Car Toys install = mixed results...

[JAFO]

Let me summarize my experience with Car Toys "Professional Installation" with a photo of their handy work on my Jeep Wrangler.



What kind of "Professional Installer" would have installed the two screws in the upper left corner? I mean really, what good are either of those going to do?

Behind the scenes, they apparently had problems aligning the installation kit with the two "real" mounting bolts as they drilled a new hole for each one. Then used the original holes anyways.

I mean it doesn't take much education to figure out if it doesn't line up correctly either you have the wrong kit or you are mounting it wrong.

Second, they may hype their "100% Satisfied" rule, but it does NOT apply to installation labor! If you don't like it they will take back the hardware but they won't do anything about backing up their service.

When I purchased a full stereo system for my Wrangler I listened to all of the components, talked with the salesmen on several occasions about what I wanted and showed them specifically how it was going to be set up in my Jeep. They all agreed that the system that I purchased, which sounded great in the store, would be perfect in my Jeep.

After it was installed I was very disappointed in how it sounded nothing like in the store. They said, "Ya, of course. It's a convertible. What did you expect!"


I did understand and that was what I thought I was paying them for was their "expertise" on how to make a convertible sound good.

[JAFO]

Oh, and a side note: If you take it back, they will charge you removal labor too. Or you can remove it yourself.

[PHO2GR4]

Wow, they don't really advertise THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going to try to get down there today to wrap this up. (If I get any busier, I'll have to push it back until tomorrow.) I'll tell them the TRUTH: I love everything about the system...it looks great, sounds great, works perfectly...but I KNOW that I told both the installer AND the salesman that I wanted the rear-view camera installed IN THE REAR-VIEW CAMERA CUBBY.

I mean, I'm just a dumb photographer, but if somebody hands me a photo and a frame, I don't just staple the photo to the back of the frame!

The weirdness is, the rest of the install looks 'better than new'. The head unit fits like it belongs there. The rear sub was hidden behind a tasteful cloth grill.

Then they just jackhammered the camera onto the back of the hatch!

Boneheads. ::sigh::

[PHO2GR4]

Well, good news, I hope. I took the VX down to Car Toys this afternoon, and the installer agreed to make it right. No hassle.

I'll drop it off tomorrow morning, and hopefully have it back by afternoon.

[JAFO]

Good to hear!

[WormGod]

Sounds like a group of ameteurs to me. The Car Toys around this area is a huge joke. Unless you have a lowered Corrolla that you want them to put flame decals on.... BACKWARDS, don't ever use them.

[PHO2GR4]

(On a side note, now I'm thinking about having backwards flame decals installed...)

But seriously folks, the install has now been completed to my satisfaction. The camera is in the camera cubby, and it all works great and looks perfect.

I'll be a happy camper in about two months, when I take the VX on its first camping trip. That's the extended drive I've planned, all through the Utah desert! Yeah, baby. Roughin' it with GPS navigation, satellite radio and an iPod. And my dogs. Does it get any better?

Photos later today...no, really...honest.

[rowhard]

Eric, what camera did you install and how is it at night for backing up as in parking, backed into a wooden fence at the motel last time we was at Seaside OR

[PHO2GR4]

It's the standard Kenwood camera. Car Toys threw it in FREE, which is one reason I was being so polite with them about their botched install!
I spent a lot, but they threw in enough freebies to where (now that everything works perfectly) I feel like I got a pretty good deal.

The camera works great at night. I haven't tested it out at any ::ahem:: MOTELS lately, but I've driven around town a lot at night.

Digging it completely.

Here are a couple of images of the BAD install...

[IndianaVX]

like THAT would have stayed on there long......that was a red carpet for a punk, if you know what i mean......
that was awful. how could an "installer" after he was done, swipe his hands together, and say to himself, that he did a good job??
Glad you got it fixed and are happy with it!!

[PHO2GR4]

Jeez, I never even thought about hooligans ripping off the camera. And you're right, they probably would have LITERALLY 'ripped' it off the back door.

I'll post photos of the new, improved camera mount tomorrow.

[PHO2GR4]

...and since 'today' is the new 'tomorrow', here is the photo of the improved installation. This looks much better, and it still works perfectly.