Disclaimer: YMMV
IME just because it says it is sold by the official vendor does not mean it is not a knockoff. Amazon has terrible QC and is worse than ebay. I know first hand from buying multiple products that claimed to be direct from the official vendor, only to receive it and easily identify aspects that indicate it is fake. I would be leery of any big name brand products that are steeply discounted. Discontinued or not, those brands have no problem fetching a premium for their products
Know what to look for when it arrives make sure it is an actual rigid product.
Ugh seriously, LOL, I can't believe I am about to waste my time doing this. :doh:
I got exactly what I paid for. A pair of discontinued E2 "6 Driving Lights for $95 each that I bought from the seller Rigid Industries. Yes, I own several Rigid LED products, I know exactly what the genuine article is. Mine shipped manufacturer direct from 779 N. Colorado Street, Gilbert AZ 85233. What I receive was the genuine article, genuine Duetsch connectors, exactly the same accessory kit, same sticker/info pack as the other three sets of Rigid products I have purchased over the years. RI packing slip, even box taped properly, IE 100 times cleaner than any of Amazons packaging, and certainly packed by someone that knows what they are doing.
I am sorry you have been duped multiple times. To be frank it is a little annoying when you try to guide someone to a genuine good deal (if you would have even bothered to look or take note if you did, there were a very limited amount of items on sale) and a couple of people come in and piss in the punch. I understand sh!t happens, that does not meaing it is always the case. I
carefully consider any post I make here that has to do with buying goods just because of these sour notes. Words of advice are fine sure. Things about what to do before you buy, when you get product, ect. This tick every box BS is not, not helpful all and just sets off a paranoid chain of worry, nice job bro :thumb:
So to help you a little in my sleeplessness, I introduce you to the:
The Random Interwebz Buyers Quick Guide to Help Avoid Getting Duped on Amazon or Ebay.
I know where you get these crazy ideas, seriously, we have all been duped in one way or another. Some obviously more than others, some for dollars others for thousands (cough p* rear bumpers cough, a whole other quick guide there). Both Amazon and Ebay marketplaces are fine. All of your worries/issues can be washed away if you just learn how to effectively use two of the world's largest and greatest online merchant marketplaces. (no, not alibaba isn't one...yet)
Let my sarcasm be your guide & help y'all a little with the tiniest amount of knowledge I have acquired from my decades time spent on these online sites of procuring wonderment, save you some money, and certainly no need to buy one of those "For Dummies" books:
I know I am just some "random" guy on the interwebz, so yes, take what I say with a grain of salt.
First lesson:
If given a book it is up to you to read it not the giver to explain it to you.
:ranger:
DO YOUR OWN research (I believe I said that to the first ill poster). It takes but two seconds at the very least and years at the most depending on what you are trying to buy/achieve in your life.
Second: Amazon, perfect example, I contact the manufacturer via DM and ask "hey is this your store front? + storefront URL"
- Yes -> Continue confidently with purchase :thumb:
- No -> Proceed with caution OR do more research:ranger:
Second.five: Ask manufacturer more about the product, is it EOL, is it new/used, ect. while you're there. They LOVE talking about their stuff, they might even send you free swag. :thumb3: NOTE: if manufacturer doesn't
love :humble: talking about their products, seek a different manufacturer.
Third: Super important, learn how to identify what you are buying and from whom BEFORE you buy it. Guess what? That may require communicating with other human beings! ugh how dreadful.
Are the pictures posted... well are they sh!tty, professional, crappy copy/paste pics from manufacturers site, or even the correct product? Are manufacturer product ID's correct? Is the items shipping
weight listed correctly?
Is the price too good to be true?
- Yes -> See Second item - contact Manufacturer OR Seller
--> If Seller: is grammar correct, questions answered correctly? Why is it such a good price?
- No -> Still consider revisisting Second, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH :ranger:
Fourth: Again, learn the marketplace, Don't :sobbing: both have ways of
returning products! A little politeness and honesty go a long way for returns. I have never had issues returning goods or getting a refund for things I have purchased from EITHER Ebay or Amazon. ALWAYS check sellers return policies BEFORE you buy.
Fourth.five: Worst case scenario, :vader: you screwed the pooch with the marketplace returns somehow, or didn't read sellers/marketplace return policy, you still have options. If legit your Visa/MasterCard/AMEX/Discover/Other can often help you get your money back. More work because you didn't do the research up front, sucks yes but money returned, okay. :clap2:
See everything will be alright! Sure you had to spend some time getting something fixed because you
forgot to follow one of the steps, but hey :thumb:
Of course, as we're getting smarter so are the fraudsters, always be vigilent friends, for we are the consumer, we control the world! There will always be those trying to harvest our hard earned duckets, it is up to us to do our own research and above all else to never stop learning how to use the ever evolving consumer world around us. Fear not! Go forth and buy with confidence the products for which you desire! ONLY with proper research! :ranger:
Oh and two more:
Fifth: If you do something multiple times and keep doing it wrong, consider getting off the interwebz :smashputer: and simply going to your local 4x4 store and working with someone that knows what they are doing, if you're nice and a repeat customer, they might even give you a discount... and free swag, or maybe even just make a friend (ugh, bad idea interpersonal skillz required)
Sixth: There is nothing wrong with knockoffs (well apart from stealing IP and others hard work, BUT it is the highest form of flattery I hear
) if that is what you are looking to buy.
Another Example: plastic body/fender/interior trim clips. Those wonderful little pieces of plastic used to hold all the plasticky bits and bobs to metal, they often break for one reason or another. The OEM product typically sells for about $1-3 per unit. I can go to Ebay and have a 50% likelihood of buying the exact same generic version of the OEM product, I mean exactly, made in the same factory, 20 units for $1-3.
If you are a buy-and-fly type of person there are plenty of folks out there willing to take your money, so don't let them get it so easily, do your own research. :ranger:
I am sure I missed something, this is a Quick Guide after all and hey it is free, so I am sure you can figure out how to fill in the blanks
:
A few pics for you to cross ref:
uh no, did you take two seconds to look before dropping a unwarranted remark? 
