I called La Jolla Audio (5161 Santa Fe St, San Diego, CA 92109) because i had heard they did good work. Unfortunately, they weren't very helpful. If you buy your own equipment, you can expect them not to be interested.

I told them i had an amp, HU and component speakers to install and the guy says that 1) he doesn't do estimates over the phone, 2) they give priority to customers who buy equipment from them and 3) they are busy anyway. So he said i'd have to wait at least 3 weeks before they could look at it.

 

Hate to burst your bubble, but you'll probably get the same treatment at most car audio shops.

I've been installing car audio for over seven years and I never give estimates over the phone. Most people who call for estimates over the phone are only shopping for the cheapest prices. Well, good labor aint cheap and cheap labor ain't good. Anyone serious about having me do work for them will take the time to show me what they have and what they want it installed in.

Customers who purchase product a shop will always get priority. I know of a lot of shops that won't even bother installing product they didn't sell.

This is a busy time of year. I'm booked out two weeks.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by allkingz
[B]Hate to burst your bubble, but you'll probably get the same treatment at most car audio shops.

I've been installing car audio for over seven years and I never give estimates over the phone. Most people who call for estimates over the phone are only shopping for the cheapest prices. Well, good labor aint cheap and cheap labor ain't good. Anyone serious about having me do work for them will take the time to show me what they have and what they want it installed in.

Customers who purchase product a shop will always get priority. I know of a lot of shops that won't even bother installing product they didn't sell.

 

I needed a HU, component speakers and an amp installed. All of the Al & Ed's gave me some basic quotes but also asked me to come down for a more precise quote. That's fine.

I'm just informing people who might want to use La Jolla Audio what to expect. They had better plan on buying something from them to install or they can expect to get this sort of response.

I ended up having the install done by Al & Ed's. Aside from the system not producing nearly as much bass as i had expected it to, I think the install was acceptable. I'll post some pictures of the install soon. The install cost me $290.