Headlight bulbs needed - recommendations/tips

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by moltuae

The name of the seller's business you bought from doesn't happen to contain the word 'style' does it?

It does, and is fairly lengthy......
I am warned!

[moltuae]

Originally Posted by HPsauce

It does, and is fairly lengthy......
I am warned!

Hmmmm. If it's the same company it'll be interesting to see whether or not they send you genuine bulbs (the first time). Hey, they may even send you the ones I sent back

I suspect they know what they're selling but I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully my suspicions are wrong and you'll be sent a genuine pair of bulbs the first time.

By the way, the number printed on the labels of the fake units checks out as genuine on Philips' website, so don't be fooled by that. I contacted Philips because the labels were identical and they confirmed that they should all have a unique number. After giving them further info and photographs they wanted to know who the seller was and requested a copy of the invoice. I felt that they were using me to gather evidence against the seller so I declined. I decided instead to tell the seller what Philips had said and he promptly offered to arrange collection and replacement of the fake bulbs.

[tonupkid]

I changed my HID's a couple of weeks age. The originals were still working but had become weak (presumably 10 years and 120k miles old). I had Audi OEM fitted, and the difference is noticeable.
I think you'l be pleased with the result.

[HPsauce]

OK, so they have arrived and I reckon they are fakes.
Same ID on each for a start, no inner tube to protect, hologram very flat, no visible welds.

The question is how to deal with this....

Edit: Just spoke to Philips, they are fake. Recommendations anyone?

[pete-p]

You could raise a claim against the seller on eBay. Their rules are here: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/safetycentre/counterfeits.html

if it's the same seller as moltuae, then perhaps also let Philips know and report them.

It's not right and I expect quite a few people are being caught out.

[HPsauce]

Yes, I've had counterfeit automotive products before and know what to do.

[moltuae]

I told him that I had checked with Philips. I also told him that Philips were pressuring me to hand over 'evidence' (invoices, photographs, etc) ... which was true. I said that I was reluctant to do that and was willing to give him a chance to 'make good'. He promptly arranged (and paid for) collection of the fake bulbs and sent genuine bulbs in return. In the end I acquired genuine bulbs a fair bit cheaper than they were listed elsewhere.

[HPsauce]

I've ordered some replacements from Powerbulbs, the GEN 2 version as recommended by Mark (Moltuae). Powerbulbs seem to "tick all the boxes" re authentic products so I'm hopeful.
They have a 20% discount offer at present (code: BULBLOVE) so "only" cost me just over £58 each delivered, less than £10 each more than the fakes.

Meanwhile I've kicked off the return/refund process for the counterfeits via eBay. No "name and shame" until that's done and dusted.

Edit: No response yet from the eBay seller, but my Powerbulbs order will arrive tomorrow morning. Knowing which courier it is probably about 9am!