since 1940

Jindex Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Jindex ratio

Jindex is the ratio of how many we sold to how many were returned for credit or refund. For example, if 100 starters were purchased but 10 were returned for a refund then the Jindex for that starter is 10. The Jindex is computed for all sales and returns from when we first sold the part (back to 1994) to the present.

Jindex is a ranking system for customer satisfaction during the first few months of ownership. The lower the Jindex the better.

Low Jindex item

How do I use Jindex Ranking

Most items have low Jindex rankings showing satisfaction with the performance of the product during the initial period of ownership. In these cases Jindex shows:

1. Low product returns
2. Low warranty rate

Higher rankings are caused by higher product returns in relation to sales. Products are returned for many reasons. Some of these reasons include:

1. Sometimes it is hard to know if a part is correct for your airplane until you go to install it.
2. High warrant rate. Some products produce more warranties than others.
3. Difficult installation. Some customers bail-out and return items that have complicated or difficult installation requirements.
4. Customer changed his mind.

Although Jindex Ranking doesn't give the reason for the rating, it does accurately and objectively rate the overall customer satisfaction during the initial ownership period.

Low Jindex item

How does Sky Ranch use Jindex ranking

Sky Ranch is committed to selling products that offer the best value to the customer. By objectively ranking all products Jindex helps us weed out low quality items. We have used the Jindex Ranking System to discontinue selling inferior products even though there was significant customer demand. We changed suppliers on Wet Vacuum Pumps when the Jindex became high due to warranty returns. The new supplier has a lower Jindex rating due to fewer warranties.
 

Jindex helps identify high quality products. Our first surprise a number of years ago is when we found that we processed fewer returns and warranties on Rapco vacuum pumps than the OEM Airborne vacuum pump.

Jindex helps us identify products that have a very low warranty rate but have a high return rate due to installation difficulties. An example of such a product is the SkyTec starter that has a lower warranty rate than other starters but has installation issues on some aircraft due to the different shape of the starter.

On these products the Jindex helps us try to find out ahead of the sale what those problems are so they can be discussed with the customer or posted on our web site.

Why do some items have a high Jindex

A high Jindex means more returns as a percentage of sales.

Some parts are returned because the wrong part was ordered. Oil filters for Cessna's are an example. The same Cessna airplane may take the CH48110 or the CH48108. There are virtually no warranties on Champion oil filters but it is common for the customer to order the wrong filter and then return it for the correct one.

Another example is alternator belts where sometimes you have to buy one and try it on to see how it fits. It it doesn't fit right then return it for another. A high Jindex is a warning that this part may need to be double checked for correctness.

Other parts have higher warranty rates than others and the high Jindex reflects the higher warranty rate.
Some items are not what the customer expected.

Why are some products not ranked

If the product doesn't have sufficient sales history it will not be ranked. New items have not developed a ranking history.

Copyright 2003 by Sacramento Sky Ranch Inc. All rights reserved.  Prices subject to change without notice. Not responsible for typographical or misprint.
Disclaimer: sacskyranch.com contains abundant information relating to aircraft maintenance. The information provided  is not intended to supercede or supplement the F.A.A. approved  maintenance and/or operator’s manuals. Those F.A.A. approved manuals must be utilized when performing maintenance and/or operating aircraft.