Walnut Creek Customs

This is a shop that stays with problems until the problems are solved. Absolutely. I've had to return for problem resolution 4 or 5 times since my initial installation of a Pioneer in dash nav system with XM and iPod interfaces. And therein lies the problem: I've had to return so many times. For whatever reasons, they can't seem to get it right. \r \r One, there were no steering wheel controls. Now, the only steering wheel controls I have are for volume. Two, no auto dimming when the headlights are on. After the original installation, there was some dimming, but after getting me at least volume controls from the steering wheel, the dimming feature went away. Three, the sound of the new system was really weak. Compared to the Porsche OEM system, it was like diet chocolate pudding versus real chocolate decadance. Turns out the Porsche system was optical and the Pioneer system is analog. That meant speakers had to be replaced. The original system had 15 speakers. I'm still not sure how many speakers are currently connected - but I'm pretty sure it isn't all of the original 15. After another visit, the sound has improved dramatically. My question is, why didn't they tell me about the speaker compatibility problem when I was buying the system? Four, turns out a special speed sensing part is required to the Pioneer navigation system. I'm going back in tomorrow for installation of that part.\r \r I know this is a lot of complaining. On the upside is their absolute commitment to get it right. They have been terrific in that regard. I just wish they'd done better disclosure at the outset and that they'd done it right the first time.\r \r Finally: DO NOT BUY A PIONEER NAV SYSTEM!! It is the 5th one I've had and it's terrible. I had a dash mounted Garmin that put this thing to shame Pros: Their absolute commitment to getting it right Cons: Their difficulty in getting it right more

I have known Dan the owner for many years and have taken many of my vehicles to have his company to personalize them. He has never let me down. So Far they have done my mercedes cls, porsche turbo, cadillac escalade, lexus hybrid suv and bmw m3 the latter two for my daughters, and all have been above what i expected. The installation crew they have now is superb and 2 of my vehicles have made it into magazines which was an unexpected surprise. Great guys and a fun atmosphere. Pros: Customer Service and Custom Installation Quality! Cons: N/A more

2 weeks ago I purchased a set of wheels and tires for my Ferarri. Now I live in Marin which is a bit of a comute to Walnut Creek, however the guys at San Francisco Ferarri where I bought my car said to go and see these guys @ Walnut Creek Customs. Dan the owner suggested that I go with the HRE wheels and that I would not be dissapointed, and surley enough he was right, the wheels look great and I the ride is very good. I was very pleased with the service at this shop and just wanted to pass my experience on to others. Also I had the clear bra applied to the whole front of the car ( no lines on the hood like ive seen on others) and it looks great...\r \r Cheers, Pros: high end professionals that are use to working on luxury cars Cons: very busy.....but you get the best more

As I was reading the previous reviews I was very surprised because I have had nothing but great experiences with them. My wife and I are both customers and we both feel that all the employees are very knowledgeable and quite helpful. I had a dvd/navigation system installed in our 2007 Range Rover and dvd screens put in the headrests, and they did a great job. They made it very easy for my wife and I to understand how to work it and we were very satisfied. You better believe when my kids are able to drive I'm sending them here! Pros: Great Service, Wonderfull Staff, Parking, Came Highly Recommended Cons: N/A more

I have a car with $6000 in custom additions. The alarm was constantly turning off or the car was auto-starting due to the key fob buttons being raised and too easily activated. I had requested new replacements with recessed buttons (which I know exist) and they have been unable to get the new key fobs for two months because Walnut Creek Customs does not have a ""good relationship"" with the manufacturer (their words). Last night my car was broken into while in my driveway and the alarm did not sound because it had inactivated from the faulty key fob. My DVD navigation system is now gone. I predicted this. I have spent over $12,000.00 ( not an exaggeration) at this store and I have not been treated well. I would trecommend taking your car anywhere else but here. Pros: Installers are good Cons: Owner Does Not KNOW the products and Does Not follow thru on commitments more

I recently visited wanut creek customs (formally walnut creek auto radio inc.) on the referal of stead porsche in walnut creek. the salesman who sold me my 997 carerra said these guys do hands down the best work and they take all of there cars to them. I went in to simply have a sat radio and ipod intergration done on my car but when i got there they had six other porsche cars in there facility. After seeing all the great things they did to others vehicles i felt more than comfortable with leaving my vehicle there. Needless to say they did not dissapoint......great work....great after service and i would highly recommend them to anyone who owns an exotic vehicle and is looking for a great overall experience...ive also sent many of my friends from the porsche club who all have been very happy. Pros: great products, great service, parking, very knowlegable on high end cars Cons: busy but worth the wait more

i purchased an xm unit for my porsche and after going in 3 times and telling them on numerous occasions that the unit was not working properly they ordered a new part and advised that it could be installed in 1 to 1.5 hours. after arriving early for the appt. and giving them (now WALNUT CREEK CUSTOMS ) ALMOST 3 HRS. the new owner ""dan"", said that it would be at least another 1/2 hr. and that the reason for the delay was he had to take care of paying customers FIRST AND WAS DOING ME A FAVOR.\r since it was a warranty issue and he had bought the company and had no obligation to the ""old"" customers and therefore after almost 1 year i still do not have a working XM radio!!!\r GOOD LUCK WITH THE SERVICE... and don't be surprised that they have no concern for your time! Pros: good location Cons: lack of concern for customers time and completeing the job correctly! more

I just read the other review, and thought I should temper that with a good one in case someone was deciding based on the sole review. I had a completely different experience. I have to say that my experience was 13 years ago, so if the people have changed etc., I don't know if this review will help. I, or my family, have had 4 stereos, and 2 alarm systems installed. Past the initial purchase, I have paid nothing for any tweaks to my setup, and they were happy to accomodate me even though I vistied 7 years later in some cases. I am now considering bluetooth in my car, and unless I install it myself, I will return to them for this installation. Some people have good experiences, some have bad. Pros: knowledgeble staff, good after installation service Cons: Not the cheapest, often busy more

I started with just trying to get an iPod adapter installed for my new car. in the end i followed all their recommendations and after 2 visits and many hardware purchases ~ the product doesn't work as they said it would, their story on what would and would not work changed every couple of hours (always involving more hardware purchases ""to work""), and after their ""top installer"" was done, 3 of my 8 speakers did not work, and the 1 back speaker (out of 4) that did was wired as stereo so R/L adjustments only manipulated that one speaker. i'm much worse off 2-3 visits, 8 hours, and 1 big bone later. Pros: Weekend hours, Decent selection Cons: Takes a long time., no conf in their work more