BEWARE TrimBright brand underwater lights by Avalon Marine

seeyalater · 10-24-2007, 04:27 PM

Beware of a company called Avalon Marine Products in California who makes these TrimBright trim tab mounted lights. We purchased a bunch sets to sell, but they soon started to rust after 2-3 uses and also leak water in some cases. The owner, Mark A. Levine, has since disappeared and we were forced to refund our customers in full and take the loss.

I would hate for someone else to spend their hard earned money on these and get screwed like we did. I believe they also made some other marine products as well.

flatbottom · 10-24-2007, 04:53 PM

I lovit. Do we as a membership, on the best sportfishing site in the world, have a magnet attracting super first posts or what

Please introduce yourself. Where do you fish?
Tell us a little about your fishing methods

seeyalater · 10-24-2007, 05:02 PM

Sorry flatbottom. I just had ANOTHER customer walk in with a rusted set looking like the ones above and had to refund him in full and take the loss since Avalon has disappeared and will not replace or refund us. Now these customers are stuck with holes in their trim tabs and no lights.

I run yachtlights, a marine lighting store in Fort Lauderdale. As far as fishing methods go.....I have yet to find one that catches me any nice fish.

Petro

thejack · 10-24-2007, 05:24 PM

Ouch...That is a horrible story. I am glad to hear that you are refunding, but hate it that you got stuck.

I have enjoyed the knowledge that the members on this site posses about products and have asked advice often before I purchase.

Don't worry someday that guy will surface.....Death will float him!

thejack · 10-24-2007, 05:25 PM

Ouch...That is a horrible story. I am glad to hear that you are refunding, but hate it that you got stuck.

I have enjoyed the knowledge that the members on this site posses about products and have asked advice often before I purchase.

Don't worry someday that guy will surface.....Death will float him!

P.S. His website still looks pretty operational!!!!!

flatbottom · 10-24-2007, 06:11 PM

question?
does anyone make a stainless underwater light that does not rust?

what I see in the pick could be from electrolysis

and normal sea growth

I am not turning your point in another direction seeyalater. But you posted it here and we have numerous members with unusual knowledge of all things, except for computer repair of the numlock key on the keyboard

the other pic has seawater in it. Maybe use of silicone? And the acid in the silicone had lunch on the rubber washer? I almost believe these are freshwater lights crossed over to salt water. But I invite the knowledge from the rest of the board. I hope you do find your Marc A. Levine. There lies your warranty. By the way I called and just a silly message machine wanted to talk. I also contacted another manufacture of a similar product. I will give you that number if you want it. He has a great story to tell about this product.

gottaflylee · 10-25-2007, 08:53 AM

If I had used these lights and all I had were holes in my trim tabs, I would be thankful for that. Think how bad it would if they were mounted in your transom...
I hate that you got left holding the bag on this but it sounds like you are trying to do the standup thing here.

Welcome to the site, looking forward to some of your good tips...

LuckyLady · 10-25-2007, 03:35 PM

That sucks!

I seen these lights the other day and I do not recall if they were avalon but I think they weren't. I know that I seen them in a Magazine not sure which one Center Console Angler, SWS or Sportfishing Mag

I will try and remember to look when I get back in the office

seeyalater · 11-05-2007, 03:14 PM

Just to give you guys an update on this situation. I received a call from Mark Levine after posting this on the forum 2 weeks ago telling me that it's illegal for me to warn others that his lights are defective. Apparently it's not illegal to sell defective stuff, but warning others is. He said he was "at work" and could not talk long and would get back to me to resolve this....this was 1 week ago and I still have not heard anything.

Since posting this less then 2 weeks ago, I have received two more sets back from customers and I plan on posting every time I get another set back and have to refund another $850.00 out of my pocket.

Flatbottom: I've heard a few stories about this guy since posting this. IM me the company you are talking about, but I think I know who it is.

LuckyLady: I don't think this guy ever did any advertising in magazines. It must have been Hurley Marine that was advertised and I don't think those have any issues with quality.

GALAZIO · 11-05-2007, 03:32 PM

Sorry your intro had to be about this...but Welcome! and Thanks for "enlightening" me about these. Tell the Mr Levine guy that I think his product is first-class...top-notch...best in class... and any other adjective he used to describe his POS to his banker.

Wow... that's bad... and not illegal. Unfortunately, I'm sure he will say his Warranty Dept will cover things like this by sending YOUR customer another POS, which inturn, ruins your relationship with YOUR customer.

Look at it this way, another week or so, not only would the lights attract fish...but electrocute them and float them to the surface already cooked.

Welcome

10-24-2007, 04:27 PM	#1
seeyalater #1 Lurker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 3 Credits: 1,212.7	BEWARE TrimBright brand underwater lights by Avalon Marine Beware of a company called Avalon Marine Products in California who makes these TrimBright trim tab mounted lights. We purchased a bunch sets to sell, but they soon started to rust after 2-3 uses and also leak water in some cases. The owner, Mark A. Levine, has since disappeared and we were forced to refund our customers in full and take the loss. I would hate for someone else to spend their hard earned money on these and get screwed like we did. I believe they also made some other marine products as well. Last edited by seeyalater; 11-05-2007 at 02:49 PM.

10-24-2007, 05:24 PM	#4
thejack Bite me Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: st. simons is. georgia Posts: 241 Credits: 1,249.3 Occupation: firefighter	Ouch...That is a horrible story. I am glad to hear that you are refunding, but hate it that you got stuck. I have enjoyed the knowledge that the members on this site posses about products and have asked advice often before I purchase. Don't worry someday that guy will surface.....Death will float him! __________________ 2005 26' regulator w/ twin 225hp yamaha

10-24-2007, 05:25 PM	#5
thejack Bite me Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: st. simons is. georgia Posts: 241 Credits: 1,249.3 Occupation: firefighter	Ouch...That is a horrible story. I am glad to hear that you are refunding, but hate it that you got stuck. I have enjoyed the knowledge that the members on this site posses about products and have asked advice often before I purchase. Don't worry someday that guy will surface.....Death will float him! P.S. His website still looks pretty operational!!!!! __________________ 2005 26' regulator w/ twin 225hp yamaha

11-05-2007, 03:32 PM	#10
GALAZIO I think Admin is going to let me have this space Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,393 Credits: 1,747.5 Boat: NONE!!! Best Catch: A Nette :) Occupation: Professional Pasture Pool Player	Sorry your intro had to be about this...but Welcome! and Thanks for "enlightening" me about these. Tell the Mr Levine guy that I think his product is first-class...top-notch...best in class... and any other adjective he used to describe his POS to his banker. Wow... that's bad... and not illegal. Unfortunately, I'm sure he will say his Warranty Dept will cover things like this by sending YOUR customer another POS, which inturn, ruins your relationship with YOUR customer. Look at it this way, another week or so, not only would the lights attract fish...but electrocute them and float them to the surface already cooked. Welcome __________________

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10-24-2007, 04:53 PM	#2
flatbottom Fish the Edge Team Sportfishermen.com Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bear, DE Posts: 8,096 Credits: 18,154.3 Boat: 232 center console Home Port: Indian River, De Best Catch: off the shot gun Occupation: jackleg	I lovit. Do we as a membership, on the best sportfishing site in the world, have a magnet attracting super first posts or what Please introduce yourself. Where do you fish? Tell us a little about your fishing methods

10-24-2007, 05:02 PM	#3
seeyalater #1 Lurker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 3 Credits: 1,212.7	Sorry flatbottom. I just had ANOTHER customer walk in with a rusted set looking like the ones above and had to refund him in full and take the loss since Avalon has disappeared and will not replace or refund us. Now these customers are stuck with holes in their trim tabs and no lights. I run yachtlights, a marine lighting store in Fort Lauderdale. As far as fishing methods go.....I have yet to find one that catches me any nice fish. Petro

10-24-2007, 06:11 PM	#6
flatbottom Fish the Edge Team Sportfishermen.com Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bear, DE Posts: 8,096 Credits: 18,154.3 Boat: 232 center console Home Port: Indian River, De Best Catch: off the shot gun Occupation: jackleg	question? does anyone make a stainless underwater light that does not rust? what I see in the pick could be from electrolysis and normal sea growth I am not turning your point in another direction seeyalater. But you posted it here and we have numerous members with unusual knowledge of all things, except for computer repair of the numlock key on the keyboard the other pic has seawater in it. Maybe use of silicone? And the acid in the silicone had lunch on the rubber washer? I almost believe these are freshwater lights crossed over to salt water. But I invite the knowledge from the rest of the board. I hope you do find your Marc A. Levine. There lies your warranty. By the way I called and just a silly message machine wanted to talk. I also contacted another manufacture of a similar product. I will give you that number if you want it. He has a great story to tell about this product.

10-25-2007, 03:35 PM	#8
LuckyLady "Life is what you make it!" Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Manahawkin, NJ Posts: 3,674 Credits: 13,016.3 Boat: CONTENDER 36 CUDDY 23 OPEN 36 FISHAROUND Home Port: EAST COAST Best Catch: There is always something better!	That sucks! I seen these lights the other day and I do not recall if they were avalon but I think they weren't. I know that I seen them in a Magazine not sure which one Center Console Angler, SWS or Sportfishing Mag I will try and remember to look when I get back in the office

11-05-2007, 03:14 PM	#9
seeyalater #1 Lurker Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 3 Credits: 1,212.7	Just to give you guys an update on this situation. I received a call from Mark Levine after posting this on the forum 2 weeks ago telling me that it's illegal for me to warn others that his lights are defective. Apparently it's not illegal to sell defective stuff, but warning others is. He said he was "at work" and could not talk long and would get back to me to resolve this....this was 1 week ago and I still have not heard anything. Since posting this less then 2 weeks ago, I have received two more sets back from customers and I plan on posting every time I get another set back and have to refund another $850.00 out of my pocket. Flatbottom: I've heard a few stories about this guy since posting this. IM me the company you are talking about, but I think I know who it is. LuckyLady: I don't think this guy ever did any advertising in magazines. It must have been Hurley Marine that was advertised and I don't think those have any issues with quality.