Site Note: I decided to keep my 2011 V8 Vantage instead of selling to upgrade to a V12S, because of Morries Aston Martin Minneapolis dropping the brand I fear selling a no-issue (after new tail lights) V8 for a used V12S is too risky. I was the very first Aston Martin service at Morries 18 years ago, and have serviced all my Astons there religiously with zero issues and never felt overcharged. Last week I had my door struts done, a new battery, and did the transaxle fluid with the VelocityAP trans lines not that I needed any of it, but with no dealership, and just one remaining Aston tech, I want to take care of any issues. Well, they severely overcharged me, and when I complained to the James, the new GM, he bullied me and belittled me for having the Gaul to complain about being ripped off. I met with Steve, the tech, the service manager, and James came in - immediately on the attack like a bully. I was not going to take it, and told him I have 86 Aston owners on my Facebook Group and they will know about this (I may have called him a few choice names also), and that I would never set foot in the dealership again, after 18 loyal years. He said, that's fine we don't sell Astons anymore anyway. Elias, the owner of Morries Automotive Group promised to talk to me, I've yet to hear from him. This is what I've learned in life - when someone brags about the millions they have - they are basically broke. If a customer complains about padding the hours and gets bullied and belittled, then they got caught and that is their only come back. Aston's in terrible shape, people like James make the matters much worse.

Anyway, on to the Divinatech.

Because I tend to change my Vantages about every 2 or 3 years I would not bother to invest in something that has potential little increased value. Getting new tail lights (mine both slightly condensate) just means you get no leakage until eventually they will. Condensation can knock out the LED's, and with Aston Parts shortages who knows if new tail lights will be available, and for how much in the future. I really also wanted those sequential tail lights!

The problem is the paperwork for customs (this is before Tariffs) to get the tail lights to England, seemed a pretty much a lot. Also what of something happens in shipping - I'd be screwed?

On Facebook I saw a set of clear tights (also condensated) for sale in London for 600 pounds ($750USD). I bought them and had them sent to Divinatech. They rebuilt the lights and installed their electronics and shipped them to me - post Tariffs. With the exchange rate the cost with shipping was $1,700 USD. The paperwork now for customs is insane. I ended up paying $260 to clear customs after a week of them not quite knowing what to do in this new tariff rule.

I was just going to swap them out myself, but they have additional wiring, so I'm taking it in to Mobile Electronics in Brooklyn Center next week for installation. I'll post a report once I get them installed. Morries is no longer an option.

 

I didn't know you had to pay tariffs on used items, crazy. I have been looking for a set of clear lights also, no luck yet.

 

The additional wiring is very easy, just to fuse taps into the boot fusebox, takes less than 5 minutes.

these are mine installed

 

Nice - just too afraid if screwing something up. This is what I've learned - doing it myself = paying more for someone to fix it afterwards.

 

Excited to see some more videos of these installed. I had considered them last year but opted to just replace my one faulty taillight. Slick bit of kit.

 

The lights were shipped DHL, with scheduled next day delivery. That day came and went. Then the next day, then the next. Trying to get a person at DHL was the next problem. Call the number and they give you options - none speak to an actual person. But if you say 'talk to a representative' a person comes on the line. They said I had to fill out the paper work using the links they sent to my E-Mail and Text. There were no such things, so they resent. I had to get a magnified glass to read the document, but there was no classification for 'used' parts, nor was there any section to add a value. I also had to send a a copy of my W2 proving both Social Security number and Business EIN! Then 4 days later came Monday, in which they threatened to a possible shipping back to England - but then I got a Text stating I needed to pay $260.00. How they came up with that is beyond me, but I just wanted the lights and immediately paid it. Two days later they arrived. Divinatech also had no clue what was going on.

 

wow.. that is insane

 

The tariffs would be on the service work performed, there is no tariff on used goods, but there is typically a 10% duty on anything imported, used or not. Plus you have to pay brokerage fees to have them broker the goods thru customs. So in the grand scheme $260 is about right.

 

And meanwhile my wife ordered $4,000 worth of handmade art items from India for giveaway favors for my daughter's upcoming wedding; we had been warned to expect a substantial Customs bill and related delays, but lo and behold the items just showed up at our door with no extra charges and no delays.

I think there is mass confusion on this whole tariff thing and the Customs people at the borders are making it up as they go along. Apparently we just lucked out.

 

I need to order and ship over a windshield from AMBits, but I am worried about the tariffs... still it will be half-price than the pricing the local dealer wants...

 

I've bought a lot from Aston Martin Bits - they are great - please post your delivery experience - I'm curious.

 

I am getting quotes from Nicholas Mee and AMBits. Just debating what would be the best way for shipping and getting around the tariffs...

 

But the WH press secretary insists the other country pays the tariffs. We’re going to be soooooo rich!

 

Teekster, I think I'll send a bill to King Charles then for the $260 - great idea! It's spring - looking forward to getting together. Unfortunately other nations paying the Tariff, it won't exactly work that way. I have a BMW M2 on the assembly line in Mexico - I'm told I'm still paying MSRP because it's in production before May 1st. But if it was tariffed and it cost 25% more, I would ultimately be paying more, not Mexico. Ultimately, we are being taxed, not the other countries. Eventually we need to bring down the $37 trillion debt, so 'we' are paying the Tariff tax to bring it down instead of other raised taxes. I think I'm OK with it - as long as that's what's happening. Would I buy the M2 if it was not MSRP? No. At $69K optioned, it's a great deal. I'll probably just lease anyway. The lease is up soon on my Alfa Tonale (worst car I ever had), and at 72 I said to my wife, no more boring daily driver cars. Also, I wrote Aston Martin about the situation at Morries and what James did - they said they are exploring options to service our area hinting that might not be Morries. Hopefully we will know sooner than later. Probably won't have a local dealer, but seems like local service and warranty work.

 

I’m afraid you didn’t catch the sarcasm there, Rick. On a positive note, I did get the Aston out today.