Good / Bad vendors

[absavino 10+ year member]

Hi,

I am building a new audio system. I did alot of research on the Crutchfield site and have come up with a first run list which I put in another post.

When I go to buy these items, how do I know who to purchase the items from? The prices differences found when doing a search can range in the hundreds among vendors.

On one hand, if I go through a vendor such a Crutchfield, I know they will be around tomorrow but another vendor who I have never heard of might have the item for hundreds less. To me if the product is new, I would go by price but if for some reason it does not work, I want to be able to do a return or refund without jumping through hoops and nobody responding to me.

So, does anyone have any good vendors or ones to stay away from?

Thank you.

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[robertoyoung08 10+ year member]

Hey, i know what you mean. I've been buying my car audio stuff online since i started getting into audio. I hate buying stuff at retail stores, because they have retail prices, that are way too much, just like crutchfield. The only good thing is that through authorized retailers, you get the warranty and all that support, but the prices ****. Anyways, ive bought from a few online stores.

sonicelectronix.com (also on ebay)

onlinecarstereo.com

hifisoundconnection.com (also on ebay)

audiosavings.com (also on ebay)

ive used those and their really good and reliable. ive never had to return or exchange anything so idk how they are with that. i've had problems with an amplifier i bought from hifisoundconnection.com, but i didnt deal with them directly, they were authorized dealer of the amp i bought so i got the warranty by the amp company and they covered it.

woofersetc.com

ikesound.com

are also good.

 

[altoncustomtech 10+ year member]

X2 on sonicelectronix, onlinecarstereo and woofersetc.... I've ordered from all three and haven't had any complaints..... the only one I had to mess with on any issue was sonicelectronix sending the wrong unit once, they took care of it with no problems! And every time I order something from woofersetc they ship it the same day even when it was late in the day (15 minutes before closing time on my last order for PG RSD65's!), sonic also did that on that return....

 

[SocialStealth]

knu is grade A with customer service.

I bought a distro block from someone on these forums and i needed a different sized compression fitting, and I asked knu for it via email and they mailed it to me, 100% free.

I virtually cummed myself.

they sell install stuff btw...

and ebays great. Because sellers care about their feed back, and ebay usually sides with the buyer, it works out pretty well.

Don't buy from crutchfield. Yeah, they'll bend over backwards for you...but do you really need to pay someone to bend over backwards for you? The other places mentioned above will take returns no problem.

Although sometimes crutchfield has some pretty good prices on headunits, as they give you the dash kit complete with wiring harnesses.

Other than that, look in the classifieds section. don't buy from someone with 3 posts //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif make sure you check refs, pm the people they say they've sold to, ask them if the item was as described.

check craigslist as well. Sometimes you get lucky and find what your looking for for dirt cheap.

speaking of...what are you looking for??

 

[altoncustomtech 10+ year member]

knu is grade A with customer service.
I bought a distro block from someone on these forums and i needed a different sized compression fitting, and I asked knu for it via email and they mailed it to me, 100% free.

I virtually cummed myself.

they sell install stuff btw...

and ebays great. Because sellers care about their feed back, and ebay usually sides with the buyer, it works out pretty well.

Don't buy from crutchfield. Yeah, they'll bend over backwards for you...but do you really need to pay someone to bend over backwards for you? The other places mentioned above will take returns no problem.

Although sometimes crutchfield has some pretty good prices on headunits, as they give you the dash kit complete with wiring harnesses.

Other than that, look in the classifieds section. don't buy from someone with 3 posts //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif make sure you check refs, pm the people they say they've sold to, ask them if the item was as described.

check craigslist as well. Sometimes you get lucky and find what your looking for for dirt cheap.

speaking of...what are you looking for??

Referencing the bold above, sonic sells the install stuff free with most units as well, have ordered a KDC-X991 $379, KDC-X492 $135, Valor DTS-660W $359 and a JVC-810W $400.... they all came with free dash kits, the first three came with free wiring harnesses, the last one didn't cuz it was for a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix and the adapter's for those are $100+ cuz of the ODBII chimes in the radio and junk.....

Not bad at all for the prices.....

 

[hornedfrog1985 5,000+ posts]

Ordered from

Knu

Audiosavings

Woofersetc

sonicelectronix

probably a lot more... Just research it before you buy from them.

 

[puyallupn8ive 10+ year member]

I've ordered from

sonicelectronix

onlinecarstereo very good at shipping

knu

crutchfield (expensive)

techronics

all good places to buy from

 

[hornedfrog1985 5,000+ posts]

Crutchfield isn't horrible with the HUs at least they give you install gear.

 

[csu87 10+ year member]

ive used ebay alot. havent had a problem yet and usually there are some great deals

 

[Tzarm 10+ year member]

caraudiodeals.com is great also, used them many times before

 

[toyrunner 10+ year member]

I have ordered from just about ALL of them mention & then some. All with GREAT Prices !

Retail establishments are for people not knowing what they need to start or finish a job .

 

[absavino 10+ year member]

Thanks everyone for your help. I just ordered my "stuff".

Bought Alpine SPR-13S componebt speakers and Kicker Comp VR 07CVR102 subwoofer from OnlineCarStereo.

Bought front amp JVC KS-AR7004 from ShipSound.

Bought my sub amp Kicker 08ZX400.1 from 6ave.com.

Bought Stinger SPK5645R 4 Gauge Dual Amplifier Kit from hifisoundconnection.

Bought my sub box from Tacotunes.

I saved over $500 when compared to Crutchfield. Almost could buy two of everything.

Anything else I need? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

I'll let you know if anything goes wrong. Now I will need to learn how to install a system. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif

 

[PerformanceAuto 10+ year member]

Crutchfield has absolutely the best reviews and detailed website information, but the pricing is not so great; as I am sure you have noticed...

If you need anything, feel free to email or call me. I offer a five year warranty on any and all products; along with unlimited free tech support for products you have or have not purchased from me. Happy to help!

 

[MazzaSECv.2 10+ year member]

Anyone who reccomended onlinecarstereo.com = FAIL!

They are horrible just search this site on them

 

[Hoodlum007 10+ year member]

Woofersetc.com

Partsexpress.com

Crutchfield.com

Above are all good shops i have had great luck with.

Below are all bad sites i have had trouble with or somebody i know has had trouble with.

Dealercostcaraudio.com

Ikesound.com

Onlinecarstereo.com

Also the east coast seems to have a large amount of shady camera shops selling car audio i would stay away from.