Cliff notes:

I bough a HID kit from Umnitza.

It came with a defective bulb.

I emailed them several times trying to descibe the problem, they did always get back to me either the same day or the next day.

But several emails later, and I still have no bulb.

Now they are asking for a deposit, which means more money, (who knows when I get it back), plus the inconvience of taking the bulb and all the water proofing out. When I put those bulbs in I expected not to take them out for about five years and spent quite a bit of time installing them.

So I sent them this Email:

Ok I can see that, but how much of a deposit? Are you guys going to provide me with a return shipping lable too? I not trying to steal an extra light bulb from you guys, ( what am I going to do with a defective light bulb anyways?) but to be honest this whole process has been a pain in the ass. I have every thing hard wired into the car and all water proofed so its not as simple as just yanking out the bulb.
Please provide with me with a few more deatails.

Thank you,


Umnitza Information <info@umnitza.com> wrote:
we'll need a deposit to ensure the return of the other one.

I think I should get some money off since I had to go through all this BS.

just buy chrome rims.

:lol

just buy chrome rims.
Nah. Then my car would look like every other fucking car in this state that has chrome rims. People around here put chrome rims on everything. Hell I saw a john deere drive down the road with chrome wheels the other day.

you should come by my area and see quad's with chrome rims and al the kids have fake spinners on there bikes.
by the way your slakin i had my rims for sale on the forum you misdsing out on a good thread to make jokes.i wwas almost depressed not seeing your coments.

you should come by my area and see quad's with chrome rims and al the kids have fake spinners on there bikes.
by the way your slakin i had my rims for sale on the forum you misdsing out on a good thread to make jokes.i wwas almost depressed not seeing your coments.
Thats OK, I still get to read your terrible english. What type of rims did you get instead?

I really think they should offer a store credit - I think we've all been in your situation (cussing and ripping up our hands installing something - just to find it was actually a defective product) and it sucks - the store if it's reputable shouldn't be selling defective crap in the first place.

If they tell you to f@ck off - then ask for a refund on the entire kit and take your business elsewhere - at least it'll give you some peace of mind.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=364248
i got these couse they were right in front of me 4 brand new rims tires and lug nuts with locks.but i have since decided that 17 isnt at all gonna do it for me so there just to get me buy for a bit.

While I understand their point of view, I wouldn't want to pay a deposit to return the bulb either. I voted that they should just send you a new bulb and a shipping label to return the old one.

Umnitza seems to be a good company who cares about customer service and their image. Obviously they wouldn't knowingly sell you a defective bulb, but sometimes it happens. So I don't think you can really hold them responsible (and make them issue you an extra credit) for something that was not their fault to begin with. I know it sucks to spend all the time installing something only to find out it's defective, but step back and realize that "it happens" sometimes and just move on. Not worth making too big of a deal about it IMO.

well lately everyone and their mothers have been having problems with umnitza... not sure why

DAvid

Hope they read this poll.....

well lately everyone and their mothers have been having problems with umnitza... not sure why

DAvid

Now I am scared off....

Was looking to get some ellipsoids....

Maybe I'll keep looking.

This should be posted in the Vendor comments section.

While I understand their point of view, I wouldn't want to pay a deposit to return the bulb either. I voted that they should just send you a new bulb and a shipping label to return the old one.

Umnitza seems to be a good company who cares about customer service and their image. Obviously they wouldn't knowingly sell you a defective bulb, but sometimes it happens. So I don't think you can really hold them responsible (and make them issue you an extra credit) for something that was not their fault to begin with. I know it sucks to spend all the time installing something only to find out it's defective, but step back and realize that "it happens" sometimes and just move on. Not worth making too big of a deal about it IMO.

Exactly! so why are they? They aren't considering the Removal and Replacement twice...

This kinda sux because the people who mostly complain about the Umnitza ordeal are the same people posting over and over. Email them and I am 100% positive he will work everything out with you.

This kinda sux because the people who mostly complain about the Umnitza ordeal are the same people posting over and over. Email them and I am 100% positive he will work everything out with you.

Thing is - it sounds like Beamin has already sent many mails back and forth with no resolution.

My brief interaction with Umnitza hasn't been very favorable - I'll keep my comments to the Vendor comments section though.

Just send the bad bulb and have them ship the new one... It's not their fault if the bulb was bad, is it?

Just send the bad bulb and have them ship the new one... It's not their fault if the bulb was bad, is it?
Shouldnt... Unless they took the bulbs saw who it was for and dropped it picked it up and then dropped in again. :D

I picked the last option... I just wanted to give the poll some flavor.

This is standard practice.

What the customer doesn't see is the countless bulbs we received that:
a) have damaged strikers - how did that happen?
b) damaged terminals - hmmm, pulled on the wires?
c) damaged in shipment - hmmm, how did that happen?
d) litany of other problems.

As a vendor, the easiest and quickest way to do this is to set up a paypal or CC $50 purchase for a new bulb.

Then return the old one. If the old one is returned and is found faulty, then you get your refund that day.

If the new bulb is faulty, then perhaps there is an install problem.

But "guessing" and sending parts is the fastest way to run a company out of business because if we send you the bulbs and then you find it's not the bulb and something on your car or the headlight or the wiring or or or, then we're in the same spot we were in when we started.

The only rational way to solve this is:

1) Send the bulb back first
2) Put a deposit down to ensure you return the defective bulb.

As a final aside, returning the defective bulb allows us to isolate the problem with the MFG so we dont' have these issues.

And the problems are done.

We try to please every customer no matter how strange the request, but basic business shouldn't be thrown out the window "just because".

In our position, we now have a list of about 18 customers that said "sure, we'll send it back as soon as we get the new one" for such things as a headlight, HID set, angel eyes sets, and what not, and guess what, we still don't have the products and the customers and long since gone.

So, this is safe for both sides.

At my old job, if an item was thought to be defective, we would process an RMA, ask for a Credit Card #, ONLY TOO HAVE IT ON FILE, NOT TO CHARGE THEM, then mail out new item with a self stamped return envelope. If said defective item was not received within 10 business days, then we would go ahead and charge their Credit Card.

With the above mentioned process, we never had any issues. We used to do what Umnitza did but the amount of complaints of how we process RMA's increased and business decreased.

Also, once said defective item arrived, it would be tested and checked thoroughly and regardless who's fault it was, we would never penalize the customer. The defective item would get sent back to the original vendor and that was that.

Just my $.02

At my old job, if an item was thought to be defective, we would process an RMA, ask for a Credit Card #, ONLY TOO HAVE IT ON FILE, NOT TO CHARGE THEM, then mail out new item with a self stamped return envelope. If said defective item was not received within 10 business days, then we would go ahead and charge their Credit Card.
....


This is a much better and much more fair policy.

At my old job, if an item was thought to be defective, we would process an RMA, ask for a Credit Card #, ONLY TOO HAVE IT ON FILE, NOT TO CHARGE THEM, then mail out new item with a self stamped return envelope. If said defective item was not received within 10 business days, then we would go ahead and charge their Credit Card.

With the above mentioned process, we never had any issues. We used to do what Umnitza did but the amount of complaints of how we process RMA's increased and business decreased.

Also, once said defective item arrived, it would be tested and checked thoroughly and regardless who's fault it was, we would never penalize the customer. The defective item would get sent back to the original vendor and that was that.

Just my $.02

that is what TMobile does. in my case it was a defective phone. they sent me a brand new one with a return box and label in the package. if i did not return the defective phone in 10 days (i think) they would charge my account the price of a new phone. when the recieved the phone they tested it. if it was defective then i wouldnt have to pay for anything. if it was deemed not defective or damaged by the user, then i would be charged some value. this way seems more reasonable.

In our position, we now have a list of about 18 customers that said "sure, we'll send it back as soon as we get the new one" for such things as a headlight, HID set, angel eyes sets, and what not, and guess what, we still don't have the products and the customers and long since gone.


wow, 18 people - really sounds like they're driving you out of business.

Seriously though - why not do the fairer thing that others have suggested and just keep the credit card on file and charge it if you don't get the defective one back? Yeah - I guess it's a little easier to keep track of on your end to just have people pay for a replacement part for a defective one - but that's not good customer service is it?

wow, 18 people - really sounds like they're driving you out of business.

Seriously though - why not do the fairer thing that others have suggested and just keep the credit card on file and charge it if you don't get the defective one back? Yeah - I guess it's a little easier to keep track of on your end to just have people pay for a replacement part for a defective one - but that's not good customer service is it?

Because then when you go to charge the customer, they file a dispute w/ the credit card company, a chargeback is issued to the vendor and the vendor is screwed in the end.

People seem to think credit card disputes are the end all solution. I have no problems with Umnitza's approach .. there is no telling what the customer did on their end.

At my old job, if an item was thought to be defective, we would process an RMA, ask for a Credit Card #, ONLY TOO HAVE IT ON FILE, NOT TO CHARGE THEM, then mail out new item with a self stamped return envelope. If said defective item was not received within 10 business days, then we would go ahead and charge their Credit Card.
This is standard practice for many companies that do mail-order sales. StopTech did this when I received an incorrect set of stainless brake hoses. By giving them my credit card number, I was promising to return the incorrect hoses in good condition and in a timely manner. The hoses sat unopened in my garage for two years before we discovered they weren't the right ones, and StopTech was still willing to help me out. That's service.

The credit card/RMA system is a reasonable way for vendors to protect themselves from shady customers and keep their prices low.

Because then when you go to charge the customer, they file a dispute w/ the credit card company, a chargeback is issued to the vendor and the vendor is screwed in the end.

People seem to think credit card disputes are the end all solution. I have no problems with Umnitza's approach .. there is no telling what the customer did on their end.

you can do that with the original transaction too - so that's not a good reason. Again - I just see it as good customer service - all the best online parts places I've done business with don't even ask for a deposit. I've been lucky enough to only receive defective products a few times - but really - it's on the online seller to make sure they're selling you products that aren't defective. It's a huge hassle to spend half a day installing something only to find out that you put in a defective part.

Because then when you go to charge the customer, they file a dispute w/ the credit card company, a chargeback is issued to the vendor and the vendor is screwed in the end.

People seem to think credit card disputes are the end all solution. I have no problems with Umnitza's approach .. there is no telling what the customer did on their end.

Doesn't make much sense what you said as the customer can do a chargeback with their current approach.

EDIT: Damn, supark beat me to it.. :)

Im just going to tell them to charge my credit card if they dont get it back.

What the hell am I going to do with a defective bulb anyways? The glass is miscast. Thats somthing I could never damage.

I understand that 18 customes screwed them over, but I have to call about 15 times to get them on the phone. That tells me that business is very good. 18 bad customers for how many good? 1000, 2000? Thats like 1.8% or 0.9%, thats nothing in mail order sales...

Im just going to tell them to charge my credit card if they dont get it back.

What the hell am I going to do with a defective bulb anyways? The glass is miscast. Thats somthing I could never damage.

I understand that 18 customes screwed them over, but I have to call about 15 times to get them on the phone. That tells me that business is very good. 18 bad customers for how many good? 1000, 2000? Thats like 1.8% or 0.9%, thats nothing in mail order sales...

When callling them they are on the phone speaking with customers/doing installs/shipping things out/putting lights together at the same time. Staff is limited.

The saga continues:

OK:

here is my credit card #

XXXX

I will send you back the defective bulb the day I get it. since its not your fault the bulb is defective I wont worry about taking every thing apart again. But only charge my card if you dont get the bulb back. By the way I thought the bulbs came with a warrenty anyways? Are we going to have to go through this all again if we have warrenty issues?

Reagrds
It's $50. If the bulb you send back is found defective, we pay for the shipping.

üm•nitza inc.
---------------


________________________________________
From: beamin' Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 10:06 AM
To: info@umnitza.com
Subject: RE: defective H1 prolumen bulb
Ok I can see that, but how much of a deposit? Are you guys going to provide me with a return shipping label too? I not trying to steal an extra light bulb from you guys, ( what am I going to do with a defective light bulb anyways?) but to be honest this whole process has been a pain in the ass. I have every thing hard wired into the car and all water proofed so its not as simple as just yanking out the bulb.
Please provide with me with a few more details.
Thank you,

Umnitza Information <info@umnitza.com> wrote:
we'll need a deposit to ensure the return of the other one.


________________________________________
From: Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 5:30 PM
To: info@umnitza.com
Subject: RE: defective H1 prolumen bulb
Send it to



Thank you

Umnitza Information <info@umnitza.com> wrote:
Well, we have 1 bulb. We can replace.



________________________________________
From: beamin'
Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2005 9:07 AM
To: info@umnitza.com
Subject: RE: defective H1 prolumen bulb
those are the only lights I have. do you just want to send me one?

Umnitza Information <info@umnitza.com> wrote:
have them here. Can you ship your bulbs back - we test them and ship you new ones?




________________________________________
From: Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 12:49 PM
To: info@umnitza.com
Subject: RE: defective H1 prolumen bulb
Any word on the new 8000K bulbs?

thanks

Umnitza Information <info@umnitza.com> wrote:
Remember that the 8000K were special order. I will see if I can get some bulbs under warranty tomorrow from our source.

üm•nitza inc.
---------------

________________________________________
From: beamin' Sent: Friday, May 13, 2005 8:58 AM
To: info@umnitza.com
Subject: RE: defective H1 prolumen bulb
I know not to touch the glass. (give me a little credit) I was talking about touching the base (the plastic part) while they are on.

Anyways, I could just send the one bulb back, but make sure to send 8000k. Also include a shipping label with it and I will send it back in the box it came in.

Thanks for your help

Its to bad...umnitza was doing so great for a long time , and the last couple months have been a real pain for some. Id recomend for any of you slightly close to their new location to make a drive over there instead of emails and phone calls. Seems like bimmerfest and this move they did have all been real extremly stressful for these guys.

Im pretty sure soon enough umnitza will reform their base and get all these common problems out of the way. On the other hand every biz is gonna get complaints and faulty products. Best thing to do I guess , is just to side with the customer and admit hes right and a new product will be on the way. But umnitza has the right as well to contest SOME of these claims.

For all the pissed off customers at the moment this might not be so easy to accept, with good reason. I think all wait till all the excitement is over to go buy my HID's.

The credit card was filed and not charged. Shipment has been made.

The credit card was filed and not charged. Shipment has been made.
dont bash umnitza just yet. It took a little while but my bulbs are on the way, and im happy with that.

I will do business with them again! :D

And thanks to the following people who think I should fuck off:

///M3-Mike, deen3, DTM325, e36'n, GreekM3, habbie, KellenerSptM5, LWRNCE

And thanks to the following people who think I should fuck off:

///M3-Mike, deen3, DTM325, e36'n, GreekM3, habbie, KellenerSptM5, LWRNCE

:lol

lol...There just deffending a company that has done good biz with them.

Dont worry about it, there not against you, just disagreeing.

And thanks to the following people who think I should fuck off:

///M3-Mike, deen3, DTM325, e36'n, GreekM3, habbie, KellenerSptM5, LWRNCE

I love you too ;)

dont bash umnitza just yet. It took a little while but my bulbs are on the way, and im happy with that.

I will do business with them again! :D

Maybe I spoke too soon. I now have 3 defective bulbs two of wich are the wrong color and flicker, not a whole lot but just enough to piss me off.

Check out this pic:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/beamin/lights1.jpg

So thier suggestion: send back THREE bulbs. Thats all good and well but my car is now totally wired for HID, there is no going back to H1 bulbs. So am I supposed to drive around with one light? :help WTF? :confused

H1s in your high beams can be used in the interim.
For the record, you have 1 defective bulb that we've replaced and one that doesn't match the other - for whatever reason, the only way to resolve is to get all 3 back to check them out.

H1s in your high beams can be used in the interim.
For the record, you have 1 defective bulb that we've replaced and one that doesn't match the other - for whatever reason, the only way to resolve is to get all 3 back to check them out.
:rolleyes I think Im just going to send back two.

I love ibm's process.

1. Call them up
2. Hassle free next day airborne express of part
3. Put part back in the box and return it with the label
4. Hassle free next day part free/under warranty
5. Sweet.....Satisfied Customer

Ok so after going though the fun of swapping headlights many times I Paid to have umnitzas defective product shipped back to them, (their shipping label never came). I currently have two different colored HIDs that are “supposed to” be the same color… Now what?

dude, just return and buy from another lighting vendor.

dude, just return and buy from another lighting vendor.
why don't you bud out with your nonsensical advice?
Beamin, perhaps, maybe, just maybe you can contact us and let us know regarding the last 2 emails we've sent to you without a response?