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If it was registered already, then you should not have to pay a registration fee. If it is still under warranty, then the dealer should perform the warranty service.
I don't understand this at all.
Is there some strange clause in the warranty that allows them to do this?
Wish you the best, and hope you continue to fight it.
The money is peanuts, but the principle is huge. JMO.

I just want to add that I am very surprised and disappointed with the response you received from Ariens. Let us know if someone over there wakes up and reimburses you. Very bad business policy on the part of Ariens.

 

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Very interesting information. Thanks for updating us. Many times we never hear the final outcome of these sort of problems.
Boy, after reading this I am going to do all I can to keep my snow thrower working as long as possible. Buying a "new" snow thrower does not excite me in the least now.
If I knew ahead of time that I might have to pay additional "fees" for obtaining service while under warranty, then I would not purchase that thrower, unless every maker had the same conditions. This fact should be made very clear to a customer in the warranty contract, IMO. Does anyone have a link to the warranty agreement? I have tried but have not been able to get a copy to read. I would like to compare some of these warranty agreements (Honda, Toro, Briggs, Ariens etc..). Guess I have way too much time on my hands

 

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Well, I just read that warranty. Thanks for the link!!
"Such repair or replacement will be free of charge (labor and parts) to the original purchaser except as noted below"
I am not a lawyer, but this seems rather simple. Free of charge It then says labor and parts, in brackets. It does not say that labor and parts are the only charges that are free. I would consider a registration fee to be a charge. As such I do not see why you would have to pay it, and Ariens should force any "authorized" dealer to perform the service for free.
Otherwise IMO this warranty is not worth the paper it is printed on. Or digitized on

However, it looks like if the problem is in the engine, then the engine warranty covers it, and I will need to read that to see if its totally free or not.

If the engine warranty is the same, then IMO the fee should not be charged.
Thanks to HJames for pointing out that exclusion.

I checked Briggs & Stratton, and it also states free of charge, with the owner being liable for transportation. Not sure what engine is in this snow thrower, but I would think that most engine makers would be forced to match warranties.

 

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The AX engine warranty says "without charge for parts and labor"
The Briggs engine warranty I have says without charge.
Not sure if there is a difference. But the wording of the Briggs engine warranty sounds better. In effect no charges.
The AX engine warranty specifically states parts and labor charges. I suppose that may be the opening for dealers to add "other" made up charges like the "registration" fee BS.
Not sure if that's the case, just my interpretation.

 

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I bought my snow thrower from a dealer. I received excellent service, and an excellent deal, and I will return to his place to buy stuff that I could buy elsewhere. I also buy from a local hardware store in town whenever possible rather than go to Home Depot.
However, I did buy a high priced Honda lawnmower for $100 less at Home Depot rather than from a dealer, as no dealers were close by. When I needed some warranty service I took it to a dealer and they treated me very well and did not charge me any extra "fees". I think that is how the Arien's dealers should treat the OP. I was surprised they did not. Hopefully this will be resolved to the OPs satisfaction. I like the Ariens products and I would still consider buying them. But I am puzzled as to why they are allowed to add fees in this situation. I think it is wrong. JMHO. Not a witch hunt.

 

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Speaking of small hardware stores in CT, I just love Pfaus.
Every time I go in there I feel I am stepping back in time. Outstanding customer service!

 

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Excellent!!!
Makes me feel much better about Ariens.
Sorry you had to go through so much, but thanks a lot for keeping everyone informed about the bad, and the good responses. Very helpful and informative.

 

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If it were me I would have brought the darn thing back to HD and gotten my money back (Though I would not have bought it there in the first place), let them deal with it.

You see I learned a long time ago that I can't have something brake down in the work that we do. I need my tools and equipment to work when I need them. It is too much of a hassle to deal with equipment to buy from a place that does not service it. We buy our power equipment from the same dealer. Whether its a circular saw, chainsaw, leaf blower or snow blower. They know we buy there, they treat us right, they fix our stuff (sometimes on the spot) and sometimes we get a super deal.

It is a good feeling to know when something needs to be fixed that you can bring it to "your guy" and he will take care of you. It is all about relationships. You can save your $50-100 dollars on a piece of equipment, if it does not work and you can't get good service how much grief and aggravation has it cost you!!! Crazy to buy stuff like that at Home Depot, it will come back to haunt you, maybe not this time but for sure down the road with something else if you get in the habit of bottom dollar buying.

I buy from dealers whenever possible for the reasons you stated.
But there are times when you need something and only HD has it, or dealers are over charging due to high demand and lack of supply. Or dealers are too far away from where you live. When that happens you should still be able to have any warranty work performed by an authorized dealer per your warranty contract without being charged extra for the work, or given any sort of hassle. That will help the customer, and help to establish a good relationship that is likely to bring that customer back to the dealer. Both benefit from that sort of relationship.
JMO.