MY Experience with Sound Advice

[BAMF]

So, I go to Sound Advice to buy and have a system installed 'the right way'...

First off, I got an okay deal on some of the hardware..the rest I got ripped off on as usual with Sound Advice, but I figured what the hell, the PROS are gonna install it. I wire it, install the deck and rear speakers, and just leave the steering wheel control adaptor and the front speakers for them.

Here's a quick version:

- After 3 labor charges and a 6-hour wait (they told me itd take 2 hours) they finish the install, breaking a clip on the passenger control panel and overtightening a trim panel.
- I bring it back because the trim panel looks like shit now and the contorl panel is now just flopping around without its mounting clip. Install tech bring me back there and tells me they can't fix it. I say buy me a new one. They tell me it was designed to break and they won't - strange because the driver's control panel went back on perfectly. His Mobile Install MAnager Todd Russell goes so far as to start insulting me and telling me 'not to get an attitude with him' and tells me to go to a junkyard and find the part. Fuck you, Todd. Fuck you sideways with a rusty spoon.
- Immediatly leave the shop and talk to Jay (some flakey manager of something), who says they're going to replace the part free of charge. Nobody fixed the trim panel like I asked.
- After repeated phone calls and going back and forth and excuses by Jay as to why they haven't ordered and found the part yet (this went on for a couple weeks) I call the GM dealer myself, get the P/N and give it to Jay. He says great and suppossedly orders it for me.
- Once it 'arrives' I'm scheduled on a Saturday morning for the repair. Jay calls to tell me his install tech isn't in that day, so I have to be rescheduled for Monday.
- I go in Monday and hand them my keys. Guess what they tell me after an HOUR wait? They can't find any part there...and by Jake's (the service rep I dealt with) explination of the part, SoundAdvice ordered the wrong thing somehow...if they indeed ordered it at all...I know it was the wrong thing or they're lying because they said they ordered a clip...they don't sell just the clip. The entire unit has to be replaced. Its a 138.50 dollar peice. Jake tells me that if its that expensive there might be problems with getting it, to which I reply I don't care how much it costs them, I still want it fixed. Oh yeah, he also tells me that since someone fucke dup and didn't charge me enough, I have to pay 47 dollars MORE for an install that was done like 2 months ago...I reluctently pay, but they haven't heard the end of that one. My trim peice still hasn't been fixed either...Alls they need to do is loosen and remount it, I just don't have a star bit to loosen the screw with.

So, I left out a lot of great parts dealing with these fucking yahoos in order to keep it neat and short...but lets just say I'm angry by now. Anyone know anybody with Sound Advice I should call, or should I just start having the lawyer write up a letter to them?

This isn't the first botched install form these assholes, either. This was the Sound Advice on Dale MAbry. I went to the other one for a simple speaker install..and they drilled into the rubber surround on my 200 dollar component speakers. Took it back to be replaced or at least fixed...they did nothing..I just stopped caring about that...but now I'm just fed up with these people.

Anyone else have similar results with using these 'pros'? I'm seriously so tired of dealing with them...as soon as I pay off that credit card from them I'm ripping it up and never going there again.

[TBSpyder]

Anyone know anybody with Sound Advice I should call, or should I just start having the lawyer write up a letter to them?



Go in and ask to talk with the GM, should be Karial. It's really the mobile audio manager, Jay's, responsibility....but if he's not doing his job, you unfortunately need to talk to the GM of the store.

In their defense, things do break quite easily on cars. Especially older vehicles and/or ones which have had work done on them prior. Who was the actual installer? And what kind of vehicle was this on? Any pics?

[BAMF]

ITs a pretty damn beefy clip. Not like a dash trim clip. I can post a pic up in a day or two, but pretty much the entire clip that holds it has been snapped off...Can't find the clip to take a picture of it, I'm sure they threw it away. But I guess if this goes any farther I'm going to need pics, so I'll get on that and post em up.

As far as the person who physically did the install, I know he was a white guy with dark hair...thats about it. Todd kinda resembles the guy form Mythbusters...I'll try to get his name when I call Jay tomorrow. No prior work had been done on this car (my 1999 Lesabre), and I told the guy that I udnerstand things break..but christ, the control panel just comes out of the hole cut into the armrest for it and sorta lays there...looks like hell. If they had just snapped off a dash bezel clip or two I probably wouldn't have noticed or cared.

[POST]

That sucks. I do agree with the "shit breaks" but them giving you the runaround is just irresponsible. The fact that they've fucked your relatively expensive speakers up should've told you that going there again would be a really stupid idea.

The thing about charging you more later? you should've told them to fuck themselves and left. Mistakes are mistakes, they should take responsibility for their stupid employee that cant figure basic math.

[CHUPA_CABRA_2.0]

Those bitches are quick to talk shit and not fix a fucking thing but yanking one of those stupid mother fuckers over the counter and stomping my 10.5 across their fucking face will fix alot of shit. These stupid pieces of shit think that because your being civil and not knocking some fucking common sense into one them, they can not assume responsibility they can assume the bitch ass position after i smack with their own merchandise. Clean up on aisle 2 bitches and i want a fucking upgrade what who want it? Damn I am cursing out a PC there goes all that anger management to hell. G/l

[TBSpyder]

I'll try to get his name when I call Jay tomorrow.



Honestly, I probably wouldn't even waste my time with him anymore...go straight to the head guy, Karial. You'll get faster results.

[BAMF]

So, here's an update on where I sit. I kept bothering with Jay bleieving his line of bullshit. The latest thing was they had fired the peopel above him who were in charge of authorizing the orders for new parts (its a $138.50 part they need to get) and he had nobody to contact.

At this point I thougth somethign was up..its been excuse after excuse with these peopel adn its taken MONTHS. So, I call the regional VP, who says that what Jay told me is completly inaccurate and has the guy who authorizes the payments call me within 5 minutes. That guy has worked for Sound Advice for over a decade.

So, we'll see what happens, but if you go to Sound Advice on Dale Mabry, DO NOT TRUST JAY, he is a lying sack of shit. And watch their install team, unless there's new people there they have a habit of breaking things and then getting offensive with you and not wanting to make it right.


QUESTION: At this point, do you think its stupid of me to feel that, especially AFTER I was bresented with another bill that one time I went in, I should be reimbursed for the botched installation job? I don't like to try to jew peopel out of their money, but this time I really feel a refund is in order.

[GradeA_TireFryer]

did you pay for it with a credit card???? - if so - deny the charge - it doenst matter how long it has been - 2 months no problem, i then would file with the better business brueu. i would write a letter with a time line and names to the events that took place to the president of SA - and then ask for a full refund of the labor!!! doing this shows you tried to work it out so if you have to go to court you look like the victim and have tried to work it out -

[TBSpyder]

If you would have skipped Jay and went to Karial like I said in the first place, you could have fixed this whole situation a long time ago. Oh well.

[BAMF]

If you would have skipped Jay and went to Karial like I said in the first place, you could have fixed this whole situation a long time ago. Oh well.

Yeah, if I have to deal with them anymore I'm going to Karial or someone higher. I'm through dealing with Jay. I think asking for a refund of all labor charges is about fair, don't you?

[Notladstyle]

how the fuck do you botch a stereo system install? thats just incompetency.

[BAMF]

how the fuck do you botch a stereo system install? thats just incompetency.

If you saw how beefy this bracket was that they broke you'd be even more confused.

[TBSpyder]

Yeah, if I have to deal with them anymore I'm going to Karial or someone higher. I'm through dealing with Jay. I think asking for a refund of all labor charges is about fair, don't you?

It's worth a shot. I know you'll have to make one helluva fuss to get your money back though. Install labor is extremely difficult to get refunded.

[POST]

i really hate sound advice, they're all douchenozzles.

I walk in the store and get treated like i don't exist.

Yet i always hear them praise themselves on their "expertise" and "ability to assist".


bullshit i say!

get over this stuff, get as much of your money as you can back, cut your losses and never go to these hellholes again:D

[TBSpyder]

how the fuck do you botch a stereo system install? thats just incompetency.

Anyone who's been installing car audio for more than a week knows things get broken or damaged (however minor it may be) quite often. I think it's safe to say it comes with the territory. Whether it be poor manufacturer design or just an effect of age and the elements, or a combo of the both...broken brackets, clips, scratches, and etc. are bound to happen...most are subtle enough that the customer never knows though.

[ShakinIt]

true

that's why you do it your self ;)

[BAMF]

It's worth a shot. I know you'll have to make one helluva fuss to get your money back though. Install labor is extremely difficult to get refunded.

I'm thinking along the lines of, "Jay, so you've lied to me all along, I was insulted by your Install Manager, its taken me months to get this fixed, I had to call your regional VP on his CELL PHONE to get any service, and you still lied to me again when you told me that you talked to your "new regional manager". What are you giong to do to make this absolutely botched job up to me?"

[SSpiro]

Oh yeah, he also tells me that since someone fucke dup and didn't charge me enough, I have to pay 47 dollars MORE for an install that was done like 2 months ago...I reluctently pay, but they haven't heard the end of that one.

Are you fucking kidding me? They're trying to make up for the lost labor, now. I would demand this money back. While you're at it, file a complaint with BBB.

[ShakinIt]

filing a complaint with the BBB won't really do anything, especially if they replaced the part.

I would call, or threaten to call one of the local news agencies; you know, like 8 on your side, or something. Business are far more worried about bad pub than they are the BBB

[TBSpyder]

I'm thinking along the lines of, "Jay, so you've lied to me all along, I was insulted by your Install Manager, its taken me months to get this fixed, I had to call your regional VP on his CELL PHONE to get any service, and you still lied to me again when you told me that you talked to your "new regional manager". What are you giong to do to make this absolutely botched job up to me?"

Nah, if you try to go through Jay, I guarantee you won't get a dime. He doesn't really have the authority to refund labor. That's something you're going to have to take higher up because it would either come out of the installer's pocket or SA's. And like I said, you'd have to make quite a fuss for them to even give it thought. Especially since they did eventually correct the problem, regardless of how long it took. No offense, but I've seen much worse damage and the customer didn't get a full refund. Read the contract (the back of your receipt) you signed.

[Notladstyle]

Anyone who's been installing car audio for more than a week knows things get broken or damaged (however minor it may be) quite often. I think it's safe to say it comes with the territory. Whether it be poor manufacturer design or just an effect of age and the elements, or a combo of the both...broken brackets, clips, scratches, and etc. are bound to happen...most are subtle enough that the customer never knows though.

maybe thats how you do things at sound advice, but thats not how I roll.

Maybe its because I take two or three hours to install an amp I'm a bit more careful.


I see no way you are getting afull refund on labor through any company channels. It just wont happen. From a business point of view, the problem has been remedied and punitive damage is irrelevent to them. They will also crush you in small claims since they have fixed hte problem.

Your only viable recourse is to charge it back to your credit card.

[SSpiro]

Agreed.

[sprjit22]

clips do break & dont get me wrong if they did the install they should fix it. I mean a door panel clip isnt going to be noticeable but, from what you say thats crazy.
Fuck you, Todd. Fuck you sideways with a rusty spoon.

[TBSpyder]

maybe thats how you do things at sound advice, but thats not how I roll.

Maybe its because I take two or three hours to install an amp I'm a bit more careful.



So you're saying you've never broke or even slightly damaged something during an install? And how many installs have you done?

[LS1Fever]

Whoever touches the car has a responsibility. If something breaks while it is in their possession, it is their problem. If they are afraid of breaking shit, they are in the wrong business. It is ridiculous how they think they can get away with breaking someone's shit and they dont think they should fix it.

Call 8 on your side and get something done the right way. Fuck that shit. Dont go out the easy way man. Get it done and get it done now.

[POST]

So you're saying you've never broke or even slightly damaged something during an install? And how many installs have you done?

he breaks everything in my car









But thats usually because its rusted or already broken halfway.... damn 14+ yr old car...


Like when we took an alternator ground bolt off... it really came off... like one turn and the nut snapped right off.

No wonder the damn thing wasnt making any power!

Note* my alternator has been working 100% fine ever since we changed the stupid ground on it. Although my redtop took too much of a beating and is now fucked. I wanted to get a bluetop some dude was selling in the forums but he is selling it for 60 bucks...... a price that low, and him so desperate to sell it, you have to wonder wtf is wrong with it....

[Notladstyle]

So you're saying you've never broke or even slightly damaged something during an install? And how many installs have you done?

I have never broken so much as a tree clip on a door... wait, no I break those all the time but I carry like 50 spares :p I bent a tweeter dome right, but I gave him $100 in free labor immediately to remedy it(I installed a head unit, amp, and half his alarm for free all because of a booboo on a set of mids in the door).

between 02 when I actually got a business license in california until last year I was doing about 5 jobs a week (keep in mind I have to drive out and If they forgot something such as a set of RCAs I have to reschedule and go buy it for them) I always use a hairdryer on trim panels when its cold, and I look up removal methods before jobs on unfamiliar cars. This year and half of last year I have only been doing alarms with an occasional TR members system(monsterdj)

I'm not an industrial strength installer, SA probably does 10+ installs in a day. I'm just saying that for the exorbitant amount of money SA charges, theres no reason for something so haphazard to happen.

[Grizzly0205]

What you need to do is make compaints with the companys corporate office and then go online or call and make a complaint with the better business bureu. I had an problem with continental airlines where i payed for a ticket and didnt go so they gave me a credit with the airline, well i go to use the credit about three weeks later and the guy tells me i have to pay fifty dollars because there was a change made to my itenirary, after a arguement with the manager for about 15 min he said he could even exchange the ticket i wanted with the previous ticket i bought or i could pay the 50 dollars and the take the 89 dollar ticket out of my credit, concidering my credit was for 249 i decided to pay the 50 dollars, after i fly home i call them to make a flight back and they said there was no money left on my account because i did an even exchange I argue up and down with them went through five managers, called their corporate office and they all swore up and down that there is no way i can get that money back. Well that pissed me off bad so I decided to file a complaint with the better business bureu even though i thought it wouldnt change anything but i just wanted to give them a bad name so i get online and make the complaint and about a week later i recieve a call from continental asking me what number i put the previous reservation under i am thinking they are calling to tell me sorry and all this but thats all they wanted to know. 2 weeks past and I check the mail and there was a check in my name for 266 dollars. I was happy i took the 10 min to file with them so even if you think it won't do anything it doesnt hurt.... thats my experience with the better business bureu

[wearyfurball]

a friend of mine has a golf and they have to have the dealer give him a part to unscrew the center piece.... well my friend didnt know that and the pros did, and instead of telling him that they strip the special screws and tell him he has to buy new ones and have the dealer take it out before they can install the new radio, amp, and sub...... so after he does that he gets the car back and it sounds like shit.....the head unit doesnt turn off when you turn the car off and the amp still puts out power to the sub when the volume is down..... so he takes it back and they tell him he messed with it and they cant do anything for him..... my friend is rich and doesnt care so he took it some place else and had them fix it.... this was the one on folwer....... I recommend Buzz off on dale mabry

[Notladstyle]

^ that made no sense.

[BAMF]

^ If/when I Get an amp/sub setup, would you want to wire/install for me as one of your side jobs?