Crutchfield Advantages?

Have always had good experiences with Crutchfield over twenty plus years. Doesn't mean I always buy from them but when I do it has been good.

 

I agree it's hard to "mess up" the color coding, but other things come up. Like someone said, they discovered a preamp only after starting the job.

Youtube is helpful for this too I agree, but if you can't figure out how to disassemble the dash to pull the old radio is another example.

 

Be very careful with this. Biggest issue you may run into with Amazon is that some of their sellers ARE NOT Pioneer certified internet sellers (or whatever term they use). Check before you buy if you want a Pioneer warranty. On Pioneer's website they list the sellers that Pioneer will honor a warranty on if bought through them, otherwise,,, no Pioneer warranty. Amazon will normally honor a DOA unit, but after it's installed, if it's not purchased through a Pioneer recognized seller, you are screwed.

Lots of equip from Sonicelectronix is like this, no manufactureers warranty, but they supposedly warranty it themselves, but this is not a manufacturers warranty.

Amazon itself used to be on Pioneers list, but if you buy from one of Amazon's partners, and not Amazon itself, no Pioneer warranty.

Buyer beware.

All this being said, I rarely buy through Crutchfield due to my being a CAMF (Cheap Azz MoFo). But I consider myself self-warranteed. If I have an issue, I know it's mine to fix or replace. I've done this for well over 10 years of Internet cheap-azz buying and haven't been burned,,,,,, yet.

 

Here's another great Crutchfield experience from today:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/247510-best-microphone-car-stereo.html#post5958794

 

I like cruthfield's website, but their prices are higher than most other places. I tend to shop on their site as its a great site, then look for deals elsewhere. Got my sub for $240 less than what Crutchfield had it listed on their site. Brand new in box, works, no issues.

You pay more for their products because of the support I'm sure. I don't need the support so I just shop elsewhere.

 

Isn't someone from crutchfield on here? Good for them I guess. They have a core following and don't have to worry about people like me on a tight budget. More power to them.

I get the superior customer service and would prefer to have that at my disposal, but I can't justify paying $110 more when I can get the same exact thing for $289. And i didn't even have to look for it! I googled the HU and found that price immediately. Add the dash kit and steering wheel interface and I'm up to $400 which is what I would pay at crutchfield for JUST the HU!

Anyway, I think I've made my point. Thanks for the tip Lurkin on finding an authorized pioneer dealer. I will look for that when I'm saving $$.

 

As other people have noted; its really about the service after the sale.

I bought a Nav/HU last year; few months later, static discharge from nearby lightning strike toasted the operating system so unit was worthless. I was already outside the Crutchfield return window but with no hassle at all they sent a brand new HU to swap it out.

A few months later I called and expressed my concerns about some persistent glitches in the HU. They offered for me to just return the unit for full credit and go with something else....

that kind of service has to be worth something.

(Disclaimer: I have no connection to Crutchfield)

 

Just make sure that you buy from a reputable dealer that can provide you with service. I posed a similar question to a friend that worked at a large, high end electronics chain. His response that was you could certainly save some money by buying online from Ebay, Amazon or any number of outlets, but to whom do you turn when something goes wrong.

 

Exactly. Personally I still go the "save the $$" route, but like I said above, I consider myself self-warranteed. I pay the price, I take the chance.

But OP, there is another option whereby you can buy from eBay/Amazon/other-cheap-source and then make sure that you can get a Squaretrade warrantee. I did some research awhile back and it seemed that Squaretrade was quite reputable and did what they claimed. A low Internet price + Squaretrade warrantee was still much cheaper then the full-service retailers. Note that I still did not purchase a warrantee myself, but was seriously considering it.

Also note that when I checked inot the prices of the other Pioneer authorized dealers, they were not cheaper by any significant factor then Crutchfield. If I wanted a Pioneer warrantee I would just go the Crutchfield route.

 

Very true. I've bought from Ebay or Amazon before when I knew what I wanted and was getting.

Example, I bought my truck boxes for my 12" subs on there. I knew they would fit my subs and there's no moving parts to a box so I was good with it. I also bought the component door speakers for my old truck on there after having the same set and at least knowing what they sounded like, plus I only spent $40 on them.

For something like a 300-400 head unit, I agree it's more of a risk and maybe better off using an authorized dealer or brick and mortar store.

 

I can't wipe my ass with $100 bills either.

Like I said, somethings I buy from them, others I find cheaper elsewhere.

And I can solder a wiring harness for a HU myself no problem, but the fact they just sent me their best aftermarket mic, free of charge, because the one that came with said HU is nowhere near sufficient.... is the reason I buy from them.

They could have easily made me cut the HU out, send it back and replace it with the same exact thing.... they could have sent me the same exact mic and hope that was the issue... but no, they took care of me.

Good luck getting that kind of customer service anywhere else. Hell, I don't even think other outlets would entertain a return/replace if you were just unsatisfied with the mic quality.

 

@ Geoff7877

Yeah i'm looking at the same one on Amazon. It's now just $274.99. I just wish it still had the SD card slot like the 2011 models did. but this is a great price. just haven't pulled the trigger yet. I also plan to install it myself. but i want to add a backup camera. also gotta find a good place to get the wiring harness and dash kit. also deciding whether to get the grey texture or black dash kit. i have a 2008