Complaint Review: Circuit City - Tampa Florida

Here's the latest update: I have " I will never let Circuit City intall anthing in my car ever again" in big letters on my back windsheild. I figure that between my commute to work and coaching in South tampa the car averages about 65 miles a day. I've handed out numerous fliers detailing the whole ordeal I sent Circuit City a noterized letter giving them 10 days to respond. I don't expect them too, so it off to small clain court. I'll be sueing for my cost, the cost of delivering the supeona, attourney and any additional court costs. All this over $385.00 :>(

Here's the latest update: I have " I will never let Circuit City intall anthing in my car ever again" in big letters on my back windsheild. I figure that between my commute to work and coaching in South tampa the car averages about 65 miles a day. I've handed out numerous fliers detailing the whole ordeal I sent Circuit City a noterized letter giving them 10 days to respond. I don't expect them too, so it off to small clain court. I'll be sueing for my cost, the cost of delivering the supeona, attourney and any additional court costs. All this over $385.00 :>(

Here's the latest update: I have " I will never let Circuit City intall anthing in my car ever again" in big letters on my back windsheild. I figure that between my commute to work and coaching in South tampa the car averages about 65 miles a day. I've handed out numerous fliers detailing the whole ordeal I sent Circuit City a noterized letter giving them 10 days to respond. I don't expect them too, so it off to small clain court. I'll be sueing for my cost, the cost of delivering the supeona, attourney and any additional court costs. All this over $385.00 :>(

I fully understand what you are going through. I had an UNGO System installed on one of my vehicles by a company that is now out of business and I know why. Like you, I had concerns and questions before they started the install. When I got the vehicle back the car started, but the HVAC did not work, the car was easy to accidently start, several safety features were left uninstalled. For instance, there should be a toggle switch installed that allows you to disable the remote start, if the hood is opened the vehicle should not start, or turn off. I recently purchased the Python 1400 XP from Hooper's Electronics. It took all day to install because the installer soldered all the connections unlike other installers (probably Circuit City) and splice the wires. And like the installer wrote that has worked there for two years, it is not an alarm. However, a valet switch is installed on my vehicle along with a toggle switch to disable the remote start. The installer that I used also mounted the LED on my dash like Circuit City should have done yours. Although the 1400 XP is not an alarm, theives do not know that. It's not like a theif knows that you have the Python 1400 XP installed in your vehicle. Like many homeowners have a sign in their yard "Protected By XXXXX Security System", but do not actually have a Security System. It's hard to find someone that knows how to install complex electronics on vehicles, and now I know never to use Circuit City.

Thank you those constructive replies, however the installation manual clearly states the following:

Under deciding on components locations: (pg 4)

and I quote " The first thing a theif will do when hot-wiring a vehicle is to remove the drivers side under-dash panel to access the starter and ignition wires. You should therefore advoid placing the control module just behind the drivers side dash to prvent it from being easily disconnected during a theft attempt.

Page 6 goes on to say:

If the optional starter kill relay or its connections are immediately visible upon removal of the under dash panel, they can easily be bypassed. Always make the relay and it's connections difficult to discern from the factory wiring! Exposed yellow butt connectors do not look like factory parts, and will not fool anyone! For this reason, routing the starter kill wires away from the steering column is recommended.

This is straight from the manual, I understand about short wires. they should have used heat shrink and connected longer wires if need be instead of tie wrapping the wires under the dash, not even behind the dash panel.

The options that you mention are not options with the exception of the Doors and trunk release if not factory equipped. I paid for the trunk release, which I was told afterward about still needing to have to use my factory remote for my alarm. So now I have two trunk remotes on the same keychain. Does that make any sence to you?

Also on primary harness H1 on output #3 is where the horn output is it a (neg) signal using a brown lead.

pg 13 from the manual states:
This wire supplies a (-) 200mA output that can be used to honk the vehicle horn.

Also note that on harness 3 pin 5 is also a (200mA output used to control the Rear window defroster.

The domelight output does require a additional relay becuse on the amount of current it would draw.

The LED and valet switch should have been mounted or someone should have bought that to my attention. The vallet switch can only be activated with the key in the ignition (p39 of the installation manual)

I've done my share of installations, I'm sure you have heard of Crutchfield before. I also have a degree in Electonic Engineering and have my ISCET license.

i have been working for circuit city for two years as a installer. the python 1400xp made by directed is a remote start keyless, not an alarm. the truck pop is a feture it comes with but it is extra labor and a relay to pop the truck. the other thing is with the valet option no installers put on a valet button if someone was to break into your car and the push the valet button it shuts the remote start off. we don't even put the valet button on the alarms.

also with the led circuit sity installers dont install the led because it is misinforming to the customer because they think they have an alarm when really they don't. the 1400xp also does not come with a horn for siren. so you will hear nothing when you unlock or lock the doors, because as i stated before it is NOT an alarm. last but not least the wires that are included in the box are only about 18 to 20 inches long so we have no choice but to put the remote start brain under the dash.

Well I sent the pictures and the information to Denise at Circuit City as she requested. I also sent it to the Board of Directors emails as well.

I thought for sure someone would have some interest in a unhappy customer. As of 02/24/06 I haven't heard back since Denise and I spoke earlier in the week. When I was a tech for Comp USA and we had a unhappy customer I was allowed to make it right or make the customer happy if it didn't exceed $100.00 without a managers approval.

Well, this is where we stand. I've since contacted Eight on your Side and also Eric Sidel with is the consumer lawyer for channel 13. I submitted the information and pictures last week via their web sites, hopefully I'll hear back from one of these shortly.

I also filed a complaint with the FTC and the local BBB requarding my complaint.

I just spoke with Denise at the customer care unit investigating my case (Im 252826). She spoke to the Roadshop Manger and the Store Director and there story is remotely close as to what happened.

They told her that I wanted additional features installed in my car and that I wasn't willing to pay for them. I explained to her that the features we were talking about were clearly stated on the box and in the instruction manual as being part of the unit without out any additional parts required.Even their own websites promotes this:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Python-Remote-Start-Keyless-Entry-System-Python-1400XP-/sem/rpsm/oid/119439/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

The primary reason I wanted my money back for the product and the install was because of the way the unit was thrown in there. As I stated before you just don't install a Remote Start unit in a place that is easily accesible. Right under the dash tie wrapped is about as easy as it gets. I told her I would send her the pictures I took before they unistalled evrything. I also sent these to this site and they will be posting them as soon as they can. They explained it would be 7-10 days because of their back log

You should go straight to the BBB and/or contact a lawyer. circuit city isn't interested in refunding your money and will do nothing but lie to you over the phone, then hang up. They seem to enjoy hanging up on people, and leaving you on hold for 30+ minutes at a time at circuit city corporate. Don't waste any more time on the phone for them to continue to lie to you.

So far I have called back three times and have left my second message with Denise. As of 02-08-06 I haven't hear a thing.

I called back their 800 number on January 26th and spoke with Nancy. I informed her that I had spoken to the Store Director and that now I wish to speak with the District Manager Hiram Rodrigeuz. She said I wasn't allowed to do this and asked me to tell her my complaint. I proceeded to read the letter I had written when half way thru she hung up on me.

I called back and spoke with Samantha who transferred me and put me on hold for 10 minutes. I was then transferred to Denise who took all of my information, including the store ticket number.