Car Toys
reviews and complaints

As someone deeply invested in the world of car audio and electronics, I've come across a wide range of opinions about Car Toys. While some customers have praised their quality installations and attentive service, others have expressed concerns about issues like poor customer service and unexpected charges. It's clear that Car Toys has both satisfied and dissatisfied customers, highlighting the importance of doing thorough research and setting clear expectations before engaging their services. Ultimately, your experience with Car Toys may vary based on individual circumstances and the specific location you visit.

I will forever continue to go to Car Toys of Salem! My car needed a lot of love and they over exceeded my standards? I will be recommending them to everyone!
Thank you!

Jordan and his crew at Car Toys, Spokane provided knowledgable options for a new car stereo/CD player, and then they installed the same while I waited. All of this happening during the holiday season when everyone is usually busy and cranky! Just the opposite happened at the store and I am quite pleased with the result.
Sincerely,
Mark J. Bessermin

Sweet deals on Alpine speakers. My local auto shops are charging me about 50% more than this website for the same exact alpine system. That does not include installation. Instead I bought it from cartoys and brought it down to an arco station and got it installed for just a couple hundred dollars. I could not believe what a rip off those car stereo stores are these days. I cannot see them staying in business when I can buy the same stereo online and have it installed by a regular garage.

I'm posting this on a couple review sites because many of the reviews are years old. They are certainly not reflective of the super diagnostic and install service I received (August 22,2022) from both the Salem store manager (Omar Tapia) and the installation manager (David Sabrowski). After taking my Subaru Outback to the local Salem Subaru dealer they assessed my dead Harmon-Kardon system (head end system with CD and Subaru navigation) as requiring a complete over $1800 parts and service replacement. I declined and drove to Car Toys where they diagnosed the problem as the Subaru factory amplifier --- not the complete audio/navigation system. Short story is they encouraged me to locate another Oregon Subaru dealer with a new factory amplifier part in stock (at several hundred dollars less than the Salem Subaru dealer), which I did --- for several hundred dollars savings for the amplifier part alone --- and then charged me an extremely reasonable charge for less than 30 minutes swap-out of the bad unit. My total savings over what the local Subaru dealer had quoted --- just over $1115. 00 in savings! So the diagnostic ability at Car Toys was far superior to what even the local Subaru dealer did --- and the Subaru dealer charged me more for their false diagnostic (that wasn't accurate) than Car Toys actually did for the actual swap-out and re-install.

As a longtime customer of Cartoys, spanning over three decades, I am deeply disappointed by the recent decline in the quality of service and customer care at this establishment.

I relied on Cartoys for all my automotive needs for years without encountering any major issues. However, in the past few years, professionalism and accountability have significantly deteriorated.

My recent encounter with a store manager exemplifies this decline. Despite approaching the situation with a genuine desire to resolve a product issue, I was met with a shocking attitude that reeked of indifference and disregard for customer concerns. Evidently, the manager's priority was not customer satisfaction but personal convenience.

Furthermore, attempting to escalate the matter to the corporate office proved to be an exercise in frustration. The lack of accessibility to corporate representatives is alarming and indicative of a company that has veered off course from its commitment to customer support.

The absence of effective leadership and accountability within Cartoys is evident in the increasing number of unresolved customer complaints. The once reputable company appears to have lost sight of its core values and is now prioritizing short-term gains over long-term customer relationships.

In light of these concerning developments, I can no longer justify continuing my patronage of Cartoys. My decision to sever ties with this establishment after decades of loyalty is regrettable but necessary. I urge prospective customers to exercise caution when considering Cartoys for their automotive needs and to explore alternative options with a stronger commitment to customer satisfaction.

I hope this review serves as a wake-up call for Cartoys to reassess its priorities and recommit to the principles of integrity, accountability, and customer-centricity that once defined the company. Until then, I will explore alternative avenues for my automotive needs and advocate for greater consumer awareness of the challenges faced when dealing with Cartoys. As such, I will share my observations with others, including consumer advocates nationwide.

Order or Invoice Number: ***NGBLTQ
Store: Northglenn-CO
On the 18th of November 2022 I ordered a stereo, remote start and an alarm installed on my 2013 F150. This equipment was installed on Dec. 3rd. Upon picking up the vehicle, I found that your staff had changed the agreed upon price and equipment ( (from $3100 to $3400). Aside from that, they failed to advise me of their own posted promotions and incentives displayed in the shop, for example, free installation with purchase of speakers and a free dash camera for purchasing the chosen Kenwood receiver for my truck. I paid and left feeling underserved and overcharged. I have had to return to your location in numerous occasions due to install or product malfunctions. The first time, the remote start would not work, I return to the store and left the truck for half a day, they replaced the defective remote. A few days later, I had to go back again because the remote start Android function would only work intermittently, left the ruck another half a day. Then the stereo would suddenly shut off and give me a miswiring alert (a short), another visit to your store. They found a speaker had become disconnected. After this, a day or so later I noticed my rearview mirror stopped working, upon returning to Cartoys once again, they found it had been left unplugged last time they reassembled my driver door panel. Today, I just dropped off the truck AGAIN because the stereo will randomly shut-off and display a "parking off" alert. Upon dropping off the vehicle, I felt it necessary to address my concerns and dissatisfaction with the store manager, who initially refused to speak with me and upon my insistence told me he would get to me in a while, I told him to call me as I felt I had already spent enough time at Cartoys. While checking in, Mr. Logan Hoffman approach and asked me what I needed. I explained to him that the quality of the service I had received up to that point did not match the cost or the quality expected. I asked him to review the service records on my purchase to verify my experience. I also advised Mr. Hoffman that I had received requests from Cartoys to review my experience but had determined to wait until all issues were resolved before doing so. I further explained to Mr. Hoffman that I considered the number of returns to the store unacceptable and I was putting the matter in his hands. I advised Mr. Hoffman that any further issues would be addressed above his station and a refund maybe insisted upon. Mr. Hoffman characterized my request as an "idle threat" and stated "we can not be responsible for product issues". In no way was Mr. Hoffman accountable, concilliatory or took any responsibility for my experience. I found Mr. Hoffman arrogant, dismissive and not helpful, AT ALL. When I told Mr Hoffman that I did not wish to return to the store for more problems, he disrespectfully stated " I don't want you coming back here either" several times. I will definitely be asking for a refund if I have to go back to Cartoys for any further issues. I will let all my friends, family and anyone else who asks about my experience at Cartoys. I will definitely steer anyone I can away from Mr Hoffman's shop, as I found him rude and condescending.

I am retired, and try to get professional help now with older age. But I am very well trained in technical issues from my professional life and training. I wanted someone else to go through the mess of installing an aftermarket headunit in my newer Camery Hybrid. The nightmare started at Cartoys for simple removal of the factrry Entune unit and a new headunit.

I had the same issue as those that got ripped off. I had to ask for $900 back. I have a newer Toyota, the Radio and GPS worked, but the GPS wasn't very good. So, I went to Cartoys asking for a unit with GPS and a receiver. They said try this unit and I said I will try it, but wasn't so thrilled about some features. They told me if I didn't like it they would take it out and put in something else. I paid a couple hundred up front a special harness. 2 days went by and I told them I wanted that out of my car, take it back and get me a unit I want. I would pay for what I need, Just get it. I hated that unit and they told me they would remove it and out another unit in. But they said it would take a few eeks to get one. A month went by, then and I asked them if I bought one myself and brough it in they would refund the money I paid for the first unit and install the 2nd unit. They charged me again and plus they refused to refund the first unit, after they took that unit back as per agreement. I was already in about $2,300, counting the new unit I brought them. Then they charged me another $100 for the install, and kept another set of wiring, documents and accessories I brough with the new boxed unit. I had to send a letter to the headquarters and ask for a refund of $900. They did refund me, but it was like pulling teeth out of a great white. They still have one of my sets of install accessories, one of the special conversion boxes used to install aftermarket headunits, plus the accessories used in installs. Which I had gotten in that box with the Headunit I Purchased on my own. PLus, as per my problem with the unit, the radio antenna is not working correctly. They blamed the area we were in, a large city, and said the radio signals are not good there. B. S. I am disabled and am really having a hard time and decided I would try a pro shop, and I can do a better job being disabled. They have these specials where they say free installs, but find ways to tack on lots of money. I don't mind paying for quality work, but they really don't know what they are doing. PLus they will charge you every chance they get. PLus they can't seem to be able to order parts, yet I can, and I am no one special. I am shocked that they are still in business.
I had to go into my Alpine Car HeadUnit and fix the problems they made while in there. I took it partially out and fixed the powered antenna. I can now receive radio stations They never attached the 12v power to the Antenna amplifier on my Toyota. The new Alpine had no radio reception, which I tried to explain to them for 2 months that the reception should have no problems at all in the radios, and they insisted it was the radio, and tried telling me it is typical bad reception!. They had the wrong wires hooked up to the wrong places! I will not even bother going back to tell them how to run their business, but they are going to end up in deep crap, I am shocked they are still in business!

I talked to them over 2 months about the bad reception with the two radios I tried with them, and they kept blaming the radio and the city and area for bad reception. I had to go into my dash take the Alpine radio/gps out and fix the wires, they did not hook up the factory antenna amp, had the wrong wires hooked up or not hooked up. It is now working properly. I paid a lot of money and they even took to install kits and charged me for both, even though I only needed one and they never returned the one that came with the 2nd head unit I bought and took to them to install. I cannot bear to put up with the b. S and lack of technical knowledge. The lack of business, books, and double charging, not keeping their word, and lying, misleading, and promises they can't keep. I know I did not put this as anew reviews, but it is like other people's stories, they will charge you for things they already said were part of the package or double charge for things you purchased and own, or keep items that came with the units and not give them too you even though they came with the package you purchase. If they are not shut down for doing bad things, or bad management, then they will continue doing this.

In May of 2023 I got a new system for my 2022 chevy Malibu. The guy tried selling me speakers for the trunk which isn't what I wanted. I wanted all the beats inside the car not trunk! So, after I made it clear we set it all up. I got six new speakers with the amp and something else I don't know. For the next 6 months I took my car in for numerus issues. to be honest it isn't what I thought it was going to be. I'm still having issues and I'm not very happy and feel like i got taken advantage of because I know nothing about stereos. Now I'm stuck paying for something that isn't what I wanted. Really i just want to have it all taken out and put factory back because it was better than what was installed. so please someone get in touch with me on how to fix my issues

The Cartoys Northglenn CO location at 10545 Melody Dr.Northglenn,Colorado , 80234 HAS THE Worst buisness practice ever! All cartoys cares about is making money! Once they have your money you'll never get it back because that's all they care about! They have absolutely no Morales and absolutely no ethical business practices @ I paid them $60.for a half hour diagnosis to see why the stereo in the used vehicle I just bought wouldn't work and when I went to pick up my vehicle the tech guy told me the power wire from my amp to the battery was 2 different sizes and their must be a bad splice and would be $120 to change out the power wire to the amp. Long story short, When I got a chance to look at it myself I found the power wire was the same size from the amp to the battery and their was an inline fuse box about a foot or so from the battery and that the fuse inside was blown. I simply replaced the fuse and it powered right up. When I contacted the store in Northglenn CO to see about getting a refund they basically told me in not co many uncertain words Tough [protected]@#t. Needless to say I didn't get a refund. All they had to do to keep the money without worrying about me wanting a refund is tell the truth. If the told me it was just a fuse I wouldn't be wanting a refund but they didn't do that they lied to me hoping I would pay another $120 + to have them fix it when it only needed a dollar fuse which wouldn't have made them any more money. I Should have known better because this isn't the first time I've had problems with them but I can assure you it will be the last! Every since they totally botched the $1,200 new install in my Jeep every time I heard their commercial when it got to the end and they sing "cartoys a better way to go" I would sing "cartoys a better way to get ripped off" Which is honestly how the commercial should be written in my opinion because it true

Sent from AOL on Android

On 1/28/23, I picked my vehicle up in the evening for having a install job completed. The next day, 1/29/23, I started my car up, and my headlights were on, and it was bright out. I have an auto light feature, it is a 2021 Terrain, I went back, and no one had a clue why my lights were staying on. The next morning, 1/30/23, I went to open the hood of my vehicle and my open hood latch came off. It was not reattached properly, (they had to take off the bottom dash to install the bass knob adjustment), I went to reattach it and I noticed that I was missing screws that go on the bottom of the dash and the OBD connecter was not even screwed in. I called and talked to Marco and asked me would it be okay that if we did the screws when my subwoofer grill came in, which was on 2/8/23, I said that was fine. I then drove on Thursday 2/9/23, and my OBD connector fell out of the dash, it was not connected when the under-dash screws were done, I should have checked. So I go there at 9 am on 2/10/23, to see if I can get the screws put back in, ( I do not have a bit that would fit to reattach the OBD connecter), I told the person at the register that I need these screws tightened, he went in the assembly area to get someone, he came back and then he went in to the office and a manager, I think, came out, big guy, and proceeded to point at the workorders and loudly said it is going to be about an hour before we can get to you. I told him it was just to attach two screws that should have been professionally installed when I picked my vehicle up the last 2 times. He then said loudly again "so you think we are going to drop what we are doing to fix your screws, it is going to be an hour", He then stated, "the tech that put your system, Marco, is off and you need to come back to see him on Monday.". So now my lights stay on all the time, my dash lights do not dim, and I get my [censored] ripped by a manager. I took my car next door to PEP Boys, and they reattached the OBD connector in 2 minutes. So much for spending a boat load of money for this installation and now I must take my car to the GMC dealership to fix my lights and possibly the light dimmer. The install work you do is phenomenal, but no one knows how to put a dash back together properly, like it was when it was dropped off

I entered the Car Toys store on N Division St in Spokane, WA on Oct. 2. We had a back up camera and new stereo installed in my car but the camera was reversed. Left was right, right was left. Thinking the camera was somehow installed wrong we went to the store on a Sunday and was told they could not do anything but I was insistent that they fix it. The guy was upset with us and took my car into the bay. The car was in there a very short time and he came out and said it was a setting issue and he fixed it but informed us that when he started my car to drive it in the bay the starter made a noise and then it would not start to get it out of the bay. We had to tow my car home ($100). My husband who is a mechanic thought it was going to need a new starter but when he went to pull the starter he found the starter wire had been pulled out. I believe the employee pulled the wire. I cannot prove it but I want it on record in case any other hinky crap like this happens to anyone else at this store.

I went in to car toys and had a system installed. On my brand new 2021 Honda Accord and installed to amplifiers and all speakers. (bought from store in south Colorado Springs. They drilled through the back of my seat causing damage, they told me they filed a claim and as soon as they get it they would contact me. 2 weeks later, they wanted a quote, so I went to Honda and got a quote for the damage and cost to replace them. I returned the receipt to store manager. Almost 2 months have gone by and nothing, I am very upset at this matter and will be filing another claim and will post it on the BBB website,

Please contact me asap as I do not believe the store is acting correctly on this issue'

James H Deherrera

1410 Brush Oak Dr

Colorado Springs, Colorado 80906

[protected] phone

Install left wires un done. Un installed toggle light switch. No starter kill. Main issue is system was draining battery and remote start fried wires and smoke came out. I took in and they looked at it overnight and day. Saidnkt was fixed and not any issues...but still.
My back up camera was placed upside down. And the front was placed too low. Never got box for alarm or info on it. The remote start kept starting causing smoke in engine. Left van and it wasn't fixed. Wire drained battery dead. Took in to shop.bat/starter/good.but tried to start today with jump. Wires smoked and car sounded like starter kept turning. Burned hole in radiator hose. Leaked. Blew fuse. Federal way store. They had over night. I had mechanic look and check all then I drove it twice. 7 min each way and next start up bam. Towing to mechanic shop in morning. I can't tow to car toys to disconnect system. Junior was Profesional and has my loyalty for business but i am very disappointed in outcome. I have receipts . And documents and they know who I am. Blue Honda van.i junp started it 4 times and now when it was started it made grinding noise and more smoke. I undid cable and fuse was blown on positive post bog time. It's going to auto shop. Sire fire burned hose fkr radiator and it all drained out.