I have been head over heels in love with our new TSX and also the dealership...until...my better half decided she wanted a remote starter. We called up and she talked to the finance manager and he said it would be $599 installed. Very pricey but thinking we were getting an Acura OEM starter we said ok. When we went to pick up the car we notice it was an Audiovox Pursuit PRO9556I remote which upon checking Google sells for about $65. Now I am a fairly intelligent guy but I feel we have been mislead and now wonder how to handle this...I left a voice mail with the General Manager but wonder if any of you can offer some advice on how to proceed with this issue?

 

Wow, I would definitely feel misled in this situation. Who would think that an Acura dealership sells Audiovox?

I would insist politely but firmly that the dealership make it right, or else they lose my patronage. If being polite doesn't work, contacting the local TV station might help. I've contacted my local "7 on Your Side" before with success.

Also, try to deal with someone as high up the leadership chain as possible. You mentioned the finance manager, so perhaps the next step is the dealership manager? I have also read about people on here calling Acura's corporate number with success.

I wish you luck, and try to keep in mind that this is a ~$530 issue, i.e. know when to stop without turning it into your life's work.

 

Very good advice MrOtocinclus and the reminder of not making it "life's work" shows you have wisdom beyond your years

 

this remote start is probably better than the OEM one... The oem system shuts the car off when you open the door requiring you to turn the car on again which is somewhat inconvenient/annoying.

I'm not saying you didn't get ripped off but the most expensive part about a remote start system is the installation (very labor intensive). Most 2 way systems are $400-$500 installed, and one ways are around $200-300.

 

Yes I realize 007Acura the Acura remote start might not be the best choice but there is no way I would have paid close to $600 for a one way starter. Anyway - we went back and forth today with the dealer. They said they would install the Acura remote for an additional $325(wow how thoughtful) or we could have the remote removed - it was our choice - as much as I would love to have them remove the remote I don't think I will and just chalk this up to a bad experience. Oh well.

 

are you getting a refund with the removal? get a full refund and walk away with your principals. fuck them for pulling that shit

 

Yes we will do that tomorrow your right I am not gonna bend over for this one. They did promise a full refund. I am just afraid that they may have cut wires and stuff and that it will cause other problems.

 

get it checked out by someone else when they install ur next unit, or better yet take it to another acura dealer and tell em ur story...and email corporate

 

Anyone know the best way to contact the corporate office?

 

Try calling them... (800) 382-2238

GL with everything.

 

Unless your dealer said "yes we are installing the acura oem remote start for $599"

calling acura corporate will just be a waste of time

 

How were you mislead? he asked 599 and you said deal and paid it. Did you do your due diligence? ask him if it was Acura OEM? or do any research. When I did my research for the Acura purchase I learned that the remote start was some third party add on and not factory. So I did not bother going for it.

That you paid 600 dollars for a 65 buck part is your problem, you agreed to 599 without asking any questions. You got your remote start, it works right? and yes you paid 600 dollars for it. You don't seem as intelligent as you think.

 

i know its easy to judge in retrospect but if OP had a good experience with the dealer and the price is what an OEM remote WOULDVE cost then i wouldnt really think much is fishy either

 

This is true; if I go to my favorite McDonald's which has always done me right and order an Angus burger, I would not be happy if they gave me an Angus burger from Carl's Jr.

Or, you go to Tiffany's and order a diamond ring for your wife. You don't explicitly ask if it's a Tiffany's ring, but it costs about right. When you receive it, you find out that it's made in China. The diamond is genuine and so is the ring, but it's neither made nor designed by Tiffany.

 

I understand the OP's frustration. If i was in the position he was in asking for a remote start at an ACURA dealer i would expect i was getting the ACURA remote start unless i was told otherwise.

In my case i asked for the ACURA remote start and the general manager said he recommended the aftermarket because the remote was smaller and it was just a better system (dont have to turn the car off).

I will say its unfair of the OP to state the remote start he got was $69 and charged 599 for it. That $69 amount is just for the remote, there are other parts required to bypass the security system and labor. Was it worth the 599 they charge....cant say but it was well more then the $69 he stated

 

OK finally got this matter resolved. The dealership said they would remove the remote. I suggested they refund $200 which they agreed to. I consider this case closed now and am happy with the resolution though my wife said I should have tried for $300