I own 2 Lexus SCs 1 with 1UZ + 1 with 2JZ, and I frequent the forums and facebook groups for parts and cool builds.
I don't like to blast people but my experience dealing with Alex Valdes, the owner of o.g.status was a huge waste of time.
I want to put the full story here so that people won't make the same mistake I did.
I'll try to keep this thread short, but the full email thread is available here for those who wants a really good read.
drive.google.com
here's the cross reference link to the clublexus thread:
Why you should NEVER buy from Alex Valdes of Organized Garage Status aka o.g.status - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion
Many of you may know him, since he advertises heavily on instagram and facebook.
For those who don't know, this is Alex Valdes' business:
www.instagram.com
www.organizedgaragestatus.com
Back in 2020 September I got a quote for a full set of custom headlights with clear lens, morimoto retrofit, light smoked chrome paintjob + HID kit for a plug and play setup.
total agreed price was $1425 with my cores shipped to him. I put down $425 deposit and gave him the greenlight for a build.
2020 November, I bought a set of cores in a decent condition and then shipped them over to him.
I was told it should be ready in ~3 month.
2021 January, I was told he's starting to work on them in a week.
2021 March, I was told the darkened chrome paint scheme was not possible, the nightshade paint he used was too dark. I told him to just paint the housing silver.
2021 April, I was told the build is complete. Was shown a few photos
![Image]()
![Image]()
at first glace, doesn't look too bad.
but after looking at the pics more closely, the sealant was done poorly and overflowed all over the place.
![Image]()
I had compared to some other builds that looked much cleaner
![Image]()
![Image]()
With so much wait time, I didn't want to receive builds that had obvious visual flaws.
April 14th 2021
I asked Mr. Valdes to re-seal it in order to remove the overflowing glue, since I cannot accept the visual imperfection as is.
After a whole bunch of back and forth, he eventually agreed to rework the lights but he said he won't be able to give me warranty as a result.
I agreed and left it to him to reseal to clean up the overflow of sealant.
(if you want to read the entire exchange, look at the full thread)
2021 July, I asked if the touch-up has been completed. He said he'll be done in another couple of weeks since he's going on vacation.
At this time I was sick and tired of waiting since some of my refinish/mechanical to-do items on my SC were delayed as a result of the wait.
I decided to sent him $1000 and pay him in full so he can put my build touchup on higher priority.
He said he already opened up the housing and "cleaned up everything"
Couple of days later, I receive my lights. Broken on arrival and they look like this:
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
![Image]()
in short, they look like garbage, like someone's highschool art project...and he didn't fix jackshit.
there's no way I'm putting them on my car and I try to remain calm and started to file a claim with UPS since I'll give him the benefit of doubt that it was UPS that really broke the lights.
2021 August, I filed claim with UPS and they approved it in a week, but to continue they required input from the vendor.
I emailed him explaining what he needed to do to start the claim process on his end and Mr. Valdes did not respond for a week.
I was fed up at this point and wanted to wrap this up, so I decided send him a refund request for the full amount. Guy didn't respond for another week.
I decided to file a claim through paypal to get him to start the UPS claim process.
Paypal froze his account to force him to respond.
He then decided told me that either I wait for UPS to finish the claim for a full refund or if I go through Paypal, I'll get a partial refund but I'll have to send the lights back to him.
He asked me to cancel the claim and wait, but at this point I've waited 9 months....
I said I can wait until UPS pays him, but I won't be withdrawing the request until he sends me a full refund...and he said OK.
He then proceeds to cancel my refund request and let paypal dispute work its path.....
Unsurprisingly, Paypal asked me to send back the lights, but the cores cost me $300+ and I wasn't about to just give that up.
I explained to paypal that the purchase was a service not a product and Paypal said they'll refund me without me sending anything back.
Unfortuantely, paypal couldn't do anything about the $425 deposit because it was paid out over 180 days ago. I decided to wait until UPS pays him before I request for the final $425.
Septemeber 2021,
I get a call from UPS that they have processed the claim and sent out a cheque to the vendor. I waited another week for him to receive the check.
I then decided to write him the following:
The rest of his responses were almost comical:
Like I promised, this is my written blast. I'll be sharing this on various automotive forums. Please feel free to share.
I will be following up with my lawyer friends to follow through with my intentions.
Finally, my word of advice to Mr. Daniel Alexis Valdes if you do see this.
Maybe get your ass off Instagram and Facebook and do some honest work for once?
and someone who talks like this to their customers will never make it big in life
![Image]()
I don't like to blast people but my experience dealing with Alex Valdes, the owner of o.g.status was a huge waste of time.
I want to put the full story here so that people won't make the same mistake I did.
I'll try to keep this thread short, but the full email thread is available here for those who wants a really good read.
full email thread with Daniel Alexis Valdes of OGSTATUS.pdf
drive.google.com
Why you should NEVER buy from Alex Valdes of Organized Garage Status aka o.g.status - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion
Many of you may know him, since he advertises heavily on instagram and facebook.
For those who don't know, this is Alex Valdes' business:
Organized Garage Status®️ (@o.g.status) • Instagram photos and videos
22K Followers, 1,632 Following, 2,587 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Organized Garage Status®️ (@o.g.status)
www.instagram.com
Custom Automotive Lighting | Organized Garage Status
Organized Garage Status specialize in custom automotive lighting parts, accessories and services.
www.organizedgaragestatus.com
Back in 2020 September I got a quote for a full set of custom headlights with clear lens, morimoto retrofit, light smoked chrome paintjob + HID kit for a plug and play setup.
total agreed price was $1425 with my cores shipped to him. I put down $425 deposit and gave him the greenlight for a build.
2020 November, I bought a set of cores in a decent condition and then shipped them over to him.
I was told it should be ready in ~3 month.
2021 January, I was told he's starting to work on them in a week.
2021 March, I was told the darkened chrome paint scheme was not possible, the nightshade paint he used was too dark. I told him to just paint the housing silver.
2021 April, I was told the build is complete. Was shown a few photos
at first glace, doesn't look too bad.
but after looking at the pics more closely, the sealant was done poorly and overflowed all over the place.
I had compared to some other builds that looked much cleaner
With so much wait time, I didn't want to receive builds that had obvious visual flaws.
April 14th 2021
I asked Mr. Valdes to re-seal it in order to remove the overflowing glue, since I cannot accept the visual imperfection as is.
After a whole bunch of back and forth, he eventually agreed to rework the lights but he said he won't be able to give me warranty as a result.
I agreed and left it to him to reseal to clean up the overflow of sealant.
(if you want to read the entire exchange, look at the full thread)
2021 July, I asked if the touch-up has been completed. He said he'll be done in another couple of weeks since he's going on vacation.
At this time I was sick and tired of waiting since some of my refinish/mechanical to-do items on my SC were delayed as a result of the wait.
I decided to sent him $1000 and pay him in full so he can put my build touchup on higher priority.
He said he already opened up the housing and "cleaned up everything"
Couple of days later, I receive my lights. Broken on arrival and they look like this:
in short, they look like garbage, like someone's highschool art project...and he didn't fix jackshit.
there's no way I'm putting them on my car and I try to remain calm and started to file a claim with UPS since I'll give him the benefit of doubt that it was UPS that really broke the lights.
2021 August, I filed claim with UPS and they approved it in a week, but to continue they required input from the vendor.
I emailed him explaining what he needed to do to start the claim process on his end and Mr. Valdes did not respond for a week.
I was fed up at this point and wanted to wrap this up, so I decided send him a refund request for the full amount. Guy didn't respond for another week.
I decided to file a claim through paypal to get him to start the UPS claim process.
Paypal froze his account to force him to respond.
He then decided told me that either I wait for UPS to finish the claim for a full refund or if I go through Paypal, I'll get a partial refund but I'll have to send the lights back to him.
He asked me to cancel the claim and wait, but at this point I've waited 9 months....
I said I can wait until UPS pays him, but I won't be withdrawing the request until he sends me a full refund...and he said OK.
He then proceeds to cancel my refund request and let paypal dispute work its path.....
Unsurprisingly, Paypal asked me to send back the lights, but the cores cost me $300+ and I wasn't about to just give that up.
I explained to paypal that the purchase was a service not a product and Paypal said they'll refund me without me sending anything back.
Unfortuantely, paypal couldn't do anything about the $425 deposit because it was paid out over 180 days ago. I decided to wait until UPS pays him before I request for the final $425.
Septemeber 2021,
I get a call from UPS that they have processed the claim and sent out a cheque to the vendor. I waited another week for him to receive the check.
I then decided to write him the following:
The rest of his responses were almost comical:
That was the end of our email exchanges.
Like I promised, this is my written blast. I'll be sharing this on various automotive forums. Please feel free to share.
I will be following up with my lawyer friends to follow through with my intentions.
Finally, my word of advice to Mr. Daniel Alexis Valdes if you do see this.
Maybe get your ass off Instagram and Facebook and do some honest work for once?
and someone who talks like this to their customers will never make it big in life
