No, I actually am not having an issue with the plugs themselves, but with the company.

Earlier this month, I purchased sixteen spark plugs, part number 9055, for my Dakota from Rock Auto. It'll still be at least a few thousand miles before I need them, but Champion iridium plugs had a rebate. I spent about $100 on the plugs, but they had a $40 rebate from Champion, so I decided to go ahead (rather than buy the cheaper coppers). I've heard good things about this plug from a few Hemi and 4.7 Jeep websites, so I figured I'd give them a try.

Mailed the rebate form and receipt right away. Can you see where this is heading yet?

Got a notice in my inbox today. "Rebate received, track your status online." So I did. Right away, "rebate invalid due to invalid part number" on the status part of the tracker page.

So I chatted up Champion. Turns out, part 9055 is a plug that does not qualify for the rebate. I commented about how I was unable to find a list of qualifying or non qualifying spark plugs on their website or on the Champion rebate center's website, and they tried to blame Rock Auto for not knowing what plugs do and do not qualify. I slammed them about how if they didn't provide customers with a list, they probably didn't give one to anyone else either, including Rock Auto, and then thanked him for his time. Chat closed.

So now I am waiting for a return email from Rock Auto to see if they can do anything for me to at least partially make up for the $40 I will not receive. Honestly though, I am only a little mad at Rock Auto. I'm sure they got the promotional material, the same stuff they show their customers, and figured the rebate was good for everything listed. The flyer and website don't even have the traditional "some exceptions may apply" like many ads have now-a-days.

Anyway, rant over. Just a warning for anyone thinking of taking advantage of the Champion rebate opportunity, don't. I know $40 isn't the end of the world, but it still makes me a little angry.

 

to me it almost looks like champion don't want to pay up. i followed the link on rock auto and there don't seem to be anything that says what plugs do and do not qualify on the champion website. it almost looks like one of those things to sucker people out of there money. i guess rock auto could be partially to blame since they posted that there was a mail in rebate beside champion brand plugs.

 

Rock Auto has good customer service, I am sure they will get to the bottom of this for you.

 

just wondering why you got 16 plugs? the hemi takes 16, but not the v8 dakotas?

 

I think the 08's on run dual plugs.

 

yeah the 08-11 4.7 runs the secondary ignition plugs..one fires before TDC and one fires after TDC for the extra power boost and less unburned fuel. Kind of jealous that our trucks only have 1 plug per cylinder!

 

Yup, 2008+ 4.7 V8s have dual spark plugs like the Hemi. Quite a few changes were made to the 4.7L V8 that year.

Upper and lower spark plugs sure sound like fun to replace. So don't be completely jealous. (Not to mention twice the cost.)

In the end, whether they help or not, Rock Auto will still have a customer here (just don't tell them that yet). Just not Champion. One more reason to dislike Federal Mogul.

 

bummer. that fine print is a must read on any coupon or rebate. If nothing else you're good to go for a while, iridium is some tough stuff. What are those things rated for? 150k miles or so?

 

I thought the lower plugs were 100k specials... anyways good write up Jason!

 

The lower plugs are Platinums, I think, from the factory. According to the user's manual, the top plugs are good until you reach the 48k maintenance interval and the lowers are good until the 96k maintenance interval.

I will probably replace both somewhere between 30k and 40k, just to keep them all the same. Thats still at least 14k miles away though, so I have plenty of time. These iridiums should last me the life of the truck, or pretty darn close. They supposedly have a seven year, unlimited mileage warranty, but based on what I've experienced with Champion so far, I doubt they'd honor it.

On a side note, Will from Rock Auto's Customer Service informed me that he has been in contact with several Champion reps. They told him that 9055 was ineligible for the rebate because it was too new to their plug line up. So, it turns out that Champion misinformed Rock Auto when they said all plugs were eligible (there was no fine print).

As such, he is attempting to get me my rebate, one way or another. He said he'll have an update for me tomorrow.