Satisfaction worth the price
Written: Apr 23 '02 (Updated Dec 30 '02)
| Customer Service: |
 |
|
| On-Time Delivery: |
 |
|
| Selection: |
|
|
|
| Full Review |
Ordered speakers on Monday, arrived on Wednesday. Provided confirmation e-mail along with tracking number. I'd order from them again. No comment on customer service since I haven't had to use them and that's the only reason I can't rate them excellent since it's an unknown to me.
Website
If you've never visited the Crutchfield website then you definitely need to. It is well organized and easy to navigate through. They use icons with some customer areas (account, wishlist, cart, etc.) and have separate areas, down the left of the screen, for their different product categories, which makes it easy to find what you are looking for.
Their specials, color pictures included, are in the middle when you first get there so you don't have to hunt for them.
Selection
They have their main categories listed down the left hand of the frame divided into easy to use sections that will aid you in finding what you are looking for (home products and car products as the two main categories). Under each main category they have broken out sub-categories to help you go right to what you are looking for:
Shop for Home Products
Receivers, Speakers, Home A/V
TV, DVD, Home Video
Portable Audio & Video
Camcorders & Digital Cameras
Cables & A/V Installation
A/V Accessories & Telephones
Shop for Car Products
Car Audio/Video
Car Speakers & Subwoofers
Installation
Accessories
Custom Car Accessories
Brands
They offer a wide variety of brands from:
Denon
Harmon Kardon
JVC
Kenwood
Onkyo
Panasonic
Pioneer
Sony
and others
One of the things I love about Crutchfield's web site is that they provide detailed pictures of the products. Really want to see the back of the receiver you are thinking of buying? Click on the "XL Picture" to see, in fine detail, all the connections.
Searches
They have a great search tool that helps you find exactly what you are looking for and is in a convenient location on their web page so you don’t have to hunt for it.
Prices
This is where I have to say you can find stuff cheaper than here. BUT, Crutchfield is a well known store which makes them an authorized retailer (e-tailer) for the products they carry. I was tempted to buy my Denon receiver from another e-tailer since it would save money, but then Denon wouldn't honor the warranty since the other e-tailer isn't an authorized distributor. Definitely something to consider when deciding who you will make a purchase from.
They offer a clearance section and do have some great sales from time to time.
Another nice perk is that every purchase you make entitles you to free Crutchfield technical support. Not bad if you end up over your head or your new component won't play nice with your others.
Shopping Cart
You can always access the “Cart/Check out” icon, always displayed at the top of the screen in the same location no matter where you are, to see what you have selected and check out from there. They require that you store your basic information but most stores now do this and if you plan on ordering a lot this will save you a lot of time in the end. As far as credit card info, they use SSL technology to help keep your info secure, but do recommend that if you log in while you shop, that you log out when you are finished.
Shipping Delivery
They are located in Charlottesville VA and use the standard methods of shipping with reasonable rates. Verbatim from their site:
Your order is processed the day we receive it
Most orders placed by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on weekdays will ship the same day. Orders placed after 5:00 on Friday, or on Saturday or Sunday, will ship the following Monday. On average, every single item ordered by our customers was in stock and ready to ship over 94% of the time!
Your order is delivered in 2 to 3 business days
If your order is being shipped to any of the 50 U.S. states, we'll ship it for delivery in 2-3 business days. (Saturday, Sunday and national holidays are not considered business days for delivery purposes.)
Your shipping charge is super-low
Crutchfield charges an economical, flat shipping fee ranging from only $5.99 to $15.99*: You pay only $5.99 for orders up to $99.99, $10.99 for orders from $100 to $399.99, or $15.99 for orders over $400.
Conclusion
With an excellent selection they certainly get my nod for approval. I’ve been back several times just scouting what sales/promotions they are offering and will continue to do so in the future. You also need only check their customer rating either here, BizRate or Pricegrabber to know they are a respected store; but you will end up paying almost local retail prices for what you want.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
About the Author
Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 1 member
|
