Just thought I would write up some quick info about some accessories I installed over the weekend.

1. First installation was a set of Bushwacker pocket style fender flares. The install was actually quite simple, using the OEM hardware on the front fenders (attaches using the existing screws that attach your fender well liners). The rears are attached using the supplied screws and clips, as well as the existing 10mm bolt at the front of the fender well. The fronts go on quite easily, while the rears take a little bit more time to get "set" on the fender correctly. All in all, I would consider it a pretty simple and easy install. I must also say that I am quite pleased so far with the appearance, fit and finish of these fender flares.

2. The second install was a set of Recon smoked mirror light/lenses. I was VERY displeased with the fit and finish of these items. I installed a set of Putco lenses for a friend, and was very pleased with this fit/finish of the Putco's, but the Recon's are quite disappointing. To begin with, the instructions are basically useless, since it doesn't appear that the person that wrote them ever installed a set of these. The clips that hold them in do not fit well at all, and are EXTREMELY difficult to get to seat where they should. They also seem like the tolerances around the lens are far to big, as there is a gap between the lens and the mirror. I compared them to the Putco's my friend has, and they are perfectly flush, and well made.....however I prefer the "smoked-ness" of the Recon.

Well, I'll leave it at that for now....just thought I would pass along this information for anybody that's considering either of these items.

 

I'll agree with you on the recon mirror lenses very crappy fit compared to stock.

 

That they are! Really pisses me off when I pay $90+ for something, and they have such a POOR fit and finish.

 

Just thought I would share this with you guys....I sent an email to Recon about the very poor fit/finish of these lenses. I asked them what they could do about it.....below is the email reply i got...


"Sorry to hear that…we’ve never heard of this issue before. This is how they should look when installed."


Apparently, they must think the average person can't view and understand photos....anybody else have this kind of BS reaction from Recon?

 

were these for your 2006? I see you have a pic of a 08 as well so just want to be sure. I was considering the smoked lenses for my 2008 but if the fit and finish is that poor then never mind.

 

Caprang- these are for my '06. I don't own an '08, nor have I done any work on one yet. The '08 in my sig is the new light rescue vehicle that my fire department just took delivery of....sorry if there was any confusion on that.

Speaking of this, I received yet another email from Recon.....I'm not really sure about the people employed there, and I really hate to jump to a judgement of of someone....but here is the body of the email...

"You must have procured a defective product. Glad that it was taken care of for you. Have a great week & keep smiling "

Now.....I'm not really sure what goes on down there at Recon, but there has been NOTHING done to remedy the situation.....I have NO idea where they get this stuff from??? These guys are killing me!

 

I had similar issues with Recon on their LED light across the back- the folks there have a selective memory it seems. Oh well, shame on me- I won't be back.

 

Well, at this point I will DEFINITELY not be purchasing anything from RECON ever again! I would also like to warn everyone on this forum to please think TWICE about patronizing this company!! Below is the next round of email from their "so-called" customer service....


"Sorry to hear that. Next time do your best to procure the item from the manufacturer and the product will be covered under a lifetime warranty as all products are that are procured directly through us. Have a happy Tuesday!!!"

So apparently, if you ever buy from anyone other than RECON themselves, you can kiss your warranty good bye! Anyone ever seen something like this before? I guess it would be like buying a used superduty from your neighbor, with warranty still left on it, and then having Ford tell you that you can't get anything waranteed because you didnt buy it from them! Has anyone else been seeing these issues with RECON? If so, did you ever get it resolved? If so, how?

Thanks everyone, and buyer beware!

 

That is really poor customer service. So if I buy a defective oil filter from Wal-Mart I guess Fram is going to tell me to shove it because I didnt buy directly from Fram? Unfortunately its a lesson learned the hard way for you but on the flip side you have already cost them several hundred dollars because I WAS planning to buy the roof lights and mirror lights and possibly some other items. Almost bought them 2 weeks ago but am glad I waited now. Thanks for sharing your experience and I will be glad to pass this info on to all of my friends.

 

I agree....the warranty comment that they made makes absolutely NO sense to me. Last I knew, you warranty something for a given period, for all defects in product or workmanship. If I was outside the warranty period then I would completely understand....but heck, i just got the things!

I am glad that you waited to purchase, as I would hate to see this happen to anyone else. I know many people have probably had good experiences with RECON as well, and I hate to bad-mouth them, but it seems that their customer service person has absolutely no concern whatsoever for the customer. I don't know where he is getting his information, but it seems that they just want it to "go away".

Also....for anyone that has a concern, if you are interested in seeing the entire email correspondence, I would be more than happy to forward it to you. Feel free to email me at jbaleno@gmail.com.

 

I'm sorry but only accepting warranty claims for purchases made by authorized dealers is nothing new. Companies have been doing it for years, especially electronics. Where did you buy these Recon products? If it was on ebay or something like that then I am not suprised at all that they won't warranty them. Most companies wouldn't.

I have to say that I am a bit suprised about your fit issues though. I have bought a lot of Recon products and have been very happy with all of them so far. My mirror lights had a slight bit of interference with the tabs that stuck through, but I was able to easily make them work. I had more trouble getting the black mirror backs that I bought from Ford to stay on my truck than I did any Recon problems.

 

Beerstalker-
I agree with you about purchasing from "un-authorized" retailers such as Ebay, and to be perfectly honest, if I had purchased from Ebay then I would have no leg to stand on. Unfortunately, all my paperwork is at my office right now, or I would be more than happy to post who I bought them from, as it was NOT Ebay, nor private party...dang CRS kicking in...can't remember who it was! The worst part is, I was able to get the passenger side mirror lens to work, now its the driver's side one I am fighting with. I'll be going at it again tomorrow after mowing the lawn to try and get this thing to fit...as I am most DEFINITELY not buying another set! This is my first experience with RECON, and I will tell you......based PURELY on the lack of customer service, it will be my LAST! The fit/finish is enough to tick me off, but if they had backed it up with any semblance of an attempt at customer service, I would be very willing to work with them. I have bought quite a bit of stuff over the years from varying different off-road retailers, and I have never had such horrible customer service as I am with these.

 

I can understand that, and it really suprises me.

What exaclty are you having issues with? Is the light too loose in the plastic? If so just use some JB weld or similar to attach the tabs inside the plastic housing. If you ever need to remove them you should be able to cut it out with a dremel pretty easily.

 

Recon has horrible customer service. They think their sh** don't stink. I purchased a Recon 3rd brake light. One row of the 4 rows of bed lights went out within a month. I emailed them and they said "send us some pictures". I sent picutres and numerous emails. Never heard anything back from them. I called and nobody ever answered the phone. Now I'm down to 1 row that flickers on and off. Waste of money and will never recommend Recon to anyone.

 

Based on this thread I started looking at the Putco smoked mirror lenses for my 08. Anyone have good or bad stories to share about Putco lights? For some reason I havent seen/heard anyone using their mirror lights so I am a bit cautious to order them right a way.