The horror of BestBuy car audio install

ChrisV · Post by **ChrisV** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 3:11 pm

BestBuy over hacked my dash and removed welded support brackets. (without permission) for a modern din size when I brought in a vintagevibes.com USA-630 radio to be installed, no mods necessary. Not to mention dinged and chipped fresh painted dash, fenders, and hood front lip (from banging head on a light they hung from it). Hood no longer shuts flush all the way around. Probably due to them tearing the front hood seal and opening hood too far. No idea why they were not gentle. They even drilled a giant hole in my glove box backing (filling it with wound electrical tape and siliconed in to string USB cable when it could have been done a different clean way.

These old cars take an owners touch to easily work different moving parts without being abusive. As you all have probably learned.

Any idea on how I could get this jagged dash repaired to make a somewhat original appearance again? I rather not go modern with stereo (ugly & promotes theft), even a modern din size would show jagged cuts around the border, that's how over-cut and jaggedly butchered its been. Not even the plastic borders they use for say a Kenwood would hide it all. Maybe I could get a custom chrome piece put in at body shop that could hide damage and support a new USA-630? Do any of you have better ideas?

The bestbuy tech must have been pushing things out of way to reach wires, splicing into the wrong ones and shorting out other unfused things. (fuses they removed from under hood wires for god knows why)

The washer hoses were pulled loose and switch got damaged I think. Fluid leaked out behind dash in various places (rust already formed under front hood mat), and bestbuy tech wondered why my new radio (plus other things) no longer work and fuses blow. Wiper mechanical parts were bent and no longer work. Have appointment with my trusty mechanic in an hour but he does no body/cosmetic repair and is uncomfortable with writing letters about damages caused by another establishment.

The mechanic could not find new parts to replace for washer that would guarantee proper operation, he recommends putting in the electrical (non-air pressure) type.

This was a terrible experience. Never bring your classic car to bestbuy.
Ever! Completely unprofessional. They could have at least asked before modding, covered paint with proper mats, not lean on car, and not smear silicone/grime in various places. The hood thing really agitates me among other things.

So far they Cost me about $750 out of pocket in electrical damages, not
including the wiper/washer stuff and body shop repairs I have planned. Feels like I'm getting the run-around with bestbuy manager and corporate hung up on me. May actually end up in small claims court given bestbuy insurance drags this on for weeks. But I have little proof that damages were done by bestbuy, how do I get any reimbursement when install guy has denied everything (thrown out the busted new & old radio) then manager backs them up. Corporate is very rude and does not care, would not even let me speak to a person above them.

thanks for reading and any input.
-Chris

rokemester · Post by **rokemester** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:41 pm

What a nightmare scenario! If it were me I would really work on finding a local VW interior expert or expert body that can assess the damage. You might be able to use the assessment for your claim against Best Buy. I think you are going to need someone who really knows their stuff to get you back to a happy place with your Bug. I'm sorry that this happened to you, and thanks for sharing so it hopefully won't happen to anyone else!!

ChrisV · Post by **ChrisV** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:26 pm

Thanks for response,

Well I got my wiper parts and all electricals fixed, no washer though. The "nanosafeguard" glass treatment helps a lot with keeping windows clean and wipers/washer are not as necessary anymore.

Went all over town looking for a body shop willing to tackle these problems. Not a single one was confident in reshaping hood or dash repair. All of them are willing to do paint touch-ups but will they be noticeable?

The one place willing to write up an estimate for everything (Economy-Body) said $1260 but the guy also said it could be almost double that depending on how things go. Not expecting to get these things fixed any time soon it seems, afraid of water leaks too. I live in a dry climate but its still in the rainy season.

I went ahead and started filling out the small claims papers. Will file with better-business-bureau as well. Hope judge doesn't mock the little bits of proof I have. No proof of pretty much everything except that the radio was destroyed by them, the hood shut flush a month ago, and my fender did not have a 3" scratch on it. I have no proof of dash damage, wiring issues, washer/wiper stuff, etc. My mechanic refused to write papers that could be used in court. (wants nothing to do with it) Actually I notice quite a few areas where tools have chipped dinged various places that were spotless before, but no proof. BestBuy left all sort of ground up material in floor, is that proof of dash & glovebox damage?

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:28 am

Get all the repairs done first and save the receipts. Take photos of all the damage, even the minute stuff, and fire your mechanic. The fact that he doesn't have your back when your car was damaged means he doesn't have the best interests of your car at heart. He should have volunteered to go to court with you. Why should he care about "badmouthing" Best Buy shop monkeys? It's not like he's testifying against another mechanic.

Don't just hunt around a 20-mile radius for repairwork. Be prepared to take your car to an VW restoration specialist. If you're in a dry climate, you're probably not too far away from one. He'll know how to fix the hood to make it open and close properly and can weld a new radio hole in the dash. It's worth the travel expenses even if it's 250 or 300 miles away.

The stock windshield washer system plastic parts get brittle with age, and the whole shebang is pretty much obsolete. You can search for the parts, but I'd just keep paper towels and windshield washer spray in the car and wash it by hand. I don't even pressurize the old system in my car, I just keep it there looking pretty.

ChrisV · Post by **ChrisV** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:59 pm

Thanks,

Found a different mechanic in town who specializes in old VW restoration. Not that I have the cash for such work to be done at the moment. Waiting for estimate. Turns out I had to file civil lawsuit instead of small claims. The Bestbuy insurance people stopped speaking to me so I filed papers this morning. Better than waiting til its too late.

Also contacted the attorney general of capital to file complaint against them, he said they have more than one so far and not far from losing license. Will probably scare them and get some people fired without doubt.

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 10:50 am

The difference between a civil lawsuit and small claims is that you're limited to a maximum amount is small claims, usually around $5K. Realistically, it shouldn't cost more than this to fix the car. You can take estimates to court or you can get the work done beforehand and bring receipts. If the work has already been done, the judge doesn't have to make any determinations based on estimates and can simply find for you in the total amount you actually paid. In a perfect scenario Best Buy won't even show up at court and you'll win a default judgment, but you still need to prepare your evidence meticulously. I have confidence in your victory.

ChrisV · Post by **ChrisV** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:37 pm

It has to be a civil suit because Missoula Montana small claims doesn't include anything automotive related and is only $2,000 max value.

Thanks again for the response, doing my best to gather useful papers/pictures for the judge. I hope defendants don't show up just so I don't have to stress about them turning it around on me somehow. (to make me feel like the liar)

If they had just agreed to pay for all damages ahead of time, this mess would not have started. Much of it, considering my poor pictures and the months in between before/after, may turn out to be of little use "proof". Though this car has never been wrecked and had the best of care over last decade or so, even have most of its maintenance receipts for many years past.

Almost sure the judge will force payment for the radio and electrical damages I payed for. But the body shop work is going to be way way more expensive I imagine (still awaiting estimate). But no way can I afford to pay ahead of time with credit and risk denial in court.

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:49 am

You need to stress the hacked dash and emphasize the integral part the radio hole plays to the esthetics and value of the car. It's steel, and it's painted, and the damage simply can't be covered up. Plus it's especially disturbing because you supplied a radio that was custom made to fit the stock radio hole. There was no reason for them to enlage the hole in the fiorst place! I can only surmise they have a standard radio dash template they use, and didn't even bother to look at the radio first. That's negligence.

ChrisV · Post by **ChrisV** » Wed Apr 07, 2010 3:01 pm

good point

BirdMan66 · Post by **BirdMan66** » Tue May 04, 2010 12:53 am

Blue Baron wrote:Get all the repairs done first and save the receipts. Take photos of all the damage, even the minute stuff, and fire your mechanic. The fact that he doesn't have your back when your car was damaged means he doesn't have the best interests of your car at heart. He should have volunteered to go to court with you. Why should he care about "badmouthing" Best Buy shop monkeys? It's not like he's testifying against another mechanic.

Ouch...I'm a "Best Buy Shop Monkey" and I've been a really good one for many years. We prefer being called Autotechs.

To call all of the 1500+ Autotechs "Shop Monkeys", and say we as a whole are a place to never take a classic car for work is really unfair. There is a lot of talent floating around the installation bays of BBY. As with any large group of people you will find a few bad apples here and there.

If your claim is 100% legit, you will be taken care of.

Our insurance company does an amazing job at resolving claims by customers unless they determine fraud or extreme cases of exaggeration are in play. I take it Best Buy has a side of this story that we most likely won't ever get unless OP feels it's something he is willing to share.

I'm not here to promote what I do or defend what those Autotechs allegedly did - however I don't appreciate the wide net casting that all Autotechs are bad because one person had a less than stellar experience.

I'm truly sorry your car isn't the way you were expecting it to be, and I hope you get your situation resolved to your satisfaction at some point.

BirdMan66 · Post by **BirdMan66** » Tue May 04, 2010 1:15 am

Chris - I just saw the photos of your bug in the Welcome section and I gotta say - your car is absolutely beautiful!... I can only hope my resto turns somewhere in the same ballpark as yours.

ChrisV · Post by **ChrisV** » Tue May 04, 2010 3:32 am

Sorry if I offended you as an employee or as an autotech in general. I don't doubt there are talented people working at such places.

I was pretty sad when it happened but all is honest truth.

Thanks for compliments, these old bugs really grow on you. I Hope everything goes smoothly on yours. Be sure to post some pictures as it comes along.

BirdMan66 · Post by **BirdMan66** » Tue May 04, 2010 7:25 am

I will definately fill up my SD card and share with everyone. I've got a lot of work to do to mine and I actually get started with some of the floor pan removal / replacement work today. The passenger rear floor is so bad my battery needs a piece of wood under it to keep it from falling out of the car

I have my plasma cutter, sawzall, and both my MIG and Inverter stick welder waiting outisde for me. I just need the neighbor hood to wake up a bit before I jump in there and start making a ruckus.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Wed May 05, 2010 11:16 am

I feel your pain about the stereo, I've seen a few hack jobs in my time and it's never a good feeling to have your ride violated. You're taking this a lot better than I would!

I don't know much, but I know for sure that I'm never taking my '66 to ANYONE unless they specialize in vintage VW's. Not Jiffy Lube, not for brakes, not even for tires unless I know there is someone who will give her the care she deserves. There are so many little quirks and German engineered widgets that even a good mechanic can end up screwing things up.

I'm working on a glove box head unit so I can keep the original sapphire in the dash. I'm an electronics geek though so I'm putting this one in myself.

good luck, I hope you are able to get your claim covered and your VW restored.

Blue Baron · Post by **Blue Baron** » Wed May 12, 2010 10:09 am

BirdMan66 wrote:
Blue Baron wrote:Get all the repairs done first and save the receipts. Take photos of all the damage, even the minute stuff, and fire your mechanic. The fact that he doesn't have your back when your car was damaged means he doesn't have the best interests of your car at heart. He should have volunteered to go to court with you. Why should he care about "badmouthing" Best Buy shop monkeys? It's not like he's testifying against another mechanic.

Ouch...I'm a "Best Buy Shop Monkey" and I've been a really good one for many years. We prefer being called Autotechs.

Sorry if I offended you but I shoot from the hip, and in this case the auto tech was a simian. Don't take it personally.