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
536 Reviews
Review Breakdown
Sentiment Criteria
Alejandra Joaquin
I trust no one else when it comes to electronics. Fast shipping and great customer service.
Sean MCNABB
The product showed up very quickly and in great shape
Abizyanna
Great company and really the best place to get car audio if you live in Hawaii. Great prices and super fast shipping.
Alex Del Valle
Excellent services, the delivery was fast and all thing recuired for the installetion.
Leonard Dwiggins
Great selection. Fast service. Have not used customer service, but I can't believe it's any different from every other service they supply. Second purchase and am completely satisfied. Everything came well packaged and at the time promised.
Kenny
I ordered two different sets of speakers and shipping was super fast and I believe I got great speaker and service for a good price. Thanks Crutchfield.
Thomas brown
It is always a pleasure to order from them, if you need help there are there from start to finish
Lake
Speaker stands were very good quality, easy to assemble, and fit the Sonos speakers perfectly. Delivery was on time and packaged to prevent damage. Definitely extremely satisfied with Crutchfield after being disappointed with Bestbuy.
Joe Rembold
Second time ordering from these fine folks this year, always great service and customer support. Will look to them for all my audio needs.
David Winkowski
It was very easy, once on their web site to find what I wanted, to read and study all the specs and then load it in my shopping cart. Check out was easy also and with free2 day shipping , you can not go wrong with Crutchfield.
Bill
I ordered a JVC car stereo. Price was great and the necessary kit for mounting in my F250 was included for free. Delivery was fast and when one if the plastic mounting parts arrived broken it was quickly replaced for free.
Al Abad
Best prices on audio products and comes with brackets and wirings. Tech support is the best
Vince Meier
I was very pleased with the ordering process. My radio came on time and I was very pleased. I am a first time user with your website and was taken aback by the messages I got of real concern for me and my purchase. I am a first time buyer but will not be a one time buyer. Thank you very much. Vince Meier
Dan S
Have been ordering from Crutchfield since I was in college in the 1980's. This has included both home and car audio products. Crutchfield offers unmatched customer service and support and has never dissapointed me over the years. In the couple of instances where I have had issues, Tech Support helped me to get things resolved quickly. I have also found pricing to be consistantly competitive. They are the total package - pricing, service and post-sale support!
Happy
Great service & pricing!!! Excellent experience!!!
Dan
A chat with Artie proved very forthcoming and a follow-up cll with another rep also proved very worthwhile. Very knowledgeable people and excellent products make for a wonderful experience. Many thanks.
Joe Azzarello
Easy to order on their website and shipping was quick and efficient.
David Parker
Tech support needs to be available 24hrs not banker hours most people work after hours
Sharon Guillory
Correct stereo harness to upgrade my 2006 Cadillac cts. Taken it to installer. Perfect fit.
JC
Very helpful with product explanation, and very good customer service.
Donald m beebe
No issues at all. My order arrived ealier than expected.
Kenneth Jones
Easy to'' marry'' to phone,with help from our teen granddaughter.Listening to it now. Kenny -Kentucky.
Wade B
Accurate installation instructions.. Good selection
Mike
Quality products , good pricing, fast shipping.
Dale Glass
Excellent customer service and support staff. Fast shipping. Thank you Crutchfield!
Cheryl
Easy as pie!!! Super friendly customer service. Very knowledgeable. Product was exactly as described.
Susan
Easy to order. Great price! Prompt delivery! Excellent way to service customers!
Lorie
Shopping on your site was a breeze and the instructions were amazing! My son had it completely installed in 3 1/2 hours. So good to be rocking out again!
Will
Speakers came with everything needed to install and fast shipping great service
Greg
Professional and effective communications and purchasing process.
martin bermudez
i purchased the bose surround speakers for my soundbar and woofer and i really enjoy the set.
Margaret Rao
My granddaughter loves her headphones and I was totally delighted with the service and employees of your company.
James Schultz
I had received everything, just plug in and play, order came with in a couple days prices were great! Very impressed thank you!
Kyle
Great price, all information needed to make an informed decision on their website, directions and included harnesses made installation a breeze for a novice.
Bob
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.
David
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.
Michael
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!
Cameron Heikkila
The speakers fit perfect and the sound quality is outstanding 🤘😁
Rob
I like how everything was so detailed that it took the guess work out of everything.
Ed N
Ordered a number of products online everything was exactly what I ordered delivered on time what more could you asked for
Lori
Very helpful when I ordered, very knowledgeable and polite.
Brendon Morris
Great products at a good price and fast shipping including everything you need. Thanks folks, B
Rodney Dotson
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.
Pete
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.
Jon
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.
Dan
I liked shopping the Crutchfield site, it had detailed information I was looking for and it made my decision easy on what to buy
Michael N.
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.
Scott
Fast shipping, good prices, and technical help. I will definitely buy from here again.
Carlos M. Diaz De Leon
Easy to buy and there’s all the information to make the right decision
Jason
Very easy to use, compare and make the most informed decision on what to purchase and why.