Thinking about a new sound System - Page 3 - Toyota Yaris Forums

sqcomp · 03-05-2009, 02:04 AM

Oh I know. You mentioned that yesterday. You've got to understand how many CT installs I see that are totally screwed. I know you'd understand if you could have been there on that jeep install.

...Most of the installs we see coming from CT are coming to us from customers who are experiencing problems with the original install. In this case the wiring was run incorrectly, or at least VERY sloppy, and CT (not the installer, rather the salespeople) was giving the customer the runaround with the Pioneer deck problem and they tried to sell the customer into two amplifiers that he didn't need.

*sigh*

Oh well, CT's loss. We gained a customer because of REAL customer service...not to mention the four hours of troubleshooting for free. All we had to do was to say, "sorry, we don't know what's wrong. Go back to Car Toys and have them take care of it." We didn't though. We were going out of our way. It gained an additional sale and a repeat customer.

Which CT does your boy work at?

talnlnky · 03-05-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sqcomp

Oh I know. You mentioned that yesterday. You've got to understand how many CT installs I see that are totally screwed. I know you'd understand if you could have been there on that jeep install.

...Most of the installs we see coming from CT are coming to us from customers who are experiencing problems with the original install. In this case the wiring was run incorrectly, or at least VERY sloppy, and CT (not the installer, rather the salespeople) was giving the customer the runaround with the Pioneer deck problem and they tried to sell the customer into two amplifiers that he didn't need.

*sigh*

Oh well, CT's loss. We gained a customer because of REAL customer service...not to mention the four hours of troubleshooting for free. All we had to do was to say, "sorry, we don't know what's wrong. Go back to Car Toys and have them take care of it." We didn't though. We were going out of our way. It gained an additional sale and a repeat customer.

Which CT does your boy work at?

Believe its in federal way, washington.... might be in tacoma tho. I haven't seen him in about 2 years... but I keep in touch via e-mail/myspace/aim.

Spades · 03-05-2009, 02:28 AM

there was a chain of stereo shops here for a while called car stereo city. I had a friend that used to work there that spoke very highly of them...this was back when i was 16 and still learning. I bought a deck and speakers from them and the guy behind the counter offered to install them for free. since it was a almost new car(bought it a couple years used, almost new), I figured it couldn't hurt letting them install it.

unfortunately the guy that did the install was like 400 pounds and very abusive on my almost new car. i didnt say anything...and i fixed the broken stuff myself, but i never went back there.

because of my friend, i knew there were good installers there, i just happened to get one guy that didnt really take pride in his work.

i guess my point is, bashing a chain of stores because of one employee isn't always the best. course, i suppose i do it too sometimes...I have seen alot of cars go through my shop because of services done at jiffy lube or oil can henrys. not everyone that works there is bad, but damn, there are alot of burnt out or "new" people working there...i guess it would be the same for car audio as it is for mechanics.

sqcomp · 03-05-2009, 03:15 AM

...Oh I hear all of this. It does register.

I just cannot convey how many very subpar installs I have seen come from Car Toys, Best Buy, Circuit City...etcetera.

You're absolutely right about the implied idea that not every installer is bad that works for these companies.

That said, there are some "rules" and managerial styles that these companies force on their installers that breeds a bad install environment. I can say this having seen it and heard it from employees of these companies (both present and past). Both of the owners of the shop that I deal with are Car Toys graduates and know the "game" that those companies play.

Also, there is one installer at a Car Toys just up the street from me that I worked with at Cartronics oh so many years ago. If I couldn't do it myself and Streamline Audio or Sound Choice weren't available, I might work with him. The thing is, I know that both the previous will always be available...

For me, it's definately not the company that I follow (simply because of the bad practices). It's the installer.

sqcomp · 03-06-2009, 04:32 AM

I can safely say that I've never seen any of his installs. :)

Most of the installs that I have had the pleasure of redoing are from around here.

Hey spades...which CSC was it? I remember the one on 121st by where the Old Chicago is now. There was another one in SE Portland...I just don't remember where. My first fun system was with Cartronics on MLK...the one that Yung Su (the owner) was always at. That dear gentleman introduced me to my first Alpine 7909 and three way Pioneer ODR set. *sigh* I loved that combo.

talnlnky · 03-06-2009, 09:36 PM

i would've loved to have one of those ODR setups.... optical from the head unit to the processors to the amps... NO NOISE SYSTEM... gawd that'd be cool.

My denon deck can do the balanced outs using the same plug as the zapco gear uses.... which is basically the same as a computer PS2 plug (think old round mice/keyboard connectors)

sqcomp · 03-07-2009, 04:56 AM

I know denon. I don't know if you saw the install in the Audi from a month back, we originally purchased a DCT Z1 for that. Decided not to use it, so it's sitting in a closet. I would really like to get my hands on the DCT 1 even more. They're all so stupidly expensive.

That ODR setup can still be had. You just have to find the Japanese Carrozzeria equipment. Still extremely hard to find though. There are other options out there that are just as good...and just as expensive.

Spades · 03-07-2009, 06:22 AM

it was the one on pacific hwy/99 in tigard. i dunno, when i was in there it seemed like they had decent stuff and deals, i mean, the store carried some really cheap junk and alot of pioneer and sony stuff, but i also saw some higher end stuff too. i had bought a deck and some eclipse speakers...i struck out on the free install though,lol.

sqcomp · 03-08-2009, 01:42 AM

You're talking my neighborhood...

Although back when they were operational, I was on the Eastside.

"free install"...gotta love that. It's almost never free.

03-05-2009, 02:04 AM	#1
sqcomp Roadrunner Jr. View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Back at home Posts: 2,609	Oh I know. You mentioned that yesterday. You've got to understand how many CT installs I see that are totally screwed. I know you'd understand if you could have been there on that jeep install. ...Most of the installs we see coming from CT are coming to us from customers who are experiencing problems with the original install. In this case the wiring was run incorrectly, or at least VERY sloppy, and CT (not the installer, rather the salespeople) was giving the customer the runaround with the Pioneer deck problem and they tried to sell the customer into two amplifiers that he didn't need. sigh Oh well, CT's loss. We gained a customer because of REAL customer service...not to mention the four hours of troubleshooting for free. All we had to do was to say, "sorry, we don't know what's wrong. Go back to Car Toys and have them take care of it." We didn't though. We were going out of our way. It gained an additional sale and a repeat customer. Which CT does your boy work at? __________________ “To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.” ― Thomas Paine

03-05-2009, 02:28 AM	#3
Spades The Hated One View User's Garage Drives: 07 White Manual Sedan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon,USA Posts: 390	there was a chain of stereo shops here for a while called car stereo city. I had a friend that used to work there that spoke very highly of them...this was back when i was 16 and still learning. I bought a deck and speakers from them and the guy behind the counter offered to install them for free. since it was a almost new car(bought it a couple years used, almost new), I figured it couldn't hurt letting them install it. unfortunately the guy that did the install was like 400 pounds and very abusive on my almost new car. i didnt say anything...and i fixed the broken stuff myself, but i never went back there. because of my friend, i knew there were good installers there, i just happened to get one guy that didnt really take pride in his work. i guess my point is, bashing a chain of stores because of one employee isn't always the best. course, i suppose i do it too sometimes...I have seen alot of cars go through my shop because of services done at jiffy lube or oil can henrys. not everyone that works there is bad, but damn, there are alot of burnt out or "new" people working there...i guess it would be the same for car audio as it is for mechanics. __________________

03-05-2009, 03:15 AM	#4
sqcomp Roadrunner Jr. View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Back at home Posts: 2,609	...Oh I hear all of this. It does register. I just cannot convey how many very subpar installs I have seen come from Car Toys, Best Buy, Circuit City...etcetera. You're absolutely right about the implied idea that not every installer is bad that works for these companies. That said, there are some "rules" and managerial styles that these companies force on their installers that breeds a bad install environment. I can say this having seen it and heard it from employees of these companies (both present and past). Both of the owners of the shop that I deal with are Car Toys graduates and know the "game" that those companies play. Also, there is one installer at a Car Toys just up the street from me that I worked with at Cartronics oh so many years ago. If I couldn't do it myself and Streamline Audio or Sound Choice weren't available, I might work with him. The thing is, I know that both the previous will always be available... For me, it's definately not the company that I follow (simply because of the bad practices). It's the installer. __________________ “To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.” ― Thomas Paine

03-06-2009, 04:32 AM	#5
sqcomp Roadrunner Jr. View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Back at home Posts: 2,609	I can safely say that I've never seen any of his installs. :) Most of the installs that I have had the pleasure of redoing are from around here. Hey spades...which CSC was it? I remember the one on 121st by where the Old Chicago is now. There was another one in SE Portland...I just don't remember where. My first fun system was with Cartronics on MLK...the one that Yung Su (the owner) was always at. That dear gentleman introduced me to my first Alpine 7909 and three way Pioneer ODR set. sigh I loved that combo. __________________ “To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.” ― Thomas Paine

03-06-2009, 09:36 PM	#6
talnlnky Audio Junky Drives: 08 liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Spokane, Wa Posts: 1,412	i would've loved to have one of those ODR setups.... optical from the head unit to the processors to the amps... NO NOISE SYSTEM... gawd that'd be cool. My denon deck can do the balanced outs using the same plug as the zapco gear uses.... which is basically the same as a computer PS2 plug (think old round mice/keyboard connectors) __________________

03-07-2009, 04:56 AM	#7
sqcomp Roadrunner Jr. View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Back at home Posts: 2,609	I know denon. I don't know if you saw the install in the Audi from a month back, we originally purchased a DCT Z1 for that. Decided not to use it, so it's sitting in a closet. I would really like to get my hands on the DCT 1 even more. They're all so stupidly expensive. That ODR setup can still be had. You just have to find the Japanese Carrozzeria equipment. Still extremely hard to find though. There are other options out there that are just as good...and just as expensive. __________________ “To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.” ― Thomas Paine

03-07-2009, 06:22 AM	#8
Spades The Hated One View User's Garage Drives: 07 White Manual Sedan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oregon,USA Posts: 390	it was the one on pacific hwy/99 in tigard. i dunno, when i was in there it seemed like they had decent stuff and deals, i mean, the store carried some really cheap junk and alot of pioneer and sony stuff, but i also saw some higher end stuff too. i had bought a deck and some eclipse speakers...i struck out on the free install though,lol. __________________

03-08-2009, 01:42 AM	#9
sqcomp Roadrunner Jr. View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris S Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Back at home Posts: 2,609	You're talking my neighborhood... Although back when they were operational, I was on the Eastside. "free install"...gotta love that. It's almost never free. __________________ “To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.” ― Thomas Paine

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ACRONYM thread	Shroomster	Off-topic / Other Cars / Everything else Discussions	45	02-15-2025 11:30 PM
Alpine Sound System Package	nerd_vitZ	Items for Sale by private party	7	03-11-2009 08:41 AM
Intake Systems Decision Maker..	Blenjar	Performance Modifications	25	09-15-2007 11:07 PM
Factory Sound System and iPod	ARCVILE	In Car Entertainment + Electronics (audio / video / alarm)	5	09-07-2007 12:40 PM
Indonesian Yaris stereo cheap sound system	ex-jazz lover	In Car Entertainment + Electronics (audio / video / alarm)	0	04-05-2007 11:43 AM