Last month there were a couple posts about side markers and I decided I wanted to install a set. While FCP Groton is selling them for quite a good price, I had seen a set on Steffansson Automotive, the Swedish Volvo part supplier, that I preferred the looks of. These:

By chance, I was able to find the same side marker on eBay for even less than FCP Groton's offering. I believe I paid $17 for the two.

Note: the next two paragraphs relate only to a terrible experience with an eBay aftermarket dealer. Skip it if you don't care.

I ordered these side markers from a company called Makoto Automotive Trends in California. I have never had so much trouble with an eBay purchase. First, while eBay advertised that they accepted Paypal, in fact, first you had to proceed to Paypal through some third-party checkout system. Everything seemed legit, but the checkout system was trying to charge me $14 for shipping when the auction advertised $8!

So I messaged the company through eBay. When there was no answer, I tried to call the company. I was put on hold for around 20 minutes and gave up, then sent an e-mail. After a day or two I finally got an e-mail telling me to just send a money order in the correct amount. After sending the money order I got an eBay alert that I had not paid. I responded to that. More than a week later I e-mailed the company asking if they had received payment and shipped my side markers. A week after that, having gotten no response, I e-mailed again; I messaged on eBay; I contacted them through the Unpaid Item Dispute. I got no answer at all but yesterday I finally got my side markers. Sorry for the lengthy tale but let me summarize: DO NOT BUY FROM MAKOTO AUTOMOTIVE TRENDS ON EBAY.

Now, as to the side markers, first impression - not especially well made. Oh, sure they'll work, but up close they're poorly finished with glue gobbed inside the lens to hold it onto the base. Further, while I do not need a wiring harness, it would have been nice to have the bulb socket that actually fit into the lens. I'm not sure if these lenses are supposed to come with these sockets but mine sure didn't. They came with the bulb but no way to hold it inside the lens.

So, the biggest reason I'm posting - other than to warn everyone against buying these from Makoto - is to ask what I should do about the bulb socket. Is there a commonly availabe part from auto parts chains that will fit? I know I can make a socket that will work, but I'd rather not have to. I'm guessing the aftermarket manufacturer expects you to use the stock wiring harness and socket. Is this available from the dealer for a reasonable price? Should I just count it as a loss and buy FCP's markers?

Thanks folks!
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Sean Corron