Remote Starter Buying Guide From One of Our Contributors

Mobile Edge, a contributor to Best Car Audio, recently offered a post on their site titled “Top Ten List: Remote Car Starter Buying Guide.”  This is a very informative post that does not plug any specific vendor.  The point Mitch makes are spot on.  If you are in the Market for a remote car starter, take a few minutes to check out this post.

Should I Buy From the Local Shop or From the National Chain?

This topic probably has been covered a dozen times on forums and other internet sources. I personally would just like to follow up with some notable differences between the two. With an ever changing 12 volt industry, there are a lot of things that consumers should be aware of.

Why choose an independent store?

We care. It’s true that in some areas the market is flooded with shops that just see consumers as dollar signs or at times, an annoyance. I assure you that 90% of the brick and mortar shops out there do care about their good name. Normally you can tell just by the lines they carry, how they speak to you, and the work they proudly exhibit on their counter tops or walls. We WILL offer you the best service out there. We may not be able to match pricing, but if you shop based on price, then you should reevaluate how you would like your sound system to perform. Bottom line, if we do not offer the best service, along with quality installations that will last the life of your vehicle, then we really offer nothing that the others do not already. Read more

Things to know…

The year is 1985 and the stereo system in your new vehicle is just not good. It doesn’t sound good, it doesn’t look good and it didn’t have a CD player. Fast forward to the year 2006 and the stereo system in your new vehicle is pretty darn good, or is it?

Factory stereos overall quality in vehicle are at an all time high. With features like a CD player (not even a tape deck anymore), MP3, iPod ready, steering wheel controls, rear mounted controls, satellite ready, navigation and Bluetooth cellular hands free they have all the bells and whistles. Some cars manufacturers have even gone to the aftermarket companies to help them with their factory stereos by even badging them with names like Rockford Fosgate, Alpine, Pioneer, Dynaudio, Infinity and Boston Acoustics. Can you get any better then this? Sure you can, but you have to know a thing or two or three or maybe four for it to sound better then what the factory has provided for you. Read more

Will an After Market Installation Void My Vehicle’s Warranty?

I am sure that most retailers would agreed that a common question we always hear is “Will this installation void my cars warranty.” The car dealer told them that if they had an after market product installed, their warranty would be voided. Nothing is further from the truth! The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 specifically forbids the use of”tie-ins” by any manufactures. One example of a “tie-in” is a vehicle manufacturer requiring that the consumer use a specific brand of motor oil or the warranty will be voided.

Since “tie-ins” are made illegal by federal law, a dealer cannot void a warranty just because you choose not to use their product. The only way that they can require you to use their product is if they are offering it to you at no charge. For an easy to understand translation of the act, click here.

Of course, a dealer or manufacturer cannot be responsible for faulty workmanship or poor quality after market products. If an after market product is found to have caused a defect in the vehicle, the dealer can refuse to warranty that specific problem. To this end, it is even more important that you choose a reputable shop to do your after market installations.

I don’t want to make it sound like all car dealers are bad and out to refuse warranty claims. By far, most dealers try to stick to the law and do the right thing. In most cases, it is a poorly trained service manager who is unfamiliar with the law. Unfortunately, in some instances, your dealer may just be deceptive. These are the cases that deserve some attention. One option is to contact the Federal Trade Commission at (202) 326-3128 or www.ftc.gov

There are endless upgrades available for your vehicle. When properly installed by a professional, you can rest assured that you warranty will be intact and the results will be fantastic.

Posted by Mitchell Schaffer

Owner of Mobile Edge in Lehighton, PA

Mobile Edge is a leading provide of quality aftermarket accessories and installations in Eastern Pennsylvania

www.MobileEdgeOnline.com

mitch@mobileedgeonline.com

Backyard Installs

As the owner of a shop I would like to make a comment to any customers that are debating on whether to have their friend hook up their car stereo or have a professional do it.

If you choose NOT to have your stereo installed at a store, please be aware of the following:
Many times customers will say they are unhappy with how their stereo sounds or that it does not work. We have found 99% of the time THAT IT IS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. If you find you are in this situation and you swear it is hooked up right, bring your car and the equipment to the store immediately. DO NOT pack it back up in the box ! (We would only test it and tell you it’s fine further upsetting you).

Example: Customer swears his friend knows what he is doing. Says it sounds like $h&%. Customer is mad and brings stereo to the store. We find another bad install (The expert friend hooked it up wrong).

Customer is now embarrassed and mad at friend. DON”T let this happen to you. Your friend can blow the ground trace on your cd player, blow a $2,500 airbag, cause your amp to overheat and ruin it, catch your car on fire, etc!

Also, there are a million different ways to adjust crossover settings, dial in EQs, place speakers in a vehicle properly, etc! Most CUSTOMER installed stereos are hearing 50% of what the equipment is capable of! Trust a professional… You get what you pay for!

Posted by Lou Norman

Owner of Enormis Mobile Specialties in Erie, PA

Enormis was voted one of the “Top 50 Mobile Electronics Retailers in the US”

www.enormis.net

louis@enormis.net