Short Version:
I was promised a complete navigation/stereo system with the XM module included for $999 plus tax. I was overcharged by $129.89 after taxes on the original invoice. Thaer Aboado, the companys owner, stated it would take no more than two hours to complete. It was finished 5-1/2 hours later but not before a salesman tried selling me a bogus product for $699.
I contested it, because I knew it was a scam but was threatened with not finishing the installation in time. I asked for a refund only to be told there are no returns. The salespeople refused to give me a part name for the alleged "sensor" I would need. They did give me a bogus part number after the installation was complete. My 13 year old son and I watched the technician install the stereo with no additional parts retrieved from the store or given to him by the salespeople. Additionally, the XM receiver was not included as promised.
Long Version:
I visited Audio Sports of Cypress, California on in January to purchase a navigation/audio system for my car. One salesperson offered me the Pioneer AVIC-N4 system with installation for $1599.00. A second salesperson by the name of Joe offered it to me for $1249.00. After asking a number of questions about the system and installation, I asked him how long the offer was good for. He told me it was available for two more weeks. I thanked him and began to leave. Just as I left the door, a third salesperson, Angel (assumed Thaer Aboado), offered it to me for $999.00. I returned inside and began negotiating with him.
I spent about 20 minutes asking numerous questions to make sure I was getting what I was paying for. I asked Angel (Aboado) if he would include the XM receiver, and he said he would. He stated that installation was free. I repeated my questions at least three times. I recall saying, $999.00 plus tax for everything, and Angel (Aboado) affirmed that was correct.
A fourth person rang up the sale that totaled $1211.31. Though it seemed a bit high, I didnt question it at the time. With a maximum sales tax of 8.25%, the tax should have been no more than $82.42. That leaves a difference of 129.89. The invoice lists a kit and harness, but the prices are not itemized. Upon researching the installation manual later that evening, I discovered that the system came with an installation kit.
When I inquired about the length of installation at 1:30 PM, Angel (Aboado) said it would take about an hour, no more than two yet he wasnt going to rush the job. As the next four and half hours passed, my two sons, ages 7 and 13, paced the premises and walked around the city to pass the time. At 6:10 PM, the first salesperson called me to the counter.
He took me aside and explained that my vehicle lacked a sensor required to connect to the navigation system to read the satellite. He explained that it would cost $699.00. I contested the charge telling him that was not part of the deal and that I was not informed that a charge like this may come up. He dropped the price to $349.00, and I told him it was still unacceptable, that I should not be paying any additional charges. He then got Joe, the second salesperson, to come talk to me.
I contested with the same argument and added that since they do installations all the time, this would be a common issue that should have been discussed upfront. He stated that some cars come with the sensor and some do not. I questioned why a car with no navigation system would have it in the first place.
He just kept repeating his previous statement. He dropped the price to $239.00, and I continued to argue that this was not right. I asked him to refund my money, and he said there were no returns. He finally said he could drop then sensor price to $199.00 and that he wasnt making any money on the part. He explained that since it was close to closing time and that he still had to go pick up the part, he was not sure he could get it in time, because the shop closed at 7:00 PM. When I asked how long that would take, he told me half an hour. I then inquired whether that was one-way or round trip. He stated one-way.
I knew this was a scam, but I feared further delay and what these con artists were capable of. I had spoken to another customer earlier in the day who complained that the shop made a number of mistakes in several installations to his car and that they did not want to be accountable for them. I felt backed into a corner. I was on their turf, and there was not much I could do if I wanted to get my car back with the installation complete and without further conflicts. I also feared that they may sabotage the stereo system if I pushed any further about the bill. I chose to pay the charge so I could get my car knowing that I would have to dispute it later.
After I paid the $199.00 and received the receipt, I observed that they wrote xtra labor on the invoice instead of the part. I asked Joe for the name of the part and part number that he was ordering so I could put it on the receipt. He told me that he did not have that information but would give it to me once he came back with it. A moment later when I was out of their sight, he asked the other salespeople what they would like to drink from Taco Bell. That was an indication that he had no intention of driving to a parts store. If he had, he was certainly not being cognizant of the time restraint.
My 13 year old son and I observed the technician as he installed the unit. We watched to see if this alleged sensor would be brought into the garage. An additional part was never brought to him by any of the salespeople nor did the technician retrieve one from the store. When the technician finished the installation, I asked if he installed the XM module. He appeared confused and said I could use my existing XM receiver. I told him that I was aware of this and that my deal with the salesperson included the XM module. He just kept explaining that I could use my existing one.
After the installation was complete, I drove the vehicle to the front of the store, entered, and asked for the part number to the sensor they had ordered. Angel (Aboado) told me he would bring it out to me in a moment. A short while later he came out and handed me a piece of paper with an alleged part number. A moment later, he said that was the wrong one, and verbalized the part number to me that I wrote down. I researched the installation manual that came with my stereo, and the directions indicated that the package came with everything needed for installation and function. There was no mention of a sensor required to connect to the navigation system. The package came with a satellite antenna.
The next morning, I called Audio Sports and spoke to Angel (Aboado) about leaving out the XM receiver in the installation. He told me that he would talk to Joe and to call back in an hour. I phoned back in exactly an hour and spoke to the first salesperson. He repeatedly told me that I would have to purchase the XM receiver separately after I kept reminding him that the XM receiver was part of the deal.
I inadvertently came across numerous complaints about the company when I did a Google search for their website. The complaints listed numerous scams on customers by this company. The Better Business Bureau lists their company with an F rating that means they strongly question the companys reliability for reasons such as that they have failed to respond to complaints, their advertising is grossly misleading, they are not in compliance with the laws licensing or registration requirements, their complaints contain especially serious allegations, or the companys industry is known for its fraudulent business practices.
I have already filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I am disputing the charges with my credit card company as well. Do not do business with this place. You are extremely likely to receive a bad deal and/or bad service.
G
Bellflower, California
U.S.A.
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