2014 UnLimited Lighting Retrofit

[Miguelon]

Tiffanie Hartenson sp? is the owner or owners wife. I originally sent them OEM Limited housings to paint. After all the screw ups, they sent me a set of Depot replacements. Basically aftermarket replacements. They would not budge on replacing them with OEMs. If you've already bought replacements, they will not reimburse you for them. At best, you could get aftermarket replacements from Oracle and resell them.

I sincerely wish you luck. If you'd like to name drop me as a contact and vendor, please do so. You can tell her that their reputation in our forum has been tarnished. Tiffanie is VERY familiar with who I am and who I represented (High Tech) when I originally dealt with them. I was to be a distributor for their products and services. Needless to say, I never used them for any of my customers (thank, GOD!).

Thanks. Its nice that we have each others back covered on such clear CUT violations like this one.

You are correct, Tiffanie is of relation per the Louisiana Secretary of State. Search for Louisiana Business Filings

I suspect that clueless female manager you spoke of is the exact same person that has been put in charge of their new Houston store. Melissa? She is the manager here and sounds eerily similar to the person you described.

Being that this is a 2014, I do not know of ANY aftermarket lights made for my rig. I sincerely hope that they choose to just pony up the money. I like the idea of leveraging your name and the disparaging remarks on this forum to highlight dollars lost vs cost to do the right thing. I have a "nuclear option" as a last resort. I do a recurring spot as the Handy Husband on Great Day Houston where I review tech products now and again. It would be very unprofessional of me to rag on a company on the tv show, ( I would never do that) but.... as a result, I do have a few connections in the media. Usually I can just highlight the fact that I have access to an audience, follow with a clip or two for credibility and clearer heads prevail.

I will settle for nothing less than a full refund and reimbursement for my new lights.

I really appreciate everyone's willingness to help. I hope I am on the position to assist all of you one day should you unfortunately end up in a similar jam.

 

[philsey]

[MENTION=106242]Miguelon[/MENTION]

"Being that this is a 2014, I do not know of ANY aftermarket lights made for my rig"

Nope, no such thing. You'll need to get them retrofitted.

Sent you a pm.

 

[Miguelon]

They don't pay me to make them a better company. No reason for me to waste my time and tell them why they suck

If this incident has convinced you not to spend your money with them, it would be beneficial to everyone here if you at least convey the message that the opinions of our community can either be a carrot or a stick.

This whole concept is a bonding of like minded individuals who when properly motivated can be a force to be dealt with.

I think it is important that you tell them why they suck if for no other reason that I took the time to tell YOU why they suck.

There is power in numbers.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Thanks. Its nice that we have each others back covered on such clear CUT violations like this one.

You are correct, Tiffanie is of relation per the Louisiana Secretary of State. Search for Louisiana Business Filings

I suspect that clueless female manager you spoke of is the exact same person that has been put in charge of their new Houston store. Melissa? She is the manager here and sounds eerily similar to the person you described.

Being that this is a 2014, I do not know of ANY aftermarket lights made for my rig. I sincerely hope that they choose to just pony up the money. I like the idea of leveraging your name and the disparaging remarks on this forum to highlight dollars lost vs cost to do the right thing. I have a "nuclear option" as a last resort. I do a recurring spot as the Handy Husband on Great Day Houston where I review tech products now and again. It would be very unprofessional of me to rag on a company on the tv show, ( I would never do that) but.... as a result, I do have a few connections in the media. Usually I can just highlight the fact that I have access to an audience, follow with a clip or two for credibility and clearer heads prevail.

I will settle for nothing less than a full refund and reimbursement for my new lights.

I really appreciate everyone's willingness to help. I hope I am on the position to assist all of you one day should you unfortunately end up in a similar jam.

Agreed. I never bashed them throughout the entire process. As a matter of fact, I even gave them compliments in my build thread in how they were handling the matter. I never had to pay shipping for any of the headlight freight to and from their facility. It wasn't until the last straw in which I had to send out the headlights at my cost in order for them to give me new products. Ultimately, I was out a bunch of labor for the original job. They gave me new (aftermarket) headlights, bi xenon projectors, new HID bulbs and ballasts, and new shrouds. Luckily, I am handy with a set of tools because otherwise I would have been out a lot of money for labor in removal and reinstallation of those lights. That's mainly why I didn't use them for customer's retrofits. In fact, I referred our customers to Lightwerks.

Melissa (Missy) was one of the managers in the Louisiana location. Tiffanie was overseeing the Texas location at the time. Ultimately, Missy sent me to Tiffanie to deal with the ongoing problem. Kirk was the gentleman who performed the retro. I have kept record of all correspondence from all of the above.

 

[Alex T4R]

All of this above makes me upset that big company like Oracle can screwed up like that. Well all I have to say that I'm glad I found an amazing person with incredible skills to do my retrofits.

 

[Swarty]

Should have used a better screen...

Ok.... I am standing here looking at my housing CUT. I may not be exactly the smartest guy out there, but I know what it looks like when someone cuts through a lens. Also.. A very big clue is that they told me. You can even call them and they will admit that this is standard procedure for Oracle

Sorry I was looking at on my iphone and it looked completely different. What they did is just senseless... You sure this isn't some revenge scheme? Maybe they secretly hate 4runners.

 

[Miguelon]

Sorry I was looking at on my iphone and it looked completely different. What they did is just senseless... You sure this isn't some revenge scheme? Maybe they secretly hate 4runners.

That would explain the blatant disregard for any sense of craftsmanship. I would agree that it does seem so incredulously malicious that it just doesn't make sense unless it was intentional.

BTW... step up to a Galaxy.... just sayin eace:

 

[Jesse1983]

wow. just wow. I'm really curious how they were going to seal these up to finish the job.
[MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION] did they cut yours open like that?

I really feel like something is missing here. I just don't understand why they would do that.

 

[1engineer]

wow. just wow. I'm really curious how they were going to seal these up to finish the job.

[MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION] did they cut yours open like that?

I really feel like something is missing here. I just don't understand why they would do that.

I concur. It would take me longer to cut it open than heat it open.

 

[Jesse1983]

I concur. It would take me longer to cut it open than heat it open.

not to mention the mess. I imagine if they were cut open it would be a huge mess, most of which in the headlight.

 

[Miguelon]

I concur. It would take me longer to cut it open than heat it open.

Feel free to call them and ask if this is standard procedure. If you press them on it, they will admit that it is procedure at Oracle. I called them yesterday and they freely admitted it.

ORACLE LIGHTING*
4401 Division St.
Metairie, LA 70002
Toll Free: (800)407-5776
Ph: (504) 835-0055
Fax: (800)407-2631

 

[1engineer]

Feel free to call them and ask if this is standard procedure. If you press them on it, they will admit that it is procedure at Oracle. I called them yesterday and they freely admitted it.

ORACLE LIGHTING*
4401 Division St.
Metairie, LA 70002
Toll Free: (800)407-5776
Ph: (504) 835-0055
Fax: (800)407-2631

You seem like a nice guy so let me tell you a few things I have learned over the years:

If I had sent those headlights to get them retrofitted I would expect them to follow common industry practice (heating separation) UNLESS I had agreed, in writing, to that half assed way of cutting them. If I did not agree and Oracle did this then:
1. Call first and politely demand a refund and OEM replacements
2. Write a nice letter asking for same.
3. Have legal document drawn up not only demanding OEM lights but also Car Rental, loss of work, installation and anything else you can think of.

The whole key here is this: Did you agree or were informed beforehand that they would cut them up like that? If not, you will win. If so, you might as well go buy some new headlights and learn an expensive lesson.

You made this quote earlier in this thread: "I am all about pushing the limits of conventional ideas..."
I have been pushing the limits of conventional ideas since I took my 1st engineering job out of college because my job demands it. BUT! You only push those limits when conventional ideas are not adequate. For example: Conventional wisdom says mount your jack up high. Why? So you can get to it easily. That logic is tough to beat my friend. Same as with these headlights. Conventional wisdom says separate the headlight at the same place they are joined together. Why? Easier, cleaner, faster and everything else.

It's always fun to push the limits, but only when the limits need pushed.

 

[philsey]

...

It's always fun to push the limits, but only when the limits need pushed.

 

[gshadow325]

They don't pay me to make them a better company. No reason for me to waste my time and tell them why they suck

If this incident has convinced you not to spend your money with them, it would be beneficial to everyone here if you at least convey the message that the opinions of our community can either be a carrot or a stick.

This whole concept is a bonding of like minded individuals who when properly motivated can be a force to be dealt with.

I think it is important that you tell them why they suck if for no other reason that I took the time to tell YOU why they suck.

There is power in numbers.

as much as i would like to do that, let them know how they suck. Why should i waste my time. Think about this, if they did it to you they will do that to others. I rate myself like this, i am only as good as my last job i rolled out of my shop. would i be proud to say i worked on that car that i just did? YES. Not all business owners think like that, i do and i dont see anyone kicking down my down to tell me how i can make my business better. I dont care if you got a monkey, a panda, a tiger and a gorilla in the back doing the work. the job that rolls out of the shop has "Oracle" written on it. Not monkey idiot in the back that cut it open.

So sorry, i'm not going to buy from them nor am i going to take time out of my life to tell them they suck.

On another note, send me those messed up headlights. i am curious if i can perform some plastic magic on it and save them. PM me if you interested.

All of this above makes me upset that big company like Oracle can screwed up like that. Well all I have to say that I'm glad I found an amazing person with incredible skills to do my retrofits.

who's that? LOL

You seem like a nice guy so let me tell you a few things I have learned over the years:

If I had sent those headlights to get them retrofitted I would expect them to follow common industry practice (heating separation) UNLESS I had agreed, in writing, to that half assed way of cutting them. If I did not agree and Oracle did this then:
1. Call first and politely demand a refund and OEM replacements
2. Write a nice letter asking for same.
3. Have legal document drawn up not only demanding OEM lights but also Car Rental, loss of work, installation and anything else you can think of.

The whole key here is this: Did you agree or were informed beforehand that they would cut them up like that? If not, you will win. If so, you might as well go buy some new headlights and learn an expensive lesson.

You made this quote earlier in this thread: "I am all about pushing the limits of conventional ideas..."
I have been pushing the limits of conventional ideas since I took my 1st engineering job out of college because my job demands it. BUT! You only push those limits when conventional ideas are not adequate. For example: Conventional wisdom says mount your jack up high. Why? So you can get to it easily. That logic is tough to beat my friend. Same as with these headlights. Conventional wisdom says separate the headlight at the same place they are joined together. Why? Easier, cleaner, faster and everything else.

It's always fun to push the limits, but only when the limits need pushed.

although i sometimes dont see eye to eye with [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] (he riminds me of spock) this time I must agree 10000%

It actually took more time to cut them open like that.

email from 4/16

Hello!

Thank you for your interest in our Oracle Products and welcome to the AAC Family. Your account has been set up and you are able to make your first purchase for Oracle Products. I've shipped out a hard copy of our 2014 catalog along with the Jobber pricing booklet. Your dealer password to our website, www.xxxxxxxxxxx.com, is xxxxxxx. I have also attached our Oracle purchase order form for you to fill out and email/fax to me when placing an order if you don't already use PO's. Whenever you are ready to place your first order please email me your purchase order and I will be happy to help you. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Buy in Levels(Optional):
$2500
$3500
$4500
$8000

Thank you and have a great day!

 

[Miguelon]

You seem like a nice guy so let me tell you a few things I have learned over the years:

If I had sent those headlights to get them retrofitted I would expect them to follow common industry practice (heating separation) UNLESS I had agreed, in writing, to that half assed way of cutting them. If I did not agree and Oracle did this then:
1. Call first and politely demand a refund and OEM replacements
2. Write a nice letter asking for same.
3. Have legal document drawn up not only demanding OEM lights but also Car Rental, loss of work, installation and anything else you can think of.

The whole key here is this: Did you agree or were informed beforehand that they would cut them up like that? If not, you will win. If so, you might as well go buy some new headlights and learn an expensive lesson.

You made this quote earlier in this thread: "I am all about pushing the limits of conventional ideas..."
I have been pushing the limits of conventional ideas since I took my 1st engineering job out of college because my job demands it. BUT! You only push those limits when conventional ideas are not adequate. For example: Conventional wisdom says mount your jack up high. Why? So you can get to it easily. That logic is tough to beat my friend. Same as with these headlights. Conventional wisdom says separate the headlight at the same place they are joined together. Why? Easier, cleaner, faster and everything else.

It's always fun to push the limits, but only when the limits need pushed.

I guess I really got in your head with that jack picture. This is like the 3rd time you mentioned it. I was just trying to DIY a Lo-Jack. :thumb:

Below is a picture of the truck with the jack gone. Hope it helps you to know that all is right with the universe again now that the jack has been moved.

Of course I did not agree to have my lights butchered. They specifically stated that they would bake them open. I have seen the oven.

 

[Ducmonsta]

wow. just wow. I'm really curious how they were going to seal these up to finish the job.

[MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION] did they cut yours open like that?

I really feel like something is missing here. I just don't understand why they would do that.

No, they did not. I wonder if the 14s headlights are sealed like the taillights. As much as I despise the company, they do perform a lot of retrofits. I can't imagine they would create more work for themselves by cutting it open.

 

[1engineer]

I guess I really got in your head with that jack picture. This is like the 3rd time you mentioned it. I was just trying to DIY a Lo-Jack. :thumb:

Below is a picture of the truck with the jack gone. Hope it helps you to know that all is right with the universe again now that the jack has been moved.

Of course I did not agree to have my lights butchered. They specifically stated that they would bake them open. I have seen the oven.

You should be fine then. Good luck.

 

[Ducmonsta]

as much as i would like to do that, let them know how they suck. Why should i waste my time. Think about this, if they did it to you they will do that to others. I rate myself like this, i am only as good as my last job i rolled out of my shop. would i be proud to say i worked on that car that i just did? YES. Not all business owners think like that, i do and i dont see anyone kicking down my down to tell me how i can make my business better. I dont care if you got a monkey, a panda, a tiger and a gorilla in the back doing the work. the job that rolls out of the shop has "Oracle" written on it. Not monkey idiot in the back that cut it open.

So sorry, i'm not going to buy from them nor am i going to take time out of my life to tell them they suck.

As a business owner, I would love to have feedback from my customers whether it was good or bad. It's the only way you can improve yourself. If you had no idea that the monkey idiot in the back was representing your company, how can you remedy it. You could very well have a team of monkey idiots and you could lose your clientele or go out of business entirely.

Oracle is a different story. I read a couple of bad reviews prior to going with them. I read about halos falling off, condensation building up, and other usual retrofit concerns. But there weren't a ton of them. I chalked it up to a couple of bad days for them. In the beginning, they were very responsive and catered to all of my concerns. There were just too many to deal with and they couldn't get all of it taken care of. I can't fault a company for trying.

I can see your standpoint in not wasting your time. You're not there to help improve this company. It's not your job to oversee the quality of labor. However, I personally think it's a great opportunity to politely let them know that they have a bad reputation on our board. It may not help [MENTION=106242]Miguelon[/MENTION] now, but it may help prevent another botched 2014 headlight retrofit from happening. And helping another T4R member is always worth it.

 

[Miguelon]

No, they did not. I wonder if the 14s headlights are sealed like the taillights. As much as I despise the company, they do perform a lot of retrofits. I can't imagine they would create more work for themselves by cutting it open.

I am picking up my new OEM lights from the dealer in 30 min. I will provide detailed picks of how they are sealed.

 

[BTLAW]

How much does a set of '14 OEM headlights from the dealer run?