Clear Lense 3G TL Headlights on EBAY
#41
Advanced
Actually was trying to get this done for a while...
One company shut me down a month and a half ago, or so.
A little more recently I was able to find a company that was willing to work with me, sort of.
I asked for 500 left/500 right to be made... they wanted batches in the thousands instead...
One company shut me down a month and a half ago, or so.
A little more recently I was able to find a company that was willing to work with me, sort of.
I asked for 500 left/500 right to be made... they wanted batches in the thousands instead...
lol jk
...but not really
#42
ScoobyZINE
iTrader: (7)
Actually was trying to get this done for a while...
One company shut me down a month and a half ago, or so.
A little more recently I was able to find a company that was willing to work with me, sort of.
I asked for 500 left/500 right to be made... they wanted batches in the thousands instead...
One company shut me down a month and a half ago, or so.
A little more recently I was able to find a company that was willing to work with me, sort of.
I asked for 500 left/500 right to be made... they wanted batches in the thousands instead...
#43
New shoes on my
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
Age: 38
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My guy got back to me, he's asking what people are willing to pay. Obviously, the answer is as little as possible, but I wanna get back to him with some answer. I'll low ball him a bit as I'm sure they'll jack up the price, but I was wondering, what would someone pay for a set like these? $20? $50? $100?
Mods, if where I'm going with this isn't kosher with the vendor rules, I'm sorry, let me know, I don't want to cross the line here and get jammed up.
Mods, if where I'm going with this isn't kosher with the vendor rules, I'm sorry, let me know, I don't want to cross the line here and get jammed up.
#53
New shoes on my
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Ok, after going back and forth about 2 dozen times with the seller this is the LOOOOONG e-mail I got back:
Hi Matthew,
Just to let you have some insight. In general, the manufacturer's position is simple, they want to sell their headlights, not its' parts. Why? Because they spend million on the molds, they want to recover it by selling more headlights. And selling its parts which every headlight has about 50 ~ 150 parts, it will be very difficult to manage its inventory when they start to sell the assembly parts. Mercedes W220 S Class headlight has roughly 1,000 parts by the way, so if people start to inquire about little part in the headlight and they start selling it, guess the inventory level and part number level will skyrocket.
I am sure people don't realize that and just think, how could it be so hard, sell me the part that are already exists. The manufacturer think of different point of view. They don't care of making a few extra bucks (literally), when they already spent 70K+ on a single headlight's molding. If there is a manufacturer out there that is willing to make just the diffuser part, I am sure there is, they will ask thousands unit or more to be made. And since molding again is required, it won't be cheap or at least it gets spread out into the unit price itself. Remember, there is a cost for making a new product, so no matter how you arrange it, cost must go to someone, either pay upfront for the molding fee or pay on each individual units.
I am in the R & D department of the company I am working at, I have many experiences in developing the lighting and other car accessories. I know how much and how many and how long it takes to get something developed. And I am not going to BS you just so we can make a few bucks. I personally own a TL as well, and I love Acura. We developed Acura aluminum pedals, TSX headlight, now TL headlight, and TL smoke side marker and later on will have the smoke LED mirror side marker. Plus the Clear Tail light is coming. Current other projects includes Glow Gauges (Type-S look) for previous generation of TL and Non-Type S models. And I heard people are looking for illuminated door sills which we can develop (just need some samples) and we can make it true LED powered, not the old Electro Lumnicent.
Both you and I know that the diffuser won't cost that much to make, but just for example:
if a unit costs $10 to make, while the molding itself is $12K So, let's say I make 200 units, meaning the cost for each unit would be $10 (actual cost) + $60 ($12K / 200 units) = $70 And that would be the ACTUAL cost of this thing, not $10.
I am still working with the manufacturer for a solution, which I can't promise anything yet, but I know if the price for the diffuser that people can accept it is too low, there is no point that we invest time and money into it. That is an honest truth.
I know that there are some people custom work on the headlight, tinted, painted, open it up for angel eyes....etc How much they charge? I am sure this is way cheaper compared to that. What I wrote to you, I trust that you will keep it to yourself and express it in your own way. I am here to create a win-win situation. To create a part that people want and offer it at a reasonable price that people are willing to pay and we are willing to supply. If for some reason, people think that we are out there to making huge profit. Then, it's alright, we will NOT even bother to make the part that does not exist at the first place and so we won't be blamed on being a profit maximizer. We have a good reputation in Acura's world and we intent to keep it that way. Thank you.
Regards,
Simon
Just to let you have some insight. In general, the manufacturer's position is simple, they want to sell their headlights, not its' parts. Why? Because they spend million on the molds, they want to recover it by selling more headlights. And selling its parts which every headlight has about 50 ~ 150 parts, it will be very difficult to manage its inventory when they start to sell the assembly parts. Mercedes W220 S Class headlight has roughly 1,000 parts by the way, so if people start to inquire about little part in the headlight and they start selling it, guess the inventory level and part number level will skyrocket.
I am sure people don't realize that and just think, how could it be so hard, sell me the part that are already exists. The manufacturer think of different point of view. They don't care of making a few extra bucks (literally), when they already spent 70K+ on a single headlight's molding. If there is a manufacturer out there that is willing to make just the diffuser part, I am sure there is, they will ask thousands unit or more to be made. And since molding again is required, it won't be cheap or at least it gets spread out into the unit price itself. Remember, there is a cost for making a new product, so no matter how you arrange it, cost must go to someone, either pay upfront for the molding fee or pay on each individual units.
I am in the R & D department of the company I am working at, I have many experiences in developing the lighting and other car accessories. I know how much and how many and how long it takes to get something developed. And I am not going to BS you just so we can make a few bucks. I personally own a TL as well, and I love Acura. We developed Acura aluminum pedals, TSX headlight, now TL headlight, and TL smoke side marker and later on will have the smoke LED mirror side marker. Plus the Clear Tail light is coming. Current other projects includes Glow Gauges (Type-S look) for previous generation of TL and Non-Type S models. And I heard people are looking for illuminated door sills which we can develop (just need some samples) and we can make it true LED powered, not the old Electro Lumnicent.
Both you and I know that the diffuser won't cost that much to make, but just for example:
if a unit costs $10 to make, while the molding itself is $12K So, let's say I make 200 units, meaning the cost for each unit would be $10 (actual cost) + $60 ($12K / 200 units) = $70 And that would be the ACTUAL cost of this thing, not $10.
I am still working with the manufacturer for a solution, which I can't promise anything yet, but I know if the price for the diffuser that people can accept it is too low, there is no point that we invest time and money into it. That is an honest truth.
I know that there are some people custom work on the headlight, tinted, painted, open it up for angel eyes....etc How much they charge? I am sure this is way cheaper compared to that. What I wrote to you, I trust that you will keep it to yourself and express it in your own way. I am here to create a win-win situation. To create a part that people want and offer it at a reasonable price that people are willing to pay and we are willing to supply. If for some reason, people think that we are out there to making huge profit. Then, it's alright, we will NOT even bother to make the part that does not exist at the first place and so we won't be blamed on being a profit maximizer. We have a good reputation in Acura's world and we intent to keep it that way. Thank you.
Regards,
Simon
#56
Drifting
iTrader: (10)
I think that the letter was very promising. sounds to me like they are R&D ing parts for our TL. Which means that there will be something cool coming out of that company! Including the door sills!! You should email him and tell him to join this forum since this is where everyone who modifies their TLs end up. Ive seen other forums that have vendors like that, that ask what parts is the community looking for.. next thing you know they are made!! thats how the Subie community is over at Nasioc is anyways.. Good job and keep in touch with that guy! Give me his email and ill email harass him to haha..
#57
Lol...When he said this....
"What I wrote to you, I trust that you will keep it to yourself and express it in your own way."
I am sure he meant...."Please post this on acurazine so you guys will stop harassing me"
"What I wrote to you, I trust that you will keep it to yourself and express it in your own way."
I am sure he meant...."Please post this on acurazine so you guys will stop harassing me"
#58
My Garage not
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i'd pay up to $100 for the diffusers. yes, it's just a clear piece of plastic but it's a very specialty item and it's either buy it at that sort of price or just flat out n/a.
#59
AM To WDP In My Garage
iTrader: (40)
In all, the results enhance the look of the car IMO.
Last edited by acura_dipset_tl; 05-08-2010 at 11:01 PM.
#60
Drifting
iTrader: (13)
I agree that his email is promising. If he wants a set of the illuminated doorsills for R&D, let me know via PM. I would be VERY willing to assist in making these units available again!
#62
Drifting
iTrader: (13)
Was just checking eBay and found another vendor hawking "German made lenses" and 8000K bulbs (6000K are available, too). Search for vendor "fishcake321". He also sells the Depo TL-S tails + sidemarkers.
I am pretty sure he is talking about ZKW-Rs for the lenses but would have to confirm. Looks like it prices out about the same as the other vendors, he is the only one using the ZKW-R and 8000/6000K bulbs. He includes the 9006 bulbs for the fogs, too. 2006 models require some modification.
I am pretty sure he is talking about ZKW-Rs for the lenses but would have to confirm. Looks like it prices out about the same as the other vendors, he is the only one using the ZKW-R and 8000/6000K bulbs. He includes the 9006 bulbs for the fogs, too. 2006 models require some modification.
#63
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (18)
That guy is an idiot because they already have the molding for the diffuser obviously and its just ONE piece. All they have to do is make an economy of scale production and get them made for you. Sure they may want to sell 500+ each side but it would only cost about $20 a set because they ALREADY have the mold. People like that piss me off because they talk so smart but sound so dumb. Its not like your asking for each individual piece and its something they can sell 500+ of easily.
500 each side = 1000 units. They already have the molding so really if you think about it there is no cost to them there. So if they cost about $5 for both to make which is actually a price higher than it should. The diffusers are plastic and plastic is cheap and they have machines making them so there really would be no over head cost to them except for that one guy. That one guy probably makes $10 an hour and in a day they can make 1000 (500 each side) or more so subtract about $100 in pay. They are already using the factory lighting and paying rent so no cost there. So about $5 a pair to be made and they sell them at $30 which is a VERY cheap and reasonable price to move them they will make about $25,000 net. What kind of person/company thinks 25k is nothing? I don't see these headlights selling that fast...
500 each side = 1000 units. They already have the molding so really if you think about it there is no cost to them there. So if they cost about $5 for both to make which is actually a price higher than it should. The diffusers are plastic and plastic is cheap and they have machines making them so there really would be no over head cost to them except for that one guy. That one guy probably makes $10 an hour and in a day they can make 1000 (500 each side) or more so subtract about $100 in pay. They are already using the factory lighting and paying rent so no cost there. So about $5 a pair to be made and they sell them at $30 which is a VERY cheap and reasonable price to move them they will make about $25,000 net. What kind of person/company thinks 25k is nothing? I don't see these headlights selling that fast...
Last edited by AckTL05; 05-09-2010 at 01:07 AM.
#66
RIP RBP
iTrader: (6)
I sent the ebay seller a question asking him if he's willing to sell just the clear diffuser. Hopefully if he gets enought requests, (and they do their R&D) that they decide to and run that machine a couple more hours a day to make a nice overstock.
I'm willing to pay (as least as possible) but the max is 60 or 75 shipped.
I'm willing to pay (as least as possible) but the max is 60 or 75 shipped.
#71
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
#72
Instructor
This thread got abandoned... lol Act had a great point...
Maybe something happened because I noticed this link under "mgax13" Signature.
Maybe something happened because I noticed this link under "mgax13" Signature.
Last edited by xtmslyy00; 06-03-2011 at 02:53 PM.
#74
Racer
Did anyone ever compare the light output and cutoff of these depo headlights with our stock TL headlights? I wonder how closely the two different projectors are matched.
#76
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
#77
Just wondering how fitment is. I can open them up and reseal them, I just hate the way they look after they get resealed. I got some civic headlights done years ago retrofit projectors and halos from company call aac cost $1700 and two weeks wait period. Look like crap when I got them back, I could of done the same thing.
#78
05 TL A-Spec
you ever get an answer on this? I'm hesitant to pull the trigger on some cleared/blacked out Depo's and this benchmark would be my deciding factor.