Poorly aligned HIDs or what?

[Beehive3783]

Inspection scope does not cover foglamps, unless it is aftermarket unit.

 

 

Originally come with car aka factory fitted = PASS, provided the alignment and kelvin is within range.

Aftermarket installed even for fog lights = FAIL

 

[flashbang]

Inspection scope does not cover foglamps, unless it is aftermarket unit.

 

No wonder I see some cars with yellow foglamps...

[Hot6x]

Share with everyone my experience yesterday which revealed unscrupulous practises among (a large number) of local workshops regarding HID bulbs.

 

I was looking to replace (in a pair) my HID bulb as one side was dead. original factory-fitted hid. Looking up the sgcarmart directory of workshops, and those who posted in marketplace, i called them up. one by one... the experience was pretty eye-opening. let me share the below true events:

 

background: my factory bulbs lasted me 6 good years. changed to a pair of GE (supposedly a 'big name' brand) for $100+ but 1yr2months... one side dead. hence, i decided to stick to established names ie Philips, Osram.

 

1. Called H*nRev******n and spoke to the lady. She told me there were Taiwan bulbs and for Philips only have 8000k. OK, i was quite interested to take a look at the 8000K because i did an extensive search and none of the workshops carry Philips 8000k. Honestly didn't mind trying. I called the lady second time and confirm there is a pair of Philips 8000k in stock. She said yes. long story short.. i drove down only to see her coming out with only a pair of Taiwan bulbs and another male partner commenting "this is good enough". When i specifically pointed out that i wanted what we agreed over the phone conversation, the lady went to do a 'check' and said "oh Philips we got no stock" with an innocent smirk. Not even an apology. Enough said... i left immediately. Such dishonest tactic to trick customers down and bite your bait. Totally wasted my precious time. 

 

2. Went through the directory and called a number of workshops whom i shall not name here:

a) First workshop- "Osram?? why you want to use Osram? i have, but very expensive two to three hundred plus. We have taiwanese bulbs even better quality and only half the price." When i insisted i wanted the Osrams,... "must wait next week now no stock. Give me your number i check and update you in awhile". Never called me back.

 

b) Second Workshop- "yes we have hid bulbs genuine one, high quality". So i asked if it's Philips or Osrams? "Philips are crap, ours in house brand. longer lasting and higher quality". ok bye.

 

c) Third Workshop- "Philips we have. $180 per pair." So i probed if it is is genuine, because a pair of Philips/Osrams hids are about $290-$400 inc installation. "Oh..this one i cannot tell you, i also not sure. We take from supplier. If it is not genuine one then how? i also cannot confirm. But i can give you warranty spoil you come back." FYI there are MANY fake Philips/Osram/GE bulbs in the market.

Of course there were a handful of honest workshops that carry Osrams/Philips and told me upfront the higher costs if i chose to have them, without putting down the brands and pushing their own house brands...taiwan..korean...china etc bulbs.

 

NOW i see the picture. 

It seems they have come up with ways (as an industry) to convince and bait customers to buy their products; whether own brand, self-import etc. At the same time, putting down the bigger brand names and critisizing established brands as crap, unreliable etc.

 

Yes, i agree big brand names carry a high price tag ($300-$400 vs $100+) and there is something call offering customers wider choice and options. But the way it is now, they are going further by stopping a customer (me) from getting what i already know i want.

 

And regarding the Third Workshop, i suspect his bulbs are not genuine at all. I look back and also suspect that the 'GE' bulb i had gotten a year ago was probably not genuine as well. (I only paid $100+ for a pair)

 

SO for anyone who needs to replace HID bulbs, (and of course for all other purchases), RESEARCH EXTENSIVELY and KNOW WHAT YOU WANT/NEED. Times are bad and workshops are facing difficult times, and many will turn to such dirty tricks blanketed under "warranties" "forum support" and whatsnot to deceive unsuspecting customers. FYI these are workshops listed in the directory right here, and some even with good "reviews"!

 

If any of you needs to make such a purchase and would like to know which are the workshops i encountered, PM me i will be happy to share with you. 

 

I hope my post brings awareness to all when shopping for your rides.

 

[Shibadog]

thanks for the long write up.

 

it's only a matter of time before I need to buy new ones too.

 

did u try buying from Amazon?

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FQ8AVHS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

one example here, and it has free shipping to SG if total qualifying order amount exceeds USD125

[Caravan]

Some years back, bought mine from Amazon. Those are genuine as long as you buy from Amazon itself and not 3rd party merchant. Anyway 3rd party doesn't qualify for free shipping to SG. Bought them at 1/4 the price of what they are selling here. Installed it myself, took about 10 minutes in all.

[alphard96]

.... my factory bulbs lasted me 6 good years. changed to a pair of GE (supposedly a 'big name' brand) for $100+ but 1yr2months... one side dead. hence, i decided to stick to established names ie Philips, Osram.

 

Thanks.

 

True! Factory fitted HID bulb (usually Philips or Osram) usually the best in the sense of brightness and reliablity.

 

Previously changed a few HID bulbs (Taiwan, China, Korea etc) for whiter, look nicer or more blue colour...but find it less bright (for NS highway) and may not last long (prematurely blow). One type even flickering and another intermittently off (very frustating).

 

Eventually stick to original (use back the factory bulb) .

 

btw: Fortunately current is factory LED - no need to change anymore, happy with the super white colour.

[Roadhogger]

Share with everyone my experience yesterday which revealed unscrupulous practises among (a large number) of local workshops regarding HID bulbs.

 

I was looking to replace (in a pair) my HID bulb as one side was dead. original factory-fitted hid. Looking up the sgcarmart directory of workshops, and those who posted in marketplace, i called them up. one by one... the experience was pretty eye-opening. let me share the below true events:

 

background: my factory bulbs lasted me 6 good years. changed to a pair of GE (supposedly a 'big name' brand) for $100+ but 1yr2months... one side dead. hence, i decided to stick to established names ie Philips, Osram.

 

1. Called H*nRev******n and spoke to the lady. She told me there were Taiwan bulbs and for Philips only have 8000k. OK, i was quite interested to take a look at the 8000K because i did an extensive search and none of the workshops carry Philips 8000k. Honestly didn't mind trying. I called the lady second time and confirm there is a pair of Philips 8000k in stock. She said yes. long story short.. i drove down only to see her coming out with only a pair of Taiwan bulbs and another male partner commenting "this is good enough". When i specifically pointed out that i wanted what we agreed over the phone conversation, the lady went to do a 'check' and said "oh Philips we got no stock" with an innocent smirk. Not even an apology. Enough said... i left immediately. Such dishonest tactic to trick customers down and bite your bait. Totally wasted my precious time.

 

2. Went through the directory and called a number of workshops whom i shall not name here:

a) First workshop- "Osram?? why you want to use Osram? i have, but very expensive two to three hundred plus. We have taiwanese bulbs even better quality and only half the price." When i insisted i wanted the Osrams,... "must wait next week now no stock. Give me your number i check and update you in awhile". Never called me back.

 

b) Second Workshop- "yes we have hid bulbs genuine one, high quality". So i asked if it's Philips or Osrams? "Philips are crap, ours in house brand. longer lasting and higher quality". ok bye.

 

c) Third Workshop- "Philips we have. $180 per pair." So i probed if it is is genuine, because a pair of Philips/Osrams hids are about $290-$400 inc installation. "Oh..this one i cannot tell you, i also not sure. We take from supplier. If it is not genuine one then how? i also cannot confirm. But i can give you warranty spoil you come back." FYI there are MANY fake Philips/Osram/GE bulbs in the market.

 

Of course there were a handful of honest workshops that carry Osrams/Philips and told me upfront the higher costs if i chose to have them, without putting down the brands and pushing their own house brands...taiwan..korean...china etc bulbs.

 

NOW i see the picture.

 

It seems they have come up with ways (as an industry) to convince and bait customers to buy their products; whether own brand, self-import etc. At the same time, putting down the bigger brand names and critisizing established brands as crap, unreliable etc.

 

Yes, i agree big brand names carry a high price tag ($300-$400 vs $100+) and there is something call offering customers wider choice and options. But the way it is now, they are going further by stopping a customer (me) from getting what i already know i want.

 

And regarding the Third Workshop, i suspect his bulbs are not genuine at all. I look back and also suspect that the 'GE' bulb i had gotten a year ago was probably not genuine as well. (I only paid $100+ for a pair)

 

SO for anyone who needs to replace HID bulbs, (and of course for all other purchases), RESEARCH EXTENSIVELY and KNOW WHAT YOU WANT/NEED. Times are bad and workshops are facing difficult times, and many will turn to such dirty tricks blanketed under "warranties" "forum support" and whatsnot to deceive unsuspecting customers. FYI these are workshops listed in the directory right here, and some even with good "reviews"!

 

If any of you needs to make such a purchase and would like to know which are the workshops i encountered, PM me i will be happy to share with you.

 

I hope my post brings awareness to all when shopping for your rides.

Why did you only "quoted" 1 particular workshop but not the rest??

[Mcf777]

i changed my HID bulb at Pandan Loop....

Around S$150-S$180 per pair (i forgoten the price)

Korean brand, last me only 5months.

The ws replaced both bulbs for free (6mths warranty).

 

The 2nd set of bulb blew again within 5mths again.

 

Disappointed....went to stockist and bought the Original bulb S$350 per pair.

Cos worried the balast spoit, will incur more cost.

Edited July 8, 2016 by Mcf777

[coolbluepica]

i changed my HID bulb at Pandan Loop....

Around S$150-S$180 per pair (i forgoten the price)

Korean brand, last me only 5months.

The ws replaced both bulbs for free (6mths warranty).

 

The 2nd set of bulb blew again within 5mths again.

 

Disappointed....went to stockist and bought the Original bulb S$350 per pair.

Cos worried the balast spoit, will incur more cost.

Lasted only 5months? I just did my OSRAM kit. Wonder how Long it will last.