I never thought I would be one to post something like this, but I really wanted to share my experience with everyone, everywhere.
I have an 09 LNF cobalt that came with an RPD. Like most of you with the same upgrade I've previously wanted the RPD and the ability to add 2 gauges to the unit like the customer 3 gauge pillar pods that have been available for years.
Well when I noticed a certain thread on CSS (
Gauge Pod w/RPD Slot - Cobalt SS Network) I decided to help out on 6/29/2010. I wanted that custom gauge pod for my rpd, and was also looking to help out a company I really liked and also the SS community.
I agreed to send my brand new RPD. I bought the car brand new, and the RPD had no nicks, scratches or sign of wear. I was explained that it would be 3 months and that my original pillar would have to be destroyed so I would be sent back a custom gauge pod. That was a major win in my book. So I Agreed to do it. All I asked in return was a pillar (base model stock preferably) so there wouldn't be an empty spot in my car. I was immediately shipped a box with a 3 pillar gauge pod to put in my car, and return shipping labels with bubble wrap to return my pillar. Before I even start the story this is what my RPD lcd screen now looks like :
and this is the gist of this whole story, and the help i've gotten :
Lets fast forward to January of 2011:
I have been pretty patient and it's been a little bit longer than expected. I started asking for updates and nothing could be really provided. I didn't really pursue any further. You can see this in the emails. (interviewatruins.tumblr.com)
Lets fast forward to Late april. At this point i'm looking to sell the car, and the Dealership that sold me the car originally wants the RPD back in the car or they will drop my trade in by $480. At this point its been 10 months, and now that I'm getting rid of the SS I really want it back. I basically get told it's not available. Then I get the following reply.
You can see this in the emails. (interviewatruins.tumblr.com)
There were really no issues and I even joked after about it being all good, as I figured there was a misunderstanding.
I get no reply for a few days so I ask again.
I check the thread rpd pillar and there is a picture of a prototype gauge pod with the RPD in it. So after not getting any reply, I start feeling I'm being lied to. I start to get a little upset, of course only after many emails of being told there is no update. At this point I do start to complain and provide the situation again with the car. I am finally told a prototype is available and that I will be getting it.
Then this :
After this email I get this reply.
"I take great offense to someone telling me I guaranteed something when I
did not.
My word means a lot to me. So, to me, someone misrepresenting what I
said is the same as them lying about me.
I have the prototype piece and your original electronics if that will
suffice but there will be two open holes for gauges."
I reply and state that is what I wanted all along, and that will work. 7 days later after being promised the prototype gauge pod by an associate of the companies, I open a box and see that my stock Pillar and RPD have been returned. I'm slightly disappointed but it's okay. I'm not going to keep the car anyways. The dealer just wanted it back. After taking it out of the box, I notice there is a nice scratch on the LCD screen, the rpd is dirty. The pillar is nicked, has dirt marks and oil marks on it and is also scuffed. The pillar was in a box of paper that the company sends with Downpipes. In fact the box itself has LNF no cat written on it. There is no bubble wrap, nor a return label to return the 3 gauge pillar I originally got temporarily. At this point i'm thoroughly upset, but still don't lose my cool. I was promised a prototype, and instead I get exactly what I sent in, but in really bad condition. After emailing pictures. I am directly called a liar. I am basically told to stop complaining, and that they've done what they said they'd do. This of course is a lie. Again this is all in the emails. (interviewatruins.tumblr.com)
Every email between the company and I is posted below.
If you'd like to skim it, just take a look at the dates and take a look at the last picture on the first page, and most of the posts on the second. More important take into account the treatment, and how you'd feel if this way you.
I am utterly bothered that i am being called a liar. That no help is being provided. I feel i've been more than reasonable throughout this whole ordeal. All I want at this point is to be paid the difference so I can finally get rid of the car, or immediately get a new one sent out. The associate agrees to give me a new one, and when I request an account number, or blank labels or a way to print out return labels I am ignored. I have spent a lot of money with this company and trusted them fully. I was told it'd be 3 months, and it turned out to be 10 months. I wasn't too upset at the wait time, but now i'm upset that I got returned a damaged product and there is no assistance or help. Beyond that I am being directly insulted.
This is not at all a good way to run a company, or provide customer service. I'm sure most of you would agree that if you were in my position you probably wouldn't have been as patient. I try not too be too upset, but at this point I don't know what to do. All I want is payment for the rpd or a brand new RPD and pillar (like I originally sent in) and return labels to send the unit back. Through out this whole ordeal I was pretty much made fun of, blamed on for many things that were not my fault, sarcastically replied to and blatantly called a liar and fraud. For what? For attempting to help a company help others? I don't think this is at all fair, and I hope the rest of you agree.
If you want to read the entirety of all emails to come up with an unbiased opinion please do so. Every email is included. The only ones I did not include were the ones where I provided my address again. Also the original pm's over CSS. Those were deleted long ago, and I don't have an upgrade account. These emails span between my work email. Screen shotted from mac mail, and also from gmail. This is why they look different. No tampering, editing or word changes have been made whatsoever. (interviewatruins.tumblr.com}
Please keep this thread clean. I don't want wars going on between people.
They really know how to treat customers - RPD update 
"For every ricer action there is a equal or greater ricer reaction"
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