This has been nothing but a horrible experience from the get goes.
My wife for Christmas got me a Python 1400XP which is a remote start for my car. I was thrilled and contacted Circuit City to do the installation. She had also previously paid for that when she bought the items. The total came to $337.02 including the extra transponder I needed for my car.
I made an appointment for January 10 to have this installed at the Highwood Preserve location. This location was right down the street from where I work which seemed convenient at the time. When I dropped my car off one of the things I inquired about was a remote trunk release, since I already had this on my factory keychain and I didn't want to lose that function. I was told that this would be another $45.00 parts and labor which was fine.
I returned at 3pm the time the car was promised to me and the car was still all apart (dash and driver side door). I explained when I dropped my car off that I coach the TC Crew Team after work and it was imperative that I have my car ready so my kids weren't waiting for me. The car wasn't ready till almost 4pm, I signed everything and was on my way.
Over the weekend I tried my new Christmas present and was upset that a lot of things weren't functioning correctly. I couldn't lock the doors with the keyless remote start transmitter and then unlock them without setting off the factory alarm. The remote window defroster didn't work from the transmitter. There was no visible LED included with the system anywhere mounted in the car that I could see. Also the Valet switch was no where to be found. The horn wasn't hooked up to the system to give me an audible conformation when I armed or disarmed the system.
I went back the next week on the 17th and inquired about these things. I showed them the box and the instruction which clearly stated that these weren't options, the only additional things that required additional parts and labor were the trunk and pwr locks. The installation manual clearly showed this according to the wiring schematics.
At that time it was explained to me that I would still need to carry my original remote in order to use my factory alarm. I asked them why you sold me another trunk remote for $45.00 if I have to carry my factory transmitter anyway which already had a remote trunk release. I asked for a refund on the trunk remote, they said NO, that it wasn't their fault. They stated that they didn't know the car had a factory alarm. All they had to do was ask and I would have told them. If they tried locking the car with the factory remote which they had all day it would have chirped, plus the owners manual was in the Glove Box. I felt taken at that point
Then we went on to discuss the other "options" which weren't functioning. I was told the starter kill required additional parts. The tech showed me that it wasn't hooked up by arming the car with the keyless transmitter and then starting the car. I was told just the opposite by Jose the day that I had all this junk removed that the starter kill was indeed hooked up. Who do you believe?
I had taken pictures over the weekend and was very upset to learn that the brain of the unit was mounted right under the dash on the driver's side. The LED and Valet switch was tie wrapped to the bottom of it. This was after the installation instruction stated "The first thing a thief will do when hot wiring a vehicle is to remove the drivers side under-dash panel to access the starter and ignition wires. You should therefore avoid placing the control module just behind the driver's side dash to prevent it from being easily disconnected during a theft attempt. It goes on to state on the next page If the starter kill relay or its connections are immediately visible upon removal of the under dash panel, they can be easily bypassed. Always make the connections difficult to concern from the factory wiring. I don't call tie wrapping the wires to a control box mounted right under the dash a hidden installation.
I also noticed that some of the clips holding my door panel wasn't seated properly, but more important that the grommet protecting my wiring to the door wasn't seated and allowing the factory wires to rub on the sharp surfaces.
I was really getting frustrated and took my car and went back to work. I called the store and asked to speak to the manager around 11:30 that morning, I was told he wasn't there but David an assistant manager could help me but was busy. I left him a message which I received a reply on my voice mail the next morning stating "I'm on my way out the door right now, but wanted to call you back.
I went back the next day the 18th and spoke with the Road Shop Manager Erin Kellbride and presented my case about the alarm, options and my unhappy experience with Circuit City he didn't really seem to care. I then asked for the number of the District manger hoping to get some satisfaction. I was given the name of Hiram Rodriguez at 1-800-251-2665. I called him when I got home that evening. The phone was answered by Richard at a customer Service desk. I was told that I wasn't able to speak to the District Manger until I had spoken to Mickey O'Sullivan the Store Director.
I spoke with Mr. O'Sullivan on the 20th and he assured me after listening to all of my complaints that he would take care of me. I asked when I could bring my car in to have all of this junk removed a get a full refund. The frustration level was overflowing and the 5 trips that I've made to his store were enough.
He said he was off on Monday and asked me to bring the car in on Tuesday the 24th so he could look at it. He said that he would be in at 12 that day, but that I could drop the car off at 10 am.
I dropped the car off on Tuesday at 10:30 and again explained that I coached and needed the car back at 3pm. I spoke with Jose who said this wouldn't be a problem that Mr. O'Sullivan had spoke with him about my situation and that he would be doing the uninstall.
I arrived at 3 to find my car ready, but I need to go to Customer Service to obtain my refund. The young lady took my information and the said she need to have it Okayed. She called Mr. O'Sullivan and he appeared 12 minutes later.
I introduced myself and he said let's go look at your car. I explained that the parts were already uninstalled and that I just need my refund. He got very irate and said I told you I wanted to see it first and refused to refund my money even after I showed him the pictures I had taken of the install.
He was there at 12 pm that day why would he wait until I came to pickup the car to go look at it. I was told by Jose that he knew what was going on, this being the case why didn't he wait until his Store Director Mr. O'Sullivan look at the installation before he removed it. I felt that I have been setup at this point.
I would like a complete refund of my $385.15 and a written apology for all the time and aggravation I've been put thru.
Chris
Land O lakes, Florida
U.S.A.
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