on line purchacses

I am looking for remote start for a 2008 Toyota Tacoma. I have narrowed it down to the viper 5501 or Autopage C3 RS-900RSTKE-2W. I went to a dealer that carries both and advertises that he installs even if you buy it elsewhere. He started off saying that anything from either of the vendors that is sold on line, has no warranty, is either a refurbished or will not pass quality control, or it is outdated discontinued merchandise. I was ready to have him do a install for me until he told me the install price did not include the bypass, and it would run $80 to $100 additional depending on which one I needed, but the labor to install it was included in the install price. I know from iData's site the bypass I need is only msrp $54. Are online sales new 1st quality? Most places say new in unopened box. How hard is it to get warranty if I buy on line and self install?

Just get it from him that way if anything goes wrong with it he has nothing to blame it on. 80 is about right for a bypass IF you actually need one.

you will get no warranty from either manu listed if you buy online period. We see this time and time again, get if from a pro have it installed properly and you happen to have an issue you have recourse. Actually the price you quote from idata is just for the part un-installed and un-programed minus shipping costs.

As said above. Don't buy online, if anything goes wrong you get the bill. You have no warranty and shops will not swap out product for free. So technically you're paying 2 charges twice.

Most of the answers you'll get will be from professional installers (including me).

Since we usually count on making money both on the product AND the installation, many installers (understandably) get upset when they can't sell you the product, and so you're going to get a lot of emotional responses here.

I'll try to be as non-emotional as I can and explain it outright.

Whatever shop you go to, he figures on making a certain amount of money selling you his product with installation.

If you bring the product, he's likely to charge you more for the installation to try to make up for this.

In the case of an alarm or remote starter, we're most familiar with what we sell. If you bring me a brand I'm not familiar with (even if it's a good brand), it'll take me twice as long as installing what I usually sell.

The installer can (and should) always guarantee his installation, but of course won't be obligated to warranty product you bought elsewhere. (And if he doesn't sell that brand, he probably has no way to swap it out under warranty even if he wants to.)

Not all online purchases are refurbished or old-school stuff....although they sometimes are.

But it is true that whatever you buy online, your only warranty will probably be with the online seller, who may or may not be helpful and honest.

If the installer puts in your stuff and then it fails, but he and you disagree about whether the problem is the product or the install......an argument ensues. The installer ends up with either a tarnished reputation or might end up even replacing the product for free to protect his reputation................if he's smart, he'll be factoring these risks into his price.

BOTTOM LINE:

Buy it from me and have me install it, and it's all guaranteed forever. Yes, even the remotes! Whatever problem, just call me and I'll come to your house and fix it.

Buy it somewhere else but have me install it, well, I'll charge you a little more. I'll still guarantee my install forever. But if the product fails, all I can really do is unplug it from the car, hand it over to you, and tell you that I'll be glad to plug it back in as soon as you track down a replacement.

(Some installers will even charge you for removing and reinstalling the defective product.)

If it's a brand I don't deal with, and you lose a remote, I probably have no way to sell you a new one for a fair price.

WHAT I RECOMMEND:

So you know pretty much what system you want, right?

And do you like and trust this installer you've found?

Simply get two price quotes from him: One price for his system installed, and the other price for him to install the same system if you purchase it elsewhere.

Then find the online purchase price and do the corresponding math.

If you'll save a lot of money, it might be worth it to buy online and take the risk.

If it's only a small amount more, and the installer agrees to warranty everything in-house, I'd go that way.

P.S. I think anyone reputable warranties everything in-house, on the spot, no questions asked.....but not all installers agree. Some will make you wait while they ship out defective stuff for repair/replacement, even if you buy from them.......I don't think it's right to do business that way.

P.S. Also figure in the chance that you'll order/receive the wrong equipment and have to chase around about returning it. Sometimes a very small difference in a part number makes for an entirely different product.

Chris,
Thank you for your honest reply. If you were here in Indiana, I would be happy to deal with you. I know the dealer has to pay for overhead, and I'm not against him making a fair profit, I would even be happy to assist by removing the trim panels. The closest dealer that I have found that I somewhat believe knows what he is doing is over 100 miles away. I have been working on autos over 40 years, and have even done wiring on show vehicles, so I do know what's involved with proper and neat wiring. I know that the right way to do things usually takes longer. That is why I would rather have someone else do my install. I just don't like paying them $75 to $100 per hour labor. Around here even the dealerships don't charge that much.

Go to where you feel your not going to get ripped off. If the installer is 100 miles away, it's worth the trip knowing that your getting the installation done properly and professionally.

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA