36 years of paid mechanical experience...I purchased a luggage rack and sissy bar for a 2012 Star 250 from an authorized retailer. The parts did not fit the bike correctly. I tried to use a longer bolt to bring all of the pieces together, but that bent a part and wrinkled the chrome. See link for documentation of others with the same fitment issue.
http://www.amazon.com/National-Cycle-Luggage-Rack-P9302/product-reviews/B0036GK3X4/ref=dpx_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1
I wrote to the retailer, Cli-Max, and asked for a call tag to send back the defective parts. They refused. They said once I tried to install it, they could not take it back and resell it. How do you know if it will fit or not unless you try to install it, and why would they want to resell a defective part? They have my money, so ultimately they are the ones that have to satisfy me (THEIR CUSTOMER) and/or return my money! I'll make another review for them!
After sending photos and talking to NC, they said I could send the stuff back to be checked against their "master." I asked for a call tag. They refused, saying that they won't know if the parts are out of spec until they inspect them. Fine, I said. "Once you have determined the parts are indeed defective, will the shipping costs I incurred be reimbursed to return YOUR defective parts?" "No." I pushed further and I got resolution.
After they had the parts back for about 1.5 weeks, I got a call saying that the sissy bar was defective (bent) but the rack was not out of spec. The photos I took show that the rack was about 1/4" from lining up with the bike. BUT I bent a part on the rack trying to make it fit the (as yet unknown) defective sissy bar. They refused to send a new rack. They said they could send me a new rack for 1/2 price, about $50.
I told them I would do NOTHING except to loosely and gently attach the parts to the bike, and if ANYTHING looks out of alignment, I will send photos. I will NOT install the parts.
I then asked, if these new parts to not fit on my 2012 Star 250 (never damaged, dropped, etc.) will they pay for return shipping and reimburse me for all three pieces? Of course they said, "NO." A catch 22 because I did not purchase through NC and Cli-Max says it's a warranty issue.
I'll know in another week if the product they send this time will fit my bike.
Many other retailers and manufacturers pay return shipping with RA, defective or not! Dennis Kirk is one that is pretty good about this. So check out your other options! Some businesses VALUE THE CUSTOMER way more than others. read more