Do NOT buy from Etronics
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,615
Likes: 1
From: New Lenox IL
Do NOT buy from Etronics
I bought a Pioneer head unit from Etronics for around $1200 (costs $2100) about 3 weeks ago. The first one didn't power up at all and I've been waiting for about 1.5 weeks for the new one to get back after an exchange and I went to get it installed tonight. They hook it up, it powers up, they throw it in the dash, it don't power up anymore. They even took it out and benched it and it don't work. They even tested the cables to make sure its getting power. I know Pioneer makes good stuff but I'm thinking maybe Etronics gets refurbished electronics and that's why its so cheap. Unless there's something tricky to hooking up this particular head unit, I'm gonna get a refund and go through a competitor. First I'm gonna call up Pioneer and find out what's going on though before I go sending anything back or asking for a refund. GOD I'm so pissed I can't see straight. :mad :cuss :mad :cuss :mad
Good news is that they fixed my dash and kit. No more gaps or anything.
Good news is that they fixed my dash and kit. No more gaps or anything.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (Lord Odin)
it could be they got a bad run of head units... I've even heard of it happening to a store that sells alpine!
unless your car is killing the head :P Im not sure how.
unless your car is killing the head :P Im not sure how.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,615
Likes: 1
From: New Lenox IL
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (Kale)
it could be they got a bad run of head units... I've even heard of it happening to a store that sells alpine!
unless your car is killing the head :P Im not sure how.
unless your car is killing the head :P Im not sure how.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,178
Likes: 2
From: Windermere FL
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (Lord Odin)
Probably the Pioneer unit. Sometimes you get a run that has most of the units defective. They ususally fix it by the next run. Haven't seen it with pioneer but I have with Sony, JVC, Yamaha, Denon, and a few other brands. Hope it works out for you. BTW, when you get the next one, have them bench it before you tear the car apart. No sense in going to all that trouble if it doesn't work, especially since it takes 2 minutes to bench and you've had problems. :thumbs:
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,615
Likes: 1
From: New Lenox IL
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (Michael Tucker)
Yeah, they told me to bring it to an authorized dealer in my area. They said it'll take about 5 days before they get back to me. I'm gonna see if I can't have them rush it because if they can't fix it, I need to send it back to Etronics.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 695
Likes: 1
From: Edgewood WA
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (Lord Odin)
You are probably not getting switched power to the head unit. What I discovered in my 2002 C5 is that there is no switched power wire coming out of the stock wiring harness. Even though you use a GM adapter there will be no power to turn your new head unit on. I am guessing that the radio is turned on by a low level signal from the computer. That is why it stays on even when the key is turned off and removed. Also why it turns off when you open a door. You MUST tap into the auxilary wire harness GM has provided under the passenger toe board for your switched power. That could be why the unit bench tests OK but not in the car. I don't know about C4's. I checked my adapter and noticed the red wire (switched power) on the adapter side had no mating wire coming out of the stock wire harness.
I don't believe Pioneer would let "seconds" be sold as new just to protect their own product reputation. My daughter did buy an amplifier that didn't work, returned it and got a second one with the same problem. The business she bought it from suspected a pallet of them got dropped or bumped or something. I doubt it's etronics but seems I'm having the same problem everywhere, it takes WAY to much effort to make a purchase anymore.
Good luck :)
http://<a href="http://forums.corvet...?id=484700</a>
[Modified by vrumvrum, 5:28 AM 2/16/2003]
I don't believe Pioneer would let "seconds" be sold as new just to protect their own product reputation. My daughter did buy an amplifier that didn't work, returned it and got a second one with the same problem. The business she bought it from suspected a pallet of them got dropped or bumped or something. I doubt it's etronics but seems I'm having the same problem everywhere, it takes WAY to much effort to make a purchase anymore.
Good luck :)
http://<a href="http://forums.corvet...?id=484700</a>
[Modified by vrumvrum, 5:28 AM 2/16/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (Lord Odin)
I am pretty sure the power is not the problem.
if the head works for a moment, then quits, and then never works again - that sounds like an internal problem.
internal to the head unit.
I would not be suprised if these morons are selling recon'd units. there are some other shops doing the same thing. that is exactly why I deal with reputable vendors...
local shops or good national chains. I bought my 7998 at Tweeter.
if the head works for a moment, then quits, and then never works again - that sounds like an internal problem.
internal to the head unit.
I would not be suprised if these morons are selling recon'd units. there are some other shops doing the same thing. that is exactly why I deal with reputable vendors...
local shops or good national chains. I bought my 7998 at Tweeter.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,615
Likes: 1
From: New Lenox IL
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (vrumvrum)
That's really interesting but why would the 2nd one power up for 5 min and then not work again? I could see if neither worked but the 2nd one did power up for a short time. I'm gonna make sure they bench it before they throw it in my car next time.
What is grounding out, exactly? Could this be causing the problem?
What is grounding out, exactly? Could this be causing the problem?
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,413
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From: Wildwood MO
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (Lord Odin)
I understand that its frustrating to have things not go as planned, but i'm not sure why this is Etronics fault. I am sure they will take care of it for you. I have purchased many things from them and i've never had a problem. Now, this doesn't mean that I never will, but you never know. You yourself said that you got a $2100 HU for $1200. Well, you got an awsome deal, probably cheaper than anyone else and sometimes things don't always go as planned. Sounds like you are making it some kind of emergency to get it working. Obviously the car still runs, so take your time, relax and everything will be fine. Time is money, but you saved $900.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,615
Likes: 1
From: New Lenox IL
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (MTWallet)
True, but I've been radioless for almost 4 weeks and its frustrating not having heard my system yet. I haven't met anyone else that bought from this store, so I thought they weren't reputable or sold RF'd stuff. If you've gotten a lot of stuff from them, though, I guess they can't be bad if you've never had any trouble, yourself.
One thing's for sure, at the rate I'm going, I'm gonna blow that $900 I saved on repairs and shipping just to get this thing to work.
One thing's for sure, at the rate I'm going, I'm gonna blow that $900 I saved on repairs and shipping just to get this thing to work.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (Lord Odin)
That's really interesting but why would the 2nd one power up for 5 min and then not work again? I could see if neither worked but the 2nd one did power up for a short time. I'm gonna make sure they bench it before they throw it in my car next time.
What is grounding out, exactly? Could this be causing the problem?
the cause is a bad circuit. really. I know... trite, but true..
I don't think its the cause... if it was, your old factory head would not work.
there is a chance that the harness adaptor is bad, tho. but I kinda doubt that.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,413
Likes: 0
From: Wildwood MO
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (Lord Odin)
I know what you mean with being without music for 4 weeks and the frustration factor. I don't think Etronics is trying to pull anyhting or selling refurbished units. Everything I have purchased was in original packaging and looked absolutely brand new. I think its just one of those things. I hope everythiing turns out OK for ya.:cheers:
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 320
Likes: 1
From: Jeffersonville IN
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (MTWallet)
I bought an alpine 7998 from them all in factory sealed packaging. They shipped it out the day I ordered it and I have no complaints with E-tronics.
they are usually not an authorized dealer though, they carry thier own warranty, so you may be stuck going through them. That's the risk you take getting stuff severely discounted.
Luke
they are usually not an authorized dealer though, they carry thier own warranty, so you may be stuck going through them. That's the risk you take getting stuff severely discounted.
Luke
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,205
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From: Dallas City IL
Re: Do NOT buy from Etronics (VFRLuke)
That's the risk you take getting stuff severely discounted.
Doubtful that an authorized retailer will do anything for you. But if you would have bought it from them, it probably would be an over-the-counter exchange until you got a good one. May have cost a little more, but there is something to be said for local customer service, in a timely matter. (hours, not weeks)
I do wish you the best of luck.