I just wanted to share my good experience at Crutchfield with you guys. They are not the cheapest but they are pretty incredible especially if you are inexperienced.

Dear Mr Crutchfield

I just wanted to write a short note thanking your company for the awesome service I have received from numerous of your employees. I have never shopped from such a proficient company.

I am doing my first car audio install and due to my inexperience I have blown 2 speakers and had to make 7 different product returns! Your company has stood by me to such an extent that I am actually embarassed.

I will use you for all my future electronic purchaces if at all possible and recommend you on the forums I visit.

Thanks again.

 

do you think they want you back. You seem like a losing proposition considering all your returns

 

I live about 45 minutes from their retail store and they do have great customer service and its why Best Buy and Circuit City havent really been able to take over the electronics business there.

I do have to say though if you are looking for a K&N FIPK or CAI for the S2000 they have them instock, ship them quickly and at no charge. Plus they are priced right!

 

I wouldn't want me back.

I feel horrible about the returns. But the flipside is I am getting what I want. They provide postage paid UPS so it is very easy to return.

Hopefully I will make it up to them with my future purchases!

 

daum, and they pay for shippin.

 

Addendum to letter...

Mr. Crutchfield,

I would have already purchased an Alpine 9857 but your tech was unable to open the box on one to do some research to find out if the unit would work in the manner I need it to. As it took about 2 weeks to get my last order from Crutchfield, I was not willing to wait 2 weeks only to find out the unit was not going to function any better than the one I already have.

Please give your tech support staff the authority to open the box on one unit, set it up and play with it to answer questions, especially when there is a new technology like "Full-Speed" that many of us are unfamiliar with. If I want someone to tell me that they don't know the answer, I'll go to Best Buy. I expect that from them.

I can't imagine that you would have to mark down the deck more than 10% to sell an open box...there is even probably and employee that would love to have it for that price. You're not going to lose money when you can reassure customers that the unit will work in the manner they expect. More pictures, etc. would also be possible if you had one hooked up and working.

Rad

 

Yep - I have had good luck with Crutchfield too. Just ordered and installed a USA Spec Ipod input for my 2004 S2k factory stereo. Cost me $100 + shipping and was at house in a few days. Works great! I even talked my dad into buying the similar GM version for his Yukon XL.

There are even some coupon codes for $20 off over at fatwallet.com.

 

I ordered a 9857 and it works very well. I advise you to buy the unit and try it yourself. Otherwise feel free to ask on the forum.

Thats the cool thing about thei return policy.

 

i agree they are very helpful and have an incredible return policy. If it weren't for that they would be out of business.

Honestly, their prices are top dollar and you are paying for this convenience. I am sure regardless of how many times you return, they would love to have you back. By you keeping that one product you made it all worth it to them, there is a HUGE markup in electronics and they are spreading the cost.

Me personally, i would rather do my own research and be sure which item i want then buy it at another vendor and save HUNDREDS of dollars for the exact same item..

Last stereo i bough was listed for $499. at crutchfield, i bought the exact same unit brand new and sealed somewhere else for about $320. To me the return policy is not worth that kind of money.

To each their own, if you need lots of help and are a novice with electronics they are great. Those who know what they are doing and have a wealth of knowledge in car stereos never shop there, at least none that i know of.

 

I just ordered my K&N FIPK from them last Monday (gift certificate).. it arrived yesterday. Very fast order turnaround and a friendly staff!

I bought a car alarm from them for my Accord a few years back. I was happy with the price for the features that it had, and the extra few bucks for premade wiring harnesses were worth every penny. They were suprisingly knowledgable with some tough questions I had during the install. A little bit of extra money, but worth it!