Crutchfield or not?

[Neel]

Hey guys. I am on the market for a new stereo, but I am completely inexperienced with this sort of thing.

I have talked to a person at crutchfield, who gave me a few recommendations, and he was very helpful. He also mentioned that they sell these cards for 60$ or so that guarantee the installation for that price (not for the 100+ that a shop might charge), and that they sell you all of the extra components that are necessary to install a head unit (like a harness, bezel, etc).

They also charge a lot more for all of the stuff they sell. For example, I am looking at the pioneer 8000bt. This unit is 329 on crutchfield and 236 on amazon. Granted, crutchfield claims to give you 40$ worth of installation parts there, but that doesn't quite cover the disparity.

As a matter of fact, I can step up to the pioneer 3100 from amazon, and it's still only 297$. Even if crutchfield gives me 35$ worth of parts for the 3100, it is still cheaper to get the unit from amazon.

The only hitch is the installation. Am I correct in assuming that if I get the item from crutchfield, it is only worth it if I install it myself?

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[riverwolf]

Crutchfield operates real B&M stores and was doing mail order back when it was still sent via USPS. They also give you a real live person to call for help before and *after* the sale when you've gotten your dash ripped apart, but can't get something to work. I can't find that number on Amazon's web site. Real, knowledgeable, human customer service costs money...too many in the Internet age tend to forget that, IMO. Only you can decide if they're worth the upcharge...it's a risk/reward scenario.

I will say the install sheets C'field provides are probably worth their weight in gold or at least a premium over the alternative. I think you can buy them separately, but you get them for "free" when you buy product. You may get lucky and find a DIY writeup online for your vehicle (not all owners are as rabid as 4Runner folks), but the C'field sheets include clear native English text and real photos of an actual car, not just a FSM diagram drawing.

-Brent

 

[twitchee2]

I got a crutchfield head unit and i would do it again, They do give you the little things harness, shelf for single din etc. everything you will need. And the the instructions really are worth their weight in gold. it was so easy with pictures of a actual 4runner. I would spend the extra money and make sure you get everything right the first time around.

 

[Neel]

Gotcha. I guess there are some things not worth being uncertain about.

I don't know much about car stereos, but the crutchfield guy I talked to on the phone said that I should easily be able to follow the instructions they supply. I think that it will be worth my time to get it from crutchfield and try installing it myself, when I finally do pick a HU and get it.

The one thing I am unsure about is the microphone installation. I'm considering a pioneer p8000bt, and it comes with bluetooth and a microphone. I don't know how easy it will be to run that microphone to a desirable place.

 

[ChipG]

Be aware

Many of the lower prices on new electronics on Amazon & Ebay are "Gray market" products. This means they were intended for another country or are
NOS and do NOT have a warranty. There is allways a reason the price is lower.
I have been into car stereo since the 80's and have done alot of business with Crutchfield. There prices are usually 10 to 20 dollars higher than the discount online store that sell up to date , warrantied products.
Things to think about, Crutchfield will be there if you have trouble, they ship today, they have a pretty good scratch & dent and open box list if you look .
They offer extended warranty as well.

Money well spent in my opinion.

 

[SurfToy]

I've ordered from them in the past, and just ordered a new Kenwood DDX514 (should be here next week). The 'extras' they provide, combined with the install instructions and the fact that there is a real, live person you can call or eChat for assistance is worth the small premium, IMO.

Rawk on!:guitar3:

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I've ordered from them in the past, and just ordered a new Kenwood DDX514 (should be here next week). The 'extras' they provide, combined with the install instructions and the fact that there is a real, live person you can call or eChat for assistance is worth the small premium, IMO.

Rawk on!:guitar3:

+1, always a good experience dealing with them. You can get the kits and other install gear and still come out much cheaper, but as mentioned the install sheets and live support is great. I'll add one thing though: take all they say with a grain of salt. As they are human reps, they have a bias. I've spoken with them about products that were better rated and better reviewed, but yet they still recommend another one. I am a member of Car Audio Forum - CarAudio.com. There is a ton of info over there, and some guys really know their stuff. They've been able to make great suggestions on the proper setups, so that combined with the Crutchfield advice I was able to put together a very well balanced system.

 

[ougrad1]

+1, always a good experience dealing with them. You can get the kits and other install gear and still come out much cheaper, but as mentioned the install sheets and live support is great. I'll add one thing though: take all they say with a grain of salt. As they are human reps, they have a bias. I've spoken with them about products that were better rated and better reviewed, but yet they still recommend another one. I am a member of Car Audio Forum - CarAudio.com. There is a ton of info over there, and some guys really know their stuff. They've been able to make great suggestions on the proper setups, so that combined with the Crutchfield advice I was able to put together a very well balanced system.

+2.
I went down the ebay, woofersetc.com sites to try and save some money and regrettably got some Focals that were not Focals. I ended up selling them on craigslist and bought all my stuff from Crutchfield since they are authorized dealers for everything they sell so no worries with warranty coverage.

In addition, if the product you are looking at on their site is categorized as part of their new 'Signature' products then you get free 2-3 day shipping and no tax like local authorized dealers.

Like others have mentioned, I got the master sheets for replacing all my speakers, HU, rear sub(JBL only), which came in handy in showing me how to remove my panels in the rear deck to lay down dynamat.

Nowadays, with the economy the way it is, I'm more concerned about people being desperate and selling fake stuff on some of these non-authorized websites...that's just my opinion though.

 

[Lowpro]

I like Crutchfield also. Always really helpful.

Go to Crutchfield.com/penfed for a 7% discount.

* Discount may not be used on the following brands/products: Alpine, Apple, Artison, Beltronics, Borla, Bose, Definitive Technology, Eclipse, Energy, Escort, Focal, JL Audio, K&N, Klipsch, Marantz Reference, Mirage, NAD, Peachtree, Pioneer, Polk Audio, Samsung LED TVs, select Sony items, Thiel Audio, Thule, Tom Tom, Velodyne, Wadia, Yamaha, digital cameras, camcorders, MP3 players, video games & consoles, pre-paid installation & programming services, gift cards, or Outlet Store items.
* Not combinable with other discount offers.
* We retain the right to cancel and/or modify this offer at any time without prior notice.
* Limit one per customer.
* Valid only to end user.
* Offer not valid for product resale.
* We reserve the right to limit quantity.

Or use code # pdigf-769zw-dpb69 for $20 off of $200 on your first order.

 

[CajunRunner]

Crutchfield is always a safe bet...factory authorized for just about everything they sell, and they're always availble for DIY help when you need it. I purchased my Eclipse head unit from them, along with several home audio products in the past and have always been happy with their service. You definitely get peace of mind with Crutchfield.

If you're a more advanced car stereo installer and don't mind the lack of factory warranty on your products, then check out Onlinecarstereo.Com - Wholesale Car Audio/Stereo Deals At Bargain Prices. I went with them and save many hundreds on my JL amps and speakers.

I've also purchased electronic items through unauthorized resellers on eBay. So far, what I've ended with has been the real deal as far as I can tell, but without serial numbers (stickers removed from the original boxes and hardware) which means I'm on my own if any of it stops working. I personally don't care if any of it stops working...by then I'll want to buy something new and different anyway. It boils down to how much a factory warranty and customer service are worth to you.

 

[97RunnerSR5]

crutchfield is GREAT. I had ordered a headunit from them for my jeep. They give you this master sheet of instructions that makes it very easy to install...i installed the head unit in my jeep an hour before work. I regret paying someone to install the one in my 4runner, i was younger then. When i get a new unit for the runner i'll be doin it myself, and buying from crutchfield.

Plus, they usually give you EVERYTHING you need to install the head unit for free, except for the caps and zip ties.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

bump for a great company

Curious if you got your head unit by now...

As you can see many of us have done business with Crutchfield. They may not always be the cheapest but their service is outstanding.

Lifetime technical support. 3 very important words to me.

I just bought a $99 head unit -a JVC KD-HDR20 for my 89 MR2-with built in HD radio. Then a full month later they emailed me to say it came with lifetime technical support.
Free wiring harness for the speakers-master install sheet for the vehicle. Friendly operators that actually know car stereo. They train for 13 weeks before they ever take a phone call.

I have a coupon that is $25 off a purchase of $150 or more. I believe they offer free shipping when you spend $125 or more. If anyone needs the code just Private Message me and I will give it up. I don't get a kickback on it...

 

[ric]

As you can see many of us have done business with Crutchfield. They may not always be the cheapest but their service is outstanding.

Lifetime technical support. 3 very important words to me.

Ive never bought anything from them, but Customer service is VERY important to me, Id rather pay a little more now, than regret it later :guitar3:
when its time to upgrade Ill seriously look into them, thankx all

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

I ended up buying another setup from them. I was able to get "open box" items, and their price was very competitive. I ended up paying about $10 more for sub/amp than I could find even using the online places where there'd be no warranty. SO, warranty plus great customer service, well worth the extra money. I did buy the sub new, I actually saved doing this because it upped the price enough I'd get free shipping.