DcMaN

iTrader: (13)

Well my cousins mother brought his gti to circuit city in FL, to have two amps and 3 subs installed(jl 12w3v3, and coax speakers. I told my cousin to just wait, just wait ill do it most people at cc are incompetent, boy was i right. I dont think ive ever been so mad in my entire life. First things they used ground loop isolators. WHY?? let me tell you why, because the ground(s) they used was terrible, didnt sand off any paint, and was using a flimsy piece of metal definatly not useable for the jl 1000/1. So i had to go fix the grounds, which got rid of the whining noise, not only that but the inputs for power wire was all frayed and not sitting in the power wire input hole flush, the positive cable was so frayed it was touching the chasis of the amp, whoever did this is a poor excuse for an installer. FYI be cautious who you let install your equipment, the amps were not tuned properly and all 3 of his subs ended up being blown because they have no idea how to tune amps, ie... gain ended up being turned up about 85%.

filtor1

iTrader: (7)

OK. Which CC was it? I am curious. I am in no way defending them or the oversights in your cousins car, that sucks, I would be pissed too. One of the best installers I know works at a CC in Florida. I wanted to add that I have had highly reputible shops that turn out high end cars do the same. I think overall the quality installers with a high level of attention to detail are few and far between. Most of the good installers I know own their own business and hire less qualified people to do installs. That sucks man. I would take all of the equipment back and be the sqeaky wheel. Especially if he paid for the install. I am not sure what their policy is when installing equipment bought outside the Road Shop, but it is worth a shot.

machinehead131

iTrader: (1)

That sucks, especially the money spent for the install is not worth it. I used to be the same way, saying i didn't want to wait and i wanted it done now. Well, i learned and the job is either done right or not at all. For the most part.

Lesson learned, you told him not to go there and he did so hopefully he won't do that again.

mendon99

iTrader: (15)

As mentioned a million times, small shops, big chains, doesn't matter. They're ALL hit or miss. Your cousin's mother just missed.

The only way to know is to have someone (or many people) personally tell you that a certain installer does a good job, they need references.

kpr10is

iTrader: (9)

+1billion to mendon.

Which Circuit City was it?...so I can talk **** to them...

filtor1

iTrader: (7)

Yep, he def hit it on the head.

Now we def need to know. I hope it's close......

DcMaN

iTrader: (13)

im gonna call my cousin and find out in a few minutes. Ill post back shortly. Fyi i am not bashing cc installers because i know there are a few intelligent installers on this forum that works there and quite knowledgeable. I was more upset that the job was poorly done, that was paid probably alot of money for and i ended up having to fix it.

Pearl96Max

iTrader: (151)

My installer sucks too FYI, he's always messin with my car.

1996blackmax

iTrader: (2)

The one time I let someone else install my amps for me was at a CC here in San Diego. That was the last time anyone besides me installed any audio gear in my car.

That being said, we did have a couple of Good Guy stores here that had good installers.....too bad they closed down . My friend use to work at one, and told me about these guys. One of them installed my alarm.

I think it is true about the hit or miss thing.

DcMaN

iTrader: (13)

what bothers me is how do these people get these jobs ? I mean doesnt circuit city look for mecp certifications ?

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

Which CC was it?

kpr10is

iTrader: (9)

Whats weird is that Best Buy is more concerned with MECP than Circuit City is, and I hear more Best Buy horror stories than I do with CC. But yes, both sometimes hire people without experience, which is the way of the retail world. Thus the idea in people's heads that if they go to a custom shop, theyll get a better install, which isnt always the case at all. Our newest installer at my CC has been here almost a year now, and although he drives a modded STi, he didnt know much about 12 volt prior, but he had already worked for CC in home audio sales so we kinda figured the combo of his car/sales/knowing CC would be a good match. We first threw him back in the bay without a ton of training at first based on that what he said about the work he had done on his STi (performance wise) figuring he would catch on quick, yet after a year I still wouldnt let him touch my car with a 50 foot pole. We have two full time installers and he is one of them. Yet the only other one I trust is my other part timer. So even people who get recommended to come into my store can get a install which I would consider sub par.

So...like already said...hit or miss. If there was a single decent custom shop in this town, Id already be working there. But there isnt.

DcMaN

iTrader: (13)

he said the install was done in sanford, FL.

talisman311

The reason CC isn't really concerned about MECP is that to the average customer - it means squat. Additionally, being MECP certified doesn't necessarily make the installer any better, everything falls back on the installer. Luckily, my location, the installers are pretty damn good so we barely run into this issue. I know you already fixed it, but try taking it to management if there's a next time. I have personally had customers come from other shops too because another CC did a shoddy install (and nothing irritates me more at my job, not even the car that comes in that resembles a landfill - but it's pretty damn close).

maxima985spd

IBTinstallerjoinsmaxima.organdpostsinthisthread

nismos14

iTrader: (56)

This is the main reason I haven't let anyone install anything in any of my friends/family members cars unless its me in probably about the past 10 years since I was about 15. I've been installing HU's subs amps speakers for all of the for free just to ensure they received the best possible installs.

mendon99

iTrader: (15)

. All my friends get entire installs in their vehicles for free by me. It really wouldnt be right to charge them, its what friends are for

NewLoveI30

All of my friends know that my services can be had for the low low price of beers. Brake jobs = six pack... Suspension installs = case... HU install = Blunt (Although collection is probably best after completion of the project). Wiring diagrams get confusing after too much smoking

Dynasty47x1

They always mess up from experience with them ill either install it myself of get my cousin to help me or someone i know that does competitions and builds boxes if not straight to Divine Sounds in Tampa. they do some good work.