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
503 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
Great price, all information needed to make an informed decision on their website, directions and included harnesses made installation a breeze for a novice.
I‘ve been a customer for several years. I have never had a bad experience. Every time I talk to someone, they have been nothing but helpful. I don’t shop anywhere else for electronics.
Web site descriptions and detailed links for my LED TV purchase were very complete and informative. On-line support for an accessory purchase was quick and thorough. Shipment and delivery were amazingly fast.
Very competitive pricing made even better with their customer service and lifetime tech support! 2-day free shipping is also amazing. Much better than you'd get from Amazon or other big box stores! I highly recommend using Crutchfield!
The speakers fit perfect and the sound quality is outstanding 🤘😁
I like how everything was so detailed that it took the guess work out of everything.
Ordered a number of products online everything was exactly what I ordered delivered on time what more could you asked for
Very helpful when I ordered, very knowledgeable and polite.
Great products at a good price and fast shipping including everything you need. Thanks folks, B
Buying from Crutchfield is a no worry experience. The product line is fantastic. Their support is great. If you ever have a question they have knowledgeable agents who are quick to answer. Their installation manuals are accurate and easy to follow.
My recent purchase from Crutchfield went flawlessly !! I was surprised how fast their shipping was. The company has been around for many years so they have everything dialed in. Very happy and will return for more.
Everything was great except that the speaker that supposed “fits your Z3” did not fit. I was only able to secure it with two of the four screws. The other two holes were misaligned enough that I could not get the screws started.
I liked shopping the Crutchfield site, it had detailed information I was looking for and it made my decision easy on what to buy
I've never had any issues or problems when dealing with Crutchfield. They carry the very best of what Hi Fi has to offer at reasonable if not the lowest prices available. I will continue to use them in the future.
Fast shipping, good prices, and technical help. I will definitely buy from here again.
Easy to buy and there’s all the information to make the right decision
Very easy to use, compare and make the most informed decision on what to purchase and why.
There were a few things that stood out for me - #1 was making sure the item I was looking would fit my truck - most places that sell items like that do that anymore , but what they don’t do is send detailed instructions , adapter plates , wiring adapters - pretty much everything I needed to do the install myself.
Ordering was easy. Prices very good and arrived quickly. Everything worked together (auto install), a tight fit but worked.
Good selection of audio component's. Ordered the Cambridge Audio CXC CD Transport and love it. Shipped very quickly ! And received follow up emails. Great company, Thank YOU !
Crutchfield was very helpful in making sure I got all the things I needed in order o make everything work correctly!
My One and Only Source for Electronics... They Have Great Customer Service, Quality Products!!! Great Prices, Free 2 Day shipping to Indiana, Everything packed safe and secure... Never had any shipping Damage... I can shop from the comfort of my Recliner... In 20 Years I have only had one issue with a product and they handled it promptly!!! Thanks Tim
Great pricing and their Website absolutely rocks. Easy to figure out what I needed for a new car stereo install and to process a step by step order.
Only to say that I get what I ordered 4 days ago. Everything is packed as suggested and delivered in three days as promised. It took me about one hour to set up the amplifier and to start enjoying the radio, cassette, Bluetooth, and be happy with all my devices.
I’ve purchased several radios off Crutchfield and have been very pleased. They always make sure you receive everything you need to do the job.
Crutchfield are the absolute best!!! Their customer service team is friendly, knowledgeable and above all else, they LISTEN. They make you feel valued as a customer and make solid recommendations based on your needs, not whatever product they are trying to clear out of inventory. At various times over the last three years I have purchased thru Crutchfield a Sony 65" 4K LED TV, Polk Audio tower, center channel & surround speakers, Yamaha receiver, Pioneer car audio head unit w/wireless Apple Carplay, and most recently, a pair of Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Noise Canceling headphones, and every time, EVERY time, I have had a flawless experience from ordering through delivery. A+++.
Great products and selection, good prices, especially when they have a sale going on. The Advisors can be reached by phone or online chat, they are friendly, helpful and know what they are talking about and do not pressure you to buy. Crutchfield has the absolute best support and customer service in the online audio/electronics field.
Excellent support 20 years ago, and still excellent support today. just wish they had not stopped carrying Pioneer home a/v.
Great specials!! Great customer service. They’re all about fixing your issues if you have one.
Picked out a radio from their detailed web site with all comparisons, Delivered fast with directions in box and emailed, first class operation, highly recommend
Brook was great, I got the speakers I needed
The web experience was very good. Extremely helpful and accurate. The item arrived quickly. I was surprised it got here so quick.
This is the best customer service I have ever had.
Super easy to choose the right components, check-out and pay. Very helpful customer service!
Very easy purchase, fast delivery, excellent and easy to follow directions!
Great selection, good prices. Web site is easy to navigate.
The experience was very satisfying. The expert reviews and customer reviews are very useful for making a decision on a product. The website is very easy to navigate, and the prices are competitive. I just wish it offered free returns.
So far so good, awesome product, great pricing, fast shipping!
first rate shipping , service , and support.
I am so happy that I decided to do my car stereo install myself. The shopping experience with Crutchfield was straight-forward and easy. I decided to have the radio harness done for me, excellent decision! I even had a question that was handled on a Sunday by their tech support. I had it all done in a couple of hours. Thank you Crutchfield!
Very good price and service. Delivery free and fast...
great to follow instructions very easy to install but make sure all fuses are intact
A+ on all items I have ordered. Never a problem with installation and all necessary items are recommended during ordering process
I only get my car audio from crutchfield. They have competitive pricing; on top of the price they add wiring harnesses, baffles, and anything else to help you installation go smoothly. Their customer service is top notch. Everyone is so helpful and nice with everything from pricing, to compiling a cart with all your hookup needs, to calling with installation guidance. Top notch company.
Product arrived very quickly and they kept me informed on the status of the delivery constantly. Also, product was on back order or pre order in many other electronics and camara stores. So was happy to know they had it available.
C600 replaces my Sony SCD C222ES scad player, transport gave out after 17 yrs. ------ was a great unit ! New changer is excellent works as easily as one would expect------no issues loading/removing cd's. The "pure direct" mode is interesting as it shuts down the digital and "enhances" the analog output-----the output which I would thing most folks use . To my ear I cannot determine the "enhancement"--------- perhaps so, the downside in this mode is the front display goes dark as the manual says it will--------- but why, is sort of a nuisance. Other than that I am perfectly happy with the C600 !!! My system is Crown pre & pwr. amps driving vintage JBL's .
I couldn’t believe my experience with Crutchfield! I wish I had come to them years ago with car audio questions! They make it as easy as possible. All you have to do is Ask, Order, Follow their super easy installation instructions and you’re done. It’s that easy. I will highly recommend Crutchfield to anyone who is thinking about a car audio update. I will definitely be a returning customer!
Great place to buy speakers...love the wire harness and instructions that came with it at NO CHARGE! Will definitely buy from Crutchfield again!
Free and fast shipping!! Crutchfield had the product I wanted in stock whereas most other sites did not.
No problems. Item was shipped quickly just as ordered.