fry’s electronics

I'm interested in hearing the negative and/or positive feedback about Fry's Electroniics installation services.  They are a big box store chain mainly in California, but have a few stores in Arizona, and Texas and maybe a few other states.  I would really like to here about the one in Austin, Texas.

Although I have never had a car stereo installed I do know that Fry's has some very unethical business practices. Working in the computer field I always seem to be upgrading or repairing systems for freinds and family members although by profession I am a Sr. Network Administrator. I stopped purchasing from their stores when I watched a computer main board that I had returned being placed in a cart and pushed to the computer department for restocking (San Jose store). This was the 3rd or 4th item in a row that I had purchased that was defective. I was so amazed by this whole situation that I hung out and followed the person and actually watched them place it back on the shelf. I picked up the box and went back to the cashier with my return receipt in hand, confronted her and had management called. She played if off as if I told her it was NOT defective. In essence she called me a liar. Regardless or what I had told her, I had been previously informed that all items returned were tested before being resold.

I have also had good experiences such as the returned Sony camcorder I bought from them at a substantial discount (Sacramento store). When the battery kept dying if left in the unit for more than a few hours I was given a new in the box unit as an exchange for the same price. However, I must wonder if management would have allowed this exchange to take place had they known? Before spending your money there make sure the product is new in the box (they are VERY good at resealing items and do not even hide this fact). I'm new to the car stereo scene (a hobby) but know as a computer engineer that dealing with someone’s returned computer hardware is a pain in the behind that is not worth saving a few dollars on. I wonder though as I look at the complexity of the equipment in this field how many items may be returned because of defects that are not apparent to the average user. The head units most all seem to be computerized nowadays (do you encounter intermittent lock ups and lost programmed data such as radio stations and presets?) and I know that amps can be damaged but still appear to work. When I was a teen I smoked a Coustic amp that continued to run for months before finally giving up completely. Something like this is just the type of item Fry's would restock. If you are on a tight budget it might be worth it to you but for my money I will pay a bit more for better product and service from a company that is not, in my opinion, corrupt.

And please pardon my post for being off topic as I know you specifically asked about installation services.

I live in austin TX, Im assuming you are talking about the store at parmer and mopac, I think thats the only one.  My brother had an alarm installed there about a year ago (I sold out and had it installed since I couldnt find a good wiring diagram for his car anywhere).  Its been in his car for a year now and the install still seems to be holding up great, if I remember right, at the time they charged us for a hidden $20 or so cost, but other than that I remember it being good, pretty quick installation and fair pricing.

P.S. where in Austin do you live? I didnt know there were many other people from Austin on this site

I used to work in the installation bay there.

Was just curious about customer feedback.