All,

This has been officially resolved by the seller! JM Auto Racing worked hard to get this resolved quickly, once I made them aware of the issue. I received the drop shipment from SpecD today, as promised, (actually, 1 day earlier than promised,) and everything has checked out great. While everything seemed shady, the seller did precisely what they said they would, so I harbor no ill feelings towards them.

The headlights look great, and I can't wait to get them installed, and get some pictures for everyone!

Mods, could you please change the title of this thread to 'jmautoracing.com - Issue Resolved'?

Thanks, everyone!

 

Thanks for the warning. Turn them in to PayPal. Good luck!

 

Yup, already done, just don't want anyone else to get caught in the web!

 

Some things I usually do with new-to-me vendors:

a. Do a Google Maps lookup on their business address. Often you can get a street view of the place of business. In this case, looks like a converted residential duplex along a busy street, of the type which might host a real estate or CPA office. Just seeing this would make me a bit nervous, of course they could run the business there but have a warehouse somewhere else. This particular firm isn't specializing in a certain set of vehicles, so I'd already assume they are generally drop-shipping most products (not a slam, but it helps to know what to expect: they won't have much "in stock" but will be checking with mfr(s) / wholesaler(s) to find what you ordered and have them send it to you).

b. Do a WhoIs lookup at Network Solutions dot com to see who has the URL registered. Sometimes helpful to know where the site owners are located (in the USA, or not, etc.). The "registered to" info here points to an individual at a residence in the same NY location, not that unusual for a small business / start-up.

For contrast: do the same for a firm like "Summit Racing", for example. Map/streetview shows a business/warehouse, domain registered to a ".Inc" and so forth.

Just more data points to help you learn about a business if you're not familiar with them.

 

Updating, since this has been resolved.

 

Here is the link to Pro tuning lab that has the same lights... I'm going to order a set soon. Let's us know how you make out..

http://www.protuninglab.com/07micoeuhapr.html

 

I would highly advise against buying from them.

http://www.resellerratings.com/store.../rating/page/2

This place is more expensive, but they have fantastic reviews on several vendor review sites:

http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com...c-D-Headlights

If they had carried the lights before I purchased them, I would have spent the extra money and bought it through them.

 

Thank you! Let's keep looking and I like the Spec-D Tuning lights.

 

This issue has been resolved, so there's no need to rant. The seller did what they said they were going to do, in the end.

 

Yeah! I'm so glad to hear this...

 

You can expect pics if these things come in.

I should be installing them this weekend on my fiance's Lightning Blue S hardtop... fully blacked out, minus the wheels, and 'Cooper S' badge, for now.

 

Thanks for this update...incredible.

The behavior really is that of 15-20 years ago, when it was all toll-free numbers to far-off places and no means to check on anything. Now: most of what you'd want to know is quickly available. *Are you* who you say you are? Many ways to run that down. Are you really in business, or just scamming? Do you have a real physical address? With a few clicks, I can find satellite images of your location, sometimes even street views of your business. Did you really ship it? (Tracking number). Did you actually refund my money (bunch of ways to do this online, instantly, not "we sent you a check"). On and on.

"Joe Mauro", pretty clever, an amalgamation of their two names. "Been in business 19 years", not necessarily this particular one, I guess.

Quite the saga. Yeah, a "mistake". It happens. All the track-covering? Guys: just make it right, it's probably less work than all the subterfuge.

 

Yup! Those were my thoughts exactly. Heck, even 10 years ago, it was so common to happen upon someone who opened up a business while trying to run from the problems another business of theirs had. One of the major model-specific tuners on one of the forums I used to frequent in those days got nailed - hard. Sad part is, he was doing a great job in that community. Turned out, though, that he had completely screwed over another community by taking a bunch of deposits on a new part that never saw the light of day, and taking off with the money. Changed his name, moved a few states away, etc. Pretty epic stuff, but definitely not what you expect to see these days!

 

^ Sounds like Cullen on vortex..

 

so did the lights come in? how are they? can you post pics? ...and where did you get yours from again?

I am looking to get these lights but really want to know what the quality is and how well they work?? thanks