Bad experience with coastal tech

I just installed the Coastal XM radio. I sent them a few emails and never got a repsonse with questions. Luckily, with a bit of work, I was successful. Everything is working fine, but never a word from Coastal.

 

Folks…having read this thread, I still bought Coastal e-Tek’s product. I ordered it on Sat 3/10/07. According to the UPS on line system, it’s in the truck and is set to arrive in my Philadelphia office this afternoon Wed 3/14/07. Yes, I paid for the extra shipping.

I bought it, knowing it might take two or even three weeks to arrive. I wasn’t about to loose sleep because it was late. It would not end my life.

What happened to “RaleighMatt†is inexcusable, wrong and flat out annoying. I have walked a mile in his shoes and they hurt like hell. However, I run a small business (head hunter/recruiter) and I know that I make mistakes too. And when I make a mistake it can impact someone’s ability to earn a living. And I hate making mistakes. But at the end of the day I do the best I can.

“RaleighMatt†- I can only say I’m sad to hear that you got such bad service. I did not. Coastal screwed up with you, they did not with me. Either way, does it really make such a big difference in our lives?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jetpuck04 @ Mar 14 2007, 11:26 AM) [snapback]405527[/snapback]</div>

Well, U.P.S. reported that my package from Coastal arrived just before noon today. I haven't been home yet though. Today was the predicted day of arrive from U.P.S., but 9 days later than Coastal's original estimate.

Dave M.

 

I just wanted to add my experience to this post. I called Coastal Tech on a Wednesday to inquire about the EV Mod and the Ultimate Lockpick for my Prius. I was told by the gal that answered that they were both in stock, and that if I ordered them that night they would probably go out early the next week. I ended up ordering online on Thursday and was sort of bummed out when it said the Lockpick was backordered. I figured "oh well, guess I'll have to wait awhile for my order." Later Thursday evening, I received an email w/ the UPS tracking number for my package. I thought it was strange that I would get a tracking number for a package that supposedly wasn't ready to ship due to the backordered item. When I went to the UPS website, it had one of those "electronic information received" messages for the status. I figured they were just getting a preliminary # for the order that would be valid once the stuff had shipped. Out of curiosity, I checked the tracking # again on Friday. Sure enough, it said the order had shipped. I paid for 3 day shipping, and the pkg was due to be delivered on the following Wednesday. I was thrilled that something was coming, even though I thought it would just be the EV Mod. Well I got the pkg on Wednesday and everything was in it (Lockpick + EV Mod). I was ecstatic that I had everything and was even more giddy once I got it all installed. This stuff is so cool. I will definitely do business w/ Coastal again. Just my 2 cents

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(evfan @ Mar 14 2007, 11:12 PM) [snapback]405810[/snapback]</div>

I had a very similar experience. Bought it online and received it in about 5 days (normal shipping). Got it installed no problem (ultimate lockpick 3).

I will add, I emailed them twice before purchasing because I was timid and unsure which one to get and how tough it was to install etc. They didn't reply to either email.

 

Well, I guess I'll add my 2 cents of complaining. Ordered a lockpick, XM sat. radio receiver and mudflaps early last week via 2-Day shipping. Received UPS billing confirmation and confirmation that they had received the order, but nothing since. I emailed them twice and called them twice without any kind of response from them. Cancelled the order today.

We own a small-business ourselves and no matter how tiny and small you are, there is NO excuse for having a non-existant customer service. Quite on the contrary - good customer service is what makes people want to deal with the 'small guys'. At the very least respond to a phone-message or email.

Charging $50.00 for 2-Day Air postage and then waiting days (if not weeks) before it's actually shipped is not acceptable to me. And, mind you, none of the items I ordered were on backorder (at least not according to their website or the email that I received).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ericbecky @ Feb 21 2007, 02:17 PM) [snapback]394099[/snapback]</div>

I have had an identical experience with coastaletech. I placed an order for a lockpick and paid extra for 2 day shipping. It said the item was in stock when i bought and i got an order confirmation right away. I was also charged right away for the full amount. The next day I got a ups tracking number. Now for over a week, UPS tracking number still says "billing info received". UPS says the item has not shipped. I have sent 4 emails and left 5 voicemails and have had no response. All of my correspondence has been polite and still they have not replied. I do not think the company is ripping me off, and will probably get the item eventually. But i have decided to contact the better business bureau. I will let everyone one know the outcome.

 

My only experience with Coastaltech was a couple of weeks ago. Order placed online on Sunday, Shipped on Tuesday, Arrived on Friday (3 day UPS). Shipped complete, on time, no problems.

 

Ordered a Lockpick 3 on a Monday, received on Tuesday. (same week) The shipping time was short due to my proximity to CoastalTech, (I live about 5 miles from their company) still the turnaround was outstanding.

Installed Lockpick 3 and could not get the feature to "add an address while in motion" to function. Emailed them about the problem (Sunday) received a reply (Monday) that they would send another unit for replacement on Wednesday. In the meantime (next day) I removed the unit and checked for bent pins, broken wires and ran some continuity checks on the "Y" splices. Everything was fine. Re-installed the unit and this time noticed that the response time between when the "Bullseye/StickPin" is touched and the navigation system responding was not immediate. I probably missed seeing this on I my first test run. I was expecting a beep or some indication that the area on the screen had been touched. There are no indicators except the address button highlights or is no longer grayed out (while in motion). My error!

Anyway I sent an eMail cancelling the warranty replacement. I am extemely satisfied with Coastal Electronics Technologies products and customer support.

 

I ordered a lockpick and EV kit. both showed on time and works correctly, I did not op for faster/air shipping, but ground shipping. I talked to a lady on the phone and she was helpful and her information was accurate.

Eric

 

If you read through these posts, there are at least 6-7 people besides RaleighMatt who have had late or undelivered orders. Many positive comments as well, but as far as I'm concerned, that means I'm "rolling the dice" to order anything from Coastal. Not worth it. I'll wait until they fix their customer service and all of these orders are filled before I even think about ordering from them.

Problems/delays with orders:
prihugger
alaskaprius
dmkinstry
danny (trying to set up group buys)
jodie & Davie
aaf709
jlchellman

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tyrin @ Apr 3 2007, 10:53 PM) [snapback]417410[/snapback]</div>

Take me off the list...I just ordered 4 items yesterday and they shipped today, scheduled to arrive on April 5th. Coastal has been great to me! I will continue to order from them in the future.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jlchellman @ Apr 3 2007, 09:44 PM) [snapback]417425[/snapback]</div>

I think it's the luck of the draw. If they actually have the item in stock, it'll probably be shipped quickly. If it isn't, who knows when you'll receive.

I will say this though. My email was answered, (although the specific question I asked was not), the afternoon of the day I sent it.

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RaleighMatt @ Feb 21 2007, 11:59 AM) [snapback]393930[/snapback]</div>

I realize you are frustrated, but in reading over the posts, it appears that the old saying, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" might apply in this case. Understand it's hard to maintain a good attitude when you have or feel you have been wronged. Also, when a firm has a lock on a product, they tend to not need as good a website & customer service department as a firm with lots of competition. I ordered the EV switch yesterday, so hope I don't end up eating my words!

Allan

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(boutime @ Apr 9 2007, 07:53 PM) [snapback]420556[/snapback]</div>

Don't worry. You will get it eventually. It could be a few days, or it could be much longer. I suspect with the EV mod it won't be as long as with some of the other items.

Dave M.

 

Coastal, personally for me, is lacking in service... Especially for an international buyer like myself.. I asked about the possibility of arranging shipping to PuertoRico and got no respose... I asked about 2 more times and later got a response that read very rude. About no international shipping. Even when I replied that shipping costs at the moment were of no concern (within a reasonable range of course )

I mean they offer products for relatively popular car and you'd expect better service because people like us make them their $$$

Whatever... no problems with priuschatshop haha

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Apr 9 2007, 09:41 PM) [snapback]420594[/snapback]</div>

You were right. I ordered the EV switch on the 8th, and it arrived on the 11th. I had it installed in about 15 minutes, and it works like a champ.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RaleighMatt @ Feb 19 2007, 11:46 AM) [snapback]392854[/snapback]</div>

I think your problem must have been in ordering it the 3 day method. I ordered the Ultimate Lockpick with standard delivery and I"m happy to say that it arrived right on schedule. The UPS posting was easy to follow as it made it's progression way out to AZ.

My problem now is finding a local person to do the install. Any one have any suggestions:

 

i placed an order the day after i picked up my prius.... had one issue (caused by me) that delayed my order one day.... all 3 products shipped out the following day and were received and installed yesterday.

had to call coastaletch last evening at 6 p.m. pacific time (so 9 p.m. their time) fully expected to have the call returned today, but hoped to have it returned last evening.... yep.... kelley called within 15-20 minutes after our phone call!

any emails concerning the problem i cause were returned quickly and were all very nice....

whatever issues they had seem to have been fixed......

 

From the coastal tech web site:

While I'm all for good customer support, perhaps they may have been too busy with other things in February when this first came up.... Don't know myself, just thought maybe this was relevant. Never bought anything from them, too chicken/cheap to mod my brand new prius. Also I have no affiliation with Coastal E-Tech.