Need a sanity check on 3 different quotes. 2020 base camry
I feel like I'm being dicked around by literally every shop I talk to and I just need some advice on what is actually right. I'm a noob when it comes to how this shit works technically, i just want my music to be good and loud.
I am trying to get a system installed in my 2020 Toyota Camry and ive now been to 3 shops that have given me 3 different experiences. My budget is open but i dont want to pay $1300 for a job that could be done for $800 or $1000 even.
My Camry is the base audio and not the JBL. The items i have:
- Kenwood eXcelon 802-5 amplifier (5 channel)
- Kenwood Excelon P-XW1221SHP subwoofer
- 2 Kicker 46CSC654 6.5 door speakers (with the Crutchfield adapter brackets and wire harnesses)
Quote 1 is from Car Tunes from a few weeks ago. Total was $758. It feels like they didn't even try. They quoted me for a 2 channel amp install. They also threw on a Wavtech LINKDQ which is a 2 channel line output converter. Since I have a 5 channel amp, this quote seems completely useless.
Quote 2 is also Car Tunes quoted today. Total is $1264. This has a 5 channel amp install at least. also looks like they upgraded the wiring kit to 4 gauge. They added an AudioControl LC7i for $260. They also added three sets of RCA cables at $79 each. I believe the LC7i is necessary for my car but i just wanted to double check. this one seems the most normal.
Quote 3 is my "local" neighborhood shop. Theyre 45 mins away but this is where I got my first system years ago, so I trusted them. I drive out there one day to show them the speakers. They give me a quote around $1200 but couldnt exactly explain line our converters to me and what I actually needed. The owner calls me later and tells me the other guy didnt know what he was talking about and I'm actually going to need a $600 LOC instead and i'm like woah woah where did this come from? I'm like how about i email the links to what I have and you can tell me exactly what i need and he says sure. A week goes by with no response so I call him and he says "oh we're really busy so we dont really check our emails." We talk back and forth and finally i just say screw it and to put me on the schedule. I told him straight up I live 45 mins away so I need it done in one day. He says he cant guarantee it but if i drop it off right in the morning they will do everything they can to get it done.
I drop it off today right when they open at 10am and remind the guy working I need it today. He tells me they have a few more installs they need to do from yesterdya and the week before so they dont know. Cut to 11:30, owner calls and says there's no way it gets done today. I just told him i'll come get the car. When i came and got it he said "i told you we couldnt get it done in 1 day." and i said that i told them my situation and i assumed they would have planned for that. The owner told me he doesn't know any shop that could get this done in 1 day. I called Car Tunes right after and asked if they could do it in a single day and they said yeah no problem.
Are any of these quotes close? I'm sure regional chains like Car Tunes have success stories and failures but this shop tends to get good reviews.
Am I just being an ignorant asshole? i can take the tough love if i'm just being a pain in their ass. I dont want to do that, i am just being told very different things and then get a lame experience from a local shop on top of it.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated