I know they don't usually have the best prices, but their customer service is priceless. Back in Feb of this year I purchased an Alpine head unit for my car. About a week ago the left channel started cutting out on this unit. I noticed the warranty was one year, so I contacted them to ask a special request. I have an older Alpine HU that I like better than this one...I bought the new one for the blue tooth, but I never use it. The older unit, while it doesn't have as many modern bells and whistles, it has way more in terms of tuning functions, and it was actually Alpine's flagship model when it came out...the newer unit is more of an entry level unit. I asked them if I could return it, and instead of having it repaired under warranty, use the credit to purchase something else from them. They said no problem...I don't know of any other places that would do this...I think I will continue to pay the extra 10 or 20 bucks for whatever I'm buying at Crutchfield just for their customer service....
I absolutely love Crutchfield's customer service!
- Thread starter grampi
- Start date
- Status
Even up in Canada they have excellent service. Highly recommend the place.
When purchasing for myself, they are the only company I go through. Even when purchasing for friends who are money conscious I try to use Crutchfield if I can still meet their price point. Not only is their customer service great, but I have never had a bad speaker or head unit upon arrival through them either. I have from other companies with the same model speakers and head units before.
Although I've bought from Crutchfield and other electronics retailers in the past, sometimes it does pay to buy through Crutchfield just due to the fact you're more likely to have issues with car audio than many other areas of consumer electronics. Grampi's example is another aspect of that where probably only a limited number of retailers would have honored his request.
Originally Posted By: grampi
I know they don't usually have the best prices, but their customer service is priceless. Back in Feb of this year I purchased an Alpine head unit for my car. About a week ago the left channel started cutting out on this unit. I noticed the warranty was one year, so I contacted them to ask a special request. I have an older Alpine HU that I like better than this one...I bought the new one for the blue tooth, but I never use it. The older unit, while it doesn't have as many modern bells and whistles, it has way more in terms of tuning functions, and it was actually Alpine's flagship model when it came out...the newer unit is more of an entry level unit. I asked them if I could return it, and instead of having it repaired under warranty, use the credit to purchase something else from them. They said no problem...I don't know of any other places that would do this...I think I will continue to pay the extra 10 or 20 bucks for whatever I'm buying at Crutchfield just for their customer service....
Unless you are looking to save pennies, I find they are very competitive for what you get.
They've done the homework themselves. When you order, you usually get everything needed to install the head unit in your car. I ordered two head units last year. One for the 99 MGM and another for the 03 Protege5. Low end, $100 shipped to my home for each. Both orders included everything needed to install the unit in each car.
All I had to do was connect the factory harness connector to the harness that came with the head unit. Both units were up and running in less than two hours.
My time is worth something, so having the information and all the items needed to complete the install in one package was worth the slightly higher price I paid.
I know they don't usually have the best prices, but their customer service is priceless. Back in Feb of this year I purchased an Alpine head unit for my car. About a week ago the left channel started cutting out on this unit. I noticed the warranty was one year, so I contacted them to ask a special request. I have an older Alpine HU that I like better than this one...I bought the new one for the blue tooth, but I never use it. The older unit, while it doesn't have as many modern bells and whistles, it has way more in terms of tuning functions, and it was actually Alpine's flagship model when it came out...the newer unit is more of an entry level unit. I asked them if I could return it, and instead of having it repaired under warranty, use the credit to purchase something else from them. They said no problem...I don't know of any other places that would do this...I think I will continue to pay the extra 10 or 20 bucks for whatever I'm buying at Crutchfield just for their customer service....
Unless you are looking to save pennies, I find they are very competitive for what you get.
They've done the homework themselves. When you order, you usually get everything needed to install the head unit in your car. I ordered two head units last year. One for the 99 MGM and another for the 03 Protege5. Low end, $100 shipped to my home for each. Both orders included everything needed to install the unit in each car.
All I had to do was connect the factory harness connector to the harness that came with the head unit. Both units were up and running in less than two hours.
My time is worth something, so having the information and all the items needed to complete the install in one package was worth the slightly higher price I paid.
While I'm not big on automotive toys of any kind I can appreciate that there's a market for car audio and bunches of other stuff.
What I also firmly believe in is that "stuff" gets built into a world where there are ways to assess quality which never cross our feeble minds.
I would not be surprised if there were "cream of the crop" distributors of EVERYTHING who, by paying a few bucks more or by paying on time, get the better "runs from the mill".
Crutchfield might be one of those better dealers or buys from a better distributor.
As my Dad used to say, "Where do you think the sweetest oranges go? To the people who pay more for them."
You know what I mean? Kira
What I also firmly believe in is that "stuff" gets built into a world where there are ways to assess quality which never cross our feeble minds.
I would not be surprised if there were "cream of the crop" distributors of EVERYTHING who, by paying a few bucks more or by paying on time, get the better "runs from the mill".
Crutchfield might be one of those better dealers or buys from a better distributor.
As my Dad used to say, "Where do you think the sweetest oranges go? To the people who pay more for them."
You know what I mean? Kira
I have done business with Crutchfield for many years never had to deal with customer service as my orders have always been shipped correctly at a great price, I have been very satisfied with them.
TOTO.
TOTO.
I have always had success with them. Their tech-support is awesome.
They still exist because of customer service not best prices.
I've done business with Crutchfield many times and have never had any problems. They have one of the best customer service departments of any business I've dealt with.
Good to know. As a recovering audiophile, it's good that there are options beyond Amazon's McSameness...
An excellent company in the Old Dominion.
The other benefit is I can often cash in Discover Card cash back bonus. Trading $40 in cash back bonus gets me a $50 Crutchfield gift card/code.
It's hard to worry about the price when I get an additional 25% on my free money from Discover Card.
Oh, and thanks to all you folks who pay interest so I can get my free cash back bonus money
It's hard to worry about the price when I get an additional 25% on my free money from Discover Card.
Oh, and thanks to all you folks who pay interest so I can get my free cash back bonus money
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Originally Posted By: grampi
I know they don't usually have the best prices, but their customer service is priceless. Back in Feb of this year I purchased an Alpine head unit for my car. About a week ago the left channel started cutting out on this unit. I noticed the warranty was one year, so I contacted them to ask a special request. I have an older Alpine HU that I like better than this one...I bought the new one for the blue tooth, but I never use it. The older unit, while it doesn't have as many modern bells and whistles, it has way more in terms of tuning functions, and it was actually Alpine's flagship model when it came out...the newer unit is more of an entry level unit. I asked them if I could return it, and instead of having it repaired under warranty, use the credit to purchase something else from them. They said no problem...I don't know of any other places that would do this...I think I will continue to pay the extra 10 or 20 bucks for whatever I'm buying at Crutchfield just for their customer service....
Unless you are looking to save pennies, I find they are very competitive for what you get.
They've done the homework themselves. When you order, you usually get everything needed to install the head unit in your car. I ordered two head units last year. One for the 99 MGM and another for the 03 Protege5. Low end, $100 shipped to my home for each. Both orders included everything needed to install the unit in each car.
All I had to do was connect the factory harness connector to the harness that came with the head unit. Both units were up and running in less than two hours.
My time is worth something, so having the information and all the items needed to complete the install in one package was worth the slightly higher price I paid.
^This. The unit I bought to replace the dead unit in my Dakota was actually $30 cheaper at Best Buy. However the Crutchfield priced included the mounting kit, wiring harness and antenna adaptor in their price, where at Best Buy they'd have added enough to the cost where it would have been more expensive to go there. The instructions were clear and I'm a happy camper.
Originally Posted By: grampi
I know they don't usually have the best prices, but their customer service is priceless. Back in Feb of this year I purchased an Alpine head unit for my car. About a week ago the left channel started cutting out on this unit. I noticed the warranty was one year, so I contacted them to ask a special request. I have an older Alpine HU that I like better than this one...I bought the new one for the blue tooth, but I never use it. The older unit, while it doesn't have as many modern bells and whistles, it has way more in terms of tuning functions, and it was actually Alpine's flagship model when it came out...the newer unit is more of an entry level unit. I asked them if I could return it, and instead of having it repaired under warranty, use the credit to purchase something else from them. They said no problem...I don't know of any other places that would do this...I think I will continue to pay the extra 10 or 20 bucks for whatever I'm buying at Crutchfield just for their customer service....
Unless you are looking to save pennies, I find they are very competitive for what you get.
They've done the homework themselves. When you order, you usually get everything needed to install the head unit in your car. I ordered two head units last year. One for the 99 MGM and another for the 03 Protege5. Low end, $100 shipped to my home for each. Both orders included everything needed to install the unit in each car.
All I had to do was connect the factory harness connector to the harness that came with the head unit. Both units were up and running in less than two hours.
My time is worth something, so having the information and all the items needed to complete the install in one package was worth the slightly higher price I paid.
^This. The unit I bought to replace the dead unit in my Dakota was actually $30 cheaper at Best Buy. However the Crutchfield priced included the mounting kit, wiring harness and antenna adaptor in their price, where at Best Buy they'd have added enough to the cost where it would have been more expensive to go there. The instructions were clear and I'm a happy camper.
I still have a Kenwood CD player thats brand new in box that was never opened cause car was wrecked before I could install it. I called Crutchfield customer service, gave them my order number and they shipped a free dash kit and prepaid UPS label to return unneeded kit.
Yep, the tech support when installing a Bluetooth radio into my dad's new to him car was worth the extra we spent. I'll gladly pay their reasonable premium to be able to pick up the phone and get help if needed.
I bought a top of the line Kenwood head unit from them about 6 years ago. According to nextag.com, they were the cheapest option out there even compared to Amazon. The included the hardness, trim and instructions too. Free shipping too. Very easy and clean installation that was easily reversible. At the time, I felt Kenwood offered the most conservative/ close to OEM look too.
Sadly, the thing died last summer and I put my factory head unit back in.
I've been shopping off and on. This thread actually sparked my interest again.. Their factory refurbished units look decent. I just wish they made an aftermarket head unit with 2 dials. One for volume on the left and the tuning dial on the right..
Sadly, the thing died last summer and I put my factory head unit back in.
I've been shopping off and on. This thread actually sparked my interest again.. Their factory refurbished units look decent. I just wish they made an aftermarket head unit with 2 dials. One for volume on the left and the tuning dial on the right..
Last edited:
- Status