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InstallerNet - diary of an install

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Old 05-18-2011, 09:35 PM
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InstallerNet - diary of an install

If any of you are like me, you appreciate some good old fashioned customer service for our cars.

I have been having difficulty locating a car stereo shop here in Phoenix that will answer questions via email. Like you, my time away from work is precious and would rather not call or drive to a stereo shop just to interview them...

So I decided to try InstallerNet as the broker for the Amp/Sub install on my 2011 C350. Crutchfield leverages InstallerNet as their "virtual" install shop and amazon.com sells the cards. With the experience of Crutchfiled and service backed by amazon.com, I ordered up pre paid installation cards along with more than enough "add ons" such as fuses, amp install kits, speaker wire, and a bass restorer.

So in this thread I will chronicle how well this does or does not work. If InstallerNet works out - great - we have a resource. If they fail, I can share with you the failure and you can avoid them....

And we begin the diary of an install.....

05/17/2011 - InstallerNet phone rep "activates" my subwoofer install card with reservation. She wants both the amp and sub card activated at the same time. She asks (a 2nd time) what year make model car I own. Upon hearing MBZ, she calls the installer and gives me his name, and phone. He's a mobile installer. I leave him two voicemails - he does not return either call on 05/17/2011

05/18/2011 - I send the installer an email. As of 15:30 PHX time, he has not responded to email or voicemail. I have fired this mobile installer for not communicating. Ron from Soundwerks.
Old 05-18-2011, 10:53 PM
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So it's not starting out too good I see. Hope it gets better.
Old 05-19-2011, 08:42 AM
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Get on the DIY mobile audio forums and ask around for who is the best installer in the area, a lot of times you really have to sift thru some poop to find the diamond...
Old 05-19-2011, 09:02 PM
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05/19/2011 I call InstallerNet where Tracy is shocked that Ron had not called me yet as he has completed over 500 installs for InstallerNet. Tracy says I'll get a call soon..

Ron called and we had a robust conversation and I feel confident in Ron as the installer. He's a mobile installer and will complete the install in my garage tomorrow. He even identified the need to install the amp/sub in a manner similar to the DIYs here. So, looking forward to tomorrow.
Old 05-20-2011, 11:05 PM
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05/20/2011 -- Ron misses the 10:00 am install time and arrives at 12:30. He wraps up at 17:10.

Sound is much more than I expected. The MTX Bass Re-Q seems to be very effective.

Install quality, as of today, appears to be fine. I would like the wiring to be more discreet.

Ron only hit me for $100 in incidentals as he used his own materials for the amp install kit.

Total install cost...$190
Attached Thumbnails InstallerNet - diary of an install-img_0208.jpg   InstallerNet - diary of an install-img_0209.jpg  

Last edited by Richie999; 05-20-2011 at 11:10 PM.
Old 05-21-2011, 09:14 AM
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2010 C300 Sport
Thats about what I paid my MB dealer to install the 4 sets of Infinity speakers and the subwoofer. As for exposed wiring, I cant find any, except a 2" section where the subwoofer remote volume control is attached under the steering wheel column. I couldn't be happier about the dealer install. Pictures on this thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...r-upgrade.html

Question: Is your sub just sitting loose on the trunk floor? And how much bass radiates from the trunk into the street? My dealer fit the sub under the rear shelf and fires only into the passenger compartment, meaning at max volume, very little is heard outside the Merc. This install also lets me use every single cubic inch of trunk space, as 90% of the time, the trunk gets completely filled for long trips.
Old 05-21-2011, 07:12 PM
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Hey Bill! First, thank you for all the tips and advice.

Yes sir, the sub enclosure is loose, not bolted down. The darn sub woofer weighs in at 12lbs. The enclosure weights 20 lbs. The amp weighs in at 10 lbs. 40lbs of dead weight holding her in place.

I have yet to measure the amount of bass radiation into the street.

Yes sir, the sub enclosure is larger than I thought and does not fit as tight as possible. However, I do not travel in this car - just work.
Old 05-22-2011, 06:34 PM
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most of us do not have our boxes screwed down. the wieght of them holds them in place. In a pinch you can remove the box if need be. For your listening taste Bill Im sure your system is great, I read all the threads u posted in and your very happy w the outcome. I and others listen to our music LOUD, and this dictates the need for the larger box and amps. I just wrapped up my install this week, gonna post pics 2moro of mine

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