Crutchfield
Crutchfield’s online catalog has its origins in the company’s first year of business, when sales were poor in 1974. During the first year, the company didn’t sell very many items. Bill Crutchfield, the owner, mailed out a questionnaire to find out why customers weren’t buying products, asking customers what the company needed to do better. Customers replied that they didn’t know much about car audio, and were scared by the thought of putting one in their vehicle. The questionnaire prompted Bill Crutchfield to start filling the catalog with useful information about car audio. The company built this experience into their corporate DNA, offering superior customer service to its clients. Since 1974, the company has put car audio components into over 12,500 cars.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Great customer service
- Lifetime support
- Extensive audio selection
We seriously felt that Crutchfield has one of the best customer service setups in the industry of online electronics stores. Here are some of the features of Crutchfield's superior customer service:
- Free lifetime tech support for your audio products ($99 if your products were purchased somewhere else).
- Free audio installation kits with most car audio products.
- A generous 60-day return policy, however, the items must be returned completely packaged and undamaged.
- An extensive knowledge base that includes installation guides and how to purchase product guides.
We liked that the lifetime support for products was also available if you purchased your product from another company. In our opinion, this is an indication of Crutchfield's dedication to customer service.
We liked finding an online electronics retailer that specialized in one market, specifically audio products. The online product catalog also has a very unique search feature, something that we didn't see in the industry. To search for the car audio that is appropriate for your vehicle, the website catalog prompts the customer to enter their vehicle manufacture year, the car brand, and the car make. The catalog will then present the customer with a complete listing of audio products that is appropriate for their vehicle.
We also liked the array of televisions and other products available through Crutchfield. Crutchfield has three different models of OLED TVs. The prices range from $3,499 to $9,999. We found it difficult to find a wide range of prices for OLEDs from other providers in the industry.
The customer experience with Crutchfield is also reflected by a positive reviews. The customer mistakenly selected the wrong type of wire harness. Crutchfield sent the client a free wire harness, the correct one, and did not ask the customer to return the faulty wire harness.
We also liked the extensive professional audio selection category. Here are some of the item categories that we found with Crutchfield's professional audio product selection:
- PA Speakers
- Audio recording equipment
- A wide array of microphones
- Monitors for recording and public performance
- Computer recording
- Pro Audio Headphones
- Home recording solutions
- Cables and Snakes
- Stands, cases, racks and bags.
The website also included extensive articles and guides for each product category. One article described the benefits of having touchscreen displays as part of a car audio system. One audio talked about car audio factory sound processors and how a new stereo could be easily integrated with a factory sound processor. The article also gave customers options on how to decide whether or not they should keep their factory sound processor or purchase a new one.
The Bad
- More information
- More products for devices
We couldn't really identify any "negative" aspects of Crutchfield's website, but we did have a few suggestions to improve the site's overall functionality and appearance, as well as increase the overall customer experience:
- For classic cars and motorcycles, we would like to see more "vintage" products available. Some of the electronics for classic cars had a digital display, limiting the "vintage" look of the radio display.
- Increase the number of GPS units and resources available for motorcycles, as there are only two GPS types for motorcycles.
- Better define how to package a product if it is going to be returned. The website doesn't give very good information for how to repackage a product and the amount of a restocking fee.
We wish that the catalog contained a bit more information on each individual product and how it might be integrated into an existing audio system. We were somewhat concerned by the factory sound processor article, as it read somewhat like a blurb trying to get the customer to purchase more Crutchfield equipment.
Even though Crutchfield is an audio component provider for cars, we would like to see more products such as smartphones, MP3s, and maybe even tablets that customers could hook up to their new stereo system, whether or not the item is for a home.
The Bottom Line
We appreciated our service experience with Crutchfield immensely. Here are the things that we liked about Crutchfield:
- The great customer service, an idea that is built into the very core of their business operations.
- The free lifetime support for products purchased directly from Crutchfield
- The free installation gear that comes with most car stereo purchases.
We also liked the extensive knowledge base online. While the live chat is not a 24-hour feature, there are a ton of articles that are available to customers 24 hours a day. Also, the knowledge base is free. Some companies, such as Best Buy, require the customer to purchase Geek Support or a service plan to repair or install an item. Also, the free installation gear from Crutchfield is hard to beat.
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User Reviews
Star Rating
661 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
Chris Raulston
Always a great price and all the best products, add that to fast shipping! Always a great experience.
Michael Briscoe
Free one day shipping on a product I had been looking for that was on back order everywhere else. Got it just in time for my wife’s birthday celebration. Always a great experience ordering from these guys! Thanks
Larry
Shipped quick. Instructions were spot on.
August Krieg
Customer support is great and they provide you with all the information you need.
Lunalab1
Great price on speakers for my truck! Great on line ordering experience and delivery in less than a week. Thank You!
Great product description! Easy and plentiful selection.
Juan
I got exactly what I wanted. Crutchfield has very fast service. Thank You, Crutchfield. Everything is new and in Very Good conditions no shipping damage whatsoever.
Felix A Perez
Great website to choose and pick car stereos and accessories as needed. You can compare features and then choose the item you liked and the prices are always great. Easy to install with all the hardware required to do so on your particular car, truck or van. Nothing but great things from this organization.
Dan
Dante called me right on time! He had a lot of great info, and helpful suggestions. It was really handy that Crutchfield provided the wiring harness and diagrams. Shipping was really fast too! I look forward to ordering a new head unit and/or sub in the future :)
Stacey Tangonan
Great service and super-fast delivery! I appreciated the website's warning that my product was going to be shipped in manufacturer's box and clearly display what the contents were. In this day of porch pirate thefts, perhaps Crutchfield could offer more discreet delivery option in the future for customer peace of mind.
brandon lapierre
Company gave me everything I needed, was not provided a plug and play system I think this needs to be made more clear I would have just let my local stereo store buy and install the product. I was under the impression it was plug and play by the wording at checkout with there recommended parts
Brenden Hollingshead
Very helpful service and products. Includes schematics and plug and play options to help novice audio installations
Rich Downey
System works great on my boat 5 stars, sounds great!
Dale Wiley
Quality products, service and fast shipping.
Jason Griffin
I have used this company for 20+ years. Always had the right part delivered and have used tech support, which is great also. Great service
Dj Mcbride
Speaker was great quality but it did not fit exactly as specified. I had to modify the factory box to get it to fit. I will also have to add a spacer to make sure that it fits correctly. The factory speaker was a 2 ohm but the speaker has dual voice coils so I had to bridge to make it 4 ohm so it would work.
WLOHOU
Excellent CS and prompt delivery Open box item is in perfect condition
Harsh roki
The Customer support is extremely helpful. I needed some additional details to boost my computer's power and they have been very keen to help and advice me on some products. Thanks!
Cory Lewis
Great experience! From the moment I ordered, I received excellent customer service from the company. They sent a video letting me know that my order was being taken care of and that they appreciated my business. Fast shipping, great product. Will be using Crutchfield for my electronic needs.
Arthur Johnson
Crutchfield has one of the best costumer service personnel groups i have ever delt with.. They are very easy to talk to and very helpful and they are very quick at getting your gear to you also
Steven Slaughter
It was a wonderful experience, and there accessories are great.
NJT
Very knowledgable agent. Easy to work with !
Jen Lopez
Easy to identify what would work with my vehicle. Easy to track my shipment. I had this stereo installed by professionals. Everything was correct at inspection. Would definitely recommend.
S. Hegedis
Very fast delivery, excellent customer service and technical support.
Slow Runner
Great price...Fast delivery...Easy installation...Awesome sound. Thanks!
explorerfit
excellent service, fast shipping, I really like the product. I really recommend kicker speaker.
Rodney Nix
I can always find a good deal and what I want. I also always receive my order very quickly. You can always depend on this company.
John CapeCod
Ordered 3 1/2 inch Hertz dashboard speakers for my 1985 El Camino. Great price, $99 , for great sound and easy installation! Highly recommend!!
Robert Leichtenberg
Hadn’t bought a new audio unit in 18 years. My friend suggested Crutchfield and I’m glad he did! Very impressed with the selection, service and prices 👍
Jeremy Peterson
Amazingly fast shipping, very informative vehicle specific installation instructions.
Bill Black
Never been disappointed whether for home or car, they sell great stuff
Sean
Crutchfield has the best customer service, from start to finish. If you call and inquire about radio or speaker fitment in your vehicle, and the rep on the phone doesn't know for sure, they'll go to the install team and ensure you have what you need, or steer you in a different direction.
Marzio
Can’t believe how fast ordered items get delivered. Great place to shop for your electronic needs.
Wendell Seemann Montague
Crutchfield communicates. I like the way Crutchfield lets you know the status of your order. One item was not immediately available and I was informed of this when I placed the order. When further delays developed I was notified and given the opportunity to cancel or order a different item. The other item came almost immediately. This company knows what's important in online commerce.
Neal miller
I have ordered several things from Crutchfield and they always have fast delivery and top quality merchandise .
A.C.'s Hobbies
Alpine CDE-172BT Ordered through Crutchfield and couldn't be happier. They give install instructions plus you can opt in for the complimentary dash kit and wiring harness specific to your vehicle. It's too easy.
Jose Munoz
Package arrived on time and packaged very nicely.
Alan Ford
Great customer service! Email on payment card was old email. Crutchfield followed up with phone call when confirmation email sent by them bounced back as undeliverable. They called to confirm we had actually ordered the item and got new email address from us. Even with all the above, the item was delivered in two days. Great work!
BigMac
Product is excellent and delivery was very quick!!
Charlie Berfield
This is a great company to order from especially if you aren’t overly familiar with how to remove and install car stereo systems.
Tim
Haven’t come across any dislikes yet. I have really like their customer service.
Jacob
All of the accessories I needed to fit the radio into my truck were easily available and affordable
john corder
always get what i need and love where i can read reviews on products before i buy. , good advice and come with all the things needed to made it a easy install.
Patricia Garmeson
It was so easy. Never shopped here before. I will be back tho.
Thalassa Foreman
Very good service, ordering process & delivery
Tyrone Jenkins
Every time I order from Crutchfield, I’m always pleased with my purchases and timely arrival! Best car accessory store no doubt!
William Kirkland
Competition doesn't even get close. Best prices, great selection according to your precise need. Full installing instructions for us do it yourselfers.
Samuel Hill
First class service. Prompt shippment and reciept of item ordered. Courteous check of order verification to reduce fraud. Much appreciated. Item was properly packaged and arrived without damage. Tracking was continually uptodate. I must saw American made Grado headphones are wonderful.
Matthew Weidman
Incredibly speedy delivery! Product was perfect
Penny Phillips INHC/MBS Coach
Amazing! I just can not say enough good about this place. Your promptness and service is incredible. Thank you.