Small dilemma with Back-Up camera install - Should I tell installer

[DaTT]

Had a backup camera installed on my car yesterday. I got the car back at the end of the day and didn't notice until later that night that the fan speed control switch wasn't changing speeds...it was basically blowing at the last speed that was set before they removed my dash panel. Having taken this apart several times on my own the past, I know that the harness for that switch is a pain to reconnect as the harness isn't long enough to clip back in with the panel out.

I fixed it myself today, with 15 minutes of labor.

I am not upset about this at all and I probably would have taken it back to them if they were open today, but it is winter and I couldn't wait until tomorrow to have it fixed as I need my high speed in the morning for defrost.

Should I call them and let them know about this tomorrow (Monday), or let it go.

**Side note** They did run my XM radio antenna and properly mount it for me for an extra $20.

 

[thescreensavers]

Since you fixed it and it was easy why bother them about it?

If you work there and someone called to bitch that you forgot to plug something back in but they fixed it , would you care two shits? Apologize to make the customer happy and forget about it.

 

[Wingznut]

As long as you're polite and constructive, I'd say to let them know... I used to be an auto mechanic, and now I work on semiconductor equipment. If I miss(ed) something, I'd appreciate it if someone were to let me know, so that I can learn from it and be more careful in the future.

 

[Fenixgoon]

you could always call and say "hey i found this out on my vehicle. i fixed it, but you may want to double check for future installations"

just to let them know that way it doesnt become a recurring problem for other customers.

 

[phucheneh]

I will echo that feedback can help someone who works on cars. Fixes/upgrades/ect anything, really...need not be automotive.

But that's a pretty minor thing. If he's new to the work, 'plug things in firmly' could very well be helpful advice...but hearing it from a customer after the fact is not going to do anything, I would wager. If someone doesn't suck, they will eventually figure out to pay attention when plugging connectors in to ensure that they firmly seat. With those kinds of connections, I always push until I feel and/or hear the click and if at all unsure, give a slight reverse pull to check it.

When pulling dashes apart, I also have a tendency to jiggle the harnesses around and look for anything loose as I reinstall parts. When there are fifteen connectors in the center of a dash, it's easy to miss one. Especially since radios and that kinda stuff commonly have pinless empty connectors on them- they are extra spots for, say, an externally identical radio with a different P/N that has XM, navigation, or some other option. Or the reverse, which is harness connectors that were never plugged into anything.

Would a phone call to say 'I totally handled this; but just to let you know...' help someone learn any helpful behavior? Highly doubtful. Most likely, whoever fields the call will just apologize and never repeat what you said to anyone. It's a moot point.

 

[DaTT]

It is a small shop, and the feedback would probably get back to whoever did the install....however. I am probably not going to bother calling them, but if I remember the next time I am in, I may mention it then.

Appreciate the feedback.

 

[deadken]

...I am probably not going to bother calling them, but if I remember the next time I am in, I may mention it then....

Sorry to say, that I wouldn't do it this way. I'd say something soon or not say it at all. Waiting until the next time you are in just seems wrong to me. At that point, the information likely will not get to the person who actually did the install. If you call soon, it seems like constructive feedback. Waiting somehow makes it cross the line to 'just bitching' for me.

 

[DaTT]

Sorry to say, that I wouldn't do it this way. I'd say something soon or not say it at all. Waiting until the next time you are in just seems wrong to me. At that point, the information likely will not get to the person who actually did the install. If you call soon, it seems like constructive feedback. Waiting somehow makes it cross the line to 'just bitching' for me.

You raise a good point. I will most likely leave it alone, unless, somehow, it comes up in conversation.

 

[skyking]

I'd call. If they get butthurt about somebody telling them they missed something, then they are in the wrong business. Whenever somebody gives me info like that I for one am grateful to know, and I'd check all the functions next time.
Then when I do catch something like that on my own, I would be pretty pleased to have been told about it.