Bought a sterio for my car, had it fitted and it's useless

JIreland

In June I bought a new sterio for my car, it is supposed to have European sat nav, hands free, camera, internet connectivity etc etc built in. Advertised as uk returns and support and based in Essex.
A local firm that I've known for 30+ years fitted it
From day 1 the internet hasn't worked
A week later the camera conked out
The radio is next to useless, it won't stick with a channel and constantly hunts and only ever finds static
When we got off euro tunnel in Calais we found that we didn't have European sat nav at all. Let vendor know who told us to simply download European maps from his website, with a car with the internet connectivity not working and no laptops, it was impossible.

The vendor eventually sent a replacement sd card to my parents (who were coming out to visit me) when they arrived, it didn't work so vendor sent another sd card to our campsite, but hadn't installed any roads on it, the next sd card he sent had no vocal instructions and the most recent sd card only gives the first instruction of the route and then no more.

Vendor is insisting I send the unit back to China before he'll reimburse me for the cost of the unit. paypal is also agreeing with him despite advert clearly stating uk support and returns,

However, it cost me 120 to get the unit fitted and I'm guessing another 120 to get it removed. Who do I claim that back from? Vendor has told me to do one and claiming that as he's in Canada, I can't touch him through the small claims courts.

Bantex_2

If he is a Canada you are stuffed.

Why not just buy from a reputable UK supplier?

JIreland

I thought I was buying from a uk supplier, it was advertised as coming from the UK. I wish I'd just bought a tom tom instead.

facade

You can get an Alpine integrated satnav but they are stupid money.

For around £150 you can get an app radio, that will connect to an android/iphone and use the 'phone as a satnav/music player/ netsurfer.

I would get a decent make bluetooth radio/mp3 player that fits the dash, have that fitted, (obviously they then remove the old one) then send the Chinese one back for a refund. If you get one you are winning.
Then use a separate tomtom or similar.

JIreland

Do have have to take care when removing the unit or can I remove it by simply cutting the wires to the microphone and camera rather than dismantling the dash, that way I can save myself 120 because I can take it out myself. Paypal just want a tracking reference for postage before they'll refund me.

facade

If the microphone, camera and gps antenna were sold as part of the unit, then they have to go back with the unit, and if you break them/cut wires off you can expect to have to pay for the damaged/missing parts (which will no doubt be close to the cost of the whole package)

forgotmyname

The problem is that the cost of sending it back tracked maybe a fair portion of what you paid for the unit.

I bought an item delivered to me for £5 inc postage. It would have cost £14 to send it back.

Nodding_Donkey

That's a chance you take when you buy cheap chinese tat on eBay

cootuk

I would talk to a real person at ebay and push the fact that they had a uk address for returns, but are now denying this. You might just get a no fault refund from ebay themselves.

forgotmyname

Internet built in? Have you added a SIM card or tethered it to your phone?

It needs a network for the internet.

If you have memory cards you can get the maps direct from the manufacturers and various other sites.