SickHIDs build worries...Advice please.
12-13-2013, 02:55 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
SickHIDs build worries...Advice please.
Two weeks ago, I placed an order through Brian at SickHIDs for a custom set of retrofitted headlights for my 2006 F150. Brian has been very accommodating and a pleasure to work with thus far. However, right from the start, he ran into issues and told me that his distributor sent the wrong lights for my build and it would be another week before the correct ones were received delaying my build another week. A week and a few days later I inquired to make sure the correct lights were received and that he had in fact started my build. He replied telling me he received them and had them disassembled and was getting ready to start the retrofit. He even attached 3 pictures of the lights.
Here's the interesting part....I downloaded the pictures to my computer just for the heck of it. I am an IT guy by trade and have been working in the computer/technology field for almost 12 years. That being said, I wanted to verify the "Date Taken" of the pictures that he sent me. Lo and behold, the pictures are dated June 27, 2012 meaning that the pictures he sent me were actually of someone else's lights that he worked on in 2012.
That seems very sketchy to me and I am not sure how I should proceed. I realize that it was just pictures of the lights in stock configuration however, he is trying to pass them off as my lights for my build. Should I call him out on it and see what he says or just go ahead and open a dispute with paypal and try to get my money back? I spent way too much for these lights already and I sure don't want to get screwed over.
Here's the interesting part....I downloaded the pictures to my computer just for the heck of it. I am an IT guy by trade and have been working in the computer/technology field for almost 12 years. That being said, I wanted to verify the "Date Taken" of the pictures that he sent me. Lo and behold, the pictures are dated June 27, 2012 meaning that the pictures he sent me were actually of someone else's lights that he worked on in 2012.
That seems very sketchy to me and I am not sure how I should proceed. I realize that it was just pictures of the lights in stock configuration however, he is trying to pass them off as my lights for my build. Should I call him out on it and see what he says or just go ahead and open a dispute with paypal and try to get my money back? I spent way too much for these lights already and I sure don't want to get screwed over.
Last edited by TuscanyJC; 12-13-2013 at 02:58 PM.
12-13-2013, 03:16 PM
#2
Two weeks ago, I placed an order through Brian at SickHIDs for a custom set of retrofitted headlights for my 2006 F150. Brian has been very accommodating and a pleasure to work with thus far. However, right from the start, he ran into issues and told me that his distributor sent the wrong lights for my build and it would be another week before the correct ones were received delaying my build another week. A week and a few days later I inquired to make sure the correct lights were received and that he had in fact started my build. He replied telling me he received them and had them disassembled and was getting ready to start the retrofit. He even attached 3 pictures of the lights.
Here's the interesting part....I downloaded the pictures to my computer just for the heck of it. I am an IT guy by trade and have been working in the computer/technology field for almost 12 years. That being said, I wanted to verify the "Date Taken" of the pictures that he sent me. Lo and behold, the pictures are dated June 27, 2012 meaning that the pictures he sent me were actually of someone else's lights that he worked on in 2012.
That seems very sketchy to me and I am not sure how I should proceed. I realize that it was just pictures of the lights in stock configuration however, he is trying to pass them off as my lights for my build. Should I call him out on it and see what he says or just go ahead and open a dispute with paypal and try to get my money back? I spent way too much for these lights already and I sure don't want to get screwed over.
Here's the interesting part....I downloaded the pictures to my computer just for the heck of it. I am an IT guy by trade and have been working in the computer/technology field for almost 12 years. That being said, I wanted to verify the "Date Taken" of the pictures that he sent me. Lo and behold, the pictures are dated June 27, 2012 meaning that the pictures he sent me were actually of someone else's lights that he worked on in 2012.
That seems very sketchy to me and I am not sure how I should proceed. I realize that it was just pictures of the lights in stock configuration however, he is trying to pass them off as my lights for my build. Should I call him out on it and see what he says or just go ahead and open a dispute with paypal and try to get my money back? I spent way too much for these lights already and I sure don't want to get screwed over.
12-13-2013, 03:20 PM
#3
TTV6>V8
If he has been replying and actually had a business and website I'd call him on it. Send him a polite email asking about the "mistake" and ask for a few current pics. Don't mention your an IT guru either. Keep all the emails as well, usually scam artists won't take payment through paypal like that because it makes it hard for them to use that handle (SickHIDs) to scam anyone else.
12-13-2013, 03:29 PM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
He's actually been around for several years. Overall he has rave reviews with a few bad ones here and there. Most of the complaints deal with wait times because he is a one man shop.
If he has been replying and actually had a business and website I'd call him on it. Send him a polite email asking about the "mistake" and ask for a few current pics. Don't mention your an IT guru either. Keep all the emails as well, usually scam artists won't take payment through paypal like that because it makes it hard for them to use that handle (SickHIDs) to scam anyone else.
He is an accredited business registered with the BBB. He's even provided his phone number to call as well but I haven't tried yet. I am contemplating on calling him on it and may do it politely as you suggested.
12-13-2013, 03:34 PM
#5
Senior Member
06screw mentioned something worth noting... I'm not sure if the date comes from the camera or your computer or what, however, he could have just not set his date on the camera. With some stuff like that, when you have to replace the batteries, it resets all the dates etc. and can be more of a hassle to try and keep it straight. However, you're the IT guy, not me 
I'd go easy at first, could be a misunderstanding.
I'd go easy at first, could be a misunderstanding.
12-13-2013, 03:37 PM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
06screw mentioned something worth noting... I'm not sure if the date comes from the camera or your computer or what, however, he could have just not set his date on the camera. With some stuff like that, when you have to replace the batteries, it resets all the dates etc. and can be more of a hassle to try and keep it straight. However, you're the IT guy, not me I'd go easy at first, could be a misunderstanding.
I'd go easy at first, could be a misunderstanding.The date stamp actually comes from the camera at the exact time the picture is taken. If in fact he didn't set the time/date, it could definitely be off. I'm hoping that's the case but I'm going to politely ask just to make sure.
EDIT: Email sent. I'll see what he comes back with.
Last edited by TuscanyJC; 12-13-2013 at 03:48 PM.
12-13-2013, 03:55 PM
#7
That's one reason I never use my digital camera any more, every time the batts go dead I have to go back in to settings and reset the damn date and time, why the hell they didn't put in a slow discharge capacitor to hold that in memory long enough to change the batts is beyond me, I now use my cell phone exclusively because I never have to worry about that. Not to mention my cell has a better camera than my camera anyway LOL.
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12-13-2013, 04:00 PM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
That's one reason I never use my digital camera any more, every time the batts go dead I have to go back in to settings and reset the damn date and time, why the hell they didn't put in a slow discharge capacitor to hold that in memory long enough to change the batts is beyond me, I now use my cell phone exclusively because I never have to worry about that. Not to mention my cell has a better camera than my camera anyway LOL. .
12-13-2013, 04:06 PM
#9
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12-13-2013, 04:21 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
It's just a matter of time before they remove the ability to disable it. "They're watching us" lol.