me an email saying:

"We’re sorry for the inconvenience on the order. It looks like the best thing to do at this point is to return the whole grill you received to Carriage Works and reorder a new one. Carriage Works needs the whole part back to replace it. Please let me know if you won’t be able to get the current grill working and I’ll send you the return info for it."

Not the response I wanted, since now I will have to buy another box, bubble wrap, and pay for shipping back to Carriage Works. Then I have to wait for them to process my order and send me back another grille which may or may not fit!

I'm losing my patience already. I'll talk to Mike again tomorrow and figure out what needs to be done. I'm half tempted to just get a full refund since Carriage Works cant seem to make grilles that fit.

Below is a picture of my bulging grille. Not quite as bad as your's Bill, but still annoying and not what I expect for $130.

Make sure you read the return policy on the AutoAnything website. It says you must apply for a "Return authorization number" and return it in the original packaging - which IMHO wasn't that great to begin with - but at least I saved the box and the paperwork. It sounds like a full refund is the way to go since there have been no posts here by anyone saying their grill fits fine.

kytitan · 11-10-2004, 02:04 PM

I just checked my carriage works grille and its bowed in the same way as in Titan-Bill's pic. I have had my grille almost 5 months now and never noticed this. Thanks for the heads up aggie & bill.

bestitan · 11-10-2004, 04:02 PM

nice ring aggie

DallasTitan · 11-10-2004, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan4x4Aggie

Myself and Titan-Bill have purchase and installed the Carriage Works billet grille and have noticed fit issues with the center section (Nissan logo showing). Seems the center billet insert section is slightly larger than the stock nissan grille it fits into. This causes the stock grille to bulge at the top and 1) looks bad 2) bulges into the hood and 3) may permenatly warp the stock grille.

I removed the center insert and took some measurements, and the center opening in the stock grille is 8 5/8" tall, whereas the carriage works insert is 8 3/4" tall, resulting in 1/8" of interfence fit. This overhang causes the stock grille to bulge into the hood.

I'll edit this later tonight and post some pictures.

Anyone else purchage this grille and have problems?

I love the look and build quality of this grille, but if it doesn't fit, it's kind of worthless. I conacted Carriage Works and they told me to talk to the dealer, even though the problem seems to be with manufacturing quality, which is Carriage Works problem, NOT autoanything.com 's problem.

Until Carriage Works can make a grille that fits, I wouldn't advise anyone to purchase one.

- Mike

Thanks for this post! Based on the pic. you had posted previously, I ordered this grill for my truck and they sent me one for a Dodge Durango!?
That was back in October.
Since then I've been back and forth with Eric, Mike, Shane, and Adam at AutoAnything and been given the run around.
Today I called them back and cancelled the whole thing. I just hope to get my money back from these people.

gtbigup01 · 11-10-2004, 04:27 PM

Go trenz fits perfectly

Titan4x4Aggie · 11-10-2004, 05:17 PM

~~~ Update ~~~

Mike emailed me back several times, and the customer service I have received has been good. It seems all Carriage Works grilles are like this (basic design), and I can either get a refund or wait for a redesign. I'm going refund rout.

~~~~~~~

Mike's Reply #1:

Hi Mike,

It looks like the best thing to do at this point is to return the whole
grill you received to Carriage Works for a refund. If you are not
completely satisfied with your purchase from AutoAnything within 30
days of
delivery of your order, you may return any item in a new condition for
a
prompt refund. Please remember the AutoAnything is retailer of this
item
and Carriage Works is the manufacturer. We'll gladly give you a refund
for
the item since it doesn't work correctly.

Returns and credits are handled through us since you bought the product
from
us. Design issues need to be dealt with by Carriage Works. I've sent
over
what you've sent me about the design problems. I'd like for you to get
a
properly fitting part but Carriage Works needs to redesign this grill.
If
Carriage Works resends the part right now, they'll likely send a new
part
with the same problem until this is redesigned.

Your Return Authorization number is: 238466
Please keep this number to reference any questions regarding your
return.

We will provide a pre-paid UPS mailing label for your convenience. The
label
will be sent to you by US mail. You should receive the label in 24
hours.
Simply print and attach this label to the exterior of the package and
give
it to any UPS driver or drop it off at the nearest, UPS Customer
Center, UPS
Retail Store, or UPS Authorized Shipping Outlet (Office Depot or
Staples).
You may also request a pick up by telephone by calling 1-800-742-5877.

For a prompt refund or exchange, please e-mail
mcomendador@autoanything.com
with a tracking number informing us that the package has been shipped.

Once we receive notification from you, we'll issue a credit to your
credit
card. Shortly thereafter, you'll receive an e-mail notice from us
confirming
your credit has been issued. Please note that once we have issued a
credit,
your financial institution may take up to an additional 5 business days
(weekends and holidays are not considered business days) to post the
credit
to your account.

We hope this has helped to smooth out any bumps in the road.

Regards,

**********
Mike Comendador - Customer Support Specialist
AutoAnything
9210 Sky Park, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123
www.autoanything.com

Mike's Reply #2:

Hi Mike,

Here’s the response from Carriage Works about the problem. For now, just return the item to Carriage Works with the label you will receive from us. You can wait until they redesign the grill, but if you want a grill immediately you’d be better off with something else. We will give you a refund for the grill once it’s sent back. I’ll wait until Carriage Works tells me that the grill problem is solved before I consider doing a reorder.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.

Thanks,

From: Chris Wilson [mailto:chrsw@carriageworksic.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 8:57 AM
To: mcomendador@autoanything.com
Subject: RE: Return info for RA#238466

Hello Mike,

This is the first time I have heard of this problem with the Titan Truck Grille part # 42162 not fitting. As I type to you my grille designer is on a mission to see what could be causing this problem. I will get back to you asap to let you know what we need to do to make this customer happy. Im very sorry you have to deal with this promblem and in the future if you need anything just let me know.

Thanks

Chris Wilson - Quality Control Manager

Carriage Works

Titan4x4Aggie · 11-10-2004, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestitan

nice ring aggie

$420 = bling-bling.

i need to weigh it some time. i forget how heavy it is until i hand it to someone to look at and they fall over from the sheer mass of this thing

Titan4x4Aggie · 11-10-2004, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtbigup01

Go trenz fits perfectly

how much is trenz? got any additional photos? i'd like to see it straight on and see if it disguises more of the stock plastic mesh and the mounting hardware.

Titan-Bill · 11-10-2004, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan4x4Aggie

~~~ Update ~~~

From: Chris Wilson [mailto:chrsw@carriageworksic.com]
Sent: Wednesday, November 10, 2004 8:57 AM
To: mcomendador@autoanything.com
Subject: RE: Return info for RA#238466

Hello Mike,

This is the first time I have heard of this problem with the Titan Truck Grille part # 42162 not fitting. As I type to you my grille designer is on a mission to see what could be causing this problem. I will get back to you asap to let you know what we need to do to make this customer happy. Im very sorry you have to deal with this promblem and in the future if you need anything just let me know.

Thanks

Chris Wilson - Quality Control Manager

Carriage Works

Interesting reply from Carriage Works - "This is the first time I have heard of this problem with the Titan Truck Grille part # 42162 not fitting. "

I emailed them directly early Monday morning about my fit issue via the "Contact us" link on their webpage but never received any reply.

I requested my "Return Authorization #" from AutoAnything today. Too bad, I like the grill.

Titan4x4Aggie · 11-10-2004, 09:25 PM

yeah, try talking / email mike commandor directly. tell him your problems and that this is not an isolated incedent and autoanything needs to speak with carriage works about this problem and not sell grilles until this is fixed.