Weak headlight & no fog lights
- Thread starter Daryl
- Start date
ttocs
Post Whore
this honestly is just something that a regular mechanic doesn't get experience with. They just wanted more light and it would make sense that more lights = more light but as we have seen it just does not always work. I will tell you that while you hate to write that check you grin a little bit inside every night after that when you turn them on after getting a good retrofit
How do you continue to defend a shop that's had your car in and out since March 1st and continued to hand you back a car with WORSE than factory light output??
We are still talking about the shop that handed you your car back in early March, knowing that you were there with light issues, and they didn't even think to test the lights out at night? And then again this past weekend and STILL shittier than stock light output?
You followed up after the first incident of terrible lighting when you were warned about the terrible light output of eBay lights and BOOM TWO whole months later, the car comes back to you with some shitty eBay lights. Cool, they put some quick disconnects on the shitty eBay lights. That will be great for when they take them off your car and toss them in the garbage where they belong.
And then you still take your car back to these guys and start sending them links to retrofit parts? I specifically sent the direct link to the actual entire headlight, that Madd Retro will build for you, because I have 0 confidence in your incompetent shop to be able to build a set of retrofits.
I'm glad your guys are really good at matching the green wire to the green wire on their Metra radio wiring kits, but it's blatantly apparent to anyone reading this thread that they haven't earned your money or your business.
At the end of the day, it is your money, so you're free to burn it any way you see fit, but no matter whether you like what I'm saying or not - I'm not wrong in any assumption about this shop. They should flat out be embarrassed and ashamed that in 2 months, they could not give you anything of value and couldn't be bothered to turn the lights on at night to see that they weren't even in the ballpark for what you're asking for.
OP
OP
Well put, duh09. I texted with them tonight as a matter of fact and took them up on their offer of a full refund AND explained that I’d be going with the madd headlights… which I intend to ins myself.
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badass98svt
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A full refund?
Parts and labor?
Parts and labor?
joemomma
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Kudos to the shop on the refund, if that's the case.
OP
OP
Yes, aside from the initial day where they corrected some wiring snafu’s that apparently the previous owner thought were necessary!
I’m taking the black headlights back so they can return them, along with the bulbs and whatever else they have sitting around from each attempt.
Gotta run… want to be the first call to Madd this morning!
Cheers everyone!
on edit: here’s a cut & paste of the email I just received back this morning:
“I agree that's the right thing to do.
I'm sorry we couldn't get this right ... frustrating (for all). But now, also a good learning
experience - will not try this again. Think we will stick with what we do best, which includes
LED upgrades, but ... not Mustang Cobra Light Replacement projects lol.”
See? Genuine Article people.
I’m taking the black headlights back so they can return them, along with the bulbs and whatever else they have sitting around from each attempt.
Gotta run… want to be the first call to Madd this morning!
Cheers everyone!
on edit: here’s a cut & paste of the email I just received back this morning:
“I agree that's the right thing to do.
I'm sorry we couldn't get this right ... frustrating (for all). But now, also a good learning
experience - will not try this again. Think we will stick with what we do best, which includes
LED upgrades, but ... not Mustang Cobra Light Replacement projects lol.”
See? Genuine Article people.
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07GtS197
Well-Known Member
So they admit to being out of their wheelhouse like we thought. Sounds to me like they are bulb changers.
OP
OP
They’re primarily stereo specialists. But enough bashing on them. Let’s move on to some exciting news:
Thank you, duh09, for the recommendation to Maddretros. I just spent 15-20 minutes on the phone with Ben @ Maddretros, who literary walked me through all the options in LED lighting for my car that they offer. He has a’94, so he could relate to everything I was describing and wanting.
I went with the LED Projectors, blacked out to match my car and LED bulb upgrades throughout the rest of the car (except backup and fogs, which I already have): dome, maps, brakes, markers, trunk. There’s a 8-10 week timeframe to get them, but I asked for the bulbs sooner so I’d at least have something to do! Ben also gave me a 10% discount on the headlights because they’re blem’s that a previous customer defaulted on, so he’s going to paint them all black for no additional cost. Also got a 10% Civil Sevice discount and 15% sale discount. Super good customer service @ Maddretros. Can’t wait for all the upgrades ++
Thank you, duh09, for the recommendation to Maddretros. I just spent 15-20 minutes on the phone with Ben @ Maddretros, who literary walked me through all the options in LED lighting for my car that they offer. He has a’94, so he could relate to everything I was describing and wanting.
I went with the LED Projectors, blacked out to match my car and LED bulb upgrades throughout the rest of the car (except backup and fogs, which I already have): dome, maps, brakes, markers, trunk. There’s a 8-10 week timeframe to get them, but I asked for the bulbs sooner so I’d at least have something to do! Ben also gave me a 10% discount on the headlights because they’re blem’s that a previous customer defaulted on, so he’s going to paint them all black for no additional cost. Also got a 10% Civil Sevice discount and 15% sale discount. Super good customer service @ Maddretros. Can’t wait for all the upgrades ++
ttocs
Post Whore
I really do not blame the shop for the mistake, nor you. As I said they were tasked with getting more light and it makes sense that more lights would mean more light. You might have some work on the wiring to get it back to stock for the new lights.
OP
OP
I will make sure they do that. AND…(!) I let them know they will need to replace or rig up something where they removed where the side markers snap into place. They said they will for sure.
OP
OP
duh09,No surprises here.
Custom built retrofit lights are going to just about be your only option for that light output you are wanting and expecting.
Another plug for Madd Retros
1994-1998 SN95 Ford Mustang Projector Retrofit Conversion
We've all been there: You're driving down the highway at night, street lights aren't going a good job. Maybe you're tired or your night time vision just isn't as good as you remember. Either way, you should be able to see more than 15 feet in front of you. Does seeing hundreds of feet sound...maddretros.com
I took your suggestion and ordered up thru MaddRetros (Brandon) to the tune of over $700. Bulbs I got via Diode Dynamics and Brandon and I went painstakingly through my headlight order. That was in June. Last week he said
5 days. It’s been a week PAST that now and dude won’t even respond to my texts asking for an ETA. HELL, I even offered to drive out and pick them up when they’re ready since he’s only about 75 minutes away (but some ugly LA freeways!). And still no response. If you know this guy, maybe you can rattle his cage a bit, because I’m beginning to sense I’ve been scammed. I hope not because have his address and I don’t think he’d enjoy a visit from me.
ttocs
Post Whore
it sucks he is not responding but I know from experience it is a bit of work to do this retrofit correctly. Hopefully it is nothing serious like bad/broken parts or health issues and he is just a little bit behind and afraid to admit it. He has always been pretty solid here, this is the first complaint I have heard.
I hate that he’s not responding, I recently dealt with him in getting my s197 lights and my sn95 lights. The SN lights took a little bit longer than expected to get finished, but he did them, and did a good job.
ttocs
Post Whore
I think it is one of those things where you figure out how long you think it will take you, double it and then your lucky to hit that number. From the time it takes to get the lenses seperated(which is a PIA with the one piece lights) to getting everything mounted correctly to putting it all back together, it just takes longer than you think it will.
OP
OP
Well, I guess Brandon at MaddRetros didn’t take too kindly to my texts pressing him for an update, an explanation, or even just a return reply of some sort. The next texts I got from him were Refunds, stating he felt it would be better for both of us if the order was cancelled!
WTF???
I seem to recall him quoting 4-6 weeks turn around time. He texted me saying he said 8 weeks. Ok, so a couple more weeks. I apologized and offered to pay him again once the refund he just sent goes through unless he can stop the refund then we’d still be square. Let him choose which way he ultimately wants to go on this, especially after 6 weeks with only 2 weeks to go! Doesn’t make sense, especially from a business standpoint. If/when a paying customer asks for updates or ETA’s… give it to them. Answer the customer’s question. It’s a simple thing and a huge part of customer service in any business.
I’m not sure if he was under a lot of stress from other business related things or just pissed at me for asking(?), but I’d sure like him to take a deep breath and to recommence with the original order and let bygones be bygones.! Geez, we’re talking about a set of headlights here, not curing cancer or solving world hunger!
Anyway, I hope I hear back from him, we can mutually apologize and start again… (we’ll see)
WTF???
I seem to recall him quoting 4-6 weeks turn around time. He texted me saying he said 8 weeks. Ok, so a couple more weeks. I apologized and offered to pay him again once the refund he just sent goes through unless he can stop the refund then we’d still be square. Let him choose which way he ultimately wants to go on this, especially after 6 weeks with only 2 weeks to go! Doesn’t make sense, especially from a business standpoint. If/when a paying customer asks for updates or ETA’s… give it to them. Answer the customer’s question. It’s a simple thing and a huge part of customer service in any business.
I’m not sure if he was under a lot of stress from other business related things or just pissed at me for asking(?), but I’d sure like him to take a deep breath and to recommence with the original order and let bygones be bygones.! Geez, we’re talking about a set of headlights here, not curing cancer or solving world hunger!
Anyway, I hope I hear back from him, we can mutually apologize and start again… (we’ll see)
OP
OP
This was his response to my texts stating it’s getting ridiculous that I can’t even hear back:
Me, last Wednesday:
I'm seriously Jonesing here! Are they ready? I'm willing to come get them. I live in VenCo
Ok, so nice, polite, accommodating, etc…
Me 2 days later after again not hearing back:
Brandon,
It's been 8 days since last week spoke, at which time you said "they'll be ready within 5 days of paint".
So what's going on?? This is getting ridiculous.
And ultimately his reply 2 days later again, on Sunday evening:
“Daryl, when we first spoke, I mentioned that builds typically take about 8 weeks from date of purchase which was June 1st. And yes I did mention that the lights will be ready within 5 days of being painted.
However, the lights are not ready from paint.
I understand you've been patient in waiting for your lights. However, at this moment they are not ready to be shipped or picked up. And rushing the process leaves too much room for mistakes.
I went ahead and refunded/canceled your order. You should have received the notification about it via email. And should receive your refund shortly. I believe it's somewhere around the 3-5 business days. But it's best to check with your bank.
Unfortunately, at this time, it's in the best interest for the both of us if the order is canceled and refunded.
Wish you the best.”
… and that was it! Boom…
Dropped the hammer a little prematurely, I’d say. The 3rd paragraph is all I was looking for; would’ve placated me for the next couple of weeks. Sheesh!
Me, last Wednesday:
I'm seriously Jonesing here! Are they ready? I'm willing to come get them. I live in VenCo
Ok, so nice, polite, accommodating, etc…
Me 2 days later after again not hearing back:
Brandon,
It's been 8 days since last week spoke, at which time you said "they'll be ready within 5 days of paint".
So what's going on?? This is getting ridiculous.
And ultimately his reply 2 days later again, on Sunday evening:
“Daryl, when we first spoke, I mentioned that builds typically take about 8 weeks from date of purchase which was June 1st. And yes I did mention that the lights will be ready within 5 days of being painted.
However, the lights are not ready from paint.
I understand you've been patient in waiting for your lights. However, at this moment they are not ready to be shipped or picked up. And rushing the process leaves too much room for mistakes.
I went ahead and refunded/canceled your order. You should have received the notification about it via email. And should receive your refund shortly. I believe it's somewhere around the 3-5 business days. But it's best to check with your bank.
Unfortunately, at this time, it's in the best interest for the both of us if the order is canceled and refunded.
Wish you the best.”
… and that was it! Boom…
Dropped the hammer a little prematurely, I’d say. The 3rd paragraph is all I was looking for; would’ve placated me for the next couple of weeks. Sheesh!
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OP
OP
My responses:
I wish you would have asked me first. I didn't want a refund, I just wanted updates and feedback!
And I could swear you said 4-6 weeks, so that is why I was getting antsy. Apologies.
Can we continue? I would very much like the headlights!
Then another response from me:
I would be happy to pay you again once the refund goes through, unless of course you can stop the refund and you still have your money?
Your choice...
I wish you would have asked me first. I didn't want a refund, I just wanted updates and feedback!
And I could swear you said 4-6 weeks, so that is why I was getting antsy. Apologies.
Can we continue? I would very much like the headlights!
Then another response from me:
I would be happy to pay you again once the refund goes through, unless of course you can stop the refund and you still have your money?
Your choice...
