ugh, gotta vent
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Forum Name: Miscellaneous - Off Topic
Forum Discription: Topics that just don't fit anywhere else.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=24668
Printed Date: April 28, 2024 at 5:39 AM
Topic: ugh, gotta vent
Posted By: silversi17
Subject: ugh, gotta vent
Date Posted: January 15, 2004 at 11:26 PM
A couple of days ago, a customer came in looking for a remote start for his '99 Alero. I started explaining the different options for him and told him that he would also need an immobilizer bypass module. Well this just set him off. He started telling me that I was ripping him off becuase there was no chip in his key. I never told him he had a chip in his key, and explained the GM passlock system to him. At this point I had a few more people interested in remote starts. Then he went on, still locked on the transponder chip issue, and started telling other customers that we rip people off. A few customers left, and he finally decided to take a DIY remote start, and I explained to him that it wouldn't work without a bypass, of course he didn't believe me. So I sold him the unit, and just to be a dick now, put a no return policy if the package was opened on it. Justified it by saying that once he used the password to recieve his wiring info from DEI, no one else could, making the unit unsellable. (sorry, he was being a really big a**hole) The he left. Well, he came back today, screaming because the unit (as I said) didn't work. I told him about the bypass again, and even offered to sell it to him with a discount just to get him to shut up, but he claimed it was a faulty unit. He went on to say that he is gonna call the chamber of commerce on me. I told him that if he wanted to buy another one, I would gladly sell it to him, but I would not take the opened one back, especially not with clipped wires. Then he started screaming at me, about the bypass unit again. There were customers again, so I told him to leave, but in the end, it took 2 state troopers to get him out. Why are some people just so mean? Especially over a stupid $30 part?!?! -------------
Replies:
Posted By: tonto26
Date Posted: January 16, 2004 at 10:02 AM
You knew he would be back complaining that it didn't work, so why on earth did you sell him the unit? You could have been through with him the first time, but now you've got another problem all together. Certainly not worth the hassle.
Good luck with that p***k.
Posted By: geepherder
Date Posted: January 16, 2004 at 10:57 AM
And you didn't even smash his face in with a sledge hammer? Good job. 
Posted By: auex
Date Posted: January 17, 2004 at 12:21 AM
People like that deserve it, and you deserve his money.
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Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.
I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.
Posted By: hotrodelectric
Date Posted: January 17, 2004 at 1:43 AM
I've also run into this type of customer, Silversi. You have my sympathies. Also, you handled the problem just fine.
Posted By: Teken
Date Posted: January 17, 2004 at 12:23 PM
I agree with all the members above. I think you have to take away a few things from this experience.
1. You took the time to explain the problems and the required parts needed, to do the job right. = Ignorant
2. No matter what you said, his mind was already set for the lowest out the door price. = Cheap Aszz
The only thing I can re-affirm is that you should have simply made your point(s) clear, and consice. Then sent him on his way, without selling the product / services to him.
People like this, are long term headaches, which are only out for a free ride.
Regards
EVIL Teken . . .
Posted By: markcars
Date Posted: February 24, 2004 at 11:04 AM
just my little piece of advice if it is worth anything. Tell the customer that if he doesn't believe his car needs a immobilizer bypass,
a) he can call his car manufacturer to confirm and be satisfied with thier answer, since he doesn't believe what you say, and
b) you won't do a job wrong and he cannot force you to do your own job the wrong way.
What can we say. there are all types of people in this world. Thank goodness all are not like that customer of yours.
Posted By: Ravendarat
Date Posted: February 24, 2004 at 4:03 PM
I have had people like that. I do the same thing as you, explain several times about the immobilizer then if he still doesnt believe me I sell him the product and actually write down on his recipt exactly what will happen if he installs it without the imobilizer. I also tell them that I will not return the product if it has been open, the only other thing I do is I will gladly exchange brains for them. I just dont let them return it. I wont turn away someone who is willing to pay me money, I just cover my a**.
Posted By: Hardcor audio
Date Posted: February 29, 2004 at 8:33 PM
I own a shop in NY, i run into people all the time that dont know what kind of car or the year of the car all the time,so when it comes to telling them they need a bypass-forget it .I use all DEI products, i do not sell them uninstalled, this keeps the complaints down, some leave after i tell them that the rs cost ### and then they need a bypass which is an xtra ###, they say i dont have that on my car, i tell them to contact the dealer and ask them , or check the owners manual, and in most cases show them the security light on the dash, which they never seen before. If the dealer would only explain to them that they have a passlock or a pats or securelock or passkey system on the car that they are buying ,and also tell and show them how thier factory alarm works,and how to shut it off, this would save us a great deal of time dealing with these people, because honestly most customers have no clue, thats why people buy bulldog r/s from walmart,same goes to kids who buy amps and subs online,if they only knew what they really bought maybe they would save thier money and buy a real amp or sub. A educated customer is your best customer Keith -Owner of Hardcor Audio
Posted By: Dauber
Date Posted: March 01, 2004 at 12:14 PM
Thats got to be the most well put statement that anyone has put on here with regards to customers. Personally someone that comes in to my shop asking me to install a bulldog they just purchased, I won't because I don't know the product, and I wouldn't want to warranty my labour on one of those. Believe it or not though, up in Edmonton dealerships aren't too bad in explaining about there factory alarms and bypasses. The best way with a customer with a chipped key is to have one of those keys chopped in half to show them. Better to show than to try and explain. Like Hardcore said with the passlock light. I usually set off customers alarms just to show them that they have one and that I'm not full of sh**, ahh satisfaction.
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Kyle@Audio Obsession Sound
Posted By: sroth140
Date Posted: March 13, 2004 at 1:08 AM
we get calls to put in bulldogs too, i tell them we wont warranty products that arent ours. that, and we dont have access to whatever companies tech support. when people come in with their ghetto 84 box and want an amp put in with cut wires from who ever it was stolen from, i tell them they need the $80 amp kit on the wall behind me. i will not do an install with crap products/parts and be held liable when it fails. then they complain that an avital or clifford remote start is $200 with free basic install, + extra parts/labor and the bull dog is $48 at walmart.... uhhhhhhhhhhh go do it yourself for 48 bucks.
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MECP certified installer
Posted By: atwageman
Date Posted: March 17, 2004 at 3:28 AM
I get people from time to time with wal-mart specials, and they freak out when I want them to sign their life away saying I'm not liable for anything as a result of their $48 special. I do mainly custom rv/trailor fabrication and design from the ground up and therefore don't see a lot of the normal crowds you guys see. ------------- Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.
Posted By: markcars
Date Posted: March 17, 2004 at 7:13 AM
Then you're probably one of the luckier ones if you don't get to see the 48 buck types.
Posted By: atwageman
Date Posted: March 17, 2004 at 11:15 PM
Yea, I am lucky. Most the people I deal with have no problem spending their cash to have all the bling, bling they want installed correctly.
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Al Capone's business card said he was a used furniture dealer.
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