Just had my starter installed a few days ago. I wish I could put in 5 stars like everyone else on these reviews, and I'm just not quite there. I've had a remote starter installed on 2 other cars from a different vendor who unfortunately, went out of business for personal reasons, and compared to that experience, ABC wasn't up to par.
First, the good. They were very efficient and everything did go according to what they said. I called. Scheduled an appointment, got in, was told it would take 2 - 3 hours. It took exactly 3 hours. I sat and waited for it. They have wifi and coffee (no creamer - although I didn't ask for any). The install went well. Product seems to work fine.
Second, the not so good. Maybe it's the time of year, and I just felt like a number - even if they were busy.
I had a scheduled appointment and arrived 15 minutes early. As soon as I walked in, the receiptionist said, "They're first," while pointing to someone who just walked in before me, "you can sit over there, and besides, I'm busy doing something right now." Then she jumped on the phone and did something. While efficient and fine, not very friendly I guess is the word. No, "hello and welcome, I'll be right with you, etc." Just you can sit over there.
When it was "my turn", I asked her what products they had (prior to arriving, she mentioned that we would discuss the different options when I arrived). She went through 1-way vs 2-way. I asked her what would she recommend and then described the lowest price product. I asked her about this manager special they had. She said, "You can't have that because we're out of inventory." I asked a few more questions and she efficiently answered without volunteering any additional info, I choose a product then sat down and waited. I chose the 4806v 2-way starter as I liked the 2-way notfication that the engine had started .
After install was done, I went up to pay and saw a "Winter Special" which was a reduced price on an upgraded product. This wasn't mentioned before and I would probably have gone with it had I known about it. When I mentioned I didn't see it, the receptionist (Ashley I believe), said, "Oh, well, we need to update that anyway." Something about the pricing being messed up - even though everything was there on the flyer on the counter.
Total after install with tax was over $600. Then the tech that did the install walked me through how to use the remote. Apparently, I only got 1 remote that was 2-way and then second one was just a 1-way remote. I was guessing that since I got a 2-way system, I would get a two, 2-way remotes like in the picture. Guess not. I asked about it and they said it would be another $66 to exchange the auxilary for another 2-way. I wanted the 2-way for both my wife and I. What good does a 1-way remote do me when I paid up for a 2-way starter system? I wasn't really explained this when I chose it as I didn't know what to ask and nothing was really volunteered. Regardless, I paid extra for to exchange the remote (it would have been more if I didn't exchange it).
So overall, everything was done and done efficiently - although I was hoping it would be closer to 2 hours than 3 as my previous installer did both my cars in less than 3 hours. In addition, while my questions were answered, I wasn't really offered additional information and it wasn't really "great or warm or friendly" as I read in the other reviews. And finally, not mentioning and specials or the 1-way remote for a 2-way system and then being upcharged was frustrating.
I'm finding other quirks- like I can't open or unlock any doors except the driver side door (either with the starter remotes or the manufacturers keyfob) after I have remote started the engine. Regardless, that's a product issue which I don't take away from ABC, I just wish they would have explained it all while I was there and before I chose the product.
So again, they got the job done, it just wasn't the "great" experience...
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