Originally Posted by improvius
UPDATE: I was contacted by OEMP soon after making the above post. Here's the full story on how things went down:
First of all, I was going through my local installer (Limelight in Webster, NY) for all purchases. This was at their request, and it seemed reasonable at the time. As it turned out, though, they had their own problems with communicating, which compounded the problems I was having with OEMP. I will never go this route again with an installer.
I ordered the full Reference kit and opted for the custom paint to match my Series.Yellow. For $200 it seemed like a reasonable cosmetic upgrade. I was not given an exact ETA, but my installer relayed to me that it could take "a couple of weeks" extra. This seemed fine to me. I placed the order for the full kit with them on July 28th.
On August 2nd, I emailed OEMP directly, asking for information on the quick release hardware and trying to get it added to my order. I did not receive a response.
Time went by with no updates from either LL or OEMP. On August 17th, I sent LL a message via FB (which was how I had been communicating with them previously) asking for an update. My request was acknowledged, but I did not receive an update after that.
On September 3rd, I requested another update from LL. Again, my request was acknowledged, but I never received an actual update.
On September 8th, out of frustration, I posted in this forum. OEMP replied to me that day. They also become more immediately responsive to my requests from that day forward. I continued contacting OEMP directly rather than going through LL.
On September 25th I asked OEMP for another update. I was told that the kit had shipped out days ago. OEMP said that they had told LL about the shipment and had requested that LL notify me. I was not notified by LL.
I contacted LL on September 26th and scheduled the installation for October 5th. I also warned them about possible issues with the Maestro unit they were installing, including the potential problem with the power line to the backup camera. I also requested that they pick up and install the Metra adapter for the dashboard USB jack.
The installation takes longer than expected, partly because LL had issues with the backup camera (which I had specifically warned them about). Also, they never picked up the USB adapter, even though I had a conversation with them about it in person and sent them the exact part number on October 6th. I pick the car up on October 8th. While there, the owner finally looks at the messages I sent and agrees to pick up the USB adapter and install it at a later date (which they do a couple of weeks later.)
After a day of driving the car, I discover that the power to the sub will only come on if I start the car twice. When I start the car up once cold, the sub does not power up. So I have to do a full of powering up the car, powering it down, than actually starting the ignition in order to get everything to work.
I contact OEMP and LL via email about the problem. Within a few days, OEMP ships a replacement amp unit to me directly. I receive the replacement and install it myself about a couple of weeks later. The problem is resolved and everything now powers up on the first start. This resolution was about 2 1/2 weeks after I initially placed the order.
Summary: it took way too long for OEMP to fulfill my order. As far as I can tell, it was mostly (if not entirely) because of the custom paint job. And getting the bad amp was just icing on the cake. I should have received more communication about why it was being delayed. I fault both the installer and OEMP for this.
Having said all of the above, I have to admit it sounds really, really good. The SQ is even better than I expected it to be. The sound is full and clear and I'm very happy with it. One minor issue that remains is that the sub pops when powering down. It's not very loud, but it's definitely noticeable and not desirable. Other than that, everything came out exceptionally well.
As for whether or not waiting for the paint job was worth it, see the picture and judge for yourself.
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