Do you trust car audio/alarms shops to do your installations?

[badboyeee]

One of the main reasons why I try to do my own installs, is not because I don't trust other people won't do a good job. It's because I get paranoid that the installer would set my car up and tell an outside accomplice of what's in my car and how to break into it.

Does anyone feel the same way? Was there any instances that this actually happened? Am I being too paranoid?

My sister wanted me to get an car alarm (prestige?) for xmas, but I'm holding back because of this (I don't know how to install a car alarm).

 

[Glowmunkey]

I never trust them... I don't think they're crooked, they just don't know anything. I'm sure there are a few intelligent ones, but stereo s*** is so easy, why bother paying someone else?

 

[pjc1800]

There are many shops that you can trust, you need to look around until you find one you are comfortable with. Ask around...people aren't going to recommend shops that hack up cars, they are going to give you thier honest opinions. Go to the shops and ask to see some of thier work...they shouldn't mind showing you if they don't have anything to hide.
Some "stereo s***" might be easy to certain people. Some people aren't gifted in the electronics area and some are. I install for a living. There is so much to mobile electronics aside from "stereo s***." Security, video, navigation, audio...some are harder than other. If your going to pay someone to do it...make sure you trust them and you'll be happy with the work...

 

[badboyeee]

Well I can pretty much do car audio installs, i used to have a lot of free time so I did a lot of research on it. Now that I have car audio stuff in my car, I feel the need to have an alarm. But now that I got a new job, I don't have enough time to laern how to install alarms and actually do it.

 

[Greg S]

Most shops are trustworthy when it comes to not sending out someone to get your stuff later. I've only run in to that once in the 15 years I did installations and it was found out pretty quick and the installer was fired and thrown in jail. What you worry more about is the actual quality of the workmanship itself. For this to be go you need to ask how they put the product in, what type of connections they use and where they try to hide the brain. In the case of my wife's P5 I've got the brain up behind the instrument cluster and all the connections are soildered and taped with all the wires completely hidden from site. I even hid the siren within the front bumper so that you can not see the siren or find the wires to it. If you want someone to do this level of work though, expect to pay for it. I spent 3-4 hours doing the alarm and I can usually do one in 45 mins to 1 hour with a standard install.

Since you are somewhat close to me I can do it for you if you want but it'll have to be after Christmas and New Year's and possibly in February since I'm closing on a second house and have a trip scheduled in January.

 

[loccusst]

Worry about the quality is right. I work with an installer who is bad and one who is a frickin God when it comes to installs. Ask for credentials, they should be MECP certified. Find out what level of certification and how long they have been doing this, ask to see pics of their installs if they have any. Asking questions before will give you an idea if they are qualified to do the install. The wires should be disguised to look like the rest of the wireloom in the car and the brain box hidden.

 

[2K3 MSP]

I just don't understand why people mod their cars, and then say "now I need to get an alarm". I always get my alarms installed while my car is stock. Then, it doesn't do any good for someone to tell an "accomplice" what you have done to your car. But I'd be more worried about a clean install more than assuming they are going to come back and steal my car or anything inside it in the first place.

 

[ZoomThis]

I refuse to let anyone touch the electronics in my car. Also I rather do it myself. Nothing like know how everything is hooked up and knowing where all the wires lay.

Anyone can design, only a few can build!

 

[pr5owner]

NO i dont trust anyone

no one touches my car but me, and thats probably why everything has been working perfect since i got the car