Here's the deal, 3 weeks ago I took my truck in to a local stereo shop in Carlsbad, CA to get a full system and alarm installed.

Total Bill was $6000.

This place was supposed to be very reputable and top notch.
Well I must be the exception to the rule for several reasons.

My problems:
1. Stereo has whine in system thats is still not fixed
2. They used the wrong PAC-Audio interface even after I questioned them about their "in stock" unit and I now have no factory chimes and RAP, they also told me that I "was like the first guy to request keeping the factory functions and most people like not having the chimes anyway"
3.They never gave me a detailed receipt for parts and labor just a list of parts and a final total price. I asked for a detailed receipt yesterday and they didn't want to make one for me? WTF. I think I have a right, right?
funny thing is we went over the cost of each unit and labor in pencil on a blank sheet of paper so I don't understand what's the issue?
4.They used parts "other than quoted in the original invoice" without calling me for approval.
5. Charged me $500 for a custom fiberglass box and then built me one out of wood and said it was still $500 because they had to notch it, that it was more than six sides so each additional side was $100.
6. THE BIG ONE!!! they chipped my paint in several places on the interior of the doors, scraped several plastic panels, broke the plastic tabs on the door panels that the screws go into, nicked the leather on the steering wheel, other misc. scrapes to inside of doors, some light surface scratches to exterior paint and other things.

So my question is can you guys help me by giving me ideas on how to reslove this and my legal rights and input from some shop owners as to what I can do?

They have said they will take care of evrything but have yet to contact me with a plan, infact they have not contacted me at all, I've been placing all the calls to them this whole time.

:bang:

Well, I don't know the law but you can try this approach. See if one of you local TV news stations has a consumer reporter for this kind of stuff. The San Francisco area has KGO channel 7 Micheal Finney and his segment is called "seven on your side". He specializes in these kind of consumer complaints against companies. Once the company has been called out by him to explain what's going on, the situation usually gets resolved. One thing that won't help is to go in all pissed off, cursing and make threats in the heat of the moment. Stay calm and try and get the situation resloved, contact them again and give the one last chance. It may take a while but calm heads will prevail.
Jim

I have been rather friendly this whole time actually, and haven't demanded a thing.......yet. Just asked curious questions and made mental notes of responses.

I was thinking if just submitting this to my insurance co. and letting them handle it but I don't know the pros and cons of going through insurance or without.

Did you already pay them? I would cancel that. Second get a lawyer. Small claims court make them pay for the damage and make sure you have proof with pictures and tthe receipt. Better business bureau would probably like to here about these guys. I am not one for systems but I ahve had multiple modified trucks and I had engine work done and they totally F'd up my tranny. Let's just say having my grandad as a lawyer really helps. they had to replace the entire thing and all he had to do is soend them a letter threatening class action lawsuite. they were a bunch of prics though.

Paid in Full!

Which brings up another thing they told me that didn't sit well with me.
First of all in the state of CA I know we are only required to pay 10% up front for work to be completed.
So the guy at the shop tells me our customers that pay up front get their work done first. I didn't mind paying up front, but that was still a shitty comment IMO.
I wish I would've waited now in retrospect, I kinda feel like a SUCKER!!!

I have pictures!

Call a Lawyer. In OK $6,000 is too big for small claims court. You'd get to dance with the big boys.

I recomend you call your lawyer and let him contact the shop.

Build your case.
-Take plenty of pictures
-Get friends and family to make statement concerning berfore and after
-take your pencil written documents and make copies
-tell them you demand an itemized reciept
-get a lawyer
-don't slander the company on internet boards until your case in heard

I would just fix the stuff myself, and burn the shop down along with the owners house. But thats just me, i'm all for agression. I hate taking chances with companys, thats why i do all the work i can myself.

I won't slander the Co., thats why I have declined to include their name with my posts.

I've had thoughts of aggression, but I would just end up in jail getting over friendly with other than women types.

Snake Eater, I'm a half a step behind you in trusting companies these days.

One of the big reasons I like this message board so much, references and information.

At least I was able to meet Brian with ProjectR and he is a reputable guy, to bad he doesn't do stereo work though.

All good responses. I for one would end up in Snake Eater's Shoes. More specifically I would go in and start talking and when they started getting loud any and all involved would receive a serious ass beating. That is obviously not the way to handle things though :D . Getting a lawyer is good IF you have a good one. Get a bad one and you will be right back at square one and also have to sue your first lawyer for any fee's they charged. Been here as well.
Definately take alot of pics and put together a list of people to corraborate your story.
Take it to a good third party shop and have them look over things and give you a written estimate for repairs and equip replacement. Im sorry to say, but they are handling it this way b/c they know what it will take for you to get any compensation.

too bad integrity is long gone.

green, werent you a fighter? I'm kinda bad about loosing my temper with BS. And i dont realy yell when i blow, i smile.

Yeah, whatever you do, don't let a "car audio shop" touch your vehicle. I have had so many horror stories with them. It's worth your time to go slow and learn to do it yourself.

Can you possibly take it back and say take it out? Get a refund? I would.

too bad integrity is long gone.
You are so right. I dont have anything done anywhere unless I personally know the people. I mean who they hang out with and what type of person they are. Of course, that is why I have 150hp sitting at home for the last couple of months.
If anything have an Attorney draft a letter to them giving them 2 weeks to straighten things out or they will be taken to court. That has helped me in a couple of situations where business's werent even involved!! The last thing a shop like that needs is attention drawn to a situation like yours. Losing one customer like yourself would double the loss they would take by making things right by you. Get a certified lettter.

green, werent you a fighter? I'm kinda bad about loosing my temper with BS. And i dont realy yell when i blow, i smile.
Im the same way!! I laugh though. Ya, I used to be. You wouldnt believe the deal I landed!! Security for a K1 fighter. You wouldnt believe what these guys pay!! Unfortunately, the old excuse "I was defending myself and obviously outnumbered" no longer holds water. Ive had to seriously change the way I deal with things since I was almost slapped with some serious charges a little while back. I always treat people with respect though and it is unbelievable how some people treat others.
I'm going to be on TV!!!
Didnt mean to jack the thread. Sorry.

get a lawyer, i think the most you can sue them for in small claims in ca is 5k. Id reprort them to better bussiness buerro ( i cant spell) take as many pics that you can start makeing a log of when you called them and what happend, make records as much as you can. Watch alot of court tv get some pointers

I've actually had good experiences using lawyers, however I've had to hire 2 in the last 6 months, one for a lemon law case I won and another for a personal settlement.

In other words I've done alot of fighting lately.

Damn if I'll have to do it again!

Well on the bright side you have a record of coming out on top.

I need a thug for hire! j/k

when i blow, i smile.


My girl is like that. :D

I need a thug for hire! j/k


Shit to Shore missles ! That is what I am scared of ;)

wtf did you get for $6000???

the set up goes like this:

Clifford Avant Gaurd 5 Alarm
Remote start
Blackjax anti car jack
Front Windows up/down/vent
Rear Windows up/down/vent
Daul Zone Proximity Sensor
Daul Zone Shock Sensor
Tilt Sensor
Hood Pin

Eclipse Eclipse AVN 2454 HU
DVD Navigation
DVD
CD
Back Up Camera

JL 1000/1 amp
JL 300/4 amp
Boston Pro 10.5 LF subs
Boston Pro 6.5 Components Front
Boston NX5 Two Way Rear
1 Farad Capacitor

Custom Box to mount behind rear seats

IXOS's Cables and wiring kits

Dynamat Extreme entire Cab and Doors

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm not going to hire an attorney ......yet
Below is a copy of an email I sent the Company. I identified them as "Stereo Shop" and changed the name of my contact.

They have told me they will take care of everything but are not able to nail down a definitive plan of action for repairs. Only saying they will take care of it. Well anyway, here is what I wrote them. Please comment.

Hello Brad,
First, thanks for the card you sent, I look forward to a long friendship as well.
Next, it seems the ball was dropped during the installation of my stereo and alarm. Putting my personal frustration and disappointment aside, I have attached a list of items I expect "Stereo Shop" to fix or replace. Also, I want to be involved in all further decisions made regarding the repair and fine tuning of my truck.

I really expected top notch service from "Stereo Shop" as I was extremely impressed to see the abundance of high dollar vehicles when we toured your shop and because we recieved several dealer recommendations as to your credentials.

Over the past several weeks I've noticed several small things that have been un-agreeable to me but had not mentioned them because I was sure that the end result would be fantastic and I would be able to overlook the "small stuff" (i.e. surface scratches on the bed of truck, stock speakers returned with only 3 of 4 speakers: one has a small tear in it, one subwoofer grill was missing, both boston pro component grills are missing, interior of truck could have been cleaned better, using NX5 speakers instead of the quoted NX6's). However, when the small stuff re-occurs over and over again and then damage to my truck occurs, a trend starts to form. This trend is the lack of attention to detail.

Brad, you've always been pleasant to deal with, as has just about everyone else in your shop, so I have to believe this sloppy install is an isolated incedence. What I mean by sloppy is the lack of care taken when removing and installing interior panels. As you know, I take meticulous care of my vehicle and thought I made it clear that that was what I expected while in "Stereo Shop's" care. Quite frankly, what I recieved is totally unacceptable.

I appreciate "Stereo Shop" assuring my wife and I that everything will be repaired or replaced. I look forward to talking to you soon about solutions for the damage.

With regard to the repairs needed, I expect no corners to be cut and the truck will be returned to me in an "as delivered" condition with my approval for vendors chosen to conduct repairs.

I would also like a complete breakdown on the cost of parts and labor charged to total 6000 dollars.

Lastly, please prepare a wiring schematic of the alarm an stereo install so I have a future reference to go by. I plan on wiring other electronics and do not want to mess anything up. It will be a nice reference for the curious types like me and I am willing to help out in any respect to get this completed.

Regards
Devin

I would just fix the stuff myself, and burn the shop down along with the owners house. But thats just me, i'm all for agression. I hate taking chances with companys, thats why i do all the work i can myself.


:jest: You know what they say...."All's well that burns well"!

if u wanna know the truth about stereo shops... its always the little ghetto looking places that do the best jobs and always have the most skilled people

ive realized that