A strange one

enjenjo · January 04, 2010, 11:23:54 PM

Today I bought and installed 4 new headlights in my 65 Buick. I noticed that one of the high beams was twisted a bit counterclockwise. I thought possibly the old one was twisted too, and I didn't notice it, so I dug out another headlight bucket, same thing. I then installed the other new high beam bulb, and it was fine. So I did a little measuring, and one of the new bulbs had the face installed in the wrong position. The auto parts store replaced it, no questions, but it seems strange that a bad one got through. They were Wagner brand bulbs.

OldSub · January 04, 2010, 11:43:20 PM

It's not that it got through quality control, but that they are using a new distributed service model where users provide their own quality control.

It allows Wagner to save some money and let's you decide if the part is good enough.

BFS57 · January 05, 2010, 06:16:58 AM

Hello;
Some folks wouldn't know the difference!!!

Bruce

Charlie Chops 1940 · January 05, 2010, 09:59:16 AM

When I ran shipping in a camshaft factory some many years ago we used to say: "If it fits in the box it's fit enough to ship." Today I believe the consumer truly is the final inspector, and the manufacturer has laid theirs off.

Charlie

348tripower · January 05, 2010, 11:44:01 AM

I have two that are like that in my F1. I wondered if it is the buckets or the lights, but I was always too lazy to find out.

enjenjo · January 05, 2010, 04:39:24 PM

Part two. I went up today, and picked up the new bulb. It fit like the first one did.

I took it back, and the counter guy told me that was impossible, he measured the new one to make sure it was right. He brought out the warrentee light, and it fit right. He admited that he got the bulbs confused when he had them both out of the box, and inadverently switched them.

So now I have a good one.

unklian · January 05, 2010, 05:29:49 PM

Quote from: "Charlie Chops 1940"When I ran shipping in a camshaft factory some many years ago we used to say: "If it fits in the box it's fit enough to ship." Today I believe the consumer truly is the final inspector, and the manufacturer has laid theirs off.

Charlie

When in doubt, ship it out.

:x

OldSub · January 05, 2010, 05:34:37 PM

Quote from: "enjenjo"He admited that he got the bulbs confused when he had them both out of the box, and inadverently switched them.

Did you have to arm wrestle him to get that admission, or is he an honest guy and it came easily?

kb426 · January 05, 2010, 07:24:21 PM

Bottom line: it's tough to do anything anymore. I don't blame the retailer for bad parts. he has them on the shelf to sell not to perform QC. The list of bad parts on my 32 2 years ago was around 25%. I can't imagine what it's like to make your living dealing with this. The light bulb deal is one more thing for me to remember to have to check. Thanks alot.

enjenjo · January 05, 2010, 07:32:23 PM

Quote from: "OldSub"
Quote from: "enjenjo"He admited that he got the bulbs confused when he had them both out of the box, and inadverently switched them.
Did you have to arm wrestle him to get that admission, or is he an honest guy and it came easily?

No, he is honest, he admited it right away. He is the owner, so I told him to blame it on the new guy.

58 Yeoman · January 05, 2010, 08:29:24 PM

Yeah, I installed a new Big Maxx propane heater in my shop last week. I started it up, and it ran for a while, then blew a fuse. I had to drive 25 miles to get a new one, because I couldn't find the ones I have for the cars (turns out I didn't have one small enough anyway). I started it up again, and it ran for a while, then quit, not to start up again. I called the hotline, and they said the circuit board was bad.

I received the new one today and installed it, and had it running for a couple hours and it did okay. I DID notice that the new board had some new items on it (IC's), and some things missing that were on the old board. Geez, I wish they'd upgrade all the things wrong when they find something that isn't going to last long.

unklian · January 05, 2010, 09:00:59 PM

Quote from: "58 Yeoman"I started it up again, and it ran for a while, then quit, not to start up again. I called the hotline, and they said the circuit board was bad.

One place I worked for, the President tells me
the failure rate on one of their products is over 100% !

I asked how this was possible.
"You sell 100 units, they all fail, that is 100%.
How can it be higher than 100% ?"

"Very simple" he says.
"We sell 100, they all fail, we fix them, and some of them fail again."

This brilliant logic didn't stop them from continuing to sell these products.
Might explain why company sales fell over 50%, in a booming economy with a growing market.

UGLY OLDS · January 05, 2010, 09:39:19 PM

Boy ....I don't know ...... :? :? Frank finds some of the ULTRA rare seal beams with the lenses installed correctly for use in "Canted Quad" headlights and what does he do :?: :?: Complains & sends them back

:!: :!: Gee Frank...Those are worth BIG $$$$$$$$$ on We-Bay............

POOF......Another opportunity gone ......... :cry: :cry:

Bob..............

enjenjo · January 05, 2010, 10:14:18 PM

Quote from: "UGLY OLDS"Boy ....I don't know ...... :? :? Frank finds some of the ULTRA rare seal beams with the lenses installed correctly for use in "Canted Quad" headlights and what does he do :?: :?: Complains & sends them back :!: :!: Gee Frank...Those are worth BIG $$$$$$$$$ on We-Bay............

POOF......Another opportunity gone ......... :cry: :cry:

Bob..............

I deserve a beating, don't I? I'll go talk to the wife.

Carnut · January 06, 2010, 02:18:23 AM

Humm, I think those ultra rare canted headlight bulbs are specifically for my 61 Chrysler.