cobaltcoupe

So today I called to get some prices on putting my Viper alarm and remote start unit in, and of course the first place I called was the dealer. I asked them if they have a preferred source that they use to get it done so they wouldn't bitch at me for having it installed. The guy told me he would call me back in about 10 minutes. He called me back and told me it would be $490 + tax to put it in. I was like, holy **** that's a lot of money but figured all other companies would charge me that much. Told him I'd call him back to schedule an appointment if I decided to use them. Called around to a couple places, and got low price of $190 + tax and that included the bypass you need for the system as well. All these other places were around the $200 area as well, and realized that the dealer was just trying to take advantage of me and charge me an assload for service. I also found out that they can't bitch at me for having that put it, as long as it is done at a place where they specialize in that. If I did it myself I would get so much **** for it.

Here are some of the prices I got for future references:

Jo-Di's (Where I'm having it done) = $190 + tax
Boomer McLoud #1 = $390 + tax
Boomer McLoud #2 = $175 + tax
Auto Alarm etc. = $210 + tax
Best Buy = $220 + tax

The reason why I am having it done at Jo-Di's is because they seem to be the most trustworthy and do a really good job with stuff. I asked around and most if not all people were happy with the work they've done.

cobaltcoupe

bump for warning

johnkb8

would never go to dealer to have ANYTHING installed on my car...except for stage 2 of course

cobaltcoupe

This is the one I got:

06G5GT

The difference in price between the dealer and anywhere else is explained quite simply. The dealer only has licenced techs. A stereo shop doesn't need a licenced tech, they mostly hire people who's only training in stereo installs are on their own car because they can pay them about a 3rd of the wages a dealer will pay a tech.

That's not saying the the stereo's shops people are not good at what they do.

StinkBOMB

Yeah not exactly. A good stereo shop like a good mechanic shop will carry certified technicians. For car audio/video it's MECP certification. Yeah you can go to a shop that doesn't carry MECP installers, but most of the better ones have qualified people.

cobaltcoupe

I would think that would be the case. Especially with Jo-Di's which is a reputable company.

BLKSS

I heard those alarms mess with our cars.

waduncan

Yea I heard that too. Like one time the alarm unscrewed the shifter knob. The next time it flipped the floor mats upside down. Mean alarm!

(just messing with you, not being mean )

cobaltcoupe

LMAO

Seriously, I just laughed out loud at work.

LethalSS

My alarm caused wheel hop! or at least I might say that next time at the track.

an0malous

if you have ANY problem AT ALL related to electrical, that could be linked to that system....
just hope that whoever installed it treats you well.
because if GM didnt install it, they wont touch it.

OrngBalt

That looks like teh same one I got. Where did you buy it? I got mine at Best Buy. They will sell and install all included for like 475 plus wiring. I got mine as an employee discount so the unit was less and I had to pay for install but cost less than 400 all together.

Great system tho. I have had it for 6 months and had zero problems other than it eats batteries. GREAT in the winters tho!!

cobaltcoupe

Yeah, I bought it at Best Buy as well with employee discount. I won't let them touch my car though, cause they are really sketchy there and don't know what they are doing.

OrngBalt

haha, see i know all the installers real well and I only let one or two touch my car. i waited a couple extra days for the guy i trusted. he took $50 off the install so he got a 50 tip.

SS SCHGD

190+ tax means there not telling you something...maybe they didn't factory in the cost of the interface...maybe there not giving you remote start, something there isn't right. I've been all over the place around here and if the Chevy dealer told me 450$ or so to install a remote start and 2 way alarm everything included, that would be where I went...I know the shop I used to work at and that unit itself installed (without the $99.99 interface for a cobalt) sold at $379.99 and that was the cheapest around....your 190 is going to end up costing you way more....just like BB sells the unit for 200, but then you pay for it's installation, the interface and it's installation....I went to BB for a estimate and they wouldn't give me one....untill I was about to drop the car off....it wnet from 230 to 680, just by including everything, and they didn't have anyone who had done one...lol.
I got a quote from Tweeter (the better of the box stores out here) with everything included on that viper for a 05 CObalt LS with auto. so remote start and alarm, trunk etc...745 was the total.

If you can get it installed for 190$ plus tax, your ripping them off...