Auto Thunder

On Friday September 27th at approximately 4:30pm I walked in to the Auto Thunder store on Spencer Hwy in Pasadena, Texas to inquire about installing a Marine grade (waterproof) audio system on my 2013 Kawasaki Jet Ski. I explained to the clerk that it needed to be a marine grade install in order to survive the saltwater conditions, he agreed. We discussed various options of components and their power output for a louder, clearer sound. We discussed where I wanted the speakers installed and where I wanted the AMP installed and where I wanted the wires run. I explained that it all had to be very secure in its installation due to the brutal beating that a Jet Ski goes through especially at 65 MPH, again he agreed. After nearly 30 minutes of discussion, we decided on the system to be installed based on the information he provided to me. Due to the fact that he didn’t have the color of my choice, he said he would install what he had and would replace the speakers when the colors I wanted arrived. I indicated that I would return on Monday to leave the Jet Ski with him as I wanted to use the Jet Ski for the coming weekend. He assured me that he could get the install completed by 7pm that same evening. I questioned him on his ability to do so because I had dinner reservations at 8pm in Houston. He assured me that it could be done. He indicated that there were 4 employees he could put on it to get it done by 7pm because he had no other business at the time. I left the Jet Ski with him and continued running my errands. I arrived back at Auto Thunder at 7pm and they were still working on it. As I observed the installation I began to notice issues with the install. I questioned a few issues and was informed that this was the way it is supposed to be installed. After several debates about their procedures he agreed to redo one of the wire runs. He indicated that I could return on Monday for them to fix any other issues. It wasn’t until 7:45pm that it was ready. I took the Jet Ski home and put it in the garage and headed off to dinner. The next morning around 7am I took the Jet Ski out to get it ready for the days ride and was too scared to use the Jet Ski in fear of doing damage to the AMP as it was not adequately secured. I began to look at the rest of the install and noticed an issue with everything I looked at. I decided to take it to a different Audio install company and asked them to review the work. They determined that every aspect of the install was incorrect and substandard. To be fair, I searched out a second audio install company and was again informed that it was a very poor installation. On Monday morning, September 30th, I returned to Auto Thunder to discuss the issues that I and two other Audio installation companies had with the install. I was asked to leave. more

Terrible Terrible Terrible\r I went to this place because of a good recommendation from a buddy. I was looking into buying a better amp for my subs, the guy asked what I had then told him I had 2 kicker comps 12''. He recommended a kenwood 1000 watt amp and told me this would be plenty even though i already had a 1000 watt amp of a different brand. The guy told me off brands didn't work as well so i traded in my old one and got this ken wood only for the kenwood to go out after 20 minutes. I went back to the guy and he told me my wires weren't big enough for the amp to be powered so it would shut off. Instead of buying the new wires for $50 i just went home and sold my system. The guy who bought my amp had bigger wires and i told him that it would work better. It went out on him that very night. When he went to ask the guy why it wouldn't work the man working the counter said ""that amp only powers one subwoofer so it won't work right for two"" This was the same guy that told me i needed bigger wires and it would work perfectly. Complete idiots if you ask me. more

When I made my original purchase in November 2011, I was told by the person that all my purchases and labor had a lifetime warannty. I purchased stereo speakers and an Autopage alarm system. Since the original business date, I have had to go back mulitple times to get my installed purchases corrected. The alarm was installed so horribly that I had to purchase a new battery for my car less than 2 months of having it on my car. Recently, I had some work done on my car and when I picked it up, the Service King rep asked who installed my alarm, saying it was not done properly. He said they could repair, but it is best to just take back to where it was installed. At that point, I called Auto Thunder and due to my many times dealing with them on faulty installation, they knew exactly who I was. I told them that my car was not functioning right yet again due to the alarm. My car would not start at all and it was due to the kill switch, possibly. Ivan said for me to have it towed to the shop, which costed me $90. He suggested I leave my car keys in the gas door area, but I refused. I said I would bring my keys over in the morning. On Sunday, I brought my keys in to them at 9:00am. I called all day asking if my car was ready. I spoke with them at least 10 times through out the day and around 6:00 pm, I was told my car was ready for pick up and it was nothing major. I asked what the problem was, and was told by Ivan that it was just an ignition fuse that needed to be replaced. When I got to he shop, one of the workers showed me what needed to be replaced and said the alarm, which they installed, had blown the fuse. After I was given my keys and was in my car about to leave, a different worker came to the car and said, even though the fuse was replaced, he also had to replace my alarm ""module"" due to the fuse blowing. Mind you, I bought this ""module"" on 10/31/2011 and was told there was a lifetime guarantee on it and the installation. When I questioned the warranty and why I needed to pay for it, I was told that all other parts and labor were covered, but not this particular part. I then asked, if I had been in communication with them all day about my car, why was I never told about this module and furthermore, that I would have to pay. He then said that if I didn't want to pay, he could remove the part he had installed and replace the other one. I said, I bought the faulty part from you 5 months ago, I should not have to pay for anything. Once it got to this level, I started to video tape him on my phone and at that point, he didn't want to continue the conversation and walked away from me. When I asked to see the old module, he said he had already thrown away! DON""T GO TO THIS PLACE!!!! Worst Customer Experience of my life! more

I purchased a focal comp set, they forgot about my truck for 3 hours then did a rush install.... They also tried to install a cheaper set of speakers, when I caught them they gave me the speakers I paid for... Stay away from these criminals, you will get better customer service at a flea market, and as far as installs, there back bay is full of aliens working for $5.00 an hour... STAY AWAY!!! more

This place treats their customers horribly. I had gone in to buy a screen for my car which they told me would be $250 and I had to put down $50 now, so I did. Later I decided that $250 for a screen and installation seemed a bit too cheap and the screen probably wouldn't be good so I told them I didn't want it anymore. They told me I they would not give me my $50 back but they would give me store credit. I said ok and said that I would like to use the $50 credit to get my back tiny window tinted (I had to recently replace it), which is only about a $20 service. They said they were going to charge me the entire $50 for a $20 service. \r \r This place is terrible, the workers are rude, inconsiderate and they are banned. I will never go back to this place ever. They may be cheap but they will scam you. more

I just got in the store and ask about car alarm installation and more, the skinny guy told me a one good price come back later and the same questions and the other guy give me a diferent and higher prices with a kind aptitude...like if u want it take it, if not get out...huuu a never come back,,,and about quality I doubt it. more

I was in market fo indash navigation system. This was the only place that was willing to help me over the phone. They explained the features very well. Did not throw a lot of technical jargon at me. When I wnet to the store the salesperson took his time and showed me all the nav units that they stock and compared the features for me. I decided to get a Kenwood. Great price also. They donot use any pressure sales tactics. Told me to bring my truck in the next day since it would take 4-5 hours to install the radio and back up camera. They even gave me a ride to my work in LaPorte. I am going back to get some door speakers and a subwoofer installed in my 2009 Ford F250. Great people, great service. Pros: great sales crew more

THESE PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT CUSTOMER SERVICE IS! WE ORDERED LIGHTS TO BE INSTALLED ON MY CAR AND WHEN I SHOWED UP THE NEXT DAY TO GET THEM INSTALLED, THEY TOLD ME THAT THREE CARS WERE AHEAD OF ME FROM THE DAY BEFORE!! THEY DIDN'T EVEN APOLOGIZE AND TOLD ME TO BASICALLY COME IN THE FOLOWING DAY AT 5:30 PM SHARP OR THEY WEREN'T GOING TO DO IT ANYMORE! KEEP IN MY MIND THAT THIS SERVICE IS ALREADY PAID FOR! SO I WOULD NEVER GO BACK TO THAT PLACE-THOSE GUYS THAT WORK THERE ARE COMPLETE \r a**h***s more

The stereo fell out of the dash on my way home! Yes, it really did! The install was awful at best on the rest of the equipment! They even used the old factory wire to hook up the new speakers after I paid them to run a better quality wire. They get confrontational when you take it back to them to repair what they should have done incorrectly in the first place. The speakers rattle and bump in the panels from such poor installation. I am very displeased with my experience with them and will never recommend them to anyone. I am really shocked at the way I was treated and the quality of the work! I will not even take it back to them to fix the problems they created, not real sure what they would do to it!! The worst 1500 dollars I ever spent. Cons: Read my comments more