- Joined
- November 6, 2000
- Messages
- 5,203
- Reaction score
- 50
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2018 EX Sport Concept
I used to work at a shop, and was pretty surprised on my first install to have no adapters, extra hardware, or anything other than my own tools. Mentioning to the owner that using the cheap Metra/Scosche harnesses would save lots of time and money (the cost could just be added to the install) plus make it easier to remove the unit later on down the road didn't accomplish much. So they basically made you cut into the wiring and hack up whatever you had to get it to work, even if it wasn't the correct or even the safe way to do it. Not all stereo shops are like this, but a great many are. You can be pretty sure that the "free installation" deals will involve a hacked up harness. If you're lucky they might even leave the vehicle end connected to the factory radio so you can try putting it back together when you remove the one you bought and want to put the factory unit back in.
The only way to avoid a hack job is to do it yourself. Most people don't care about how something is done if it's not their vehicle. This goes for stereos, engines, everything. Even when a tech does care and wants to do a safe, clean install, often times their hands are tied by the shop that wants them to just do it cheap and quick with no materials, get the job done so it works, and move on to the next one.
The only way to avoid a hack job is to do it yourself. Most people don't care about how something is done if it's not their vehicle. This goes for stereos, engines, everything. Even when a tech does care and wants to do a safe, clean install, often times their hands are tied by the shop that wants them to just do it cheap and quick with no materials, get the job done so it works, and move on to the next one.
