Freebie bait-and-switch offers really, really put me out.
Recently I went about trying to find the best possible deal on a Pioneer AVIC-X910BT unit. (It's a very nice navigation/dvd/stereo). I stumbled across several listings via NexTAG and Google Shopping for Sonic Electronix, which had an excellent price. I had also seen many positive reviews of Sonic on forums like those found at AVIC411.com.
Sonic has, what appeared to be, a very nice competitive price-matching policy, which I immediately went to work on. I found another retailer which was seemingly reputable and with a lower price. Upon submitting this lower price to Sonic, my claim was denied citing; 'No Free Installation Accessories Offered'. The difference in price was nearly $120.00 US. At the time I accepted that as a reasonable response.
This is the link to the item in question, http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_19739_Pioneer AVIC-X910BT.html
Yesterday I emailed Sonic's support address to ask about what installation accessories would be included in my purchase, for my 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The response that I was given was not encouraging. The 'Free Installation Accessories' weren't free at all, and would need to be purchased, totaling a bill of nearly $70 dollars.in addition, the support rep claims that Chrysler, General Motors, and Volkswagen vehicles are considered 'non-standard'. I'm not sure on what planet this makes any sense. Just for kicks, I called Crutchfield and asked them about those vehicle makes being considered 'non-standard' and was given an answer of; "I've never in my life heard of that.".
I've since combed Sonic Electronix's site and their policy pages looking for an explanation to this 'non-standard' vehicle make claim, and any related information on the 'Free Installation Accessories'. Their wording is extremely vague and non-descript.
The moral of the story here is: You get what you pay for, and that includes service and honesty.
I've included the email exchange below:
To: "Andrew "
Subject: Re: AVIC-X910BT Installation Accessories [SE-938772-SE]
From: Sonic Electronix - Support Department
Message-Id:
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 13:23: 52 -0800 (PST)
Dear Andrew,
It really depends on which version you have, either way it isn't free
for Jeep vehicles since they require more attention, specifically, a
specialty integrated harness for the factory settings to be fully
retained, please advise if in fact you have a premium sound Infinity
system or not.
Thanks
From: Andrew
To: Sonic Electronix - Support Department
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I have a stock system. It is not the premium Infinity system. I also
do not have steering wheel controls, and I have obtained a navigation
bezel to fit the full 2DIN units.
Thanks,
Andrew
To: "Andrew "
Subject: Re: AVIC-X910BT Installation Accessories [SE-938772-SE]
From: Sonic Electronix - Support Department
Message-Id:
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 13:47: 17 -0800 (PST)
Dear Andrew,
Ok, you will still require a specialty harness needed for your Jeep in
order to Connect an Aftermarket Stereo Receiver to Select up
Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep Specialty CAN Bus Vehicles. A $12.99 rebate can
be given on this price as well.
Http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_7301_Scosche CR03SR -CR03SRB - DCCR03SRB-.html
Your Jeep will also need an antenna adapter to retain am/fm
functioning:
Http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_4428_Scosche CRAB - CRA.html
Thanks
From: Andrew
To: Sonic Electronix - Support Department
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Thanks for the information. Just so we're on the same page - There are
no free installation accessories that will be shipped with this unit
for my vehicle. Is that correct?
Thanks,
Andrew
To: "Andrew"
Subject: Re: AVIC-X910BT Installation Accessories [SE-938772-SE]
From: Sonic Electronix - Support Department
Message-Id:
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 14:32: 46 -0800 (PST)
Dear Andrew,
That is correct, unfortunately not, it only pertains to standard
vehicles, in this case Chrysler, GM and VW vehicles are not considered
standard.
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