I walked in, not knowing anything except I wanted to put solar in the new home I am building. I think he could see it on my face because he instantly said, "come on into my den" and proceeded to educate me and help me to buy exactly what I needed to meet my expectations. There were many times he pointed me to some products on his shelves that could save me money and accomplish the same end product. He drew out the whole wiring job in a way I could understand. He spent about 1 1/2 hrs with me which included staying after his normal hours to make sure I understood the whole thing and see my order through. I highly recommend DIY and will be back for the next faze, buying my solar friendly appliances.
Mary Nixon
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May 14, 2019
Be careful of what you purchase as it is not returnable for any reason. I spent almost 1,600.00 on a solar panel, a controller, an inverter and 2 batteries. I was very very clear on what I would need to run on the system, I even had the specs from the items tags i.e. how many watts the item used the voltage etc. After having the system installed by a professional it has never worked properly. After hundreds of dollars for initial install the equipment did not function properly. two different reputable professional installers spent HOURS on this system on multiple occasions trying to figure out why the controller would not function properly and why the inverter would turn on but not continue to work for any period of time. It was finally discovered that one of the batteries was faulty and that might be causing the issues. DIY did deem to replace the faulty battery. But very quickly it was discovered that the inverter STILL would not function properly and I was still without 110power. More time spent by the installer, phone conversations with DIY relating the issue..Finally DIY said to bring it in and let their solar person look at it, as it should be “very simple”. Their solar person looked at if for over an hour, I do realize they did not have to do this. But in the end I was told the 110 portion of the system would never run the one and only appliance I had stated at purchase that I wanted the 110 for, so why not just bypass the power inverter and hook it up as only 12 volt. SO essentially with parts and labor I paid over 2,000 for a small 12 volt system and a 3000w power inverter that is essentially a paper weight. While the people at DIY seem very nice and tried to be helpful in the end I have a system that does not work...Both professional installers felt the issue was wrong equipment and faulty equipment..DIY has said everything from it was installed incorrectly to I didn’t buy the correct items, to I wasn’t clear on what I wanted to blah blah blah...In the end I have a system that does a fraction of what I paid for it to do. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PURCHASE. If I had a do over I would have paid my installer to join me at the DIY Warehouse at the time of purchase..or better yet bypass this business all together. They are very nice but nice does not make the product a good one.
LERAJJAREAN RA-O-KEL-LY
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January 19, 2021
Shiesty business. Sold us a defective battery. Implied they would assist with installation of products, acted like they were doing a favor by reducing a china made 30amp solar charger price tagged at $79.00 for $20.00 when in fact online they are cheaper, thereby no true favor was done. Failed to provide a receipt. Go to Deep Batteries avoid this place that's going out of business. When we complained no assistance was provided. This business is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
In her response she states the purchase was over a year ago...yet she has no ideal when the actual purchase for charge controller, wire, battery and case was to indicate when a online receipt was issued.
Verification of being raked over the coal (taken advantage of) in respects to the solar charger...we only knew after purchasing such. After purchase for months we were unable to contact until I became aware of her adds on offer up. In her replies to me she stated, " I'm really sorry I just dont know what I can do for you. You bought products several months ago, at the time I know Andre tried to help you. Andre is no longer with us. We had to shut down for four months and are barely making it which is why we are now down to two employees."
Several months, is not a year...they were shout down for 4 months following purchase, she cant even very when the purchase was made for the above mentioned items, and they failed to provide a receipt.
Merely because they are DYI, gives no weight to them advising us they would help with the install or over price tagging a item and acting like they did us a favor on our overall purchase cost.
Further, running a shiesty business for 30 years without being accredited raises red flags and substantiates our claims.
Lulu
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December 05, 2016
I don't know what to make of this place, things aren't flowing very well here and prices are pretty high. Kelly gets 5 stars but the actual sales guy (Willy who's apparently been there forever) only gets 2. He wasn't connecting with me well as a sales person/communicator. Solar for "doing it myself" on a micro Motörhome is complicated to me and I had a lot of questions for someone who apparently preferred wandering around in the empty parking lot then helping. Plus, I asked him 2-3 times for a tally of what costs I was up to but he ball parked it and that made me more nervous, the other times he walked away. I left overwhelmed but came back 2 more times after gathering info on the internet. Fortunately Kelly the admin rental person kindly jumped in again and again and eventually closed the sale on my insistence, knowing how to graciously help solve my problems and she had the patience and support to allow me to sort through it all. I hope Kelly gets the commission on the $1100, if not I wouldn't come back. Also Willy the old guy made excuses, "like we can help you if you already know what you need". What the heck is a retail (that poses as a warehouse) outlet with higher prices for then? Also he was struggling and complaining while taking the panel down and almost broke it, (of course he implied it was Kelly's fault for not being there to grab it (even though it weighs 12oz). He also closed the chain link gates to the property at least a half hour before closing time. Overall I didn't feel welcome there and it was awkward having the non-salesperson do all the work. I hope Willy, the been-there 20 plus years as a sales person can retire soon so he doesn't have to deal with people anymore.
Lulu Lovemore
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June 02, 2021
What a waste of time. The owner mansplained what solar is to me even after I told him I knew exactly what I was looking for. He decided it was too hard for me and suggested I save myself the cost and effort and just go buy a gas generator. He thinks that lithium batteries are a fire hazard and lead is superior. Maybe 20 years ago, but now the opposite is true. Do yourself a favor, do your own research and ignore this misogynistic blowhard.
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9245 Jamacha Blvd, Spring Valley, CA 91977, USA
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I walked in, not knowing anything except I wanted to put solar in the new home I am building. I think he could see it on my face because he instantly said, "come on into my den" and proceeded to educate me and help me to buy exactly what I needed to meet my expectations. There were many times he pointed me to some products on his shelves that could save me money and accomplish the same end product. He drew out the whole wiring job in a way I could understand. He spent about 1 1/2 hrs with me which included staying after his normal hours to make sure I understood the whole thing and see my order through. I highly recommend DIY and will be back for the next faze, buying my solar friendly appliances.
Be careful of what you purchase as it is not returnable for any reason. I spent almost 1,600.00 on a solar panel, a controller, an inverter and 2 batteries. I was very very clear on what I would need to run on the system, I even had the specs from the items tags i.e. how many watts the item used the voltage etc. After having the system installed by a professional it has never worked properly. After hundreds of dollars for initial install the equipment did not function properly. two different reputable professional installers spent HOURS on this system on multiple occasions trying to figure out why the controller would not function properly and why the inverter would turn on but not continue to work for any period of time. It was finally discovered that one of the batteries was faulty and that might be causing the issues. DIY did deem to replace the faulty battery. But very quickly it was discovered that the inverter STILL would not function properly and I was still without 110power. More time spent by the installer, phone conversations with DIY relating the issue..Finally DIY said to bring it in and let their solar person look at it, as it should be “very simple”. Their solar person looked at if for over an hour, I do realize they did not have to do this. But in the end I was told the 110 portion of the system would never run the one and only appliance I had stated at purchase that I wanted the 110 for, so why not just bypass the power inverter and hook it up as only 12 volt. SO essentially with parts and labor I paid over 2,000 for a small 12 volt system and a 3000w power inverter that is essentially a paper weight. While the people at DIY seem very nice and tried to be helpful in the end I have a system that does not work...Both professional installers felt the issue was wrong equipment and faulty equipment..DIY has said everything from it was installed incorrectly to I didn’t buy the correct items, to I wasn’t clear on what I wanted to blah blah blah...In the end I have a system that does a fraction of what I paid for it to do. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PURCHASE. If I had a do over I would have paid my installer to join me at the DIY Warehouse at the time of purchase..or better yet bypass this business all together. They are very nice but nice does not make the product a good one.
Shiesty business. Sold us a defective battery. Implied they would assist with installation of products, acted like they were doing a favor by reducing a china made 30amp solar charger price tagged at $79.00 for $20.00 when in fact online they are cheaper, thereby no true favor was done. Failed to provide a receipt. Go to Deep Batteries avoid this place that's going out of business. When we complained no assistance was provided. This business is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau. In her response she states the purchase was over a year ago...yet she has no ideal when the actual purchase for charge controller, wire, battery and case was to indicate when a online receipt was issued. Verification of being raked over the coal (taken advantage of) in respects to the solar charger...we only knew after purchasing such. After purchase for months we were unable to contact until I became aware of her adds on offer up. In her replies to me she stated, " I'm really sorry I just dont know what I can do for you. You bought products several months ago, at the time I know Andre tried to help you. Andre is no longer with us. We had to shut down for four months and are barely making it which is why we are now down to two employees." Several months, is not a year...they were shout down for 4 months following purchase, she cant even very when the purchase was made for the above mentioned items, and they failed to provide a receipt. Merely because they are DYI, gives no weight to them advising us they would help with the install or over price tagging a item and acting like they did us a favor on our overall purchase cost. Further, running a shiesty business for 30 years without being accredited raises red flags and substantiates our claims.
I don't know what to make of this place, things aren't flowing very well here and prices are pretty high. Kelly gets 5 stars but the actual sales guy (Willy who's apparently been there forever) only gets 2. He wasn't connecting with me well as a sales person/communicator. Solar for "doing it myself" on a micro Motörhome is complicated to me and I had a lot of questions for someone who apparently preferred wandering around in the empty parking lot then helping. Plus, I asked him 2-3 times for a tally of what costs I was up to but he ball parked it and that made me more nervous, the other times he walked away. I left overwhelmed but came back 2 more times after gathering info on the internet. Fortunately Kelly the admin rental person kindly jumped in again and again and eventually closed the sale on my insistence, knowing how to graciously help solve my problems and she had the patience and support to allow me to sort through it all. I hope Kelly gets the commission on the $1100, if not I wouldn't come back. Also Willy the old guy made excuses, "like we can help you if you already know what you need". What the heck is a retail (that poses as a warehouse) outlet with higher prices for then? Also he was struggling and complaining while taking the panel down and almost broke it, (of course he implied it was Kelly's fault for not being there to grab it (even though it weighs 12oz). He also closed the chain link gates to the property at least a half hour before closing time. Overall I didn't feel welcome there and it was awkward having the non-salesperson do all the work. I hope Willy, the been-there 20 plus years as a sales person can retire soon so he doesn't have to deal with people anymore.
What a waste of time. The owner mansplained what solar is to me even after I told him I knew exactly what I was looking for. He decided it was too hard for me and suggested I save myself the cost and effort and just go buy a gas generator. He thinks that lithium batteries are a fire hazard and lead is superior. Maybe 20 years ago, but now the opposite is true. Do yourself a favor, do your own research and ignore this misogynistic blowhard.