I Gave up on Coastaletech today... BAD Service..

Google (sigma automotive) I believe they have tons of Prius related items..

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Oct 4 2006, 07:53 PM) [snapback]328217[/snapback]</div>

The problem hitch was made by Curt, darelldd talked about it quite extensively and on his website, http://evnut.com/

From what I understand the Coastal hitch doesn't have this problem.

 

Seems like Coastal just needs some basic small business administration type assistance to help them project sales and cash flows, so they can determine how to expand their business (i.e., what and how much help to hire and how to manage them, etc.,) to meet market place demands. I wonder if, among the vast Prius upgrades community, there aren't any qualified pros who could lend them some gratis or discounted assistance to help scale their business up to levels that match the quality and innovativeness of the products they have so concientiously developed. I'd hate to see these great products disappear, due to mere lack of business acumen.

 

OK, look the bottom line is that they are the only game in town. Though it took me over a year to get the lock-pick, which was just the nav kit at the time and then they added the blue tooth unlock and then they added the whole thing to allow IPOD integration, etc., I figured what was the harm of placing the order. I placed it and after 6 months re-ordered and then after a I saw the posting about their ultimate lock-pick, re-ordered again. They never charged my CC until they shipped the item and now I am so happy to have the lock-pick and be able to use my phone and nav while driving that I am afraid to ever sell my '05 to upgrade to an '08 when they are available. Bottom line, nothing to lose and you might just get lucky and receive their kit, which works quite well. So....order away. ALSO I have to say that when I did receive the kit and through my own failure to read the directions could not get it to work, I called and Dave got on the phone and talked me right through it-excellent! I know I was fortunate, but maybe you will be too.

 

Well, I am not condoning their business practices for sure. But, if you are like me and really needed their nav/bluetooth kit, then you just get in line and hope you get one. And, again, necessity is the mother of invention, and they invented it, so I bought it (after a 1 year wait).

 

Here's how to put Coastal out of its misery:

http://www.ic3.gov/

 

Last week, I had decided to call them early in the morning (well, early for me in Calif) and actually got through. A woman (Kelly?) explained to me that they had tried to contact everyone with an outstanding order prior to their website upgrade/migration. Anyone who didn't hear from them would just have to place a new order, and the best way to do it was online. I was assured that they had the lockpick and EV-mode switch in stock.

Since it's been almost 2 years from the time I originally placed my order, I went online to put in a new order because I hadn't heard from them recently. UPS tells me that my shipment will arrive tomorrow. YAY!

Louie

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 6 2006, 09:52 PM) [snapback]344852[/snapback]</div>

I'm sorry, what?!?!
This is ridiculous. "lost" orders?
[/b][/quote]
Ayup. I was a little dumbfounded, but it was too early in the morning for me consider arguing about it. Figured it wasn't going to bring my order back. *shrug* Besides, I changed my mine on what I wanted from them anyway, and decided to cut way back.

So...has anyone gotten a better reverse camera?

Has anyone replaced the mostly useless fog lights with IR lamps? Thinking of mounting a front-facing IR cam.

 

If they are so bad, then why doesn't somebody just assemble the parts and start selling?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PandA @ Nov 12 2006, 05:14 AM) [snapback]347773[/snapback]</div>

Well, for me, they've gotten a whole lot better.

I'm going to call them Monday morning for something else. Let's see what happens.

Louie

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PandA @ Nov 12 2006, 05:14 AM) [snapback]347773[/snapback]</div>

Part of the problem is that it generally comes quickly IF it's in stock. If it isn't it can take a while. I ordered an Auto-Lock kit and the NAV override kit back in April '05. I got the Auto-Lock in September '05 and the NAV kit in January '06. I ordered the EV mod in February '06 and it arrived 8 days later (from Florida to California).

Another problem is that some of the items are promoted, but not yet available. The NAV override is a good example. It was anounced as early as February '05, but they didn't start shipping until January '06. You place the order (unless it's a mistake they don't charge your credit card until it ships) and wait. And wait. And wait. You don't know why it's taking so long because they're hard to get hold of in the first place, and they may not give you an exact reason (or shipping date) in the second.

In terms of assembling the parts, it's possible to get, say, an EV mod, take it apart and find out what the parts are. But there's also some things that aren't off the shelf. The circuit board has to be made. There's a 2-second delay, so what chip causes that? Is that custom made? There's a cost of doing the reverse engineering that you'd have to absorb to keep the price down.

 

First of all, there is NOTHING that Coastaletech sells that you really "need", so let's stop pretending that what they're selling is like food or water. Not only that, but if your Prius is running and gets you from point A to point B without problems, then it's working properly and, once again, Coastal has nothing that you really "need".

What you're really saying is that you're okay with being the kind of consumer who's willing to accept crappy service in order to get a toy for your car.

Seriously, can you imagine Amazon or Dell taking 6 months to send you something that you ordered?

I'd rather buy nothing then let a company feel like it can force me into putting up with sub-standard service or products.

Vince

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LouieNet @ Nov 6 2006, 10:22 PM) [snapback]344863[/snapback]</div>

Apparently they lost my order for the Nav lockout fix too. I wasn't about to order that again without getting a human voice. I never did (get) and never did (reorder).

I did order the EV mode kit and got it in about a week though.

What do you mean by better? I don't know how good their camera is. I'm just using a ~$60 Radio Shack color security camera. It's pretty lousy after dark but works fine during daylight. I'm also using a Radio Shack TV mounted on my dash, and not going through the MFD. The camera is mounted just inside the lower rear window and not on the license plate though.

Dave M.

 

Does anyone wonder why CoastalTech doesn't come on here and defend themselves or offer any explanation as to their issues?? It’s obvious they are aware of the dissatisfaction of the customers; how can they not be??? But, people continue to order from them…regardless of the comments on this or any other website. My amazement comes from people who have recently ordered from them regardless of their poor customer service and then come on here and complain!?!?

And to the post about reporting them to the FBI web crimes unit: Unless they have taken money and not provided a product within a reasonable amount of time, it’s not a crime.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Inthewind @ Nov 12 2006, 07:05 PM) [snapback]348015[/snapback]</div>

I do not know. I got blasted by Coastal Dave for making a comment on one of the Yahoo sites in April '05 and he's done more or less the same at Prius On Line. Commuication is a problem. There's been mentioned time and again they need some person who's answering the phones and emails. If they just said, "We're sorry, there's a plug on backorder and there's a six-month lead time," we'd be able to accept that more than, well, nothing.

 

well, you know if you are in a customer service business, in the customer service industry, and you make a living selling items to people who are potential customers, SERVICE is key!!!! The only reason to ignore the customer's requests is if you have a corner on the market, and no competition, which sounds like the case here. If Coastal Dave is the "electronics" guy, in order to make his internet site work, he should associate someone with internet and customer service experience. Otherwise, the business will fail. If there is sufficient demand for the product, someone else will make it, and competition will either drive you out of business, or you'll upgrade in order to compete.

Who knows? maybe he just doesn't care. I won't order anything from him until I begin to hear from others that his service has improved drastically. If I order something, I expect it delivered within a reasonable time, barring any back order situations, which they should inform you of, and give you the opportunity to cancel your order or wait. Has anyone called the BBB? I dont know, but if I dont like it, I dont have to buy from him. the post above is correct, he doesn't sell food and water, only extras we may want, but dont need, and nothing that could not be duplicated with the requisite know how.

 

I have to say that I have never had a probem with CostaleTech. I am definatly in the "they make things I want not that I need" camp. I have a number of their products and like them all. The back up camera has been great, EV mode every day, and the Lock Pick works great and it is better than doing it your self as you keep eyes on the road better. Have some of my items taken longer than Amazon to get here sure but they have allways come through for me.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hdrygas @ Nov 14 2006, 12:21 AM) [snapback]348576[/snapback]</div>

Now that American Express has given me a credit, I have no problem with Coastaletech either.