Well i got receiver a gift( a JVC HU) and it will be installed at futureshop because it has free installation with the purchase and i wanted to know if anyone has had theres installed there and if they make you pay extra for new wiring and any extra costs.

any help would be awesome...I know I could call them but you know how some stores lkike to leave out some charges untill the end.

 

They absolutely will charge you for additional wiring. Might as well go in and pick out the good stuff and pay a little extra rather than going with one of their basic kits that they will select for you.

I've had two cars done by them -
My '83Z - I put a tape deck, a changer, an amp and two 6 x 9's
the changer and the amp were a custom build into the trunk, that cost extra as well. If you have more than one thing, you can possibly work out a deal. Initially, I was just doing the tape deck and amp and 6 x 9's, and mentioned that I was thinking about the changer - they told me they would do the changer for free if it was all done at the same time.
They have a listing for each item -
tape deck install costs ...
amp install costs....
cd changer costs....
cd changer with R/F costs...
And then I had my '91z done. They were really good about this one. They remembered me and my '83 and did my entire install - tape deck / new 10 disc mp3 changer / new amp / new custom build in the storage area / new 2 x 12" Subs built invisible into the storage area - they did it all for $50 bucks - but that was because they liked the car and said they really appreciated my loyalty.
Oh, and they are really good about warranty coverage. For my '83 I bought the extended 4 year warranty - this covered me through 3 tape decks and 5 amps and 2 sets of 6 x 9's - and even more than that - some of my equipment had become obsolete so it couldn't be directly replaced - here is what they told me - go in the store, pick something out that is close to what you have now, don't worry about the price too much, but don't go retarded and we'll cover it through your warranty. So not only did I get all this stuff replaced for free, I got upgraded for free too. So you know, when they install stuff, they guarantee their work for life, so if ever something goes wrong, and they can trace it back to something they did or something with their equipment - its free.
Yeah, I rambled, but I had a lot of good things to say. I love the Future Shop audio guys here. I'm in Ottawa, Canada - but whos to say your install shop where you are isn't a bunch of bums or cheats.
So the original question, do they make you pay for extras, yeah they do, but probably worth it in the long run.

 

Personally, I have seen and heard of too many horror stories from installers in places like this. I personally avoid all installers for the simple fact that its not their car, how much will they honestly care regarding accidential damage and quality of the install is only really bound by how eager they are to stay employed there. Unless you happen to get someone who truely loves the job of installing stereos.

I have always done my own installs, gives me bragging rights if it looks good and good reason to be smacked if it sucks.

I am in BC, in the lower mainland, I have not heard anything bad about the installs of the FS here. However, most of the people I know do their own installs anyhow.

I will agree with the above reply, they do have a very good warranty which they stand behind with pleasure.

If you are worried about hidden costs, walk into futureshop and catch someone around the install bay, then ask the installer directly. They usually will let you know the truth about the goings on of hidden costs.

Hope this helps.

 

while i cant speak for all installers the majority care about there work. I work for Circuit City as an installer and myself and everyone at my shop (Taylor, MI) do a very good job. There is no twist and tape, Everything is crimped or solderd.

Jeremy

 

Well what I would be having them do is put in my new HU,new 4x6s,new 6x9s,new wiring and put in a an amp i already have for my 4x6s

but i will be buying the speakers from them so maybe it will be cheaper for installation etc...

everything will be bought from them except the amp

Reaper did you say they made a custom box for you?

i wouldnt mind have a box made for my rear hatch well to fit 2 12's

i want one of those boxes where the it fits right in and has the subs facing the rear window

i am also in BC, surrey and never have heard anything about the installs because i know done myself would get messed up but I dont want a bunch of charges sprung at me at the counter

 

Where I live, it is $15 for the harness and another $15 for the installation kit for Metra parts. I really don't know of any junk wiring available for HU installs, even the stuff from Wal Mart works fine.

The actual installation of a HU in a thirdgen is so easy, most people do thier own. If you are getting a free install, it might be worth it if you really don't want to bother with it. Just make sure they have good installers there. Some of these shops are nightmares, some are very good.

I could have one in in under 10 minutes, soldered with a harness, using power tools for the screws and cutting.

The difficult things for the newbie, might be cutting the ununsed pieces from the install kit. As easy as this is, it can stump those without the tools or basic crafty skills.

 

Just make sure they don't drape a bare 8 gauge over your motor, across the spark plug wires and not zip-tie the fuse holder, that you paid for, causing it to break later on. Believe me, I was horrified when I found this.

Also, be sure they don't break the corner of your trim piece off at the HU and then blame it on thier 'power screwdrivers'. When you ask why they weren't using the torque clutch on the drill they stare at you like a deer in the headlights....

Don't ask me why I had CC do these installs for me, I must've been lazy or something.

After removing my stereo for a warranty repair, I discovered some of the worst 'strand crimping' I have ever seen! It is a wonder my HU even worked!

This was CC in Saugus,MA and Salem, NH in '98 and '99.....hacks!

So, be sure you know who is working on your car and maybe see some of thier work first.

Any monkey can crimp wires and get your gear to light up, but only a few select people are fit to be real installers.

 

Well....dead topic but im doing the install myself cause FS screwed me around and charged about 25 dollars more for the extra installation accessories i needed....so i bought the items and am doing it tomorrow.....i have read for hours and have learned as much as I can for my first install.....luckily crimping and soldering is one of my specialties( i know its not hard) as i have been into RC building and racing for years.

thanks