Stereo & Electronics - To Buy Locally or Not to Buy locally....That is the Question

This is the Season for Car Audio. Summer is here upon us and everyone wants to enjoy loud music with the T-Tops off, Windows down or the Top Dropped. Everyone is looking for Deals. Everyone WANTS the best deal. This is the REason for the Thread.

Now, Most people on here will agree that Internet stores and E-bay can be the best place to get the Cheapest deal. But that is only part of the Process. Also you have to acount for Shipping, and the Internet Sales Tax is still in motion in Congress.

So what is the Best route? Is it E-Bay, Crutchfield, Best-Buy, Local Store?

I'm not going to Poll this. I'm hoping for insite from Owners and Feedback from buyers. There is a lot more to buying equipment than just a Price difference. Hopfully People can learn more about the Process here and will understand what goes on.

Where ever you buy, make sure its legit and has a serial #.
Most companys mark it as stolen and send it back to the owner whenever its sent in for repairs.
I do not buy stolen stuff but I know people who have and gotten burned.
If you have ever had stuff stolen youll know what its like.


I support local stores and some web sites that I have bought lots of stuff before such as carmedia1.com

Local shops do nicer work as for as custom,cleaner,or higher end. But "BIG BOX STORES" stores have lifetime warranty and 600 stores.

It is the GOLDEN RULE

Know what you want when everything is said and done it cost more to do it 3times than once the right way.

If you just what a factory install in a near factory car I say go "big box store" for the install.

I know of a few stores that sell "product lost in shipping,but still NIB" weird to say the least.

I know not every one on there can do there own install but with this awsome website we can help you to install just about anything.

ASK to see your install when it is done this goes for alarms too play it as a "incase I move or need it serviced" If it is done right they should be happy to show you.

So many of these things are just good things to know in the Stereo world but can also go for local and online buys.I only buy Dynamat and some wires online.

I will chip in and say if you going to buy Internet sometimes a place like Crutchfield (and really only crutchfield) is the Best bet.

This thread here shows why: http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315758

He has little experience, but Want's to learn to do it himself. Crutchfield will send all the stuff he needs, plus has good on line support. Great for a DIY. Pay's less than Internet or E-bay, but get's more in the way of Warranty and Help.

NOW. The local store COULD be the Best ticket or not. I have worked at a couple of install shops all about 6-7 years ago. Some places the Boss was cool and understood that he didn't always have to get the install business and could allow us to help the DIY guy's out. There are not always shops out there like this, but sometimes this would be the BEST way to go.

We are just thowing reasons (PRO's and CON's) out there for you to pick-up on.

As much as I would like to support local places... I appreciate that they are there when I need little things. I would never be able to afford anything if I bought most of my stuff from them.

I have purchased most of my stuff from Internet stores, but have also bought from e-bay. E-bay you need to use your head while shopping. Only buy from reputable people.

Brian

Buying audio from the small shops is kind of like buying a car. Most shops have quite a bit of room to negotiate because xxx shop has it for $$$ amount. ;)

2much is right. most small shop will work with you on thing's. if you a do-it-yourselfer I would look for a local shop that will work with you and understand's not everything they do is for a imediate sell.also find people around you that are doing a lot of it and ask them were is good to go they can help. I've done a lot of work in there area and found a local shop that alway's work's with people. also they like to deal with me because I all the poeple I send there way also.I do a lot for difffernt people but I don't mind helping those that are tring to do it there selve's. also if you get into this you will find the later group of do it yourselfer's end up becoming good friends normaly and are the one's that hang out and help you when you need it also.as for on line sale's I normal get almost as at my shop and I would rather support my local shop and help keep him in bussiness for year's to come and be able to serve me later instead of having to find a new shop in a couple year's

if u buy expensive equipment online like ebay or through forum members, try to do buisness with someone that u can meet with in person and see what u are getting.

local stores just charge too much ( example a metra dash kit sells for like $20 the stores cost is like $2 ) that is a huge mark-up, i think if their prices where a little lower they would get more buisness, but then again they have to make money for rent, and bills etc.. on the ridiculous huge stores....

another thing i don't like about Best Buy and other big chains is that they do not carry higher end equipment. you are limited to what they stock, u can not special order any models although they carry that brand.

also local shops don't carry certain brands either, they are limited to what they are authorized to sell. on the internet u can get everything.

i like the internet, but u must be carful u are not recieveing refurbished goods as well as stolen.

use commone sense when u are purchasing, if it is too good to be true then it is.

also try to use credit card for internet sales. this way if u do get burned u can call your credit card company and 90% of the time u are covered.

With me buying a car stereo off ebay from a seller with good feedback is fine. I haven't had tons of problems with car stereo's and if I can get a new $700 car stereo for $280, I could buy 2 of them at a normal shop. Also Amps can be ok, unless your putting out 1,000+ watts and there is more than can go wrong from heat etc and a extended warrantly from a local store would be the way to go. Subs I tend to buy at local stores only and always get the extended warranty. I have had subs blow in a matter of days, also had some after 6 months have the surround dry out and crack or the glue seperate in places and these are good speakers(Boston Accoustics, MTX, Kicker Solabaric etc) Even had one of my JL audio's I have now have a place on the surround the glue seperated).

I have fun making my own setups.

I don't like walking into a audio store, and A nobody seems to know what about what they sell.

2, i'm frugal, borderline cheap, so online I do like.

3. I don't like how if I ask for a ported box port tuned to 33-35 hz, how I get puzzled looks. (that there box has one 'dem holes u-yep!" (not really CO lingo, but you get the drift)

Also, crutchfield kicks ass. I used them for years. They have the best customer support, and take time to answer your questions.