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Stereo Company Installs GPS, Causes $13K in Damage
After Brandon had taken his admittedly aging luxury sedan in for the install, he noticed that hot air was leaking in through his dashboard vents, even when the air conditioner was on. Several attempts were made by the shop to repair the problem, but no progress was made. In fact, it seemed that with every subsequent visit, Brandon found more and more wrong with the car. Brandon requested a refund, but upon noticing language that would relieve the Car Stereo Company of liability if the check were endorsed (sneaky bastards), decided not to cash the check just yet.
After consulting two different repair shops, a BMW specialist and a German car specialist, Brandon had an estimated $12,400 worth of repairs to be done.
Unfortunately, it appears as if there will be no happy ending to Brandon's troubles. First, Brandon tried to go through the shop's insurance company, to no avail. Then Brandon took them to small claims court, only to have the judge find in favor of the Car Stereo Company. Things don't look good, but we're still holding out hope that Brandon will find a favorable resolution to his problem. [Source: The Consumerist]
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Comments
64
Subscribe to commentsKdwgJul 2nd 2008 6:22AM
Give us ALL the facts here. You told us the name of the guy with the car, tell us the name of the car stereo shop.
We need all the necessary info you halfway reporting doofs!!
RonJul 2nd 2008 6:33AM
Hey Kdwg, where did you learn to read? They did tell you the company name. It is The Car Stereo Company look them up they have a web site for the Los Altos store.
ballerinstallerJul 2nd 2008 5:48PM
if you read the little links attached instead of mouthing off right away the name of the shop is "THE CAR STEREO COMPANY"
JoelJul 7th 2008 8:24AM
I'm a BMW owner and have to wonder why he didn't take it to the dealership? Mine works perfectly, even gives me great detour routes around heavy traffic areas. Installed by BMW.
RobertJul 7th 2008 10:29AM
I read this story in another article, supposably it was a Circuit City
CrashMNJul 7th 2008 11:29AM
Kdwg, did you even read the article??? It clearly states that it was "The Car Stereo Company". That is the name of the business tht did the install. Maybe before you reply with a doofus remark, you should re-read and make sure you know of what your spewing??? OK??!! Ok.
rockthatboxJul 7th 2008 1:23PM
12.000$!!!!!!! SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE SLAP!!!!
SteveJul 2nd 2008 7:13AM
Come on guys, how about the rest of the story. As a mechanic with nearly 25 years experience, I'd like to know what was done buy the instulation that messed up the heating system (hard to believe). It sounds like the problem has already been checked by a BMW dealer so what was wrong. It wouldn't be the first time someone claimed something caused a problem when the problem already exsisted.
Reminds me of the lady that claimed installing a car stereo caused her transmission to go out at a shop I worked at several years ago.
d grossJul 2nd 2008 7:38AM
you can buy a 1996 M3 for less than the damage amount. I think this guy is a scam artist trying to make a buck from a business that is trying to make it during these hard times. He should be ashamed of himself
erj210Jul 2nd 2008 9:58AM
That's why you go to the dealer, or a larger store with a reputation. These small companies often do not care, and do not have a reputation to uphold.
RonJul 2nd 2008 2:27PM
Just to remind everyone, a judge did hear all of the facts from both sides and sided with the car stereo place. That doesn't mean the judge made the right decision, but he apparently felt that Brandon had not met the burden of proof to hold the stereo place liable.
I think the giveaway should have been the amount of damages he was claiming. $12,400? Really?
JohnJul 2nd 2008 3:43PM
Why would anyone go to the trouble and expense to install a permanent GPS in a 1996 car? The portables are truly portable these days and, when the '96 BMW is ready for a new owner, can be used in a newer car or sold on eBay if no longer needed. A permanent GPS in a '96 BMW doesn't even enhance the value of the car. What an idiot!
N MJul 7th 2008 9:47AM
I agree with John about portable GPS systems. They are very affordable and transportable I have one and will never have one installed in my vehicle. For one thing, if the GPS ever breaks, then you have to tear up your dash again to get it out for repair. 12K of damages is a bit much, but again all of us do not have all the real facts of the story we all read in here.
tamaryaJul 7th 2008 1:10PM
i know god he already owns a bmw and now he is looking to get richer
carmamaJul 2nd 2008 3:49PM
I am a repair shop owner. This is the reason I don't install aftermarket stereos and GPS systems. There are too many things that can go wrong. The vehicle owner should have taken this to the dealer to begin with. I see so many people that buy used BMWs, Lexus, etc that like the status but don't have a clue how temperamental the vehicles are and how expensive they are to repair when something goes wrong.
kirkJul 2nd 2008 4:11PM
Must of been some kind of idiot judge to let them get away with it. The judge is probably the owner of the stero company.
BraydenJul 2nd 2008 4:29PM
Revenge... works every time!
I had my car washed last fall, the weather was nice so no excessive heat on the windshield. When my car came out, the windshield on my new car was smashed in, like it was hit with something. They tried to say the heat on my windshield and the cold water was to blame. I said no way, and to just call your insurance and cover it. That is when they started cussing me out in Arabic and being indignant. So, I gave them a second chance to calm down, be fair, and take care of the damage. Still, they were rude and called the manager over to try to intimidate me. I just smiled, didn't pay, and left. As I was driving out I saw them all high-fiving each other; I smiled ever broader then... Late that night I bought 3 big tubes of crazy glue, went to the car wash, and glued every single door lock, including the gas locks, and the inground service gas tank locks. The next morning, at 6:30 AM, my best friend and I parked my car across from the carwash and sat on the hood waiting for the "show"... And indeed there was one... First to arrive, the jerk manager... I watched with great pride and laughter, as he tried to open one door after another. After a few frustrated cell phone calls, several minutes later came the owner who had cussed me out. Cars were coming in now to be washed; to no avail, as everything was locked up, and a locksmith wouldn't arrive until 9:00. Finally at 9:25 a locksmith arrived. It would costs $200 each to drill out the locks and replace them on commercial business doors; there were 6 doors. The in ground service gas tanks needed special handling, and that cost was well over a $1500. At this point I could barely contain myself; my best friend and I were laughing so hard I thought my parents could here us in New York!!! It was now time to go, we had an appointment to get my windshield replaced, but not before we beeped the horn at the manager, gave him a thumbs up, high-fived each other and drove away...
6 doors and gas locks... $2700, business lost ...$500, the look on the stupid managers face... 'FLIPIPNG PRICELESS!!!
carlJul 2nd 2008 6:29PM
you know i'm sure it is nice to get revenge but it did not fix your windshield. You should of been more responsible ans sued the jerk owner and manger in court or let your insurance company handle it. If you would of been caught you could be doing prison time for such a stupid act!!!
this is meJul 7th 2008 9:28AM
RELAX CARL...
Granted, it wasn't a choice move on his part, but wow give this guy some kudos for inginuity. Not a lot of planning but greatly effective. He could have lost his temper like most people and went ape-shi* on them. Yeah he could have been on video doing this and went to jail and had to pay for damages to his car AND the locks he screw up plus punitive damages, but if this was his satifaction and he got away scott clean...so be it. I'm sure you would have handled it differently also
CrashMNJul 7th 2008 11:30AM
Oh my, but you are a little devil... I laughed pretty hard myself.. I would never have the balls to do that... good for you. Not that it was the right thing to do, but, I guess if you felt better. Way to go.