coastal electronics - lock pick - how do they stay in business

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bradysplace @ Apr 4 2007, 08:29 PM) [snapback]417893[/snapback]</div>

Have you tried calling them? I never ordered anything from them, but I did call because I had questions about a particular product. They answered the phone and the woman who answered was very helpful.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusFTW @ Apr 4 2007, 06:36 PM) [snapback]417928[/snapback]</div>

I've never gotten them to answer the phone, although I have gotten a reply to one of my emails.

Of course, I haven't tried calling more than 8 or 10 times, so it could just be a matter of luck. I always have gotten the answering machine. And my calls have been during their supposedly "open for business" times.

I have been happy with the products I have gotten from them though.

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Apr 4 2007, 10:53 PM) [snapback]417965[/snapback]</div>

Complete bulloney.

I ordered on a Sunday evening, and their system charged my card ON THAT SUNDAY. Want me to send you a copy of my credit card statement?

Need I mention that they didn't ship until, let me see, Wednesday? And that ONLY after I called to tell them Wednesday morning that I knew they charged my card and had the UPS info entered into the system. Who knows how long it would have been otherwise.

They charge your card IMMEDIATELY upon your completing the order on their web site. Make no mistake. You can take that to--or out of--the bank.

And they ship pretty much whenever, regardless of your choice of shipping options. "Next Day" means "the day after we take a break from painting the garage and playing with our kids and go check the web site for whatever orders have piled up over the last week or two".

Good product, yes. Answering the phone, about half. Emails--don't even try. It's a waste of your time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Apr 4 2007, 06:53 PM) [snapback]417965[/snapback]</div>

In my most recent experience, that is not true. I used my debit card and it was charged immediately (presumably automatically). I checked on line and the charge was noted within an hour or two. It didn't ship until at least 9 days after that. However, I did receive the indication from U.P.S. on the Monday (following the Friday evening that I ordered), the statement that Billing Information had been Received.

Maybe they do it differently with debit cards than with credit cards. I don't know.

As I said, I'm happy with the products. Just not customer support.

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dmckinstry @ Apr 4 2007, 11:01 PM) [snapback]417998[/snapback]</div>

Same here: my cc-card was charged when I placed the order. The item, which was presumably in stock, since it didn't say otherwise on their website, nor in the confirmation email, hadn't shipped a week after placing the order. So, I cancelled (I had paid for 2-Day Air!). I called and emailed several times to check on the status of the order w/o any response from their side.

Funny enough, I FINALLY got a response from them to let me know that the order had been cancelled. Apparently they've good customer service when it comes to 'cancelling' orders. Anyhow, I wrote them a polite email to let them know that I'm not happy with their customer service and that there is room for improvement. Maybe if we all write them a 'nice' (and I really mean 'nice' here) email that they need to improve their customer service they might actually change something?

 

Hmmmm, this sounds like a business opportunity for someone.

Our local paper had an article this morning about a similar labor of love--scented candles, of all things--that the guy just wasn't having fun with after a year or so and so he sold it to a couple of others who took the business and ran with it, and who are now doing huge amounts of business.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(adam1991 @ Apr 5 2007, 12:19 PM) [snapback]418229[/snapback]</div>

Scented candles ???--takes me back to the 60's
Carl

 

Interestingly enough, they have called and emailed ME several times. Out of the blue. They left phone messages which I returned within the hour, and spoke to their answering machine. The emails I responded to immediately as well - and in both cases heard nothing back. Until about a month later the same process. I returned all messages, but then it died. I'm still trying to figure out what they wanted!

Maybe they wanted to become my LED lighting distributor?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Apr 5 2007, 02:25 PM) [snapback]418476[/snapback]</div>

Very likely.

 

hi..

I e-mailed, and called. They called me back the next day....I was out....they called back the next day at lunch... I called back...asked questions....what will work....do I understand what this will do....what that will do...ordered....got it within 2 wks. ...haven't had time to install yet....

...if you like "extras" get it...don't worry about if you will get it on wed or thurs, you will get it....

...it sounds like my experience is not the norm....a great experience!!! I say go for it....

john/teresa

 

The lockpick works very well. Had it installed 2 weeks ago by an audio shop. It does what it says it does. I had a DVD player custom mounted into the car under the main radio. It plays DVDs great. I love it and would recommend it to all.

 

My experience is probably way out of date: I was the first member of PriusChat to order their EV switch. They told me it was out of stock. Turns out it was still in beta testing! It was a long wait, a month or two I think, but when they shipped it, all the bugs were out of it, and it's worked perfectly from that day to this.

They answered all my phone calls and emails, were very helpful, and didn't charge my debit card until they shipped it, and to make up for the delay, they gave me free shipping.

I've never bought anything else from them because the only thing I needed to make my Prius perfect for me was the EV switch.

Remember that Prius gadgets are a side-line for them. They "stay in business" because people want their stuff. I suspect they make very little money overall on this side of their business. And as Evan said, they seem to be doing it only because Dave is fascinated with Prius gadgets.

So if you want their stuff, buy it. But be aware that communicating with them is very hit-and-miss. The fact that they emailed and phoned Darell, and then didn't get back to him when he responded, suggests that they are not well-organized for corresponding, and probably just lose messages a lot.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(adam1991 @ Apr 4 2007, 07:13 PM) [snapback]417972[/snapback]</div>

I'm one of the customers with no complaints on Coastal customer service or credit card practices. At the time I ordered (EV kit) they had no stock which was noted on their web site. After several months I sent an email, response stated it was still back ordered and I would be billed when it shipped. Several more months and I was billed and received the kit in several days.

My guess is that I am with the majority on this issue.

 

Does anyone know if Coastal Electronics is still in business and accepting orders. I called them over a three day period and the person who answered the phone said they will call me back and they never did call back.

I have heard rumors that they might have closed their business. I am uncertain.

I would like to order the Lockpick 3 basic for a 2008 Prius if someone is aware how to execute a purchase.

 

Heh. I'm about two hours away from him, but I suspect that if I
tried to wander over there and say hello I'd get about the same
warm welcome as I did two years ago.
.
_H*