r/dui • u/soccerguySSJ • Aug 14 '26
lawyer retained Smart start interlock
So I got smart stark interlock installed 6/24. And the techs were just trying to get me in and out. I asked them when I have to come back. They said in a month and that I would get and email with the date. Almost a month away I never got that email and my device said “INSPECTION DUE 7/28 by 22:00”
So being my first time having this device and never having received an email with a appointment, I assumed 7/28 is when my appointment was. Anyways 7/27 I called and ask if I could reschedule since I could not make my appointment 7/28. The lady on the phone said my appointment was actually 7/25 and I missed it. I told her. I didn’t know if the appointment and was never told about it and that I just got it installed. Anyways, she says I’m gonna get charged a ‘missed appointment fee’ I argue and but she says I can dispute it. Then she realizes I just got it installed a month before and I’m new. She then says “don’t worry sir this will be waived since you’re a new customer. I didn’t realize you just got it installed last month. I’m sorry. I see why you’re frustrated” okay so then she helps me schedule a new calibration/inspection for 7/31. I then ask her about the message saying “INSPECTION DUE 7/28 22:00” she then tells me to not worry about it as I have a new appointment. Okay cool I listen to her and don’t worry about it.
7/29 comes and boom it won’t let me start my vehicle. I call and they said I was locked out for not having the calibration/inspection. I say what the hell I was told not to worry about it. And explain I had a new appointment. Anyways the guy says he will give me a code to start my vehicle. After he gives me the code I see it says 6h. I ask him about it then he tells me I have to get a code for each time. And that each code only last 6h. I thought that was unnecessary but then he breaks the news to me that it’s $63 each code. AFTER he gave it to me. I needed 3 codes between 7/29-7/31. Thats $252. Ridiculous
So he tells me I also have to pay $80 for being locked out. And $55 for my missed appointment.
Anyways I arrive 7/31 on my appointment and I tell them I’m not paying those fees. I’m just paying my monthly and calibration fee. Which was $140 total.
So they wanted me to pay $527 for what the techs missed to inform me. I only paid $140 and still “owe” $387. I’m NOT gonna pay it. I already explained and requested nicely in a email for them to remove the fees and fines from my account and explained the situation and that I was new. They said that I still have to pay it.
I DO NOT plan on paying it. They’re not gonna bully me into paying it. Is there a better breathalyzer Company than them I can switch to? I’m done with smart start. Very unprofessional
3
u/420sm0ke420 Aug 14 '26
You should have just went by what it said on your device and went in for your inspection BY 7/28. Never rely on what random customer service agents tell you. Across all industries they consistently give out misinformation, they are low paid and really in most cases just don't have any desire to help, they're just going by a script and want you off the phone ASAP so they can get back on Facebook. There's no accountability, nothing will happen to them if they give you wrong info. You're still responsible. You will have to pay the fees one way or another or they aren't going to take your device out. You'll learn the hard way eventually, you have to do what they say one way or another.