Crutchfield
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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
425 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
Bought a JBL speaker bar for a Samsung TV. It arrived on time and was just as advertised and works great.
Their products are the best quality. They supply you with everything you need to have a easy self install. Plus tech support if you need it.
I don’t know that I’ve ever talk to a Technical support or a customer service person that wasn’t over and above the top to help me with anything I needed. 👍👍👍👍
Great product and recieved in good time
Purchased a Marantz SR5013 with free two day shipping. Product arrived in two days. Was impressed with shrink wrap box covering. Had purchased a TV from another vendor and another shipper about the same time with free four day shipping. Arrived in ten days. Thanks Crutchfield.
They were very quick to get my order to me but best of all they sent me step by step instructions for my vehicle.
Fast shipping, good selection at a great price
Good sale and fast shipping but would like for shipments not to show manufacturer and item info.
Love this company! Easy ordering. Fast shipping. Great prices
Get alerts when an item goes on sale. Fast free shipping, you can't beat that
Ordered two soundbars/subs and surround speakers from Crutchfield. They showed up faster than expected and at a very competitive price. Great service, as usual.
Best Electronic’s website around. Exactly what you need without all the extra up sell ads and useless info. Customer service is second to none. I emailed a question to tech support in the evening and received a reply first thing the next morning. Even though I was able to find the answer to my question by reviewing their awesome videos on YouTube, their response was even more thorough than I expected. I’m a first time buyer and now a customer for life. Nice work Crutchfield and thank you! Mark Wright
Site was easy to navigate. Filters let me get to what I was looking for in a timely manner. Overall experience was good
Tatum, in customer service was very pleasant and knowledgeable. Order arrived as promised.
good service, delivery in three days, fast, along with the instructions of the team and in good condition!
Sales folks are very knowledgeable and friendly. They helped me pick out the right equipment for the price I was looking for. I would not hesitate to use Crutchfield for any of my home stereo needs.
The best Tech Support I have ever experienced.
I ordered thru the chat service on the web site. I ordered car speakers and I stated I did not want to do any customization. Well I did have to do a bit of customization (bummer), hence the 4 stars.
Needed advice to add outdoor speakers to a Sunbrite Veranda TV. Spoke with Tony who advised the Phase outdoor amp. Great purchase hooked up to TV and instant sound thru the speakers. Tony was very knowledgeable and helpful. Easy install.
Top notch. Fast shipping and Technical support nice to talk to.
I ordered online and everything was easy to navigate. I was offered assistance through email several times. Product was shipped and delivered in a timely manner . Product was received as it was described.
Was wonderful to be able to change my car stereo. So easy with the crutch field wiring harness. It was just plug and play as advertised. Thank you so much Crutchfield.
they are simply the best im always happy with my order anytime i buy something from them ! thank you again
I purchased a new Canon EOS RP camera, and as always was delighted with Crutchfield's service. Web site is easy to use and provides a lot of great information, price was good, order was easy to place, communication was excellent, product was shipped promptly and well packed. I've never had a bad Crutchfield experience.
Certainly the way to go for proper install!!!
whats advertised and purchased at Crutchfield is great audio and video products at nice affordable prices love the specials if you love good quality or a professional who want the best then this is the place for you to check out
Have never once had a problem with these guys best car audio shop in the world
Effortless. I really didn't rely on your expertise for this transaction, but was extremely happy to discover the specific component.
First time buying from Crutchfield, I was very impressed on the service and staff fast shipping and excellent product I purchased
I bought some speakers. They were delivered on time and with all the adapters necessary for a smooth install.
1st off the website is very easy to navigate. The prices and selection are already great, then they have special offers all the time. I bought 2 pairs of speakers for 50% off with purchase of the deck i needed. But what i liked the most was how detailed the included instructions are. They were specific to my car with pictures to guide you through each step. Even as a guy that does his own engine swaps, this helps out a lot when trying to make sure you don't break any interior panels during install. Thank you!
Great service. Great experience and Shawni was very helpful. I’ve bought from Crutchfield since the mid 80’s. It’s good to have a company you can count on!
Placed a call prior to making the purchase. Representative recommended a couple options that would meet my requirements. Purchased one of the suggested models and it performed exactly as I was anticipating.
To Quote Tina Turner....... “Simply the best”!!! Price, Customer Service , Tech support, I’ve used them all. Running a business is not easy.... but it’s important to do what you say you are going to do! Crutchfield does!!
Easy ordering. Great price. Fast delivery.
I've never had a problem and can proudly say that when I needed help or advice their people were courteous, knowledgable and very professional. Every product I have purchased has arrived fast and well packed. You can't go to Best Buy and get service like this ever. Crutchfield is a great choice and if they don't handle what you're looking they will try and help you with advice as to where to look or even possibly go, you can't go wrong with Crutchfield, good luck in your future purchases.
Crutchfield has always been great! Super friendly, super helpful and fast shipping!
I received some faulty parts with my order which is never good. They are shippinge new parts but I have to send the old ones back in 2 weeks. What sucks is I'm working out of town so I might not get a chance to try the new harness. They are sending it 2 day shipping but that probably won't include Saturday. Kinda BS if you ask me. Now the good part is the service tech who helped me with this issue was amazing. I don't know how name but he deserves a raise.
Everything was as it should be. The speakers did not disappoint, as you expect from Klipsch. Shipping was fast and on time. Great purchase overall.
The radio was received in a timely manner. You are were kind, considerate, and very helpful. I really appreciate the pride you display in your profession. That is very rare these days.
Needed an antenna for my TV to get rid of expensive cable; called Crutchfield from a recommendation from a sister; ordered the product; it arrived on time! Good Job!!
web site it easy to use and informative, service is excellent!
Crutchfield is great to deal with!! Excellent communication, fast shipping, and tech support.
Crutchfield is the best company for all your electronics needs . They have great products and great customer support and service. They also have a no hassle return policy . I highly recommend them .
I live in VA so I had next day delivery on car stereo system. Delivery was prompt and packaged well. With purchase of stereo, the custom wiring harness and mounting bracket were included. The installation and wiring instructions were easy to follow and the removal of the old system and installation of the new receiver were completed in about 30 minutes with no issues. This was not the first system I've purchased from Crutchfield and have always had a great buying experience. I would highly recommend.
Parts received very fast. Easy installation. Great prices. Extremely happy!
The guys were very helpful and I will always do business with these great people!
Used provided wiring adaptor for Volvo S60 Absolutely no problem. Easy to follow install instruction. Works flawlessly. Good price and with deep discount on install kit beats Amazon. So good bought another and will buy a third soon.
I was very pleased with my experience . Craig helped me and was great answering my many questions. My Bose wave radio/ cd player arrived very quickly! Great company I would order from them again! Happy in Florida!!
I ordered a Kenwood radio and forgot to select the additional parts needed. I called Crutchfield the next day and they shipped out the other parts with no hesitation or cost. Great Customer Service and delivery on time 2 days