Auto 8 - Worth Bothering with Warranty??

[Crazy Dazz]

Firstly, really unimpressed with their customer service.
I don't have a lot of time for a company that makes its money selling DIY parts to consumers, but whose first like of defence is to insult me and say I couldn't possibly know what's wrong.

So we bought a cheap POS non-name Chinese Alternator, and somewhat predictably it has failed. However we bought it from Auto 8, whose selling point is there 5-year warranty.

I have spent weeks trying to get this thing working again. I have replaced the battery, and triple-checked that its getting correct field voltage, but nomatter what I do it just can't put out enough to even charge the battery, much less run lights etc.

So I have contacted Auto 8.
Their response (slightly paraphrased):
It couldn't possibly be the alternator, you obviously don't know what you're doing.
But if you insist, you can post it back to us (for about $50~60) and we will "test" it.
Please note that our warranty doesn't cover environmental damage, wear & tear, or anything we can blame on "misuse" or on your vehicle.
Yes we know this sucks, but our warranty is available on our website, so fu.

They also went on to say that it would be better if I simply bought another Alternator from them, and then (in the unlikely event that) if the first one was proven faulty, they would refund the purchase price.
ROFL. Do they actually suck people in with that line?

Its always nice to pleasantly surprised, so I was wondering if anyone had actually been through this process and actually got a satisfactory outcome?

NB: I know they have a outlet in Wanga, and I imagine that like most ****ers when dealing across the counter with a customer who might actually punch them in the mouth, they are less of a ********. But they sell their products nationwide, and so their aftersales service should be similarly extensive.