Just to clarify what you may have misunderstood. Replacement parts are shipped from VAMODEL here in Virginia for DLA engines purchased from VAMODEL. Notification to VAM and the factory is a formality based on the warrantee. To condemn a company for something when the company has not even been informed of a problem is not proper.The reason you must have your proof of purchase is to insure that you made the purchase here in the USA,from VAM and that you are the original owner of the engine and that it is still with in the 2 year warrantee period.