[moonstone]

Obviously a lot of people are taking advantage of my YouTube videos and the threads that I've posted but seem to be purchasing the units from other retailers just to save a little money. However, those retailers don't seem to be very helpful when the customers have questions or issues with the unit.

You build your credibility and reputation as the go-to-guy for a product by providing help, support and advice for said product and engaging with the community around it. It's free advertising and not all advertising leads to an immediate sale but it does bring exposure and awareness of your business. How you respond and engage determines the goodwill that you build up in return.

Personally if you had a drop-shipper in the UK that could supply me with a unit free from UK VAT and Customs charges I would have happily given you my business.

Good luck.

 

[W84IT]

You build your credibility and reputation as the go-to-guy for a product by providing help, support and advice for said product and engaging with the community around it. It's free advertising and not all advertising leads to an immediate sale but it does bring exposure and awareness of your business. How you respond and engage determines the goodwill that you build up in return.

Personally if you had a drop-shipper in the UK that could supply me with a unit free from UK VAT and Customs charges I would have happily given you my business.

Good luck.

HAHAHA...No sir, good luck to you and whoever you purchased your unit from. I totally understand that not all advertising that I've done will lead to a sale for me but it's clear that the help, support and advice that I've provided has lead to sales for other retailers. But hey, that's just business. Everyone's looking to save a little money when they can so I can respect that. However, being a small business, it's really hard to sit back and watch others benefit off all the work that I've put in. At this point, all I have is my credibility and reputation.

 

[moonstone]

HAHAHA...No sir, good luck to you and whoever you purchased your unit from. I totally understand that not all advertising that I've done will lead to a sale for me but it's clear that the help, support and advice that I've provided has lead to sales for other retailers. But hey, that's just business. Everyone's looking to save a little money when they can so I can respect that. However, being a small business, it's really hard to sit back and watch others benefit off all the work that I've put in. At this point, all I have is my credibility and reputation.

Unfortunately you’re a reseller, not an inventor so you can’t stop other resellers from selling the same product. You need to get over it and stop going on about it all the time. It’s not endearing to potential customers.

Now if you wanted to add some real, unique value that makes a purchase from you more compelling than elsewhere, you may want to look at some of the Android tools that have been developed and used on the BMW and Mercedes versions of these units that can help modify boot screens and customise skins to see if they can be used on the Land Rover version. If so you’ll be able to make the skin more like the 2018+ OEM version and have links to Carplay/Android auto on the main menu instead of having to go through an app drawer first.

Soon as I get mine up and running that’s what I’ll be having a look at. You’d also be able to offer more customised versions of all types of the Merryway unit on your site expanding your offering to BMW, Audi and Mercedes, giving you something to sell (that no one else is bothering to do so far but that inexperienced users are crying out for) across a far bigger customer base.

 

[giulianoseguro]

I just want to give a huge shoutout to Ray for the amazing customer service and support. Spent the entire day to install my unit today and must have sent Ray 50+ messages and couldn't have done it without the guidance. I too debated a lot about going to other resellers / aliexpress to save some bucks but at the end of the day the fact that Ray is based on the US and was able to get the unit to me super fast and the customer support were the selling points for me.

This is not my first time dealing with these units and was expecting a fairly easy install but there are a lot of small details that are not super clear until you get your hands on it and Ray came to save the day. I tried getting support from Chinese resellers in the past but it seems that they only care until they make the sale, afterwards customer support is non-existent (this was just my experience others may differ).

Didn't get to play with the unit at all yet but so far i'm happy with the results. The trim removal / install is by far the biggest pain point for me (as Ray described in the video) so do take your time. I ended up cracking a couple of clips when trying to remove. Definitely harder than I expected.

 

[Seth Horwitz]

Please call me and I will be happy to assist you. Obviously a lot of people are taking advantage of my YouTube videos and the threads that I've posted but seem to be purchasing the units from other retailers just to save a little money. However, those retailers don't seem to be very helpful when the customers have questions or issues with the unit.

I’ll give you a shout tomorrow, after I get all of my questions in order to save some time. Do you have units in stock and ready to ship? (By any carrier besides the post office. I’d rather get on a plane to pick it up than wait for the post office to take two months.)

 

[W84IT]

Unfortunately you’re a reseller, not an inventor so you can’t stop other resellers from selling the same product. You need to get over it and stop going on about it all the time. It’s not endearing to potential customers.

Now if you wanted to add some real, unique value that makes a purchase from you more compelling than elsewhere, you may want to look at some of the Android tools that have been developed and used on the BMW and Mercedes versions of these units that can help modify boot screens and customise skins to see if they can be used on the Land Rover version. If so you’ll be able to make the skin more like the 2018+ OEM version and have links to Carplay/Android auto on the main menu instead of having to go through an app drawer first.

Soon as I get mine up and running that’s what I’ll be having a look at. You’d also be able to offer more customised versions of all types of the Merryway unit on your site expanding your offering to BMW, Audi and Mercedes, giving you something to sell (that no one else is bothering to do so far but that inexperienced users are crying out for) across a far bigger customer base.

Get over it?! What are you talking about? You have clearly missed the point. I never said that I invented this unit and I've never tried to stop others from selling the product. And since you think you're such a smart ass, just so you know, I'm not a re-seller. I'm actually a retailer...I purchase directly from the manufacturer at wholesale and sell directly to the consumer/end-user. I have direct contact with the engineers and the company (Merryway) that produces these units and I have always provided customer feedback to them to make improvements since I started this thread. I've been in contact with them almost daily at times. I have installed test units in my own vehicles to assist them with further development. Obviously you're the type that don't see any value in that but many others do. The owner of Merryway has even advised me that I'm his number one client for Land Rover products. I think that speaks for itself.

Furthermore, you came into this thread that I created to seek information about a unit that you purchased. So maybe you should "GET OVER IT" and go somewhere else with that negativity. Just know that many of the improvements on the unit that you purchased is the work from my test trials and consistent communication with the manufacturer. So, YOU'RE WELCOME!

 

[W84IT]

I’ll give you a shout tomorrow, after I get all of my questions in order to save some time. Do you have units in stock and ready to ship? (By any carrier besides the post office. I’d rather get on a plane to pick it up than wait for the post office to take two months.)

Yes, I have units in stock ready to ship. I use USPS priority mail or express mail with insurance and signature upon delivery so there's no issue with shipping. I can also use UPS if that's what you prefer.

 

[W84IT]

Hi all,

First of all, let me make it clear that I did not buy this unit from Ray / Android Aftershock.

I'm in the UK an bought it locally to avoid customs charges etc. I have a fair bit of experience with these types of Android units but not with this version. In the past with a BMW version I plugged the unit into a 12v power supply and set it all up at my desk before installing it into my car.

I'm trying to do the same with this by connecting my power supply to the yellow and black cables on the power connector. I can hear the unit switch on with a quiet client and then a very quiet fan spooling up but the screen remains black. Is there anything else that I need to do to get this working on the bench, like install the OEM boards from the car into it, or have I got a faulty unit?

Appreciate any help or advice.

HAHAHA!!! I definitely have the answer that you are seeking but I'll wait...

 

[moonstone]

A reseller and a retailer are the same thing where I come from. Semantics...

How you portray yourself in response to any kind of criticism is consistently over the top, perceiving slights that don’t exist.

You’re not the only third-party reseller on the planet selling Merryway Products or providing them with feedback (or posting on forums and producing YouTube videos).

If you want to run a successful small business then I suggest you seek out some marketing advice.

Maybe even have a look at the guys at Powerful UK. I don’t see Simon moaning about folk using his videos without making a purchase or asking for Paypal donations on his site and I certainly don’t see him alienating himself to potential customers by attacking people on forums.

You have much to learn about how to cultivate goodwill on social media outside of those who have already purchased a product.

...and I know you have the answer because on one of your vids you have a unit set up on the bench plugged into a PSU but you chose to ignore my question because you’re too shortsighted to see beyond the immediate return. “I’m not a customer so why should you help me?” Rather than realise that continued snd helpful engagement online is what increases your conversion rate amongst the silent audience reading your posts to others.

I’ll have my answer next week when I get my car back. Maybe I’ll post up some guides and info to help ease your burden.

 

[W84IT]

A reseller and a retailer are the same thing where I come from. Semantics...

You have a massive chip on your shoulder and it doesn’t do you any favours what-so-ever in terms of how you’re viewed by your potential customer base. Your attitude throughout this thread and how you portray yourself in response to any kind of criticism is consistently embarrassing.

You’re not the only third-party reseller on the planet selling Merryway Products or providing them with feedback (or posting on forums and producing YouTube videos).

If you want to run a successful small business then I suggest you seek out some marketing advice.

Maybe even have a look at the guys at Powerful UK. I don’t see Simon bitching and moaning about folk using his videos without making a purchase or asking for Paypal donations on his site and I certainly don’t see him alienating himself to potential customers by attacking people on forums.

You have much to learn about how to cultivate goodwill on social media outside of those who have already purchased a product.

...and I know you have the answer because on one of your vids you have a unit set up on the bench plugged into a PSU but you chose to ignore my question because you’re too shortsighted so only look for the immediate return. “I’m not a customer so why should you help me?” Rather than realise that continued snd helpful engagement online is what increases your conversion rate amongst the silent audience reading your posts to others.

I’ll have my answer next week when I get my car back. Maybe I’ll post up some guides and info to help ease your burden.

NICE! Everyone please give this guy some attention because he clearly needs it. I think you're the only one here with a chip on his shoulder so I definitely don't need any marketing advise from you. I'm sure anyone from this forum that has dealt with me directly will tell you that I'm an easy going guy and I've been very helpful to even some that didn't purchase from me...if they came with the right approach.

As far as me having a look at guys at powerfulUK or being more like Simon. Well, Simon and I are from 2 different worlds. Furthermore, powerfulUK has been in business for a long time and I have purchased many items from them to show support for the work that they put into making helpful videos. They also make a good profit from the videos that they produce. I also have to say that every Land Rover that I've owned over the past 10 years has had powerfulUK products on it...thousands of dollars spent over the years. Simon will confirm this for me.

My situation is totally different. I am a retired disabled veteran who works from home. I don't make any money at all from the videos that I post. I'm only committed to sell the Merryway brand units on my website right now due to an agreement I have with the owner of Merryway. I spend a lot of time communicating with the owner and engineers at Merryway along with numerous hours daily helping customers over the phone or via text. This whole business venture for me was not something that was planned. I actually just stumbled up on it by looking to upgrade the infotainment system in my own Range Rover. You can do a search on the L405 side of this forum to see how it all started. Before that, I was just a regular forum member doing my part to contribute helpful information to the forum...but after successfully installing the Android unit in my own Range Rover, I knew it was something that the Range Rover community would be interested in as much as I was. Being somewhat of a Range Rover enthusiast and being disappointed in the factory infotainment screen in my L405, I just knew this Android unit would be a success if I could sell it here in the USA and I was right.

Now in the beginning, I did not ship outside the USA but I started getting a lot of messages from the UK and other countries so that's when I figured that I need to sell globally. This also turned out to be a good decision because it seems that about 25% of the units that I sell are shipped to the UK, another 20% shipped to other countries, 40% shipped to other states here in the USA and around 15% sold here in my home state of California. Yes, I may have much to learn about dealing with people on social media but judging by the reviews on my website and even some reviews on this forum, I think I've done pretty well so far. But I've also learned that you can't satisfy everyone no matter how helpful you try to be. Sometimes I feel like I should just stop posting any information at all regarding the Android units and go back to being a regular forum member...but that wouldn't be fair to the forum members that have supported me throughout this process.

 

[moonstone]

NICE! Everyone please give this guy some attention because he clearly needs it. I think you're the only one here with a chip on his shoulder so I definitely don't need any marketing advise from you. I'm sure anyone from this forum that has dealt with me directly will tell you that I'm an easy going guy and I've been very helpful to even some that didn't purchase from me...if they came with the right approach.

Good luck to you, Ray.

 

[W84IT]

Good luck to you, Ray.

 

[moonstone]

For those that want to do the same as me and set this up on your desk before install, you do not need to installed the OEM boards first.

Take the loose yellow and red wires and join them together and connect this to the +positive of your 12v power supply and connect the black GND wire to the -Negative of your power supply.

Merryway (the manufacturer) support very kindly supplied me with this info when I asked them.

I’m going to experiment and see if I can use the Android tools that have been developed for the BMW and Mercedes versions of this unit can be used to customise it. I’ll report back with any progress I make in a separate thread.

 

[W84IT]

moonstone, you are more than welcome to post your findings here in this thread but let me just say that this particular information that you just provided is misleading. There's no way to set this unit up without installing the factory boards from the original screen and connecting it to the vehicle. Yes, there are some settings that you can change by powering it up on a test bench but it's pointless until you actually have the boards installed and connected to the vehicle. I'm sure you will find that out as you make progress on your install. I actually provide a setup guide to all of my customers.

 

[moonstone]

moonstone, you are more than welcome to post your findings here in this thread but let me just say that this particular information that you just provided is misleading. There's no way to set this unit up without installing the factory boards from the original screen and connecting it to the vehicle. Yes, there are some settings that you can change by powering it up on a test bench but it's pointless until you actually have the boards installed and connected to the vehicle. I'm sure you will find that out as you make progress on your install. I actually provide a setup guide to all of my customers.

I'm talking about setting up the preferences in the Android unit itself, installing and configuring apps, accounts etc. Basically the Android tablet side of things which I'm half way through doing as we speak.

 

[W84IT]

Honestly, I wouldn't be concerned about that but I guess there's nothing wrong with doing that if it's important to you. Setting up your account and installing apps is the fun/easy part so I prefer to do that after I make sure that everything is installed and functioning properly.

 

[moonstone]

Something interesting that I've discovered is that on the bench, if you keep the power supply connected to the yellow DVR/B+ wire (which is connected to all of the other yellow power wires in the loom) and GND but disconnect the red ACC wire the screen powers off but the unit maintains its current state so that when you reconnect the ACC wire, there's no boot-up, the system is already on.

On the main connector there are only four red wires:

1. ACC
2. A USB related red wire
3. Red wire coming from the splice connector that goes to the DVD unit
4. Red wire that's part of the Yellow phono plug wiring for the aftermarket camera inputs

So by elimination the only one that could be providing an ignition live from the cars wiring loom is the (3). If that proves to be the case (easy enough to check with a voltmeter) that means that if we remove (1) and (3) above from the connector and put (3) into (1)s original location that should replicate the behaviour above in the car. i.e. no waiting long times for the unit to boot up.

The possible downside is how much current is the unit pulling from the battery when it's in this sleep state? If it proves to be too much then there's a risk that it can run the battery down. But we could always wire up a small, rechargeable 12v 5a battery inline to protect against this (much like they do with dashcams).

 

[Seth Horwitz]

Something interesting that I've discovered is that when you keep the power supply connected to the yellow DVR/B+ wire and GND but discconect the red ACC wire the screen powers off but the unit maintains its current state so that when you reconnect the ACC wire, there's no boot-up, the system is already on.

I wonder is there's scope for modifying the connections to replicate this behaviour in the car. Depending on how much current it draws in this mode, you could have it wired to 12v5amp rechargeable battery to protect the vehicle battery from the load when the car is asleep.

I notice that with the ACC wire disconnected there is still power going to the main connector that powers the OEM board. Can't be that difficult to wire it up to a constant live and an ignition live surely.

Have you waited a bit to see if that changes? I’ve seen some YouTube demos where the installer claims “we just had this on, which is why it boots right up and isn’t showing the logo this time.” On that note, how long did it take for your first startup?

 

[moonstone]

Have you waited a bit to see if that changes? I’ve seen some YouTube demos where the installer claims “we just had this on, which is why it boots right up and isn’t showing the logo this time.” On that note, how long did it take for your first startup?

Good spot. Hopes dashed! I left it for a while and you're right it reverts back to a full boot up. Start up from power off is 51 seconds by my count but I noticed that my phone connects to Bluetooth whilst its booting.

 

[giulianoseguro]

Anyone here had any success on using the app Headunit Reloaded to use Android Auto wireless? I've tried using Android Auto via the cable but the autokit app doesn't pick it up. The USB connection on the phone keeps going in and out as if I was unplugging and plugging back in every second. Unfortunately I don't have another android phone to test Apple Carplay works wonderfully both plugged in or wireless.