I Don't Know What to do Now.

[BBQ_HotDogs]

I put my X in the shop on Jan 7, 2004 and paid 1,500 down for a 3K job at EnviroTech of Houston for a custom stereo install. I went there last weekend and NOTHING had been done since day 1. I thought I was hiring one of Houston's best tech's for the job, his name is David. The first day I put the truck in the shop, he stripped the doors down and cut holes for the Boston Z'6s to be installed. The next day he QUIT!!! Envirotech has lied to me repeatedly about this and kept telling me he was out with the flu. Then they gave the job to another installer named Roland, then he quit. If the doors wouldn't have been ruined due to them going to remold them with fiberglass, I would have pulled my X right then. But I didn't. It is promised to me today, of course I have heard that many times over, now what do I do? I am going to there shop today and see what has happened, if they are even working on the dang thing. I have invested very heavily on this install just on equipment. I definately want it done right, but now I feel I am only going to get a 3rd class job for a 1st rate price.

What would you do?

HotDogs - Sick in Houston.

 

[CQ7String]

Sorry to hear that man.

Did you pay up front? When it's all said and done, just present your case in the most civil manner that you can. The price you were quoted was from a specific installer for a specific job, and you were willing to pay that much money because you wanted the quality of HIS work.

If it comes up sub-par, tell them that they'd better work with you on the price since by rights they didn't hold up their end of the deal. If they don't - it's only about $25 to take someone to small claims court, and you'll win.

Good luck bro.

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

Yea, I paid them the 1,500 up front and the balance of 1,500 to be paid at the end. I also "added" an Alpine Monitor to be mounted in the X above the console area so DVD's could be viewed while "on the road" by the passengers. Also bought a 200 amp alternator to help push this. In all, I would say I have close to 10K in equipment alone. YIKES!!! It sure adds up fast. But I wanted the "Best" and you have to pay for it, right? The last I heard was the installer, name unknown, was a stereo install teacher. So it looks like Envirotech sub-contracted the job out. This whole job was to take 3 weeks at the beginning and has been nothing but a burden on me from day 1 without a vehicle. Rental cars have cost me an arm and a leg to say the least. I am just getting to old for this. I guess my option is to wait and see what I get for all of this and then make a sound decision on what to do from there.

HotDogs

 

[CQ7String]

Aye, that's really all you can do.

If they're missing their deadline, and you have something in writing, they should cut you some kind of deal on the install. Ask for 50% off, or at least a percentage of the extra days car rental fees.

Long shot, but they should definitely toss you something. Just remember you get more with honey than with vinegar - but if all else fails, sue the bastages.

 

[Fhantazm]

Want me to pound them in the nutsticles with a hammer for ya??

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

They need to learn some customer relation. I called them yesterday, Saturday around 1 PM, They told me the truck would not be ready that day, and could not tell me when it would be ready. They got my cell phone number and said the owner would call be back cause he was real busy. Never called me back. I called them back but it was too late, they close early on Saturdays and are closed all day on Sundays. And then to top it all off, I go and have an accident in the rental car today. :-( Not having a good day!!

Exploreritis
HotDogs

 

[mhn3773]

accident? what happened?????

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

Was backing up at a softball field and hit a dang fire hydrant. Totally crushed in the right front bumber on a 04 Ford Focus. It was like a Dr. Pepper can just easy crushing. Nothing but tin. Probably cost me a another grand out of pocket for repairs to that one. I just want my dang X back. They better do one heck of a job on it is all I can say. I definately want to posts some pics of it especially with all the stuff I have bought for it lately.

HotDogs

 

[MONMIX]

I am guessing you didn't take the damage waiver.

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

Quali

I am guessing you didn't take the damage waiver.

Normally I do. Guess what? I tried to save some bucks cause this is getting so costly and didn't this time. I just took the car back to ford this morning and got another one so I could finish running my errands today and I got plenty of insurance this time, LOL. Probably wont need it, and will also call my insurance agent today and put my policy coverage back to the low deductable.

The thing is, I know better than to try and save a dime over a quarter. I normally never do it. It just caught up with me this time. You can ask my wife, when it comes to doing quality over anything else, I am always the first in line for higher quality and costs. I beleive in getting the best bang for a buck and if you don't have the buck, you should wait till you do cause if there are 2 identical items and 1 is 75 cents and the other is 50 cents I will take the 75 cent one every time. I guess I am just angry that I could have taken my X somewhere else and paid a little more and it would have been done in 2 weeks and now it has been 2 months and still don't have it. So I guess my rule was the right one in this instance. Here is my short summary so far.

1st shop - Car Toys of Baybrook
Installer - Heath Excellent installer with creative ideas
Total costs for a total custom install - 4,200
Time to do the job, 1 1/2 weeks
2nd shop - EnviroTech of Houston
Installer - David (he quit) Excellent installer, great ideas
Total costs for same job - 3,000
Time to do the job, 3 weeks
Car rentals for extra time now - 850 +
Damage repair bill for car rental - 1,000 max
Stress caused by delay of 1 1/2 months and counting - Too Enourmous to calculate

Now for the final. Quality of job done by shop. Results pending. Driving over there today in rental car to find out just what the heck is going on. Will try and contain myself. Pray for me.

HotDogs

 

[davesexplorer]

good luck sounds like a he!! of a bad deal......

 

[karl_burns]

Aw man....

Shakepeare once wrote, "When sorrows come, they come not as single spies but in battalions." Which is really a nice way os saying "When it rains it pours."
I miss having all the stereo shops around like Houston does, but that also means you never know what you're going to get. Maybe the installer went to another shop? Would you follow the installe to the new business? Cut your job short with Envirotech if this is the case.
This is exactly why I've been doing my own work. It may take longer, but it's a labor of love. And I have become excellent at re-bolting the seat and connecting the battery to run to Home Depot or the stereo store for extra parts!

Also, I think I remember some places that did excellent work in Houston. And one in College Station.

Karl

 

[expo5.0]

At this point i would've been down there when they opened today demanding ot figure out exactly whats going on. I'm sure your having a lot of very custom work done etc., but nothing your paying for short of rebuilding the whole car should take 2 months.

Its really too bad this happened

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

Well I went there today in the rental car. I was very very disappointed. From what I saw, they have only put in a couple full days of work on it. All 4 amps were still on wood, no fiberglassing or anything started. No sub enclosures, no speakers installed, no wires ran. Very disappointing day.

To say the least though, they know exactly how I felt about it. I told them I was calling them tomorrow, Tuesday and I want some firm answers, not BS stories about they are doing this and that. I was told that I would get some extras, in work extras, like eye candy I guess for the troubles, but the owner avoided me like the plague. I told them I was ready to fire them and take the X with me and get it done somewhere else. That they have scored a zero for customer service with me and I would let others know. I did all of this though using diplomacy and away from other customers today, but tomorrow will be a whole new ball game. I wish I had a camera with me today and taken some pics. You would not beleive how little 3K and 2 months can get you.

Will keep yall updated if you want.
HotDogs

 

[draft]

oh man that sucks... I feel for ya...

with that much money on the line, I would, like you said, get things straightened out tomorrow and do something or move onto another place.. this is just getting rediculous :\

 

[hydroxy]

Go in there and take your x back. You can get another shop to start where they left off. Dont pay them anything. Dude... seriously - dont leave it with them. If you ever read my post about my camber adjusters - when it wasn't ready, I told them to give it back to me now. Dont let them BS you. You have a spare key, go get the dang thing and bring it to another shop!!!!!!

I know you're being civilized about this... but come on sometimes enough is enough. Sorry, just reading this thread got me really mad at them. And the eye candy they will give you will be whatever cheap crap they have on hand. If they want you to pay for what they've done, tell them to pay for your rental car.

I'll shut up now, but if I lived closer to you I would go there myself and b#($& them out myself.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'm with Hydroxy. I'd go in their and just get it during business hours. Walk right in, tools and all in it, and go. Give them their stuff back in 2 months or so.

 

[ALLOUTWAR13]

I would call the better business bureau and let them shut the a$$es down. and yes i would go in and demand my car back . And for the record you dont owe them anything if they ask for money just laugh at them and tell them money is for people who actually work on your vehicle.

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

I agree with you guys. But what about the $1,500 deposit I had to pay? I guess if I do take my X back, I would end up in small claims court suing them for that. I know I would win, but they still don't have to pay it back unless he wants to sell his business or something. I have heard horror stories about people trying to collect after winning there cases in small claims courts.

HotDogs, just 1 sick puppy. ;-(

 

[Alec]

I would walk in, throw everything you can find (the eqp you bought) in the truck, and go.

But first I'd call the BBB and see if there's anything they can do in a timely manner.