product tech support

I recently purchasee and installed a DEI(Viper 5101) remote start/keyless entry unit. I imediately found out upon receiving the product that DEI doesn't offer any support or warranty to DIY installers. Are there any manufactures who do that produce a good product?

I've installed several Design Tech units in the past, but most of them were crap. And since DEI bought them out, they tech support has gone to crap too. They only model worth it's salt was the DesignTech Ready Remote/AutoCommand 23927.

Howard are you encouraging him to tell tales? LOL! 

 Personally as an installer i find that offering tech assistance to the general public aka DIY's isn't sensible, for heaven's sake some of them can't even understand how to use the systems, let alone install them!

Also as ted says, you won't get warranty, and for anyone seeking tech assistance on DIY alarms an r/s check this site

I know exactly what you're saying about the people that can't figure out how to use a system, much less install one. However, there are also people out there who have the know how, such as myself, to tackle these things given the right information.

I feel information/tech support is withheld from the DIY'er simply to force people to go to dealer/installer, or as cost cutting measure. I'm not sure which though. 

I'm sure it's much cheaper to provide support to authorized dealers rather than prodiving support to the general public. I'm also sure the average call time would be much shorter when dealing with a dealer than the average joe.  

 I don't believe information/tech support is withheld due to the installation of one of these units being dangerous, after all, how many people install brakes on their own vehicles, yet brake pad and shoes are sold over the counter every day. (That's just one example.)  

 I DO know that for someone like me that has been working on cars for over 20 years it's frustrating.  

OK - I think this is a much more appropriate thread to continue this discussion in!

Again, like I said in the other thread, they do this for several reasons - to "protect their brand" and to cut down on technical support load are two of the big ones.

When you sell a simple or a complicated piece of electronics for a car every guy with a combination wire cutter / stripper / crimper will think they can install it.  When things go wrong and they don't have the ability to troubleshoot it they jump on the internet and tear the company apart.  Or, they spent countless hours on the phone with a tech support guy fixing simple problems.  Or, worst yet, they damage their car or the alarm and then expect the manufacturer to warranty the part / pay for the damage because they either didn't have a volt meter, didn't know how to use it, or didn't realize that sometimes the same color wire is used multiple times for different circuits in a car!

If you only sell your products to shops that are certified to install them, and then you require professional installation you virtually eliminate your basic tech support level, you cut down on warranty returns, and you limit the amount of people talking bad about your product on the net.  You also create a more elite brand by limiting the places you can purchase your product. 

Now, this does come at a cost - the people who have the skills / ability but arn't a distributor get left out in the cold.  However, this portion of the pie is so small that it's a risk worth taking.  That, and the majority of "professionals" that "know what they are doing" that can actually install one of these things is fairly low (and that is proven on this forum). 

Well KP and Howie does cover it all.

and thanks Howie! appreciate the comment.

I am a DIYer, but I have done so many and know so much about it that all my installs are referal based. Now with that being said i am no pro, but i understand the point of having authorized techs install them. The problem lies in the large companies. The sell so many units to distributors and the distributors may sell to small shops and they decide to sell online to average diy people. It is a huge risk to ensure reliable brands are ONLY installed by pros, since it would cost the company tons of money, but then again they save money from less tech support/idots who destroy their own cars, lawsuits etc.

Only so many things are DIY, and i beleive an alarm/rs is not as easy as some people think, thats even if that person even has any electrical sense in them. I'm sure we all have had our moments where we disagree or hate a post because of the ignorance of the original poster.Why? This is because they assume they know it all and require no help, but they are the ones asking the questions. Sure there are many questions that seem too simple to ignore, and if they did some searching im sure answers can be found. BUT everyone is in a "rush" and demand answers without needing to look/search for them. Those asking simple questions expect to be spoonfed the info all the time. Its cool to ask questions since more knowlege is key, but when its such a simple question such as "where are my parking lights" just use the search button! Im sure it must have been talked about at least 20 times.

i fall into the catagory of DIY so i cant complain much ahah.

Have a good day everyone!

Wait, tedmond is an amatuer?  haha   :)

At this point he is WAY more professional then I am.  I've been "retired" for 5+ years now...