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I used to work for a golf club maker who would buy and build golf clubs using cheap knock offs (copies of brand names) from china and I know from this experience that you do get what you pay for. Not always, but usually, when someone is selling you something for much less than half the price of an OEM (Original equipment manufacturer) part he is cutting corners somewhere.
I have seen that some of these A.M. lights, when trying to install them, the bolt holes do not always lineup properly, or they strip or break very easily. The plastic is usually very much cheaper and thinner than OEMs. And so that fading and yellowing, fogginess that happens, that caused you to need replacements in the first place, happens much faster. Also the seals that keep water out are often not as durable as there OEM counterparts. What this means is that more often than not they will in short order fail and allow water to get in, and that is a whole other set of problems.
I had a man call and ask what I charged to fix his headlights and I quoted him a price of $130.00 and he said that's way too high I can get NEW replacements online for $110.00 each. So why would I give you $130.00 just to fix my old ones? Good question. Let me answer that.
1. As mentioned above the problems that one could experience with cheap copies should stop and make you think.
2. When I am done, you will have a factory, Original equipment manufactured headlight that is in nearly factory new condition, something that if you bought could cost you hundreds of dollars.
3. And in this case I do not understand the man's confusion any way. He was going to pay at least $220.00 (plus shipping) for these cheap copies and then have to install them himself, and on his car you have to drop the bumper to do this. If I did this job for him and, I have extensive experience taking off and putting back on this bumper, it would take me about an hour to an hour and a half to change out these lights. So I ask, what is he thinking? Spend $90.00 more and have to do the work himself, if he can.
There are times that I might personally buy the cheap A.M. light myself. One of them is if I knew that I was not going to keep the car and was going to sell (not to a friend or family member) the car or trade it in. I would let someone else have the headache. On my personal car that I was going to rely on for getting me and my family around safely, never!
The Headlight Guy
www.brightlightsnow.com
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I had the privilege this week of fixing 2 more sets of headlights that were done by one of the CHEAP guys. The customers were out not only my fee but the $50.00 and less to the other guys. Go figure.
The Headlight Guy
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This section is for question and general comments.
The Headlight Guy
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This is a place for some of my "Satisfied Customers" to express themselves. No customer is pressured to comment they do so out of appreciation for the quality of work, price or any other reasons.
I thank you in advance.
Rick: The Headlight Guy
Happy Clients for Four Years Now
Happy Clients for Four Years
That means 100% Satisfied.
I would like for you to meet J.C.
John Genersl Manager for Tom O'Brien Chrysler North
Another one of my best clients for the past four years - Thanks John
Steve Stokes Jr. Owner of Prestige Auto Detailing
One of the very best detailing guys in Indy.
Client also for four years
Need detailing work? Call Steve 317-694-1081
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There is not much to say about used car dealers except that there are some very good ones (yea I can't believe that I'm saying it either) out there. Some, that I have met in the past three years really care about making the car as good as it can be, before they sell it to one of their customers. Others, however, will not put one penny of repairs into a car that they do not HAVE to. They will only fix the headlight or any other part if the customer really complains about it. They will in fact hide problems, hoping that you will not notice.
There are others that do not really want to spend any money they do not have to, so you'll have to ask them to fix the lights before you buy. Then they will.
If you go into a restaurant and the restrooms are dirty you can bet the employees and the kitchen is probably not very clean either.
Same is true, if you walk the lot and you see cars out there with bad headlights this is a good sign that they not only, do not fix the headlights, (which is a cheap fix) they are probably not putting any money on other things more expensive, or things you can't see.
When it comes to buying a used car, just look at headlights and if they are not, Bright-Clear and Safe, then ask them to call Bright Lights Now 317-987-2020. Remember the lights should look very close to factory new condition "not just better". And as far as I know, (and I have been out there and have seen others work) We do believe that there is not anyone in Indy doing better work then we are, not by a long shot.
Additional Note: When shopping for a car, do not look at the headlights when it is raining or the headlights are wet. When they are wet bad headlights do not look so bad. That's what clear coat does, makes them appear wet all the time. The problem is still there, you just can't see it.
And so if you know someone using a clear coat process to fix headlight, stay away form them.
Tom Wood uses kits and does it in-house and unlike many of the other dealerships that I work for where the used car managers choose which venders to use they tell their people who to use, no matter if they can get it done better.
I have always felt that the man with his hand on the plow will plow a straighter line if he is not being told where to go, by someone standing afar off trying to direct him or micro manages him. If he can't be trusted to make sound decisions, why is he working for you, if you can't trust him???
I have also had a service representative from Tom Wood VW North, tell me that they have been thru three different kits and really haven't found one that matches the work we do (but it's cheaper).
A used car manager, also from another Tom Wood Store, on the north side said to me, that he was told to use the in-house guy, even though he likes our work better because it was far superior to what they have. I have personally seen their guys work and it is without a doubt substandard work (in my opinion).
The "Headlight Guy" brightlightsnow.com
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