bad experience with Firedog

[E6NCO]

So after much research and deliberation, i decided to spend the money and have a professional audion technition come to my home to optimize my system and make it the best it could be. Now, due partially to my own laziness and preference to use the same company, I opted to use Circuit Citys "Firedog" service. I told them i didnt need an install or anything because everything worked fine. I just wanted it to be set up perfectly. Long story short, the guy that showed up simply looked in a few manuals, adjusted the balance on a couple of speakers, and that was it. $170 to not even do as much to the system as i had already done. I asked if he would be using any electronic devices to measure anything and he said no. What about any special programs to run to test things? Nope. Have to purchase that stuff on my own.
That was pretty much it. I called CC and they told me T.S. I will no longer be making any more purchases from them. Nor do I recomend Firedog. Unless you cannot read, then you should call them i suppose.

 

[evilkat]

So after much research and deliberation, i decided to spend the money and have a professional audion technition come to my home to optimize my system and make it the best it could be. Now, due partially to my own laziness and preference to use the same company, I opted to use Circuit Citys "Firedog" service. I told them i didnt need an install or anything because everything worked fine. I just wanted it to be set up perfectly. Long story short, the guy that showed up simply looked in a few manuals, adjusted the balance on a couple of speakers, and that was it. $170 to not even do as much to the system as i had already done. I asked if he would be using any electronic devices to measure anything and he said no. What about any special programs to run to test things? Nope. Have to purchase that stuff on my own.
That was pretty much it. I called CC and they told me T.S. I will no longer be making any more purchases from them. Nor do I recomend Firedog. Unless you cannot read, then you should call them i suppose.

While I'm sorry for the money wasted, did you truely expect something more from the CC boys? You'd learn a lot more and be able to calibrate your stuff to EXACTLY what you want if you hang around here a bit

 

[E6NCO]

It is because of this website that i even started to care about home theater. I will definatly be spending some time doing my own research. I just want as many people as possible to know about what I got from Firedog just in case they are thinking about using them. Are there any other places i can go to let others know? Yes, i am still bitter and want to get $170 worth of peace of mind.

 

[MDS]

Did you pay with a credit card? If so and you have a written description of what the service should include and have reasonable proof that said service was not performed, you can dispute the charge.

The FIRST thing I would do is write a letter to the corporate office, even the CEO. Express your dissatisfaction but do so in a professional, business-like tone. Also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. When complaints start adding up and they start losing business things will (eventually) change.

 

[evilkat]

Here's some great stuff to get you started:

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/setup/index.php

 

[sdy284]

sorry to say..but it sounds like he did exactly what the service lists
http://www.firedog.com/ht_all.html

Since you already did most of the work...what was left for him to do?

Sorry again..but based on what is listed as the basic $169 service... i see no problem with what he did

 

[mtrycrafts]

sorry to say..but it sounds like he did exactly what the service lists
http://www.firedog.com/ht_all.html

Since you already did most of the work...what was left for him to do?

Sorry again..but based on what is listed as the basic $169 service... i see no problem with what he did

Me neither. Perhaps this is a $170 lesson well learned and not forgotten? If you want something done, try to do it yourself?

 

[no. 5]

it would seen that Firedog was conceved for people that don't know the defrence between an SPL and a IC
(no offence intended E6NCO)

 

[E6NCO]

Basically firedog did do what they were supposed to. I am disapointed that the service was so simplistic. I am also mad that they came out to install something when i specifally told them i didnt need anything installed. I thought i was getting a professional audio technition and thats my mistake. I could not believe that the guy balanced my system by "ear." I know there are people who can probably do that, but this guy wasnt one of them. If someone who knows absolutly nothing about audio equipment called, firedog would probably work for them. Firedog could have thier $300 home theater in a box sounding great in no time.

 

[sdy284]

Basically firedog did do what they were supposed to. I am disapointed that the service was so simplistic. I am also mad that they came out to install something when i specifally told them i didnt need anything installed. I thought i was getting a professional audio technition and thats my mistake. I could not believe that the guy balanced my system by "ear." I know there are people who can probably do that, but this guy wasnt one of them. If someone who knows absolutly nothing about audio equipment called, firedog would probably work for them. Firedog could have thier $300 home theater in a box sounding great in no time.

and you thought circuit city would provide you with a professional audio technition?

LOL

that was your first & biggest mistake right there

 

[JKL1960]

Just my two cents but CC was a bit dishonest with you. If they had listened to you they should have told you that Firedog is an install service and since all your equipment is installed it may not be the service you are after. But they just want your money. The big box guys really have no remorse and don't seem to care what people say about them.

It is also partly your fault for not excusing him as soon as you learned that he had no test equipment and no way to really accomplish what you wanted. (Did he even have a measuring tape for speaker distances?)

Shame on them for taking your money without really doing anything. That's poor customer service. If they had said they wouldn't charge because they did nothing you would be here saying 'Firedog seems pretty good'. Look what they got. Some businesses don't get it or don't care.