Installation Costs - Am I getting ripped off?

[maxy]

Hello - I recently purchased a $7K system from a B&W/Rotel dealer:
Speakers: FPMs
Separates: Rotel RSP 1068, Robel RMB 1075
Sub: PV1

I had purchased the 50inch plasma from the internet.
Anyways, this dealer wants to charge me $4500 for a home install (about $1500 for cables + universal remote + Remote Gateway) and $3K for labor - includes programming remote). This seems outrageous!
I called Best Buy and they are quoting me $2500 (about $700 for cables) the rest is labor.
Costco has an install service for $650 (labor) but I would have to buy the cables myself.

I can't believe the price difference! Of course, I wouldn't go with Costco because who knows who they are sending. Best Buy is in house - but they are not familiar with the B&W/Rotel brand. The dealer thinks we need to use their installers because they are more familiar with the brand and can calibrate it better.

I can't believe installation costs about 50% of the whole system. Do I have a right to feel ripped off?

 

[Treason101]

Beware of some custom installation fee's

Hi Maxy

I'm a custom installer and I can tell you that you are being drastically over charged for a service like that. My last small installation job I did came to about $2400 which included all in-wall 14 gauge speaker wire, Cat5e, RG6 Coax, installing & terminating wallplates, Plasma mount, Speaker Mounts, Harmony 880 remote & Full TV / Stereo setup.

Labour was charged at $45 a hour.

You shouldn't have to break the bank to get a nice custom setup.

 

[maxy]

Thanks. Any tips on finding installers in the Boston area?

 

[Nick250]

Thanks. Any tips on finding installers in the Boston area?

[edit] Brilliant idea I just had! I am going to give call them and get back to this thread afterwards.

I would suggest Camera's Inc in Arlington. 781-648-8111. Ask for Gagin or Wayne. I have done lots of business with them over the years and they have always been fair and honest. It's possible they do installations for their own customers only, I don't know. If they try to sell you expensive speaker wire and interconnects don't buy into it. They would not be trying to rip you off, I think they really believe it makes a difference. Tell them you have a budget of say $500 for wires and interconnects. Let me know how it goes.

Nick

 

[Ethan Winer]

about $1500 for cables

In my opinion, any cable that costs more than a couple of dollars per foot is a rip-off.

--Ethan

 

[Nick250]

[edit] Brilliant idea I just had! I am going to give call them and get back to this thread afterwards.

I would suggest Camera's Inc in Arlington. 781-648-8111. Ask for Gagin or Wayne. I have done lots of business with them over the years and they have always been fair and honest. It's possible they do installations for their own customers only, I don't know. If they try to sell you expensive speaker wire and interconnects don't buy into it. They would not be trying to rip you off, I think they really believe it makes a difference. Tell them you have a budget of say $500 for wires and interconnects. Let me know how it goes.

Nick

Maxy I just talked to Wayne at Cameras Inc and he told me it does not matter where one buys the equipment they still do installations. The phone number is above.

Nick

 

[maxy]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to give him a call now! Let you know how it goes.

 

[Nick250]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to give him a call now! Let you know how it goes.

Good, I would like to know.

Nick