- Jun 16, 2000
- 30,213
- 12
- 81
So I got a new car in August, and wanted to get my stereo installed in it. It consists of a head unit, satellite radio tuner, and amp/sub. I know how to do all of this myself, but I'm lazy, so I figure I'll take it to best buy across the street, they can do it while I'm at work for $150-$175 or so.
Ohhh was I wrong. Here is the quote they gave me:
Labor
Radio installation - $50 - this is a bit more than I'd expect, but I'd normally have accepted it
Custom labor - $19 - because I have a car that requires a dash kit...I have the dash kit they just have to put it in, but this isn't too unreasonable, its probably more work than the radio itself
Amp - $69 - pretty standard price
Satellite - $72 - what?? This is the easiest part! Its an external radio, you literally plug it in, stick it on the windshield (suction cup), and run the antenna wire to the roof.
Sub - $36 - The subs are already installed in the box, they're from my old car. But oh no, that's not good enough. They have to take them out and re-wire them to "their specs". What specs? You take a speaker cable, and you plug it into the terminals.
Parts
Amp Wiring Kit - $110 - I already have an amp kit. its a good, 2 gauge kit I got off Amazon for $35. They want to charge me $110 for a 4 gauge kit, because "they can't use outside wires"
FM Modulator - $30 - to get the satellite radio "crystal clear". Huh?? I have an aux cable. You plug it in directly, its the clearest you can get. An FM Mod makes it WORSE...and did I mention that my satellite radio has an FM mod built in?
Wiring Harness - $35 - they can't use the one included with the dash kit, same reasoning as the amp kit
Loose Ends - $30 - he didn't really explain what this was, just that it makes it better
Total: $450!!!! Yea right, Best Buy. A lot of suckers might come through your doors, but you aren't getting me with that.
Ohhh was I wrong. Here is the quote they gave me:
Labor
Radio installation - $50 - this is a bit more than I'd expect, but I'd normally have accepted it
Custom labor - $19 - because I have a car that requires a dash kit...I have the dash kit they just have to put it in, but this isn't too unreasonable, its probably more work than the radio itself
Amp - $69 - pretty standard price
Satellite - $72 - what?? This is the easiest part! Its an external radio, you literally plug it in, stick it on the windshield (suction cup), and run the antenna wire to the roof.
Sub - $36 - The subs are already installed in the box, they're from my old car. But oh no, that's not good enough. They have to take them out and re-wire them to "their specs". What specs? You take a speaker cable, and you plug it into the terminals.
Parts
Amp Wiring Kit - $110 - I already have an amp kit. its a good, 2 gauge kit I got off Amazon for $35. They want to charge me $110 for a 4 gauge kit, because "they can't use outside wires"
FM Modulator - $30 - to get the satellite radio "crystal clear". Huh?? I have an aux cable. You plug it in directly, its the clearest you can get. An FM Mod makes it WORSE...and did I mention that my satellite radio has an FM mod built in?
Wiring Harness - $35 - they can't use the one included with the dash kit, same reasoning as the amp kit
Loose Ends - $30 - he didn't really explain what this was, just that it makes it better
Total: $450!!!! Yea right, Best Buy. A lot of suckers might come through your doors, but you aren't getting me with that.
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