26 replies to this topic

[volvdog]

I highly recommend avoiding this vendor

http://www.sharphid.com/

Purchased a DDM HID kit from him (lone wolf operator) last July. Took forever to ship and got nothing but B.S. excuses for the delays. Now one of the Apexcone HID bulbs with a lifetime warranty has blown and it's been nothing but a hassle to get this guy to honor the warranty. He has no phone # and takes his time answering e-mails and comes off like your an idiot and that it's your fault the bulb blew! STAY AWAY!!!

[Dave 54]

Really, i've had the total opposite. Jon is a great guy, answers my emails promptly, got my HID kit and e-code turns from him on seperate occasions and recieved my orders within a week of purchase.

I won't hesitate to do business with him again and will refer others to him aswell.

[NHvolvo88]

Dave 54, on 16 September 2009 - 12:29 AM, said:

Really, i've had the total opposite. Jon is a great guy, answers my emails promptly, got my HID kit and e-code turns from him on seperate occasions and recieved my orders within a week of purchase.

I won't hesitate to do business with him again and will refer others to him aswell.

i disagree severely.... and why order from him when you can go straight to DDMtuning.com for much cheaper with same warranty?

[beadgc23]

I've just ordered a set from him, mainly because I've read nothing but praise for the way he does business from a community which knows the value of a dollar and denounces bad service...until today. Suddenly there are two dissenters, one a first time poster pointing to another company. So far my experience with Jon has been A1 - polite, professional, proper invoicing etc etc. I'll let you know if that changes, but there's plenty of evidence to keep me confident.

[NHvolvo88]

beadgc23, on 16 September 2009 - 04:12 AM, said:

I've just ordered a set from him, mainly because I've read nothing but praise for the way he does business from a community which knows the value of a dollar and denounces bad service...until today. Suddenly there are two dissenters, one a first time poster pointing to another company. So far my experience with Jon has been A1 - polite, professional, proper invoicing etc etc. I'll let you know if that changes, but there's plenty of evidence to keep me confident.

and this other company is the manufacturer... i wish someone had realized the man behind the curtain earlier and if you really want to disregard our opinions then be my guest and both waste money and chalk up inconvenience hours if you ever have an issue. Just warning you. I have plenty of e-mails i am fine with showing if you need proof and you will see proof on the box that it is black with the silver letters DDM and your ballasts that it says DDM to prove its not his competition but his manufacturer. Cut the middle man, save the money and the hassle that comes with a middleman and still have the lifetime warranty.

pick your poison but no need to bash someone without doing the research.

[volvdog]

beadgc23, on 16 September 2009 - 04:12 AM, said:

I've just ordered a set from him, mainly because I've read nothing but praise for the way he does business from a community which knows the value of a dollar and denounces bad service...until today. Suddenly there are two dissenters, one a first time poster pointing to another company. So far my experience with Jon has been A1 - polite, professional, proper invoicing etc etc. I'll let you know if that changes, but there's plenty of evidence to keep me confident.

If you've had a good experience with this vendor then that's great. That's what these forums are for to get the information out to the membership. I don't think it's appropriate to belittle somebody who has factual information on a vendor to share just because they're a 'first time poster'. Obviously there are two posters here that had a bad experience with this vendor... caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) particularly if you ever have to deal with John on a warranty claim.....

[leurven]

volvdog, on 15 September 2009 - 11:05 PM, said:

<br />I highly recommend avoiding this vendor<br /><br /><a href='http://www.sharphid.com/' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>http://www.sharphid.com/</a><br /><br />Purchased a DDM HID kit from him (lone wolf operator) last July. Took forever to ship and got nothing but B.S. excuses for the delays. Now one of the Apexcone HID bulbs with a lifetime warranty has blown and it's been nothing but a hassle to get this guy to honor the warranty. He has no phone # and takes his time answering e-mails and comes off like your an idiot and that it's your fault the bulb blew! STAY AWAY!!!<br />

<br /><br /><br />

What is your name? I apologize you had this experience. Care you indulge a little more? How long was your delay? What ""was I offering? What were the hassles you had? I do have a phone number and it is posted clearly on my site. However I've not been in the US for the past two weeks so answering the phone has been very difficult especially due to an 8 hour time difference. Again what is your name?

Feel free to communicate with me!

Regards,
John

NHvolvo88, on 16 September 2009 - 05:01 AM, said:

<br />and this other company is the manufacturer... i wish someone had realized the man behind the curtain earlier and if you really want to disregard our opinions then be my guest and both waste money and chalk up inconvenience hours if you ever have an issue. Just warning you. I have plenty of e-mails i am fine with showing if you need proof and you will see proof on the box that it is black with the silver letters DDM and your ballasts that it says DDM to prove its not his competition but his manufacturer. Cut the middle man, save the money and the hassle that comes with a middleman and still have the lifetime warranty.<br /><br />pick your poison but no need to bash someone without doing the research.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

What is your name also? I'm not sure if you have noticed but I don't hide the brand of my product being DDM. What trouble have you had? I'd love to hear about it. Please note DDM are not the manufacturer. They have no facilities at all in China where the product is made.

Regards,
John

[guest123]

I also had a bad experince with John.

Bulb on an hid kit came defective before I even installed it. Learned that the "lifetime warranty" is not a true warranty as he makes you pay for a pair replacemnet bulbs, and wanted me to send back both (even though only one was defective). I said f it, and paid the money for the new bulbs and kept my one good one as I am sure one will go out soon.

Bulbs came loose in a USPS box. Becuase of this both plastic protective cases had come undone and the bulbs had been just rattling around. The loom was actually hanging outside the box when it arrived.

Luckily they worked, won't be doing business with him again.

[Mossback]

Dave 54, on 16 September 2009 - 12:29 AM, said:

I won't hesitate to do business with him again and will refer others to him aswell.

+ another supporter...
I have ordered from him more than once over the past two years, Wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
Interesting all the people with problems are newbies

[guest123]

Mossback, on 17 September 2009 - 10:13 PM, said:

+ another supporter...
I have ordered from him more than once over the past two years, Wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
Interesting all the people with problems are newbies

I've been on this forum much longer than you my friend. I'd rather give the feedback anonymously.

[Mossback]

guest123, on 17 September 2009 - 11:14 PM, said:

I've been on this forum much longer than you my friend. I'd rather give the feedback anonymously.

OK, well, I guess you could say I've done business with him more than you in my brief tenure here and I'm satisfied with the results of all my transactions.

[Быстров]

I dont Know John, but seeings how he has the kohonas to show up here and offer support bluntly, shows his diligence in keeping his name clean and responds in a kind manner without treating anyone bad.... That being said, id prob buy from him. as previously posted, its only the newbies that have issues, SO here is what im willing to bet on, the Newbies that are posting bad remarks towards john( guest123, volvdog and NHvolvo88) all prob have the same IP number.

PS John i might need some HID ballasts for a 07 TSX. can u hook me up?

-alex

[guest123]

Mossback, on 17 September 2009 - 11:18 PM, said:

OK, well, I guess you could say I've done business with him more than you in my brief tenure here and I'm satisfied with the results of all my transactions.

Wrong again, especially since I had to buy the same things twice before I even had the chance to use them before they broke.

Быстров, on 18 September 2009 - 12:12 AM, said:

I dont Know John, but seeings how he has the kohonas to show up here and offer support bluntly, shows his diligence in keeping his name clean and responds in a kind manner without treating anyone bad.... That being said, id prob buy from him. as previously posted, its only the newbies that have issues, SO here is what im willing to bet on, the Newbies that are posting bad remarks towards john( guest123, volvdog and NHvolvo88) all prob have the same IP number.

PS John i might need some HID ballasts for a 07 TSX. can u hook me up?

-alex

So you've never had HID's, experience with any vendors on VS, and are the Sherlock Holmes of the internet, nice.

If you don't have the experience, Oh hush and GTFO.

[Быстров]

Edited

Edited by OrEo931, 19 September 2009 - 08:52 PM.
removing banter

[leurven]

guest123, on 17 September 2009 - 09:32 PM, said:

<br />I also had a bad experince with John.<br /><br />Bulb on an hid kit came defective before I even installed it. Learned that the &quot;lifetime warranty&quot; is not a true warranty as he makes you pay for a pair replacemnet bulbs, and wanted me to send back both (even though only one was defective). I said f it, and paid the money for the new bulbs and kept my one good one as I am sure one will go out soon.<br /><br />Bulbs came loose in a USPS box. Becuase of this both plastic protective cases had come undone and the bulbs had been just rattling around. The loom was actually hanging outside the box when it arrived.<br /><br />Luckily they worked, won't be doing business with him again.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

What happened here? We cover all of our bulbs under warranty if failed under normal use or DOA. Please explain and let me know your name so I can look it up.

Regards,
John

Быстров, on 18 September 2009 - 12:12 AM, said:

<br />I dont Know John, but seeings how he has the kohonas to show up here and offer support bluntly, shows his diligence in keeping his name clean and responds in a kind manner without treating anyone bad.... That being said, id prob buy from him. as previously posted, its only the newbies that have issues, SO here is what im willing to bet on, the Newbies that are posting bad remarks towards john( guest123, volvdog and NHvolvo88) all prob have the same IP number. <img src='http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/public/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <br /><br />PS John i might need some HID ballasts for a 07 TSX. can u hook me up? <img src='http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <br /><br />-alex<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Alex,
Thank you for your support. Something does seem fishy here. I know that I can't satisfy every customer but I sure as heck try.

Regards,
John

P.S. sorry for the formatting issues - not sure why it's looking like this.

[Oreo931]

Быстров, on 18 September 2009 - 12:12 AM, said:

SO here is what im willing to bet on, the Newbies that are posting bad remarks towards john( guest123, volvdog and NHvolvo88) all prob have the same IP number.

They all have different IP addresses.

This is the Vendor Reviews forum. That means it is meant for "vendor reviews." That includes both positive and negative reviews... How is it fair to judge someone based on their post count, especially when they make a complete, and valid statement about a problem or problems they had. Just because you have more posts than someone does not mean your opinion counts more.

So please, stop dismissing reviews just because you think they are posted by "newbies."

With that said, I will add that I have done a lot of business with John. I have bought 3 or 4 sets of HIDs, angel eyes, and turn signals, among other things, and in my opinion he is an excellent vendor. Any problems I had were easily resolved.

[NHvolvo88]

OrEo931, on 19 September 2009 - 08:49 PM, said:

They all have different IP addresses.

This is the Vendor Reviews forum. That means it is meant for "vendor reviews." That includes both positive and negative reviews... How is it fair to judge someone based on their post count, especially when they make a complete, and valid statement about a problem or problems they had. Just because you have more posts than someone does not mean your opinion counts more.

So please, stop dismissing reviews just because you think they are posted by "newbies."

With that said, I will add that I have done a lot of business with John. I have bought 3 or 4 sets of HIDs, angel eyes, and turn signals, among other things, and in my opinion he is an excellent vendor. Any problems I had were easily resolved.

thank you for the words of wisdom.

Volvdog is my father but our comments are disjoint those of you who want to think otherwise and discount this please keep it to yourself. As for john posting on this forum it was because i have PMed the first person to discount our personal experience with John who then specified that he would tell John so his responses stem from the first poster and of course he is going to reflect positively because he wants more consumers it is called marketing people!! I am an international business major i would hope i know someone marketing their product or service when i see it...

John this is Peter the one who has been supposedly "giving you attitude" but as a customer service industry "honoring" a lifetime warranty it is your duty to stay firm in the face of an upset consumer due to slow response time and a lack of meaningful mode of communication.

Direct response from John in an e-mail from me asking for a phone number to expedite the 1 week process of me self diagnosing the problem (im by no means a gear head and had someone else originally install them and without instructions i was able to figure out what he wanted me to do): "Also note a phone call will simply delay any process because I in the end have to email you the RMA form once I know what I’m replacing." P.s. the RMA form is a basic word document with the RMA number, your contact and shipping info and DDM's contact and shipping info.

When no progress was then made i attempted to contact the number on the RMA form for Apexcone which gave me the message that it was no longer in service and when i asked John for the correct number or a way to contact them i received this response:
"Peter,

What do you need to contact them for? They will simply redirect you to me or tell you to use the RMA information I have given you. Do you care to communicate with me regarding the issue with using the RMA form I have provided?



Regards,

John"

Once again frustrated by a lack of proper professional response this was my response to him:
"there in no problem with the form and why cannot you supply me with correct contact information for them... i need it shipped to my address in FL not the current address on the RMA where they were originally shipped. This is the last time i am going to ask for correct contact information from you for Apexcone."

And yet again this is the unprofessional response i received back from him:
"Peter,

Again please drop the attitude – it’s not necessary and is simply unprofessional. Apexcone do not want calls from my customers if it can be helped so they ask I screen them. What’s your new address and I will update the form? Calling them will not properly get it done – it has to be changed on the form.

Their new phone number is: 858.633.2020. They just changed it recently.



Regards,

John"




Once again i am not someone trying to bash or slander John i am just someone who has had a bad encounter with doing business with him. I have no doubts that most of you have had good encounters with him but the bad should not be discounted because of the good and as i have said earlier i wish i did more digging before purchasing HID's because as i said earlier purchasing straight through DDM not only was cheaper for me but proved to be much faster considering their cheapest shipping rate was still 5 dollars cheaper than through John, arrived in 3 days, and received daily tracking updates from DDM on where the package was. These are not things i have experienced while working with John.



***NOTICE: if anyone questions the validity of the copied e-mail responses back and forth PM me and i will forward proof.***

[NHvolvo88]

leurven, on 17 September 2009 - 07:14 PM, said:

<br /><br /><br />

What is your name? I apologize you had this experience. Care you indulge a little more? How long was your delay? What ""was I offering? What were the hassles you had? I do have a phone number and it is posted clearly on my site. However I've not been in the US for the past two weeks so answering the phone has been very difficult especially due to an 8 hour time difference. Again what is your name?

Feel free to communicate with me!

Regards,
John

i understand a number is posted on the website but it says in bold, CAPS LOCK, letters that "WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO ANSWER ANY PHONE CALLS. PLEASE EMAIL US." and as i stated in my current post you didnt sound very willing to communicate over the phone to discuss everything to expedite the process and get the RMA form e-mailed out to me ASAP.

I am not here to argue with you as we have over e-mail but as a capitalist country the consumer deserves to know both positive and negative reviews

[NHvolvo88]

beadgc23 is who i refer to as "first poster" my apologies he is technically the second poster to reply.

[leurven]

Peter,
I appreciate you posting your experience but it is simply absurd. Just look at the time stamps for our emails. I responded to you promptly and made every effort to resolve the issue. I provided you with an RMA form and afterward you said you needed to change the address. I have still yet to receive your new address and now you are telling me you have gone behind my back to work with DDM directly. I don't appreciate this in the slightest. You were on the offense right from the beginning. All you have posted here in this thread is that you were completely unwilling to work with me from the beginning. Thus far you have provided no valid reason that I can see for you to be acting this way. The product you purchased from us failed over one year after purchase. I made all of the arrangements to get it fixed in a very timely manner. Accuse me all you wish but I know exactly how I have handled this situation and I'm not going to let people treat me like crap just because they think they can bully the small guy for absolutely no good reason at all.

The only reason I have posted here is because I actually care about my business and my customers. I'm not looking to defend anything. Ask anyone who knows me and I'll always admit to fault. In this case you have still to provide reasonable information regarding your case. Would you like me to post the rest of the emails? I have nothing to hide.

Regards,
John