Anonymous
map-marker Seattle, Washington

Faulty install resulting in long wait times and money loss

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

In my area we have issues with theft just like most contractors try to protect their vehicles and trailers with security systems and alarms. This is why I contacted car toys.

After spending over $2,500 on an alarm system and auto start that attaches to an app on my phone as well as a key fob. I called to ask why it says my app cannot connect to my system and when I try to use my app it says disconnected or not online. I was told they were busy and they would call me back I received no calls whatsoever. About 5 days later after driving my truck around to multiple stops I go out to use my key fob to unlock my vehicle with no success I then try to use my auto start with no success.

I call car toys to ask them what I should do because without my fob or app working if I use my key to open the door the alarm will go off and will not shut off unless my app or fob does so. I was directed to use my key to unlock my door while on the phone I told them my key will not unlock my door it feels like the key is going to break off. I then tried my passenger door with success got in alarm didn't go off. Tried to start my vehicle and had zero power.

Car toys was confused as was I listening to them bicker about what the problem could possibly be. After the installers blamed it on my truck batteries the manager was on the phone with decided to call me back. Lucky they got somebody from the Olympia location to get me back on the road and he was awesome he also pointed out that it was 100% of bad install for the reason all this happened. Well continuing communicating with the store manager of when I can come in to get all this fixed because now none of my doors will open or lock with the fob unless I use my key on my passenger side door to get to my driver side door I have to open it through my passenger door.

The next morning I had to call them back because now my driver's side door will not let shut due to the changes they made in my door locks failure. As a business owner meeting with clients this is highly embarrassing on top of not being able to use my vehicle for its intended purpose. With that being said notifying the store about my door they simply asked well what do you want us to do about it. Did it close before?

They asked. I re-explained the situation since he wasn't there yesterday while dealing with all this but after that all said and done he didn't offer a tow truck and simply asked me what can you drive it down here. I responded by saying no the door won't let shut I can't drive a vehicle with a door swinging open every time I make a right-hand turn holding on to it is an option but it's 22 outside and *** down rain.

After finally dropping it off this morning and renting a truck to drive and multiple Ubers to get back and forth .with call and messeges to customer service with no response. I'm now truckless with zero answers or support from car toys to make this stupid situation easier.

View full review
Resolved
JUSTIN Z Dzs

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Buckley, Washington

Resolved: Place sucks bad

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

Hi-

I've looked so many times on your guys website to find out how to schedule an install for my daughter's car stereo but I can't find anything. When you click on book a service all it does is take you to a store locator.

How can I schedule stereo install? Do you need the car info, stereo info? I'm getting ready to just return them and go to Best buy, way easier to get answers and it's obvious how to schedule the install. I've had troubles calling to find out what dash adapters to buy, finally went in to a store, sat for way too long while they called every store looking for parts.

Had to go get the parts across town, then when I picked up the parts I had to pay for at a totally different store, the receipt didn't even have the product info on it, so had issues getting the parts from the store that had them in stock because obviously the guy that was on the phone with the guy I was dealing with didn't actually grab the parts and set them at the counter.

I'm just getting frustrated and after Christmas I don't want to wait weeks or months to have these installed.

I'm really hoping someone reads this who gives a crap, because so far all I've dealt with is younger kids with attitudes and I'm about done. I need a reasonable adult to talk to about what to do next. I've heard from someone at work that it could possibly be a first come first serve type place but that doesn't make sense, what is this the jiffy lube of car stereos? So what drive down every morning at 8am to wait in line until you get picked??

I mean c'mon. That can't be.

Sorry for my attitude here, I realize none of this is your fault at all. I'm just reaching my limit.

I really hope you can set me straight on how to proceed. I hope your having a great Christmas season!!

I really appreciate you help!!

Take care

Justin

View full review

User's recommendation: Don't come

Zachary P Xup

This review is written by an individual who has purchased the reviewed product/service and/or confirms being a paying customer of this company. Check our FAQ

Verified Buyer
|

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Tacoma, Washington

Installation problem

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Car Toys - Installation problem
Car Toys - Installation problem - Image 2
Updated by user May 12, 2023

I went in today at 3:00 pm and they would accept fault and wanted schedule for another time to try and do the remote start and I said I don't want you working on my vehicle I will contact corporate

Original review May 12, 2023
It's been a terrible and costly experience very unhappy my remote start was incorrectly installed I spent over a $1000 to find out that was the problem I've taken it in and they still said it wasn't them so I cut the wire that they installed to my #6 injector after replacing injectors, spark plugs ,coil packs and now the truck runs perfect no check engine light and now they don't want to accept responsibility and this is the tacoma location I have receipts totalling over a $1000 and I was without my truck for a month I want some compensation this is ridiculous
View full review
Loss:
$1059
Pros:
  • There commercials
Cons:
  • Poor work
  • Terrible customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Do not go to car toys they aren't professional and don't know what they are doing

Neil F Sov

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

BEYOND HORRIBLE SERVICE

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

In 2019, I went in to hide the backup camera on my Suzukil XL7. The Salesman convinced me to buy a higher-end Alpine Camer over what I had on my previous SUV, His reasoning was that it was HDR, and gave very clear images under low light conditions. That was true. What he DIDN'T tell me that the Alpine Camera can NOT provide guidelines unless you have an ALPINE Navigation Head. Unfortunately, I didn't discover this until AFTER they completed the installation... The installation fiasco is the second part of this saga!

They originally told me TWO to THREE HOURS. My wife and I returned 3.5 hours later... THE CAR WASN'T READY... They finally said the car was ready after SEVEN HOURS. When I went to pick up the vehicle, THE BEZEL FOR THE RADIO, 2WD/4WD SWITCHES, HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH, AND CLIMATE CONTROLS WAS LITERALLY HANGING OFF OF THE RADIO... IT WASN'T EVEN ATTACHED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL! AND IT DIDN'T EVEN WORK!!

Needless to say, I was LIVID... As we used to say in the Military "I went Sergeant on the manager." (I chewed him out). I have been involved in Avionics Maintenance since 1979, and have been TEACHING airline crews and FAA Inspectors (and foreign counterparts since 1987. I told the manager that "If this was one of my students, HE WOULD HAVE FAILED MY CLASS! YOUR TECHNICIAN IS COMPLETELY INCOMPETENT!"

Instead of apologizing for the PURE CRAP workmanship, the manager started pointing out that i FAILED, and pointed out AESTHETIC ISSUES with the radio installation." DEFINITELY *** POOR RESPONSES FROM A HORRIBLE MANAGER! I have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy towards stupidity, incompetence, and bad service, so this REALLY set me off.

I told him that "Everything worked fine until your incompetent imbeciles worked on it... and if you can't tell the difference between AESTHETICS and COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE, WITH PARTS LITERALLY HANGING OFF THE DASH, YOU ARE TOTALLY INCOMPETENT, AND SHOULD NOT BE WORKING IN A TECHNICAL FIELD."

He said he would fix it, but whined that the store was closing soon, so he would have to work overtime. I said "That is not my problem, your incompetent technician took SEVEN hours to do a THREE-HOUR job, and TOTALLY *** IT UP"

He started saying that he felt that I was "threatening him and thought I was going to kick his *** I was 59 years old at the time, and am a 70% disabled veteran, he was in his 20s. Arguably, I was EXTREMELY pissed off, and raising my this time, but I was being assertive. I made sure NOT tTO MAKE ANY THREATENING GESTURES (aside from taking them to court)

I told him that "I have not threatened ANY physical violence, and you obviously lack the critical thinking and interpersonal skills to understand the difference between a furious customer standing his ground, and someone THREATENING physical violence/

He did eventually fixed it two hours later... that's when I discovered that there were NO GUIDELINES on the display... this is a safety hazard because the license plate on the XL7 is 2' off center d to the tailgate-mounted spare tire. This caused the images to be off-center. Without guidelines, it is VERY DIFFICULT to determine where the center is in reference to the centerline of the vehicle.

By this time I just wanted to get out of their and was going to take them to court... unfortunately, I was leaving for an overseas assignment to Kazakhstan. When I returned I had to get MAJOR neck surgery (from a military injury) and was out of commission for several MONTHS... I did not have tine to pursue it.

Most other cameras generate the guidelines internally, and can be calibrated for the 'offfset" is when I found out that the Alpine Cameras DO NOT generate guidelines, tis a function of the Alpine Navigation Head (which cost $600 and was NOT compatible with my car.This

View full review
Loss:
$500
Cons:
  • Extremly dishonest salesmen
  • Horrible service
  • Incompetent technicians

Preferred solution: Apology

User's recommendation: STAY AWAY FROM CAR TOYS!

Max P Oep

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Houston, Texas

Poor service

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

I bought a kenwood navigation system in January of 2021 paid for life time warranty July 15 th of 2023 my radio would not work took it back car toys and they asked me to bring back the next day and they would try to find what was wrong kept it about 4 hours and said radio would not work and have to be replaced but they no longer made the model I bought they said they had to call corporate and find what to do and they would cal me back Wednesday (3 days later) they never called back I called back Thursday they said the guy that waited on me was not in and they would call me back , guy called me back in afternoon and the the right had not come in nor would answer emails but he would call me back Friday morning quess what he didnt call back I drove back up to car toys and all they would say is they cant do anything until corporate tells them what to do today is 24 th still no answer of what they will do!

View full review
Loss:
$1700
Cons:
  • Have an aversion to the truth

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Do not buy from car toys

Anonymous
map-marker Houston, Texas

Racial, discrimination, and sexual harassment

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

I am disgusted by the environment over at the Car Toys Willowbrook location in Houston Tx.

I am assuming the guy that has colorful tattoos, and is big is the manager at this location.

He is a disgusting human. I was getting work done on my car. A service for the radio because I started having issues and I had gotten it installed about a year or so ago. When I was getting checked out by the heavy set black gentleman, three other customers came in. One of the sales associate greeted all three of them but in the back ground, you can hear the tattooed man, say things along the lines of Ching Chong, do you want the chicken fried rice? Or go see what this black monkey wants and walks away from the counter.

This all happened within five minutes of me being there. After my service was completed and I was signing the paperwork, a young lady lady was walking out of the store and he turned to his associates and goes look at the *** and tits on that one

Im not one to complain. But this is just unacceptable behavior. Its very degrading and I felt uncomfortable being in the store.

I wont be returning to this location and I will be telling those around me to avoid this location for those reasons.

Thank you,

Cassandra L. Anderson

View full review

User's recommendation: Do not come to this store, more specifically. This location

Zachary P Xup

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Tacoma, Washington

Bad customer srvice

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
I have made more then 1email attempt to corporate and haven't gotten a response, I was contacted by car toys tacoma asking for my vin number to file a claim and that was a month ago and haven't heard anything sense
View full review
Loss:
$1300
Kevin S Ytj

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Wylie, Texas

Poor Installation

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Car Toys - Poor Installation

A MUST READ ON GOOGLE/YELP:

I just donated over $800.00 to the worst electronic store in my 60 plus years on this earth. I should have gone to another auto audio store after my experience at Cartoys Plano. The salesman at Cartoys Plano quoted the installation at $300; for what the device stated in the installation guide was a 1:30 - 2:00 hour job. He said the device was out of stock and would take 7 days to arrive. I called another CarToys store in Frisco; it was in stock and could be installed the same day. I drove to Frisco and was quoted $450.00 to install the same device. I decided to go back to Plano or check out BestBuy. The tech agreed to do the job for $300 to meet the price quoted at the Plano location. I WALKED to Gloria's for dinner to wait out the 3 hour installation time quoted by the tech. 2 hours later I got a call from CarToys that my car was ready for pickup. I quickly noticed the icons on the FullVue Rear Camera Mirror (FVMR-1100) did not work as described in ALL the information online and YouTube.The salesman got the tech and I was told that it would cost another $150.00 to get those standard features. I couldn't get the correct date and time on recorded events or other features this device offered standard. It would only show the rear view with backup lines. On 04/13/2022 I spoke with the BrandMotion company tech support (Tim). He told me the device was defective or installed wrong, so I got a case # 212061 to return the device. I called CarToys (Mgr) at 11:36 and was told to bring the truck in for the repair that would take about 1 hour. I was about 30 miles away on a job and could make it that afternoon. Upon arriving around 3:00, I was met with having to get scheduled for a repair tomorrow or later that week (unacceptable for paying over $800 for poor work). I had to excuse myself to the restroom for anger management reasons. I returned with a different edge about the overall bad/terrible service and installation I received for over $800 and $150 attempted extortion to make right the failed installation. The *** manager did come out and said it was installed in permanent reverse mode. The Icons will not work or allow any features to work. I asked him to remove the device and refund my money. He could remove the device at no cost; *** Manager said I WOULD NOT GET THE $300 INSTALLATION COST REFUNDED. It was time for the *** Manager to get out of my car and trash this BS and find another solution.

I can't allow distrustful service providers to work on my truck. They may cause more damage and more expense to my work truck. I must absorb this lost and warn others.

GOOD LUCK SUCKERS WITH CARBLOWS..

View full review
Loss:
$800

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Find another service provider

Anonymous
map-marker Sacramento, California

Warranty issues

There is still an issue they are not honoring my warranty I had the product bought from car toys installed by car toys and now they are not honoring the warranty
View full review

User's recommendation: Don't go there

Joseph C Etr

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Mckinney, Texas

Lawsuit

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
I sued a cartoys location for damages tjey refused to fix, and still have not been paid, this is my final attempt to collect before sending someone to collect through a lawyer. Case number01-SC-21-0****. If not paid by the 9th of june 2022, the amount will increase by 5% as per lawful requirement.
View full review
Loss:
$1500
Cons:
  • Manager and staff
  • Chain of command

Preferred solution: Lawsuit winnings

User's recommendation: Hire a different company

Erlinda R Afr
map-marker Denver, Colorado

Damage my car

My car was damaged by one of your employees when they installed my interlock I have everything on camera then he try to rush me out of there and now I know why his name is Alex he works in the Northglenn a Car Toys off of 104th and I also have the store manager on video tape as well Logan I need a call back because Ive asked you guys on many different occasions to get back with me my phone number is 719-422-**** or Linda Rangel
View full review
Loss:
$12

Preferred solution: Full refund

Scott O Wxy

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Northglenn, Colorado

Car Toys sucks.

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
I've wasted $1,300 and a whole week's worth of time waiting on service and merch that were well below my expectations. I am extremely angry. I need to get to work, but instead, I'm waiting because I do not have a backup camera as my van does not have rear windows on the back doors and I have no way of seeing to back up.
View full review
Loss:
$1
Cons:
  • Lack of interest in rectifying problem expediantly
  • Just not doing the right thing
  • Lack of contact by phone to corporate office

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: DON'T SHOP HERE! OR ANY CAR TOYS LOCATION. *** CAR TOYS. THEY SUCK.

Woodrow S Gcu

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Aurora, Colorado

Remote start issue

My name Woodrow Shaw

On February 20, 2022 I had remote start CompuStar R5. Installed in my 2013 ram truck

And before they install that I did have a conversation with them about range this particular Remote start was advertised for 2 miles I know 2 miles is for a straight shot with nothing in its way but I was assured that it would get at least a mile now I tested the range from four blocks away straight shot did not work my main reason For buying this remote start was the range I think it should get at least a mile more than four blocks today is 14 March at 5:15 I just left car toys where it was installed they only suggested that I contact customer service

Location where it was installed

13720 E. Mississippi Aurora 80012 CO

Invoice number 02202AUJWZKA

My number 720 569 **** must leave a message and I can return the call

My email wshaw558@***.com

Thank you

And I might as well let you know about the drone part of it sometimes works just fine sometimes dont work at all from the same spot

View full review

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

Tony C Utd
map-marker Dallas, Texas

Stole my factory radio

Original review Feb 15, 2022

Well lets start off with took car and had speakers and amp put in sounds like s... them took back and had the radio put in and remonte start put on went topick up lights whould not go off fixed it told them to make sure everything was working properly call and said done pick it up and still not working to put the ice in on it stock radio is missing or should say installer took but said he put in the car will not ever go back there again i dont do business with someone stealing from me bad business from car toys and will let everyone know not to do business there corporate needs to step up and make it write instead of having un honest people working for them

View full review
Pros:
  • Over priced
Cons:
  • Employees

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

User's recommendation: Dont take your car there

Michael B Omr

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Colorado Springs, Colorado

Over priced and overrated

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Original review Aug 28, 2021

purchased a used vehicle earlier in July. Of course the stock stereo and speakers leave something to be desired, especially when one likes loud, clear music.

I have used Car Toys a number of times in the past with minimal issues. I went here again this time. I was looking for a new 2-din deck, Focal speakers, and a sub. Out of the gate, Jerome (think that's his name) quoted me $4300+.

When I got my Rogue done in 2018, the total price was $1739. Now I'm hit with $4300+. WTF? I thought about this price overnight and decided that I did not want to pay that kind of money for a stereo, speakers, and a sub.

I called them the next day, before they opened, and left a message stating that I was not going to do the install because it was too much. They called me back around 9:20am asking me if I was still coming in. I told him that I was not and the reason why. He called me back about ten minutes later stating that they could drop the price down dramatically by switching this for that and generally downgrading the system.

They got it down to $2325. Still overpriced in my book, but hey, it's Car Toys putting it in. So they put in a Kenwood x304, one set Focal ISU165, 6.5 2 way component speakers, one set ICU 165, 6.5 2 way coaxial speakers, a 10" JL Audio sub, and JL Audio 250w amp.

I went and picked it up a little more than 5 hours later after they called me saying it was done. The first thing I noticed was a bass adjustment *** below the stereo.

I have never had one in any of the vehicles I've had subs installed in, until now. I am not a novice at getting a car stereo to sound the way I want it. Right away I got into the audio controls and started adjusting the settings. The setting seemed to only be good for that particular album or song that was playing, because it would NOT sound the same for a different album.

I spent the next few days playing with the adjustments and almost thinking that I had the sound I wanted, until I changed the cd, then I would have to start all over.

Finally, about 5 days after install, I decided to zero all of the audio settings and start from scratch. Again, I got it to where it sounded almost the way I wanted it, then I changed cd's and it sounded horrible again. I should not have to keep adjusting the equalizer/sub settings to have the sound I want.

On my Nissan Rogue, I had a problem that kept me having to go back to Car Toys for them to try to diagnose. I believe I had my car in to them on at least 3 separate occasions to try to figure out what the problem was.

With this in mind, and the issues with the sound being lousy, I decided that I was not going to be visiting Car Toys numerous occasions for them to diagnose why it sounded like crap.

I told them I wanted them to remove everything they put in.

They told me that they would not be able to refund the labor they had charged me for the install, $870. OK. They took everything out and put the factory back in and charged me another $300 for that. So $1170 in LABOR, NON-REFUNDABLE.

Who in the world gets $870 for less than 6 hours of work? Then they charged $300 to put the old stereo back in.

I did some research on the Speakers they sold me, the Focal ISU/ICU 165's and found that the salesman lied to me about their quality. He told me these speakers were better than the 165AC's I had in my other vehicle. The fact is, Focal 165AC is a much better speaker than the ones he sold me on and the ISU/ICU165 speakers are on the bottom end of the Focal line.

When I asked about the $870 labor, he told me that they had my vehicle for at least 8 hrs.... I have time stamps on my phone from when he called to down grade the system to when he called saying it was done... they had it on site just over 5 hours.

Total paid $2325.07.

Total refund $1111.79. So I lost out on $1213.28, nearly what I paid for my old system.

Horrible group!

View full review
Loss:
$1170
Pros:
  • Over priced
  • No pros
  • And untruthful
Cons:
  • Very rude
  • Over priced
  • Lie to customers

Preferred solution: Apology

User's recommendation: Stay away

Mike M Mantia
map-marker Seattle, Washington

Bad stereo cuts out no sub sound

Spent over $2,000 for system for my Altima cuts out not good sound like my miata which I spent $1600. Happy valley always brush me off check your comptroller see the thousands of dollars I spent at car toy smears sounds great same system in Altima help me Mike Mantia lamantia2888@***.com 503880****
View full review
Loss:
$2000

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

About

Summary

Car Toys is an American company. The company specializes in sale of car audio and wireless electronics. Car Toys provides all its products on the web. The company operates an interesting easy to use web site. Car Toys provides a huge selection of circuits and devices using transistors, microchips, and other components, gaming equipment, professional audio and video equipment, semiconductors, and various related accessories. The company is considered to be a premier provider of car audio electronics in the Internet.

Car Toys is considered to be one of the most popular web sites in the car audio electronics industry.

Car Toys reviews and complaints

Car Toys is ranked 253 out of 1162 in Auto Parts and Accessories category

Area Served

USA

Payment Methods

MasterCardVISA

Why Trust Reviews on PissedConsumer?

  • Professional auto and live moderation
  • 100% user-generated content
  • Equal opportunity and protection
  • Zero tolerance for fake reviews
  • Verified content
  • PissedConsumer is on the Inc. 5000 list

For more information read Blog article