Car Toys sells car audio equipment, sound systems, and automotive accessories both online and through physical retail locations. This page aggregates customer ratings and reviews for Car Toys to help shoppers understand service quality, pricing practices, and installation reliability before making a purchase or scheduling work.
Car Toys Reviews
2.3
18 reviews
What Shoppers Say About Car Toys
Created with AI, based on recent reviews
Car Toys has polarized customer experiences, with ratings split sharply between satisfied and dissatisfied shoppers. Positive reviewers praise the knowledgeable staff at physical locations (particularly Lewisville and Denton stores) and highlight quality car audio installation work and helpful customer service when purchases go smoothly. However, the majority of reviews describe serious issues including bait-and-switch pricing tactics, refusal to honor warranties after ownership changes, failure to deliver ordered parts while retaining deposits, upselling during installations, and poor follow-up communication from management.
The most damaging complaints center on business practice integrity: customers report being quoted one price and charged significantly more upon drop-off, deposits taken before the company went out of business with no refund or communication, and warranty claims denied by new ownership despite being paid by previous management. Multiple reviewers describe feeling trapped when their vehicles were "torn apart" and unable to operate, with the company refusing to remedy the installation errors. The service quality appears highly dependent on location and timing, but the prevalence of warranty disputes and pricing deception raises red flags about business practices.
Customer Reviews (18)
Sorted by: Most recentPatricia S.Oct 30, 2024
I'd definitely recommend this location without any hesitation. Compared to other shops I've visited, the customer service here really stands out. The team was always there when I needed help and really knew their stuff. Derek was especially great answering all my questions in a way that made sense. This place has set a new standard for what good service should be.
Michael W.Jul 24, 2024
Went in to have a CD player installed in my vehicle. They said they could only get one model and ordered it. Turned out it wasn't compatible with my car. They made me pay for both the player and the installation anyway and refused to take the player back. Horrible experience. Won't be going back.
Anthony V.Apr 12, 2024
Watch out for this location. I trusted them to install a backup camera, new radio, and sound system on my car. Big mistake. During installation they drilled holes through the firewall and trunk to run the wiring. Water started leaking through those holes and flooded the interior, which fried the wiring and destroyed the engine control unit. I'm looking at $9000 in repairs and counting. I've called the manager multiple times. He acknowledged the problem, spoke with my mechanic, and asked for pictures and quotes which I provided. Still no response from them. Don't let this happen to you.
Daniel F.Feb 26, 2024
Paid for a detailing service at their Parker location and basically got nothing. The vehicle wasn't vacuumed, the steering wheel and center areas were still filthy, and there was trash left on the seats. All they did was maybe a quick wipe of the dashboard. Total waste of money and time. Go somewhere else for your detailing needs.
Gregory N.Sep 11, 2022
The Tigard store has some excellent management. I went back the day after talking to someone who wasn't very helpful. Sean, a manager who transferred from another location, talked me through what I actually needed instead of what I originally came in for. Turns out a new Kenwood deck would solve all my problems. We set up an appointment for Saturday installation. Manager Fernando confirmed everything on Friday. On Saturday a different employee was there and seemed annoyed about a previous interaction, but Jordan, an amazing installer, took over and wouldn't let that guy touch my truck. Jordan said he wasn't even certified anyway. Jordan did excellent work on the Kenwood unit. Sean was totally right about this deck. It does everything I need and then some. The manual is clear and easy to follow. Much better than the Pioneer I thought was better initially.
Jessica L.Aug 2, 2021
Here's what happened to me. Got slapped with $550 in installation charges that I didn't know about until after the work was done. I drive a 2004 Toyota truck. I wanted specific premium speakers for $559 but they installed cheaper on-sale Alpine ones instead without asking. The price stayed the same though. My original factory stereo sounded way better than what they put in. Those Alpines were marked down to $87 but they never told me that.
Marcus D.Apr 9, 2021
Taking my truck to Car Toys turned out to be a nightmare. They talked me into a financing option I got approved for $1500, but then charged me almost $1900 for a stereo and speakers with an amp. That maxed out my credit and I still had to pay $300 out of pocket. But that was just the start. They charged me for wiring I didn't need, destroyed my existing wiring, didn't put door panels back together properly, left speakers unsecured, broke trim pieces then glued them back, and routed the stereo wiring completely wrong. When I called to complain, the staff was extremely rude. The stereo kept shutting off with no sound. I will never go back there, not even to pick up my own wiring. Can't believe they're still operating.
David R.Feb 28, 2021
In all my years as a customer, I've never experienced such poor customer service. I understand they work with other brands, but that's no excuse for the kind of treatment I got at the Tacoma location. The staff were incredibly rude and unwelcoming. I've worked retail for 15 years myself, and my manager would never tolerate that kind of behavior. They wouldn't even let me charge my phone. I'll be following up with the parent company about the lack of support. What's happening to service in this country?
Car Toys Review FAQ
What is Car Toys' overall rating on RetailCoupons.com?
Car Toys is rated 2.3 out of 5 based on 18 customer reviews. The rating distribution shows 67 percent one-star reviews and 33 percent five-star reviews, indicating highly polarized customer experiences with little middle ground.
What do satisfied customers praise about Car Toys?
Positive reviewers consistently mention knowledgeable and helpful staff at certain locations, particularly the Lewisville and Denton stores. Customers also report finding good deals on car audio equipment and accessories, and appreciate fast response times when contacting the company with questions about orders or shipments.
What are the most common complaints about Car Toys?
The most frequent complaints involve pricing deception (quoted prices that double upon drop-off), refusal to honor warranties after ownership changes, failure to deliver ordered parts while keeping customer deposits, poor installation work that leaves vehicles non-functional, and unresponsive management. Several customers report being unable to resolve disputes with new ownership despite previous agreements.
Do customers recommend Car Toys for car audio installation?
Recommendations depend heavily on location and timing. Some customers strongly endorse specific store locations for professional installation work. However, multiple negative reviews warn against using Car Toys for installation due to reported botched work, warranty disputes, and alleged upselling tactics while vehicles are in the shop and customers have limited recourse.
Should I buy from Car Toys online or visit a store location?
Online purchases for equipment appear to have fewer issues, with customers reporting successful transactions and quick customer service responses. In-store service and installation appears more problematic, with most serious complaints involving installation work, pricing disputes at drop-off, and warranty conflicts. Verify all pricing and warranty terms in writing before authorizing any work.