Mobile Audio Systems & GPS

[jdb66]

I would like to think that after 2 weeks of installs for a head unit, 4 speakers, GPS, rear-view camera and 4 channel amp that I would finally be through with this ordeal.  The original install of the head unit, GPS, rear-view camera, left me with numerous fixes, an unplugged clock, a rear-view camera whose image was reversed, and many broken clips for the interior of the rear hatch that were supposedly order 2 weeks ago and still haven't arrived.  Toyota parts said it would take less than a week to get them in, which leads me to believe they are not order and never will be, so I will have to replace at my own expense.  Additionally the head unit wasn't flush with the dash.

I took my car back a week and a half later to have the speakers installed and the 4 channel amp.  The tech mounted the amp on little posts (I am guessing for airflow, and attached it to the carpet.  Now the amp does nothing but squeak everytime you hit a bump to turn a corner.  What was supposed to be a 30-45 minute install after I dropped a piece of for him that he needed turned into 2 hours because he would never check his work prior to reassembling  everything completely, only to find out it doesn't work and having to tear everything apart again.  The day after I get my car aback from this part of the install I notice the cover that fits under the door release handle and over one of the screws that allows you to remove the door panel isn't even from my car and has been pasted in with black goop.  Obviously he broke this piece too and was hoping that I would never notice, even though it sticks out like a sore thumb.

What does it take to get quality installations where the BB techs are not trying to get away with doing the minimum amount of work for the most amount of money.  I don't care if you work for BB or for any other company, where is the pride in one's work and the satisfaction of going home knowing that you have done a good job on something.  I cannot see myself returning to BB to get these fixed, but rather spending the extra 20 dollars for some clips that I will order from Toyota and Velcro to  keep the amp stable and stopping that horrible squeak.

Even if you are having financial issues BB, work like this isn't going to raise your bottom line or help keep you from going under.  A little more pride and respect for the customer just might though.

[autotech796]

jdb,

    I can definately understand your frustration.  take it back into the shop and express your concerns to them, if that was my install then i would make it right.  just bring in your yellow copy to the shop and you should be good to go about getting the things fixed, they don't seem like very big things just minor adjustments/part being ordered.  i can tell you that if you fix it yourself you are technically voiding the warranty that we offer.  just bring it back to the same shop or go to a different, keep your warranty and save yourself the headache. 

as far as installing a 4 channel amp, i don't know if you were quoted right by a sales floor or an installer, at this point it doesn't matter, but to install the parts that you had installed should have taken 2-3 hours. the time frame of 30-45 minutes would be virtually impossible. 

[jdb66]

Thanks 769.

I appreciate your reply.  There is only one BB within an hour and half of here or I would have dumped these guys a long time ago.  The 30-45 minutes that I was told was because it was already installed except for an RCA adapter the autotech needed from the head unit box.  So the amp was 90% installed at that point, and it was the autotech that gave me that time frame. Everytime I lleft it there, whether it was for the head unit install or the amp and speaker install, I always doubled the time he said he needed before picking it up.  So if I dropped it off at 11 and he said it would bedone at 1 I would tell him to keep until 4 so that he had the time to get thingss right the first time.  But to haveto take it back everytime he touches it, moves things from the rediculosu to the sublime.  I have been nothig but patient with BB, grateful for his work and expressing that.  The question isn't taking it back to be fixed, but having it fixed correctly.  I had to put a piece of velcro under the amp as the squeaking was so bad I could barely stand driving the car.  If that voids my warranty because the tech is off for a few days and I didn't have the time the same day I called to ask him to take a look would be absolutely inane.  I put a lot of trust in BB to treat my car, my install and my car with some respect and pride and for spending $650 for just installation service is quite a bit of money.  It was not a complicated install. I wasn't looking for a system that announces to the neighborhood that I arrived, but for a good quality audiophile system that makes my driving experience that much more pleasurable.  I had many good local installers in town to choose from, but chose BB in case I do move and the warrantly they offer.  25 years ago I spent 2 years as an auto stereo and alarm installer, and while new cars are much more complicated than they were then (which is why I chose not to install myself) I thought the new generation of installer would be up to date and the added benefit of the waarranty was important.  I begin to wonder if it was the disability placard that made him think he could do sup par work.  As I cannot imagine that he would still be employed if this was the standard he lived up to in all his installations.  But I can tell you that I at the end of my patience with this install and if cannot correct it properly or get the clips to put the car back together, I will have no choice but escalate past the store manager.  A professional should be professional no matterwhat field he/she works in.

[autotech796]

jdb66,

      You are 100 percent correct about everything that you have stated in that last post.  sub par work isn't how autotechs should pride themselves in their work, i know that isn't how anyone here in my district works.  ill give him the benefit of the doubt that he was super busy and cut a few corners, not saying this is right, but sometimes being an installer for best buy means being a salesman, receptionist, customer service, and instaleller all in one, especially on busy days. 

put the velcro down to eliminate the sound, that will not void the warranty, just tampering with the actual wires or install product would void it.  I am going to go ahead and apologize for this problem right now, but there are alot of times where we mount things that can come loose and we won't know it because we don't drive the vehicle around.  so it is sturdy when we install it but a few good bumps could make it come loose by driving around. 

the first steps that i would do is call the store ask to talk to a CSM (customer services manager), express everything that you have expressed to me about what you have gone through and there shouldn't be a problem about getting that car rolling and sounding amazing with a professional install.  it sucks that you have to do that and if you were anywhere close to des moines iowa i would personally fix it myself and get you on your way.  we are all about keeping customers happy and this is definately something that needs to get fixed! 

call the csm and talk to him and there shouldn't be a problem except finding a time where it works best for you to get that vehicle in, since you live so far away.  if you have any questions you can personally give me a call at 515-224-9207 ext 2241.  im working till 6pm! good luck!