Ok, where to start?

Back in January 06, I was looking to get my 03 TL-S headlights cleared. In September 05, I had purchased the clear reflectors from ricks2k.com as they were still available.

I inquired left and right about who would be the best suited for doing this job, Dan's name (known as to others) came out more than once. I went to his website (his name .com) and got seduced by the work he did and decided to email him about the job.

I was quoted 150$ labor + 50$ shipping (so he can send me back the works) for a total of 200$, considering I'm providing the headlights and the reflectors.

I ordered a pair of headlights from eBay, got them shipped to his place (with his approuval), they arrived safely. I proceeded to send the clear reflectors and a money order for 200$ over to his place; they arrived safely as well.

First week after the arrival of all stock, he emailed me saying that he broke one of the clear reflectors. Knowing that ricks2k.com does NOT sell them anymore, (excuse my words), I knew I was f*cked. I still contacted rick2k.com, they said they would need at least 50 requests before they can send out an order to the company to make more.

I asked Dan () to take pics so I can assess the damage with my own eyes. It took him 4 weeks to get me pics, at this point we're in end of March. I told him to go ahead and glue the broken reflector parts together, and continue with the work.

Mid-April, I email him asking for an update. Nothing.

One month later, mid-May, I emailed him again, asking for an update, nothing.

You can configure your mailing software to send you a "Read Receipt" when someone reads your emails, both times (in April and May) I got a receipt saying he read my email within 24hrs...

The purpose of this thread is simply to ask for advice. Each headlight cost me roughly 85$ + 15$ shipping. The reflectors cost me 80$ back in the days. The total price of this mod cost me roughly 500$ including the 200$ labor+shipping fees from . And oh yea, I'm still empty handed here.

I live in Canada, it's summer now. This all started in January and we're almost in June. What should I do? I wanted to get these installed by May, but who knew Dan would run or simply ignore me? My guess is that he broke something else, he's trying to fix it, and it's costing him an arm and a leg and he's avoiding it.

Has someone else dealt with him in the past? Has anybody else had issues with him? As mentionned, I'm from Canada, approximately 6hrs driving distance from his place in New Jersey, I wouldn't mind going for a drive. If someone stays close by, would they be willing to check up on it? I can provide full information about his where-abouts.

Any help/advice would be appreciated at this point.

 

man, what a jack-off....i would just run up to his place myself and deal w/ him myself!

 

Yep, I wish he was less than 1hr away, I would have gone to meet him months ago.

I also just heard from NSXNEXT (a mod here) that this guy was banned from the forum for bad business practices I just wish someone could have told me this prior to me dealing with him, and worse part is, I think I still have a few PMs from guys on this forum that recommended this guy to me for clearing my headlights

Anyhow, any advice is appreciated, ideally would be to find someone that dealt with him in the past...

 

not sure if this is the same guy... does his www. begin with "Z" and end with a "S".. i was going to use him... 250$ to drive their and have him take my lights out for me, clear it, paint it and put it back together...

 

Yea ... Mr + Z***

He charged me 150 to put my own reflectors in my headlights, and 50 to ship 'em back to me. Can you imagine if I really gave him my car's own headlights? I'd be without headlights for the whole winter!

I know for a fact that he broke one of my reflectors. Which also states that he baked open one of the headlights and must have broken the reflector when trying to install it. As stated earlier, it's been a little over 5 months and he keeps ignoring my emails.

I'll be free by mid-June, I'm inviting everybody that got screwed by this guy (Dan Matos -> his real name) to join me into paying him a little visit; not that I need any help, I just want him to realize with his own eyes how many people he screwed over.

NOTE: If you still happen to go with the 250$ deal (which I think you shouldn't), PLEASE inquire about my headlights. I'd be willing to give you all my information so he can identify the case instead of using my screen-name.

 

I've been to his place a few years ago when he did my headlights. Was I happy with his work? I will have to say it was ok but could of been better.

 

damn... now im very skeptical about going.. from his website he seemed to have done many people lights. and even had nice pics on his site.. i was going to make it a day and drive to CT to let him do it... now I think i am going to have to find someone else to do it.. ugg.. and the pickings to find someone to do it for me is very slim since i am 2 chicken shit to do it myself.... but if i have a change of heart, i will definetely send you a pm ...

 

He wouldnt let me stay in his house while he did my headlights so I had to find my way to a local internet cafe and sit my ass for a while.

 

Well, I heard a lot of praise from people that got their headlights done, I'm still trying to find the thread I had started a while back asking who would be the top-pick to get your headlight cleared, say you weren't to do it yourself. I believe it might have been on another forum, but I remember getting some input from here as well.

I'm not blaming anyone, besides, people can be truthful one day and decide to go bad the other. It's human nature; the more orders/more money you get, it's very tempting to switch around and run with the money rather than doing quality work. I'm guessing the publicity this guy got made him do less quality work, spend less time on jobs, and accomplish more orders. Quantity over quality. Again, I totally understand, but to the point where you run away with someone's money? That's half a grand, to some people that's <1-3> (pick accordingly) weeks worth of savings.


Well, in anyway I'm not trying to influence your decision, I had not heard anything bad about this guy until I started this thread in "Car Talk" and eventually moved it here to get more results. I found out a lot about him in the last 2 days than I did in the last 5 months dealing with him (2 months of which I have had no replies).

I personnally didn't care to do it myself, there are so many D.I.Y. about clearing your headlights on this forum, you REALLY can't go wrong. Plus I already had my reflectors, we all have a baking oven and I had the necessary tools to accomplish it myself in 1 night. It's just that experience makes perfect, and this guy clearly had the experience to get it done right in 1 shot; that's what made me fork out the cash to get it done. Little did I know it would unfold in such a GREAT 'one-day-at-band-camp' story ....

 

It's understandable, we can't really criticize his way of working, he probably wanted to protect his secrets or work processes...

If I were in his shoes, I would have provided you with a chair in the backyard, and kept you busy with a can of coke while I clear your lights... Considering the money you're paying for his labor.. that's just my

 

Way back when it was only $100 each and he removes the headlights. I couldnt really complain but ever since I saw him do it.... I've done a bunch myself. If anything, do it yourself and dont get the clear reflector. It looks much better w/o it.

 

jacko74,

Sorry to hear this has happened to you. But there is a reason why he was kicked off this board. He wanted to do business behind our backs. He was too cheap to become an official vendor to this site. And some of the testimonials of fellow Tri-state members -- he was downright shady.

Caveat emptor.

Hope things turn out right in the end.

 

Yup, he was banned for a reason. He was as shady in the way he conducted himself, and business on this board as he is in this instance. We were tired of his repeated lies to us and our members, and terminated his membership.

 

Yup what a scumbag, he shouldnt have broken your headlights or had any mishaps with them, by then he should have had a process nearly perfected. I still cant believe people were giving this guy 150 just to clear headlights. He didnt let you stay in the house while he did them? That is really shady, all you do is bake the headlight or heat up the headlights enough to allow the silicone to warm, and to allow the seperation of the headlights, there is no secrets in doing this. He must have gotten alot of orders at once, and alot of headlights sitting around, prolly decided that no one had anything on him, and decided to run, probably sold everyones cleared headlights too. Cant trust everyone

 

I really appreciate the responses and the support I'm getting. It's good to know that people care to hear my story, even though it doesn't seem to have a happy ending.

I managed to land on what seems to be his cellphone number. I PM'ed some mods that might have prior records of this guy, maybe they can verify and confirm the number.

If it is, I'll be making his phone ring tomorrow.

If I still don't have my lights cleared and shipped to me by mid-June, I'm already planning to drive down to greet him in person. To all AZ members, feel free to leave me any kind words that you'd want me to pass along to him

 

let us know what he has to say

 

Why don't you put his address up on this forum? This asshole apparently wants his ass kicked for trying to fuck over TL members.

G'Luck w/ your problem

 

Where were the headlights shipped to?

 

for the record, i had my headlights done by him and i couldnt of been happier.

i had my headlights shipped to him directly from an ebay auction. i then sent him the clear reflectors. less than a week later, i had the headlights and they looekd absolutely perfect. i for one, was very happy with his work. sorry this happened to you.

 

The headlights he has done for me never fogged when done by him but he did stratch the lens on the floor on one of them. I was satisfied.

 

Well, as my duty to this forum and multiple users of this guy's works, here's what happened today.

For the last week, I was researching off his numbers and a way to get a hold of him directly (ie: a cellphone number). I landed on a few, after researching it off some more, I found out he had 2 numbers, one of which was more active than the other.

I proceeded to call 6 mins ago, here's the conversation:

him: "uh hello"
me: "hey, dan?"
him: "yup?"
me: "this is <name> calling from <location>"
<insert silence>
him: "hey how are you? i was just going to email you back, im <uh> currently in California"
me: "california?"
<insert another ackward moment as his brain starts reacting>
him: "yea it's been 3 months, I'm going back today"
me: "going back today to Jersey?"
him: "yea your headlights are actually done, they should go out this week for sure"
me: "this week?"
him: "yea as soon as I return to town today"
me: "ok will be waiting for that tracking number"
him: "thanks for calling, but hey how did you find my number?"
me: "have a good day Dan"
him: "hey wait"
<click>


Enjoy, will keep you guys posted within 1 week when I get them

If anybody else had/has issues with this guy, considering he is no longuer linked to this forum, do not hesitate to PM me, it'll be my pleasure to assist you in making sure things get settled.

 

good job finding his number... he must be super buged out... he is probably thinking that you are stalking him.... let him think that on any given day you could potentially show up to his place....

 

I shipped the headlights to his place, along with the clear reflectors and a money order for his labor. He acknowledged receipt of all goods, he must be REALLY stupid to think I don't know where he lives.

I think I've done my part with that phone call. I'll wait it out now, if I do not receive a tracking number by then, we'll be mid-June and I'll have some time off work to drive down. I'm really not worried.

 

haha, u just dont fu*k with Acurazine members
tell us how it goes

 

I still don't have my headlights and he's now completely ignoring my phone calls after that last surprise call.

I've decided to start a general campaign against him and will be posting this link on the forums where he is active. I will make his life miserable until I find time to drive down.

http://headlightmaster.thekreator.com/

The link contains all the emails (back and forth) from the start up to now.

 

where is he from?

 

Kearny, NJ I believe if he is still there

 

You've been robbed...
Seriously. Call his local Police department and report him for fraud. You have proof of payment, submit it to the police.

Internet fraud is still a crime, and considering this guy is operating this business from his home, it's in hs best interest to not get arrested.

 

Yea he's still there. North Arlington, NJ.

I had a friend down there check up on his house, and according to the information I got off another forum where he's still active (acura w*rld.com), there is an anthracite 3g TL randomly going in and out of that house. It's clearly his.

 

wow thats crazy man he doest even look like the type to do somethin like that i almost took my headlights to him but for 250 fukk dat i did them myself ans they came out just as good lol......he's a lil guy im suprised he did this to u lol u can kick his ass all over NJ he's mad small

 

Well that's good news to hear.

I was just talking to Bxscig earlier: beating up this guy would only bring me personal satisfaction, but is it really worth the 500$ that he stole? From the looks of it, he just broke my clear reflectors and cannot get the job done because Ricks2k.com does not make these reflectors anymore. He was in deep sh*t and didn't know what to do, he figured that nobody would take that drive to Jersey to get him. I'm not a violent person and I doubt there will be much to do, aside from him giving me back my money. Even with 500$ in my pockets, I will never be able to get clear diffusers as they are completely discontinued. It's really terrible . All the praises I've heard about this guy, and it just so happens bad luck lands on me.

He was just alive on the acura w*rld.com forum yesterday at 8:30pm. It really takes a lot of guts to do what he did, especially dealing from his house and I also have his work address in Connecticut.

 

I would just really spread the word about him. He was removed from here for a reason so other forums should just be made aware of the possible situation they might get in by sending this guy your lights.

 

That's actually what I'm trying to do right now, same goes for other forums, especially those where he's active. Cowards will always be cowards

 

I think the headlights look better w/o the clear reflectors anyway

 

Probably not, Acurazine Mods will not let you sell much of anything here unless there's a cut for them. User DCC was (3G TL forums) was harassed and his membership was threatened when he made (10) DVD Nav buttons from OEM VSS switches and attempted to sell them here. They wanted him to be a sponsor, when he clearly was not set up tp do so.

Sorry, that's a sore subject with me.

Jacko, call the cops man, stop dilly dallying.

 

forget about the cops... do it Soprano style and go over there with a bat... a little intimidation goes a long way... grip him up and give him the shakedown. go in his pockets and smack him up a little... then get your ass back to canada...

 

Clarification: if a person wants to do business things here, it is a standard policy for any website to recoup costs to host this site. Why would you let someone make do business with no cost? (It's like someone setting up shop on your front yard -- he can use your property, your phone number, etc.) Everything the users have on this site is free. Hosting the large amount of bandwidth, servers, etc, that we have here... this all costs money.

If every member here is willing to pay upfront a monthly maintanence fee (like you pay at a health club) then we probably can start allowing people to buy / sell stuff like on eBay. Would you want that? I didn't think so.

So it's the vendors who keep this site free for us users. So how is that a 'cut'?


Going back on-topic, that's one of the main reasons why we kicked that guy off this site. He didn't want to become a vendor but more importantly, he was a crook.

 

Well well well...

Look what just came in :P



[mod edit -- no need to publicize the banned person's name / website]

I guess making a public website, spreading the words, and enough long distance charges finally made a difference in this case ...

Thanks to the AZ community, I appreciate the support, and especially a big thank you to "Bxscig" who's been extremely helpful during this whole ordeal

Much love

One of the headlights is terribly dirty (yellowish), seems like I will need to clean the lens, I don't recall it being like this, but at this point, I'm just enjoying finally seeing something I've been dreaming about for 6 months.

 

The ever so useful thread :

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172080

 

When was it shipped?