Pioneer customer service = crap

So I bought a new Pioneer radio. I won't go into details, but it's had an intermittent issue from the first few weeks of ownership. I sent it back ($25 cha-ching!) and they didn't find a problem with one of the two issues the radio had. I kinda figured that since it was intermittent. The touch screen would go inop every week or so. I got it back and installed it in the car and the screen would go inop after just a few miles of driving....every single time I'd drive it. So, I sent it back again. This time I asked the customer service rep to please not send the unit back if there was no problem found before contacting me. I also said they could keep the radio as long as they wanted, install it in an employees car, anything. It was an intermittent issue and i understand how those are to diag. It sat for about 3 weeks....nothing....no word. I sent an e-mail and was told it was waiting to be assigned, even though earlier I was told this was a 're-check' and would go right back to the same tech. Anyway, I sent the e-mail and one week later (it takes a week to get there) the unit shows up on my door! That means it sat there and on the very day I e-mail it's looked at, and no problem found, and shipped? All in the same day?
So, now I get to send it back for a third time in as many months. It's been out of my dash more than it's been in now.
It pisses me off. I tried to be as accommodating as possible and they just don't give a flying bleep. I might just sell it and get an Alpine.

Try buying from Crutchfield. I bought a Pioneer from them back when I had my G35, installed it and just didn't like it. Sent it back, I think they paid postage, and got full credit towards a Kenwood that I loved.

Much better to deal with a good retailer than with the manufacturer's repair facility.

Ive got a Pioneer cassette deck that is still going strong. I blame the user

this is one of those times when paying the extra money to Crutchfield is good. I had a Blaupunkt go up in flames in the dash of my 318ti hours after I installed it. No questions asked, returned it and they sent me a new one.

Accidently pinched a speaker wire on the install and the unit went into an inop "failsafe" tech there talked me through what to look for.

I am all for buying local, but sometimes it is nice to buy from real experts

I bought this from Crutchfield. It is a warranty issue, I have to go through Pioneer for that. Well, I've gone through them, tomorrow I'm calling Crutchfield. I'm going to buy the Alpine I should have all along. Once Pioneer went to the dancing dolphins I swore them off. I regret second-guessing that decision.

i like the $120 Sony XPlod deck that i got from Wal Mart- and it even came with speakers... been in about 5 cars in the 4 years that i've owned it..

DrBoost wrote: I'm going to buy the Alpine I should have all along.

I fully support this. I've had dang near all of them back during my rolling boom box days. Alpine is all I use or ever intend to use again if it ain't factory.

• Lee

Another Alpine fanboi here. Never had a problem, good stuff. They may not have the video game displays etc but I don't care about that anyway.

If you hated Pioneer CS, you'll wish it was back with Alpine. Alpine has handled all the OE navi units for honda for decades.... and I despise their "WTF do YOU want" attitude after waiting on hold for 45 minutes every time I call. Their repairs carry a 30 day warranty and they don't give a flying F about you.

I have various radios from Pioneer, Kenwood and Alpine in most of my cars except the daily driver (that has the factory Bose system). I've had various Pioneer and Alpine HU's over the years. All the Pioneers I've had have been great, and I think they have great sound and features for the price. The Alpine's are a little higher end, but they are easy to use and sound great.

The last Alpine I bought was a CDA-105, and it did have some issues arise after about 4 years of daily use. The CD player now constantly skips, and the little Alpine badge fell off. Since I listen to my iPod most of the time anyway, I don't care, but if I listened to CD's constantly I'd be pissed. My old CDM-7871's from around 2000 are still kicking.

The Pioneers I've had have been pretty good. The crappy chrome finish on the last one I bought has peeled off, but it still works great and it's been in 3 cars.

The Kenwood EZ500 I've had for years has been in my old WRX, a Ford work truck, and it will soon reside in my CSX. It's still going.

I've bought all my stuff from Crutchfield ever since the local chain that I used to go to (Tweeter) shut down. They have been nothing short of excellent.

I used to buy only Pioneer, but haven't been as wowed with them in the last several years.

I buy all my stuff like that through Crutchfield. Never an installation mystery, help is a phone call or chat session away, and I find they are very price competitive when you factor in the installation kits, etc they give for 'free'. Never been dissatisfied with them or anything I purchased from them.

I bet they make this right for the OP.