|
|
Home
Theater and Audio Video Systems
What to look for when selecting an ethical
Home Theater and Audio/Video Systems company:
Purchasing through the right company assures your long-term satisfaction. When investing in such a major purchase, take the time to visit the showroom and meet the people who will be designing and installing your system. Allow them to take the time to fully understand your needs so they can do what they do best.
In addition to these overall requirements, take the time to address the following details before making a commitment:
- IS THE COMPANY AN ESTABLISHED MEMBER OF THE
BUSINESS COMMUNITY WITH A SOLID ETHICAL
REPUTATION?
You can be certain that a stable
business with a long standing history will be
around to take care of you in the future. Ask
for references for additional peace of mind. A
reputable business with be happy to provide them
on request.
- DOES THE BUSINESS HAVE A SHOWROOM?
A well maintained showroom is a good indicator
that the company is aware of industry trends and
is committed to supporting the product lines
they offer. This will also give you a good idea
of the company's capabilities. Companies without
showrooms often use a website to present a
portfolio, but have been known to show other
people's work or manufactures' photography.
- IS
THE COMPANY FULLY INSURED?
A fully covered
company will have liability insurance to cover
accidental damage on the job site, workman's
comp to protect its employees (and you) from
injury claims that occur in your home, and bonds
to protect your deposits on equipment and
services. Don't just take their word for it
either. Ask to see their certificates of
insurance. A good company will be happy to
comply with your request.
- IS THE BUSINESS AN
AUTHORIZED DEALER OF THE PRODUCTS THEY ARE
SELLING?
- Manufacturer's warranties are only
valid when purchased through authorized local
dealers.
- Warranties may be invalid when
shipped from a company outside of their market,
even if they are an authorized dealer.
- Most
reputable manufactures track serial numbers and
can trace the purchase to legitimate sources.
- You can verify the status of a business by
calling a manufacturer or visiting their website
and asking for contacts to local dealers. Again,
don't take the company's word for it. There are
companies that make false claims about their
authorization to sell a host of products.
- DOES
THE SALES STAFF TAKE THE TIME TO ASSESS UNIQUE
AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS?
This covers anything from
room size to function to budget. Beware of a
company that is always trying to up-sell. They
may not be providing the best solution for your
needs. And bigger is not always better. The
right system will include a balanced product
performance while maximizing your budget.
- A
CUSTOMER FRIENDLY SALES STAFF WILL TAKE THE TIME
TO ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS IN THEIR SHOWROOM.
They are there to provide you with the
information you need to make an informed
decision without being overly technical or
condescending. A good company will provide this
type of consultation in-house, but, as an
industry standard, typically charges a fee for
on-site consultation.
- AN ETHICAL COMPANY WILL
OFFER YOU OPTIONS WITH OUT PLAYING PRICE GAMES.
- "On Sale" can be loosely
interpreted. A sale often includes pricing based
on old MSRPs that have since been lowered,
overstocked or discontinued models, or
refurbished equipment.
- Don't be fooled by
B-stock equipment offered through Big Box
Stores. These are products produced for national
chains that are made with cheaper parts and
offer fewer features than the top tier lines
offered at specialty stores. Additionally, you
may not find the staff experienced enough to
explain the difference.
- Don't expect quotes
over the phone or via email. This never takes
into account all the details required to make a
solid recommendation. Phone or email quotes are
likely low-ball figures to get you on the hook,
only to be raised once you're in the door. A
good sales team will want to take the time to
show you the products they selected and explain
their benefits to you, which is only possible in
person.
- LOOK FOR A BUSINESS WITH AN
EXPERIENCED INSTALLATION TECHNICIAN.
This
important asset to the company is knowledgeable
in standard and creative installation and
troubleshooting. He should be clean in
appearance, personable, and neat in his
workspace. He should be provided a company
vehicle, tools and equipment to do the job
right. He should also be able and willing to
take adequate time to train you on the use of
your new system. Beware of someone who works
from a personal vehicle. They may not be fully
invested in all the requirements to meet your
needs today or even in business to meet your
needs tomorrow. They also are unlikely to be
adequately insured (as described above).
- BEFORE YOU LEAVE A DEPOSIT, ASK FOR THE DETAILS
IN WRITING.
A good company will provide model
numbers in order to prevent confusion over
exactly what you are buying.
- CONSIDER THE
PITFALLS OF INTERNET PURCHASES.
- You may end
up with expenses you never imagined. It's
obvious you will have to include the cost of
shipping, but there's more to it.
- Even if you
get a brand-new piece of equipment exactly as
described, it will most likely have an invalid
warranty (as described above).
- You may have
trouble tracking down the company in the event
of a problem. There are bootleg and
counterfeit products being sold on the internet
in this industry.
- There will be additional
costs for shipping and restocking returns.
- You will end up paying for repairs.
- If you
run into any trouble with installation, you will
not be able to find a local company to take
responsibility for installing equipment
purchased off the internet.
- Manufactures'
websites are great for research, but internet
forums and product reviews are rarely unbiased.
Professional reviewers may be accepting
advertising dollars, free equipment or promoting
equipment they sell. Consumer reviews are
impossible to verify and can come from any
source including employees of manufacturers and
their dealers, Ad and PR agencies or
competitors.
- It's always a good idea to ask
yourself, "What does this website have to
gain or to lose from the information it
provides?". A local business stands to lose
market share and credibility when it
misrepresents its product lines and services.
Unlike internet companies, local companies can't
change their identity overnight. You can be most
confident in your decision when you choose to
hire an experienced local business.
|
|
|
After interviewing and running an extensive
background check the National Association Against Consumer Fraud has
awarded the following business a listing in The Business A-List:
Intelligent Electronics
South Hills Plaza in Cary
1335 Buck Jones Road • Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone (919) 481-4224
www.intelligentelectronics.com
Why Intelligent Electronics
was
offered the opportunity to be a Business A-List participant?
Considering all the companies we have researched, the selection of Intelligent Electronics has been one of the easiest we have ever made. After meeting the owner, Dan Smith, and spending some time with his knowledgeable and friendly staff, we were convinced Intelligent Electronics was a reputable and experienced establishment. In their diverse and well-equipped showroom, the employees take the time to educate customers and offer custom solutions. But what really made this company special was what their competitors had to say. When asked which local Home Theater business they respected the most, several of them chose Intelligent Electronics. That is exceptional! Clearly this company offers the expertise and integrity that we are proud to represent.
|
|
