Do not do business with these people...

krupnation

krupnation

New member
I just had a terrible experience with a company on eBay and just had to share. I purchased some aftermarket LED tail lights from Auto Parts Avenue (TOYOTA 4RUNNER 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 LED TAIL LIGHT PAIR | eBay) and received a faulty product. The passenger side tail light seems fine but when I went to install the driver side I had an issue with the bulb socket for the reverse light (bottom socket). Your supposed to be able to insert the bulb and turn it clockwise to lock into place and make the connection. Well the part I received allows you to insert it but there's a plastic piece in the way that will not allow you to turn it and lock it in place. :redbrick:

I called APA to notify them of this and the guy was super unprofessional, didn't know the product, and overall just a waste of time. I then emailed what he told me was their "engineer" and also emailed them via eBay to send pics of the part while asking for a replacement. After 3 emails, I finally received a response. A few more days went by but I nevered received the RMA so another email and another phone call and I finally got the Fedex RMA from them. Well, just received the replacement today and guess what? Same &#$^ing problem! Ok, I'm not a tough guy to deal with, I'm actually quite easy going. I know they don't manufacture the product (made by DEPO) and problems happen with defects, shipping, etc. But when I get terrible customer service and they send me the same bad product twice then I start to ask some questions about who this company is. I ordered the lights on 4/8 and it's now 4/27 and still no LED tails on my T4R. I asked them to send me another RMA and overnight a replacement but I doubt that will happen.

I'll let you all know how they treat this one. I'm sure I'll just end up sending them both back for a full refund and order some OEM LED tails from my local stealership. I just was trying to avoid dropping $180 each plus shipping. ouch!
 
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Part Brand: New Aftermarket
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There lies the problem.

Good luck with getting it sorted out. I stick with OEM. IIRC some members got a different aftermarket brand for $188.
 
Well, another email and no reply from this company. I just called and told the guy that he sent me another faulty product and that no one has responded to me (he knew exactly who I was) and they offered to do a full refund. I'm not going to risk more shipping, more time, and just get another batch of bad product, so refund it is.

That said, I just went to partznet.com and purchased OEM LED tails! Yeah, I had to pay a premium ($363 w/ shipping!) but I have what I want and the peice of mind I'm getting a quality Toyota part. Lesson learned

...and TREVLOC, I'd stear clear of DEPO lights, just shoddy craftsmanship.
 
wooooooooooooooooooo for the new tails! and the refund!

and thats good to know. i will probably end up forking the extra $$$ and buy from jason. atleast i know ill be getting the right ones and good service.
 
Yep, I had read some bad reviews on APA. That is why I decided to go the OEM route too. I bought mine from Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market. It has parts listed from salvage yards & auto parts stores... used & new items. I had to end up buying them separately, but I got two brand new OEM lights for about $130 each shipped.
 
jtanner said:
Yep, I had read some bad reviews on APA. That is why I decided to go the OEM route too. I bought mine from Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market. It has parts listed from salvage yards & auto parts stores... used & new items. I had to end up buying them separately, but I got two brand new OEM lights for about $130 each shipped.
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dang, nice find! I usually am the first to scour the interweb for deals but after almost a month of going back and forth and no new tails on my T4R I just pulled the trigger. $130 each is a good price though...
 
Just a quick update, returned the junk aftermarket tails that I bought on eBay and sprung for the OEM LED's from partznet.com and just installed them this weekend. Love the new look and they are super bright. first pic is my a quick comparison of the LED (left) and stock 2005 (right) before we replaced them both.
 

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I hate to be a kill joy. But I bought the same LED replacements at autopartsavenue.com and installed them about 3-4 weeks ago. I have not had any problems with them at all. I think I paid something like $175 for both tail lights together. They shipped quick for me and installed easy. I didnt have any problems with any of the sockets and haven't since. Maybe you got a lemon ha ha. Sorry to hear about your misfortune.
 
Sonicpilz said:
I hate to be a kill joy. But I bought the same LED replacements at autopartsavenue.com and installed them about 3-4 weeks ago. I have not had any problems with them at all. I think I paid something like $175 for both tail lights together. They shipped quick for me and installed easy. I didnt have any problems with any of the sockets and haven't since. Maybe you got a lemon ha ha. Sorry to hear about your misfortune.
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:flamethrwoer2:

OK - so im bummed
I followed this advice above - just got the tail lights. Was super psyched, the looked great, but had the same freaking issue. Wasnt able to twist the socket in on the bottom (reverse) bulb. There was a piece of plastic too close to the cutout- which wouldnt let the bulb assembly rotate into place.

And while the op (turnsignal) light clicked in - it didnt come on. (Fast blink)

Ugh....
Ill call them tomorrow and see whats what...

Sounds like a return... :happens:

I dont want to try to hack the plastic to make it work...:redbrick:
 
Can't say I didn't worn you! :)
Sorry dude, I hope they give you better customer service than they gave me.
I'm telling you, bite the bullet and just get the OEM LEDs from partznet.com.
Or check eBay as there was a thread going around with OEM tails for half price.
Good luck
 
No doubt, called them this Am, they asked me to email then with the details. So I sent then an email too...will let you know how it goes...
 
MoabChris said:
:flamethrwoer2:

OK - so im bummed
I followed this advice above - just got the tail lights. Was super psyched, the looked great, but had the same freaking issue. Wasnt able to twist the socket in on the bottom (reverse) bulb. There was a piece of plastic too close to the cutout- which wouldnt let the bulb assembly rotate into place.

And while the op (turnsignal) light clicked in - it didnt come on. (Fast blink)

Ugh....
Ill call them tomorrow and see whats what...

Sounds like a return... :happens:

I dont want to try to hack the plastic to make it work...:redbrick:
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Moab, anything to report? Did they replace them for you? I went through a couple sets and none of them worked.
 
krupnation said:
Moab, anything to report? Did they replace them for you? I went through a couple sets and none of them worked.
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Its offficially 6pm of Day 1 -with no response. :keyboard:

We'll start off tomorrow AM with another call and email....and see how it goes.

In 72 Hrs with no response, I will cancel the payment.
 
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