Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - Viper iPhone SmartStart Remote Start + Security System

postrin · 02-02-2010, 11:16 AM

I agree with big,

You are not limiting your install dollars by buying the card. Alarm installs aren't your typical radio install. They are always custom (unless it's a 96 chevy pickup). Every shop has there own rate, and it's almost always extra for addons, like door locks, dome light supervision, parking light flash, remote start, smart start.

All the card gets you is going to basic labor. In Houston, that's hooking up, starter kill, ignition, door trigger, and mounting a siren or horn honk. That's it. Especially if we make nothing on the alarm (you buy it elsewhere). If you buy a basic unit from us, we throw in parking lights an door locks. A remote starter comes with the basics and remote start. But we're making money on both ends.

I was with Best Buy in the 90s, we had 3 different levels of remote start (Best Buy back then only soldered, things have changed) basic, standard, and advanced. Advanced was everything you could want, that came as an on board option. If you needed extra relays for trunk pop, they were extra, but everything else was included.

The 370z is not a difficult car to work on, any reputable shop in your area should have no problem installing it.

If it were me, I'd go to all of your local guys and let them quote it for you. If you tell them you are looking to buy stuff online, there is a good likeliness somebody will try to come close. (don't expect them to match it).

Last thing I'll say is this. Directed Electronics makes the best alarms available, but nobody is perfect, when you buy your product online and take it into a shop, you have no warranty. If there is anything wrong with your unit out of the box, it's on you. You'll have to deal with paying to pull it out, paying to send it off for repair, and paying for reinstall. By buying it local, your authorized dealer has a 3 year over the counter exchange warranty on the brain, and lifetime mail in warranty on the brain. Meaning, if you have a problem in the first 3 years, they'll swap it out on site and send you on your way.

You have a $30K car, is it really worth saving maybe $300 for all that risk?

Just an opinion.

P

02-02-2010, 11:16 AM	#14 (permalink)
postrin Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 23 Drives: Tacoma Rep Power: 16	I agree with big, You are not limiting your install dollars by buying the card. Alarm installs aren't your typical radio install. They are always custom (unless it's a 96 chevy pickup). Every shop has there own rate, and it's almost always extra for addons, like door locks, dome light supervision, parking light flash, remote start, smart start. All the card gets you is going to basic labor. In Houston, that's hooking up, starter kill, ignition, door trigger, and mounting a siren or horn honk. That's it. Especially if we make nothing on the alarm (you buy it elsewhere). If you buy a basic unit from us, we throw in parking lights an door locks. A remote starter comes with the basics and remote start. But we're making money on both ends. I was with Best Buy in the 90s, we had 3 different levels of remote start (Best Buy back then only soldered, things have changed) basic, standard, and advanced. Advanced was everything you could want, that came as an on board option. If you needed extra relays for trunk pop, they were extra, but everything else was included. The 370z is not a difficult car to work on, any reputable shop in your area should have no problem installing it. If it were me, I'd go to all of your local guys and let them quote it for you. If you tell them you are looking to buy stuff online, there is a good likeliness somebody will try to come close. (don't expect them to match it). Last thing I'll say is this. Directed Electronics makes the best alarms available, but nobody is perfect, when you buy your product online and take it into a shop, you have no warranty. If there is anything wrong with your unit out of the box, it's on you. You'll have to deal with paying to pull it out, paying to send it off for repair, and paying for reinstall. By buying it local, your authorized dealer has a 3 year over the counter exchange warranty on the brain, and lifetime mail in warranty on the brain. Meaning, if you have a problem in the first 3 years, they'll swap it out on site and send you on your way. You have a $30K car, is it really worth saving maybe $300 for all that risk? Just an opinion. P