My accessory install news on the GU (NOT HAPPY!!!)

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 11:59
ThreadID: 15841 Views:3503 Replies:15 FollowUps:24
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Howdy guys and gals,

Bit of a warning for you. Had some gear installed (in car nav, garmin GPS holder and 12v supply, UHF, CD Player, speakers etc, amp etc over two days. Picked it up yesterday, fairly happy with result. Driving along, the stereo sounds crap, even with sub etc. Get home, have a gander at new aerial, notice deep scratch marks on bullbar where the gits have see-sawed the bracket across after nipping up.

I then think, heck I'd better check the rest and see if it has been done properly. My list is as follows:

Requested ally plate under dash for nav screen to screw through dash into plate for extra strength, not done.
New pioneer speakers and split squashed into existing speaker area in front door causing door trim to pop off and vibrate. Unable to fix trim to door.
Amp fitted under seat, and under vinyl floor and half inch thick insulation (anyone thinking heat equals smoke equals fire?
Rear speakers distort and vibrate.
Cd Player not mounted flush with UHF (apparently it was easier like that)
Cabling left on floor without proper conduit etc.
Stripped insulation, copper and saw dustcrap left in car.
Back door trim not fixed, little toggles not there anymore.

My car is 2 weeks old. I didn't have breakfast deliberately then went and saw the reputable electronics store and spoke reasonably, but firmly. All will be rectified tomorrow, head installer just shook head when looking at the job, getting top of the line deck free to replace the new one as token gesture and 25% off all future goods. Feeling better inside, happy that they are going to rectify, but generally disappointed at lack of commitment to job. I have installed all previous gizmos in previous cars but thought I'd treat the new beast to a pro install. Never again.

That's my story, feel better now after a whinge. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Cheers,

Ungry and hungry Chris.
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Reply By: tour boy - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:05

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:05
The installer must own a cruiser LOL
AnswerID: 74045

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:07

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:07
You could be right! He's thought to himself, I'll get this stupid Patrol owner!!! ;-)

No, I'd say inexperienced, saw me in my office outfit and thought I probably wouldn't know/check?!?

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Reply By: tour boy - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:13

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:13
I'm glad it is sorted out. I've had problems with tradesmen (and I use the term loosley) working on my vehicles. I now do 99% of my own stuff with the exception of rego checks and g/box or diff repairs.
Regards
Tour boy
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:19

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:19
Admittedly, I'm sure there are alot of really good installers out there who read this sort of post and probably can name the people that did it. Unfortunately, the 5% bad tarnish the name of the 95% good!
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Follow Up By: Michael - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:01

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:01
Most of those guys aren't Tradesman..... an insult to tradesmen.. most are unskilled, working on $60,000 vehicles.. scarey huh....
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:04

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:04
Hey Michael,

Absolutely. Which was my reasoning, not experienced fitter, lots of $$$ vehicle, better get a pro. DOH!

Cheers,

Chris.
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Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:08

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:08
Your right! But I didn't want to waste my time as I can make more money by spending it elsewhere and letting someone else do the install. Expensive but important lesson. Sometimes you just gotta do it yourself!

Cheers mate.
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Reply By: Utemad - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:19

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:19
Having worked in the industry I can tell you there are some really awful installers out there. Some places would say "install is free if you buy from us". however this meant "we will jam it in as quick and cheap as possible for free".

Having said that, custom install work is not cheap. We used to charge $60/hr but we did a great job and were proud of our work. The cost of the install could often be more than the product.

However as we all know we all make mistakes (theirs was hiring the idiot that did your install) but it is how we fix the problem that shows how good we are. They have shown that they are genuinely sorry by redoing the install and giving you a more expensive head unit and future substantial discounts. That is going to cost them a fortune but is far cheaper than losing their reputation.
AnswerID: 74051

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:23

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:23
Absolutely Utemad, couldn't agree more. I was charged $700 for the install, which I asked to be custom and neat as possible and instructed where everything was to go and/or line up etc.

I just think they are rushed, have to pump out a certain amount per day and under alot of pressure. Unfortunately, we all want a good job and if you pay the $$$, you want decent results!

Cheers mate!
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Reply By: Michael - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:58

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 12:58
I wouldn't trust half those monkeys to do fit anything to my GU.. All the big guys pay the guys that fit the gear $13-15 per hour.. You cant expect much for that....
AnswerID: 74056

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:00

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:00
I worked out that they charged me about $70 per hour for the install. Took them 10 hours which in itself is a little hard to believe.

Cheers mate.
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Follow Up By: Michael - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:04

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:04
Really Chris, better to do it yourself, take your time...probably why nothing in my GU is completed, i dont have the time and i'm scared to let anyone else do it,,
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Reply By: Outnabout David (SA) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:02

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:02
Chris,

Sorry to hear about the drama's. unfortunateley it is a sign of the times with a lot of trades although the installer probably isn't qualified at anything.
The market dictates pricing and unfortunateley costs are cut somewhere. You know the saying "pay peanuts, get monkeys."

\It would be nice if when asking for a job to be done they asked whether you want a premium job for a prium price or the standard budget job.

Lucky you casn rectify without too much problem but I see a lot of things that can't be rectified vbecause holes have been drilled in the wrong places.

The other thing is that it could have been a onc e off bad job but someone should have done a quality control check.
AnswerID: 74059

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:06

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:06
Followed that up with the head installer today. He just shook his head when he checked it out. He usually does a Q.A at the end, but wasn't in yesterday. Lucky me...

He will be doing the work tomorrow however! I think I paid a fairly premium price, didn't haggle too much as I wanted a good job done.

What can you do?!?!

Cheers mate,

Chris.
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FollowupID: 334059

Reply By: Michael - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:06

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:06
I love the way they pop rivet everthing to the firewall, light or heavy , all the same to them,,,,,,,
AnswerID: 74062

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:09

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:09
Admitedly, everything was screwed (well, literally in some cases lol) so there was no fear of things falling off, just shoddy workmanship.
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FollowupID: 334062

Reply By: Member - Jack - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:22

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 13:22
Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience ... and that is coming from a Cruiser owner : )

I showed this to my son, who is a mechanic and also installer of various things. He did his apprenticeship with a Holden dealer, and was persistently in trouble for running over time on jobs because he wanted to do it right. He even used to clean his fingermarks off the engines etc ...As he told the Service Manager (Mangler??) many times, "what if it was your car"? When he came out of his time they told thim that they "didn't have room for a fully qualified mechanic" and he was let go. Spent almost a year looking and on the dole. During that time they advertised on at least 5 occasion for mechanics, but he did not reapply.

He now works locally for another independent firm who seem to like the idea that his work is good and he has *never* had a job come back on him - unlike many of his former workmates. He sometimes takes a little longer.

He read this and felt quite good about himself. (We are dealing with a guy who suffered some loss of self esteem and confidence after his Holden episode).

Hope your bad experience is a one - off.

Jack
The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

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AnswerID: 74066

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:43

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:43
Thanks buddy, glad to hear that there are still plenty of people out there that take pride in their work!
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Reply By: Wazza (Vic) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 14:58

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 14:58
A guy I used to work with was telling us he got sacked from his last job as a car stereo installer after drilling through the outer door skin twice on a new HSV. He didn't even notice, but his boss and customer certainly did, Don't know if he was more stupid for for doing that or telling us.

Wazza.
AnswerID: 74077

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:44

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:44
Nice one! The horror stories just get better and better!

What a shocker...
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Reply By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 15:24

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 15:24
I can relate, I got the timing belt change on the Surf yesterday. Normally I donm't let anyone touch it as I've been burned before, however with the timing belt and $5000 for a second hand motor for the beast I thought I'd let a pro do it. I took it to Midland Toyota. I never take cars to dealerships, but figureed this way at least I might have some comeback if anything was to go wrong.
$240 and an entire day to change a $70 belt that the surf forum told me was a half hour job (you don't even have to take the v belts off!) I paid my money and drove it back round the courner to work, imediatly popping the bonnet and having a gander.

Remeber all day it took em!
1. One of the bolts for the timming belt cover was hanging out loose, obviously been placed in their by hand and then not tightned up.
2. The coolant tank had the lid off it and it was just sitting on the air box. (WTF, why the hell did they take it off in the first place!?)

Didn't even waste my time calling them, just got out the socket and did it up.
Ok so it's nothing major, butbleepme, what have they done under the cover?? Pathetic.
AnswerID: 74079

Follow Up By: Utemad - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 16:05

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 16:05
I had the same thing at Holden. When I bought my Rodeo 2nd hand I took it to Holden for its first service (80k). When came to pick it up I saw it in the carpark ready to pick up. I had asked them to look at a noise coming from the FL guard and when I stuck my head under the wheel arch I noticed that the bolts for my 2nd battery tray had not had the nuts put back on. Luckily there was no battery in the tray.

I asked if my car was ready and when he said yes I gave him what for in front of a crowded room of people picking up their cars.

I have never been to a dealer since.

They didn't fix the noise either.
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FollowupID: 334079

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:49

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:49
Bugger, makes my little accessory bungle look weak. Mechanical is so much more important!

Actually, had my 1000k service with Nissan yesterday, all I saw them do was a test drive. Then they told me to bring it back next week as my water bottle and plastic cover thing between the bullbar and the front cross member was loose, and they didn't have the time to tighten them up. They think it's going to take 2 hours?!?!? What the?

cheers

Chris.
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FollowupID: 334157

Follow Up By: fisho - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 17:10

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 17:10
Jeff, dont know what model surf you have, but it would be impossible to change ANY timing belt without taking the Vbelts of as by its nature it is inside the belts Im assuming you are talking diesel here, on petrol it isnt a timing belt ( Im not familiar with the V6 ) On the 2L and 3L you have to remove the radiator, timing cover, AC compressor, all Vbelts etc etc. Your price is roughly rite. Ive done it several times on my own vehicle and its taken me a full day, plodding of course. My local mech quotes around $200 including belt ($30 +/- which is aftermarket ) so if its a diesel it is up there, but not over the top. Remember also though that local dealers wouldnt likely do you any favours for buying import? I dont own a surf, but imagine this is possible ? The work done was obviously not up to scratch on yours though
fisho
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Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 17:17

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 17:17
It's a 1KZ-TE and I saw the price for the Prado with the same motor in his little book and it was the same as my "import" - $240.
You do not need to take the radiator out, the timing blet cover has 4 bolts and two clips and appears to run from the top of the motor, not the bottom where the v blets are, this person who told me you do not need to remove them is a very highly regarded person on the surf forum and does know what he's talking about so I will belive him. The belts and bolts to tighten the idler etc where not touched (my engine is covered in mud) so I know they didn't remove the V Belts.
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Follow Up By: fisho - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 19:21

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 19:21
jeff' if its a timing belt it MUST run off the crankshaft, where the vbelts run off. As I said Im not familiar with your engine, but if its a timing belt as described, it times the overhead cam to the crankshaft. Its impossible for a timing belt to work any other way?
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Follow Up By: Member - Jeff M (WA) - Monday, Aug 30, 2004 at 15:59

Monday, Aug 30, 2004 at 15:59
Fisho, I'm no engineer mate, but I was sure I was right so I went and had a look under the bonnet and sure as bleep the timing blet does not run near the v belts.
The engine must not be an overhead cam as the fan and all other belt driven accesories seem to run from the bottom of the motor. The timing belt cover runs from the top of the motor towards the passenger side down to the bottom. It is an interference motor so it's not just a fuel pump timing belt.
Go to your nearest Toyota dealer and pop your head under the bonnet of a 3.0TD prado (it has the same engine) and you tell me how it flamin works, but it does and they deffinatally didn't take the other belts off.
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Reply By: Skinny- Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 16:07

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 16:07
Nice to see you still have faith in mankind to give them a go. Sad that your trust was responded with such bad workmanship. I used to work in service 20 years ago. I left because the presure is to do things fast and not right and to employ learners and not trademen. Ends up no trades men just people who use hammers.

Got bless the few good guys left.

...Skinney
AnswerID: 74085

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:51

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:51
Hey Skinny,

Your right there, only the trainees working on the cars these day @ 8$ an hour. The only trained person is the head fitter who does all the big installs...

Glad I'm not in that industry.

Cheers mate,

Chris.
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Reply By: banjodog - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 16:30

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 16:30
Sorry to here about your experience but at least they are good enough to rectify and to improve on the products you bought.

When I did my time as a mechanic, right from day one, my boss checked EVERTHING I did in the 4 years of the apprenticeship because his reputation was at stake and nobody wants come-backs or bad mouthing. I stayed on for another 5 years and he would randomly do a quality check on my work – long before the random breath check craze!

He always used to say – treat every car as a Rolls Royce and the standard of your work will be the same no matter what car you work on. I’ve pretty well based my work ethics on that, was in the auto trade for 22 years but I’m in IT now and the same follows on everything I touch.

Just like member Lez Peter says - Nobody has time to fix it properly the first time, but everybody has time to do it again!
AnswerID: 74092

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:53

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:53
Good work ethic to have, do everything right the first time and treat every car like it's the best one on the road. Even if a car looks like a bomb, it may be all somebody has!

Cheers

Chris.
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FollowupID: 334159

Reply By: Magnus - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 16:44

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 16:44
Hi Chris,

Hope this makes you feel a bit better. Had my motorcycle serviced yesterday and on way home noticed the handlebars were not dead straight. Just out the tiniest bit.

Back to dealer this am. Mechanic comes out to have a ride and when he returns drives it straight into the workshop,

Yep, the bars weren't straight. And it was test ridden after servicing.!

This is on a bike with a retail cost of $40K plus before on roads and any goodies are bolted on.

It ain't just cars and 4x4s. that can give heartburn when they are worked on.

Still, glad you are getting your installation fixed


Cheers

Magnus
AnswerID: 74095

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:55

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:55
Bugger ay, happens everyday to all walks of life. You just have to do things yourself, or keep taking it back to someone who actually does give a stuff!

Hope your happy with the bike now too mate.

Cheers,

Chris.
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FollowupID: 334160

Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 17:18

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 17:18
Member - Chris M (QLD)
It's bad that you had that experience.... but at least you got it sorted out to your satisfaction....

My story is nothing 4X4 related, but I local rewinder "repaired" a burnt out electric motor for me many years ago.... when I picked it up and re-installed it to the air conditioner, it blew fuses again....
What The ....??

Yep.... he did new bearings and painted it but DIDN'T REWIND IT!!!!!!!

Never went there again.
;-)
AnswerID: 74097

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:56

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:56
And you would have paid the money for all the work to be done as well, just doesn't make sense!!!
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Reply By: Willem - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 18:29

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 18:29
I will join the list of 'what happened to me'

Yesterday I had a new roofrack fitted at a well know 4x4 business in Adelaide. It didn't take long and we saw the truck come out of the workshop with the new rack fitted, and go up the street. It came back after about 5 minutes, the installer got out of the truck, took the paper protective covers off the seat and floor, locked the vehicle and then disengaged the hubs and walked back in to the workshop. I wondered where he had gone but deduced that he might have had to drive over an obstacle to see if the rack was firmly fixed. I paid the bill, glanced at the new rack and drove home. Once home, on closer inspection, I saw that where the tie down points of the roofrack are, the roof sill is bent up. So I released some of the tension by loosening the nuts which retified the matter somewhat.

I should have said something at the time but for some reason I didn't. Anyway the truck runs well and I am happy with the rack.
AnswerID: 74109

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:59

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 08:59
So strange. I hate having to give my truck to other people because I know I drive it right, but when it's not yours, you drive it like you stole it.

Hope your sill is in ok condition, and the rack does what it has to. Might be even worth a visit back to show the damage.

cheers

chris.
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FollowupID: 334162

Reply By: D-Jack - Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 19:06

Thursday, Aug 26, 2004 at 19:06
I paid to have my UHF and arial installed once - only because I wanted to go away the next night and was having snorkel installed at same time. Anyway, PROFESSIONAL?? installer considered once the DIN-fitted UHF went into the dash and was a firm fit, decided not to attach it in any way with brackets or screws - it was not fixed at all!!! I must admit though, the EXCELLENT service topped it off when he saved me the trouble of CUTTING THE COAX CABLE by 2 metres to make it neater!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT A PEANUT! I will not name the company specifically, but it was a OL store in Adelaide!

D-Jack
AnswerID: 74117

Follow Up By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 09:00

Friday, Aug 27, 2004 at 09:00
Shame isn't it, because we all know that a good price combined with good service equals great word of mouth advertising!

Thanks all for your well wishes. I'll be sure to pass them on to the GU, with time we will both heal ;-)
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