quality of best buy installs?

[slackerinabox]

I have a 2008 kia sedona (actually love the car quite a bit and got it for a steal) and am upgrading the stereo with a pioneer nav plus backup cam. The local guy wants over $400 for the install and best buys wants $220 (I'm sure they'll add a hundred bucks of wires to that) - savings is savings, but how's the quality of best buy installs? I'm worried that they'll do a rush job with wires exposed... hmm

 

[NutBucket]

Terrible. Yes, they will rush.

 

[slackerinabox]

Terrible. Yes, they will rush.

Thanks, heading to the local guy then. Thanks!

 

[CrimsonWolf]

Second that.

I had Best Buy do an install when I was a teenager and needed it cheap. Fast forward a year and it was stolen from my car. The insurance company sent out a local guy to do a new install on-site and it was a night and day difference in terms of how neatly things were done.

 

[NutBucket]

Although I think the local guy charging $400 is ridiculous too. Do you have any friends you trust? I mean, I would gladly help a friend do it. Just bring some beer or food or something.

 

[slackerinabox]

Although I think the local guy charging $400 is ridiculous too. Do you have any friends you trust? I mean, I would gladly help a friend do it. Just bring some beer or food or something.

NYC sucks in that cheap labor will be horrible quality, and quality workmanship will cost you a pretty penny. Applies to painting - value handymen will steal your ps4 and the craftsmen behave (and charge) like they have a phd in painting... The middle ground is hard to find. Like I bet a guy I know would do it for $100, but he's the type to use bubble gum to keep a loose gastank lid closed. The $400 guy has decent google and yelp reviews, and he got on a first name basis from the first phone call and freely gave an estimate (vs. the come on in and let's talk baiting). Had a great experience buying the car from a mom and pop, will continue the trend and hope for the best. I bet an extra $20 for donuts will keep him from being lazy and having wiring run across the dash with tape to visibly secure the wire, which happened the last time i had circuit city do an install.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Depends on what they're installing. A simple single-din dash install I wouldn't be worried about. Installing an amp involving running wiring, etc - not so much.

 

[Insomniator]

Horrible, botched a simple radio install in my old Volvo years ago. I wouldn't use any of the 'professionals' at any of those stores for anything.

 

[EightySix Four]

Depends on what they're installing. A simple single-din dash install I wouldn't be worried about. Installing an amp involving running wiring, etc - not so much.

I agree with this. It's never going to be a beautiful perfect install, but they warranty it and I wouldn't worry about it. You could also probably save yourself some money and do it yourself, installing just the head-unit is really easy.

Much like anything else in a big store like that, a lot is going to be dependent on the individual who is actually doing it. Some of them may take pride in their work and others may not. I've seen plenty of botched installs in local shops too.

 

[slackerinabox]

I agree with this. It's never going to be a beautiful perfect install, but they warranty it and I wouldn't worry about it. You could also probably save yourself some money and do it yourself, installing just the head-unit is really easy.

Well, it's not just that I'm all thumbs but the system's pretty intense - gps, carplay, dvd, backup camera that needs to be tied into a brakelight for power, steering controls (not included in estimate). I've never gotten inside of a panel and worry that if I screw something up I'll mess up something system critical. The "dvd player" will be an android tablet strapped to the seat, I can handle that install I wish there were community college classes in this stuff, the fear of messing up something's too strong for me to tinker.

 

[EightySix Four]

Well, it's not just that I'm all thumbs but the system's pretty intense - gps, carplay, dvd, backup camera that needs to be tied into a brakelight for power, steering controls (not included in estimate). I've never gotten inside of a panel and worry that if I screw something up I'll mess up something system critical. The "dvd player" will be an android tablet strapped to the seat, I can handle that install I wish there were community college classes in this stuff, the fear of messing up something's too strong for me to tinker.

The only piece of that that changes anything is the backup camera, and that's just a pain to route the wires, powering it is generally pretty simple. They're going to use an off the shelf adapter for the steering wheel controls which just plugs in and then crimps onto some wires.

 

[KentState]

I too would recommend look into doing it yourself. Wiring the harness together is pretty simple and only requires wire strippers, solder/iron and some patients. Most car forums will have a guide on how to do the work and I bet there are even youtube videos.

 

[NutBucket]

Even using crimp connectors is fine. A friend that worked at Circuit City told me the installers were instructed to twist wires together and use electrical tape. Basically, planned failure so they would return and need to pay more money to get it "fixed". I have no doubt the same tactics are still in widespread use.

 

[AdamK47]

Doing it yourself is the best route. It's not complex. My days of messing with car audio is from the '90s, but even then a Best Buy install was pretty bad.

Today, I get all of my ear candy from the sound of my vehicles own exhaust notes. I never tire from listening to that track.

 

[evident]

botched a speaker install on my 96 camry. had to bring it in and have them do it over.

 

[slackerinabox]

Just finished the job at a local shop (well, yesterday) - found another local shop with great reviews and haggled them down to $280 plus tip, and am super happy with the install. Clean, zero wires (couldn't even tell where they installed the bluetooth mic), and everything looks almost stock. Likewise, the backup cam is virtually invisible, I'm sure I couldn't have routed the wires that elegantly. Glad I didn't try the install - installer said it was an unusually difficult one and took a seasoned pro 4 hours. He even drilled the aux and usb ports into the glove compartment and ashtrays, which was not requested but pretty damn slick. Maybe I would have been peeved if I were a smoker

Fuck best buy

 

[tracerbullet]

Nice, glad it worked out. FWIW I'd recommend giving them an online review if you can find them on yelp or something. And if course if you come across anyone else looking to get work done. Finding a good stereo shop these days seems to be difficult.

 

[thescreensavers]

One of my friends in high school had something catch fire in the trunk related to the install bestbuy did.. wasnt fun lol

But It depends on the installer sure but they get paid by job so it will be a rush job.

 

[MongGrel]

Just finished the job at a local shop (well, yesterday) - found another local shop with great reviews and haggled them down to $280 plus tip, and am super happy with the install. Clean, zero wires (couldn't even tell where they installed the bluetooth mic), and everything looks almost stock. Likewise, the backup cam is virtually invisible, I'm sure I couldn't have routed the wires that elegantly. Glad I didn't try the install - installer said it was an unusually difficult one and took a seasoned pro 4 hours. He even drilled the aux and usb ports into the glove compartment and ashtrays, which was not requested but pretty damn slick. Maybe I would have been peeved if I were a smoker

Fuck best buy

Nice, glad it worked out. FWIW I'd recommend giving them an online review if you can find them on yelp or something. And if course if you come across anyone else looking to get work done. Finding a good stereo shop these days seems to be difficult.

+1

 

[T2urtle]

like everything service related in this world, there is probably 1 out of 10 people who actually care about their job and enough to do everything RIGHT to make an honest living. I dont know the pay scale for bestbuy if its good enough to keep people there or not.

I dont believe they are all hacks. But i've seen/heard/fixed some of their screw ups. I believe in today's world its hard to screw stuff up super royally. Social media makes sure that scammers are known.

 

[natto fire]

like everything service related in this world, there is probably 1 out of 10 people who actually care about their job and enough to do everything RIGHT to make an honest living. I dont know the pay scale for bestbuy if its good enough to keep people there or not.

I dont believe they are all hacks. But i've seen/heard/fixed some of their screw ups. I believe in today's world its hard to screw stuff up super royally. Social media makes sure that scammers are known.

This is a fair assessment.

My last fix was from my brother, where he had just twisted wires together and used scotch tape. 3M makes some pretty great stuff, but the tartan tape is not designed for wire splices. I got him set up with crimp on butt connectors. I use solder if doing it from the ground up.

I would be surprised if BB has a soldering gun in their service bays, especially if they knew how to use it.

 

[slackerinabox]

Nice, glad it worked out. FWIW I'd recommend giving them an online review if you can find them on yelp or something. And if course if you come across anyone else looking to get work done. Finding a good stereo shop these days seems to be difficult.

Will do! Their info if anyonw in NYC's looking for a place

https://plus.google.com/114396335664154808468/about?hl=en

PNA Autosport Corporation
60-68 Metropolitan Ave
Queens, NY 11385
pnaautosport.com
(718) 821-1111