I didn't mean to imply that you shouldn't get a decent product, for the money. I firmly believe that when I part with hard-earned money, that I should be getting something of value for it and that the company should stand behind it. That said, I also own(ed) a 6.0 Powerstroke,... I haven't cheerfully or willingly lowered my standards/expectations for purchases. I have, however, acknowledged that I don't have the money to fund a good-enough lawyer to take various Store/Manufacturers/Proprietors to task when they knowingly sell me crap, marketed as a functional item. My limited financial resources cannot compete with those of large corporations, who factor in legal liabilities to the financial outlook, weighing the deferred legal cost of defending a product versus the up-front cost of fixing, or making a Good one from the start.
For reference, think 6.0 Powerstroke, the Ford Pinto gas tanks, Cummins J-code engine blocks, Craftsman tools (current production), Dodge auto truck trannys, certain S&W products, etc... I want good service for good money. I know I can't fight them, as a pee-on like myself can't go head-to-head with a "Global Corporation" so I buy accordingly. I try to do my research in advance, buy the best I can afford with the money I have, and roll the dice like the rest of us. I would have been pissed had the Speeco rep treated me like he treated the OP. However, I don't expect TW, Built-rite, or S.S. performance out of a box-store product, nor will I permit box-store performance/longevity out of a professional product. I think that's the reason most of us avoid box-store products when we're dealing with items which are intended to augment our income, or save us money, as much as we're financially able to. Sometimes we get burned, but that's life. I had phenomenal service out of my old 039. That said, I would have EXPECTED the same out of an 036/361, etc. Sorry for the rant.