Audio Express

Went in looking to purchase a deck for my truck. Spoke to someone on the phone 15 min before I went in and they told me installation would be 40 – 80 bucks… I get there and get a quote for a deck with installation and they come back with 480… How did we go from a $ 170 deck to $ 480 after «supplies and labor» … These guys want to take your money. Stay away and find another reputable place. Preferably people who don’t look like morons and who take you seriously. What a joke these guys are.

I took my car here and purchased a brand new deck for install. They put it in and then said that I had a wiring problem and they could only get 1 speaker to work. I told them «fix it then. Rewire the speakers» the guy named Ronnie told me it would be an additional $ 80 an hour to do it. I was so pissed and unsatisfied. A few days later I had a friend who does audio installs and worked for MTX help me check out the wiring problem. He laughed when we took out the deck because they didn’t even hook up the other speakers. They got lazy and installed one of my speakers and left the other 3 speakers wires hanging. Then we found out that they wired the power for the deck to my cigarette lighters power source. He told me this looked like a person who didn’t know what they were doing did it. I called Audio Express back to let them know and they didn’t even apologize or anything. DON’T TAKE YOUR CAR HERE. Their technicians have no idea what they’re doing. I guess I realized the hard way why they are the home of the $ 1 install lol Never again will I ever take my car there.

People! Please think twice before you go to this place. On Sunday I made a trip to audio express to ask if they could plug my amp to the cables, everything was ready, I even purchased all the parts and wiring there, and the guy said they didn’t have time if I could come the day after. Ok, I went in today early in the morning to make sure that they had my car long enough if needed and when I got there this lazy looking guy was sitting down and asked what I wanted, when I told him what I needed, he said that just for the «hours» was going to be over 500! Then when I told him that I was going to think about it he said very rudely «sure, everyone does the same thing, I’ve been working here long enough». After I left I went back to ask what if I buy the amp here, then he said didn’t even got up to show me and said the cheapest one was 400 plus labor! I was about to faint, when I asked to talk to the manager he said «I am the man» and I said ok, thank you for the info and left. Honestly people lets be realistic! If I’m paying that much for simple repairs at least be courteous! Make me feel like you value me as a customer, that you want my business! I ended up going to another shop and even payed way less!!!

On February 14^th, Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend, our 4 year old, and I stopped into the Chandler location of Audio Express to «price out» a new deck for my boyfriend’s 2012 Nissan Altima. The gentleman that «helped» us immediately started talking to us like we were complete idiots. He was demeaning in the delivery of his answers any time we asked a question. Basically, he made us feel stupid for not knowing anything about car audio… that should have been a red flag, and we should have walked out.
After some looking around, the gentlemen «helping» us talked us in to pricing out a unit. The unit wasn’t really in the budget for what we were anticipating spending, but this was quickly remedied by being offered the Progressive Financing. So, we decided to move forward with it… EPIC mistake.
As we were leaving, with our newly purchased product in hand, and an appointment set for February 21^st, we were stopped by the gentleman «helping» us. He explained that an install space opened up and he could get our installation completed by 7pm as he was leaving early to celebrate Valentine’s Day with his wife.
So, we raced home to pick up our other car and raced back to drop off our Altima. When we were completing the transaction, at no point did the gentleman «helping» us EVER explain that we would receive an external microphone for phone calls, that the steering wheel buttons would not work, or that there was a NO refund policy. We don’t know anything about car audio and trusted this gentleman to explain everything to us in detail, but he was clearly more interested in «making the sale.»
So, around 5pm, we received a call stating that our vehicle was, in fact, ready for pickup… and that the installation was complete. When we arrived, we were greeted by everyone and taken to our car to get a tutorial of our new system. Little did this different salesman know, the only thing that worked was the actual unit. The steering wheel buttons were completely deactivated, the Bluetooth did not work, and there was a newly installed microphone right smack in front of the speedometer.
Here we were again… waiting, as this new salesman took our vehicle to the back. With our 4 year old, we waited for about 30 minutes while they tinkered with the vehicle. After waiting on the sales floor with a bored 4 year old and an irritated girlfriend (we had dinner plans), we were asked to come back because they had never seen a wiring system like ours before and it’s going to take some more time.
We left again, only to be called back almost 2 hours later, with the salesman on the phone stating that they «couldn’t figure it out». Irritated at this point because it was almost 8pm on Valentine’s Day, we picked up our vehicle and made another appointment for Saturday, February 21^st.
One week later, on February 21^st, we arrived at the same Audio Express location in Chandler to drop off our vehicle for «completion». After we waited the entire day, we received a call stating that everything was once again done and the vehicle was ready for pickup.
Here is the best part: When we walked into the building, the original gentleman that was «helping» us immediately stated «I hate your car!» Wow, how professional. After this lovely statement, the same salesman that gave us the tutorial initially, brought us back to the car to show us everything that was working. Now, I didn’t say «to show us everything working», I said «to show us everything that WAS working» as half of the steering column buttons were hazards of the new install and will never work.
After feeling an inkling of satisfaction, my boyfriend said goodbye (and good riddance, in my opinion) to everyone and we got into our cars. I called him immediately because I wanted to hear this external microphone, and shocker, it sounded like garbage. I could hear every word that I was saying to him, but could barely hear anything that he was saying to me. So here we go again… we asked the salesman to come back out and hear what we were hearing. Now, this place must hire the BEST actors in Hollywood as a call was made to the store clerks inside and they stated that they couldn’t hear anything wrong. WOW.
We finally just conceded to the car audio gods that we lost a good fight… but now, we have changed our minds. We have had the deck installed in the car for 12 days now, but if you want to get technical, 19 days if you count the initial installation disaster. All we want is our factory system installed back into our car and our money back. We DO NOT want anything to do with Audio Express nor, will we ever recommend any of our friends or family members to shop here.
There is always a way to make things right for a customer, but sticking us with the full bill and the factory and new deck, is not the way to go about that. Not only was our Valentine’s Day a complete disaster, we feel that Audio Express misrepresented themselves and we were mistreated, lied to, disrespected, pushed aside, and forced to settle.

if I could give this place 0 stars I definitely would. I went into this audio express originally just to look and get a pricing on how much it would cost to put a deck into my car. Jesus, the store manager, ended up talking me into a stereo and a new unit to go along with their stereo. I have a 2006 Honda Accord and he informed me that there was no other way I could install a stereo into my car without an entire new unit (as in the panel that controls my AC). I said yes to it anyways and got talked into way too expensive of a stereo. He told me he pulled some strings to get me approved for $ 700 towards the stereo since I am a broke college student as I informed him. Getting talked into an expensive stereo wasn’t my problem though, so after the initial install of everything Jesus asked me about writing a Google review on that Audio Express. I didn’t see that this would be a problem because the costumer service at that Audio Express had been really good well at first… All the boys were very nice & very funny. They were laughing and joking around with me and what I thought were «hooking me up» with this nice stereo. well, 3 days go by & I’m jamming out to my music with my brand new stereo in my car (in the middle of July) and I realize that my AC vents aren’t blowing properly. Let me explain, the mode to have the air blowing on my feet as well as my face wasn’t working like it used to BEFORE I got my stereo installed. My middle vents weren’t blowing ANY air no matter how high i had the air blowing and only my side vents and the vents on my feet were blowing air. This was a problem instantly because I was sweating on my way to work dressed in all black. AND THEN, as I pull up to work and turn my car off and take the key out of the ignition this weird clicking sound coming from what sounds like my dashboard, or somewhere near my steering wheel. it sounds like an electrical pulse or jolt and the word «OUTSIDE» keeps flashing on my AC panel. Now I was really concerned cause it sounded like an electrical problem was going on. So I take it to Audio Express as soon as I can, they look at it they tell me I need to get a new unit because sometimes, once in a while, they get a faulty unit. so no big deal, they told me it was an easy fix. But then they had ME drive all the way to the other Audio Express in Mesa to get the new unit for THEM to install. I was a little ticked off about that but it wasn’t that big of a deal I just wanted it all fixed. Waited an hour in there waiting room for them to tell me they ran all these tests and couldn’t figure out what’s going on. Told me they reset everything told me since my AC is newer and computerized that they don’t have any idea whats going on with it. ugh! are your kidding me? i had been back to Audio Express THREE TIMES to have it «looked at «so they know me on a first name basis now. they told me they were having their engineer’s looking into it and that they would call me back as soon as I knew what was going on. SOOO, i wait and wait for a call and finally I call back 3 weeks later and Jesus answers and says «hey Abby I was just thinking about you! Hey let me call you back I have a couple customers in the store right now» he took down my number and I never heard another word from him ever again. How rude!!! and for someone who has told me not only one time but twice to write a review on their store and how «amazing» their service was towards me, really pisses me off. So now I’m stuck with a faulty AC unit that blows cold air when its on 85 degrees & can’t seem to make up its mind what vent it wants to blow air out of. Let me just say I will NEVER suggest this place or any Audio Express. now I have to take my car into Honda to find out the real problem & I’m stuck paying this expensive payment on this stereo. DO NOT GO HERE!

I had just purchased a new Mini Paceman and wanted to beef up the bass. I drove over to Audio Express just to see what my options were. I was quickly introduced to Reuben, who followed me to my car and got a feel for what I wanted.
We spent about an hour inside the shop going over my options and looking at numbers. Reuben was very clear on what I was getting and for what cost. I never felt like I was being sideswiped or cheated.
I spent a few hours at the bar next door while the installers went to work. They did a fantastic job, mounting the amp right where I wanted. Everything looked extremely professional and didn’t impact the look and feel of my new car at all.
I drove home a happy guy until I realized the bass had stopped bumping. I called up Reuben the next day, brought the car back in for inspection and we guessed that a faulty amp was to blame. Sure enough, within a quick minute they had replaced the amp and my beats were thumping once again.
I just got a follow-​up phone call from Reuben, wanting to make sure I was still happy with everything. I think that is fantastic customer service.
I am super happy with the overall service, price and product. I would send anyone needing car audio to go and check them out, and to be sure to ask for Reuben!

I grew up listening to Audio Express commercials in West Texas so when the stock unit in my 2005 CRV stopped functioning I thought of Audio Express. I stopped in to see what their total price including installation would be compared to Best Buy. By the end of the deal, they came in $ 20 cheaper than Best Buy on the unit and $ 400 later I was promised that my steering wheel controls would be mapped and I would be enjoying my new system in a couple of hours.
Upon picking up the vehicle and doing some due diligence after the demo, it was clear that the channel/​track advance button wasn’t working. The volume and mode (which cycles through Tuner, Blue Tooth, CD, Aux) were working just fine. I quickly pointed it out to the rep that helped me and he said they’d promptly take a look if I could leave it with them for a few more hours.
Upon returning, the track button and volume was working but the Mode was no longer working. Pressing it displayed ATT. I once again showed the rep that we had made one step forward to steps back. His initial response was that they do their best to match up the buttons to the commands but that sometimes programming is really hard. Of course, I didn’t accept this excuse as I had just paid an extra $ 200 in parts and labor for this steering control module that I had been promised was the best in the business. The rep offered to take another look but at this point, I’d burned enough hours in the day and we agreed that I’d come back.
I did. Leaving the car for the third time in a week, I got a call from the rep indicating that the technician had tried everything under the sun, searched the web, and just couldn’t get this module to work. He informed me that there was an even better module that he’d have to order and guaranteed it would work but it would take a few days to come in. During this time, completely accidentally, I learned that the Mode button was working and that if I hold the track/​channel button down for two seconds it works! Another nit was that while the Mode button was cycling through Tuner, Aux, BT and CD, it would not deep cycle through Tuner into the bands.
So I waited four days and no one called so I called in and was informed that the rep was out with an injury but he had the module at his home. Another three days later no call, so I called again and was told the module was here and I could come in to to have it installed. I informed anoter rep (because my rep wasn’t there) that the unit was actually working OK but the channel/​track thing and the Mode not cycling bands was annoying but livable. He told me that the new module should work perfectly and recommended they put it in. Fine.
Would you believe if I told you that Mode no longer worked for Blue Tooth?! I call the shop and let them know that after 4 trips this still isn’t working. The rep tells me that Blue Tooth just might not work. What? I told him that it worked just fine with the other unit and that the issue was the two second hold for tracks and that Mode didn’t cycle bands. He tells me that if that’s the case, he can just put the other module back in.
Another two trips there and back and more time lost, the old module is back in the car and working as expected. I drive off, hoping to never have to return and to my shock find that the trim that is part of the 3^rd party conversion kit for the new unit has been cracked, likely from pulling the unit in and out so many times. Worse, the tech apparently tried to cover it up by coloring the strained plastic surrounding the crack with a black marker.
The next day I return to point out the issue. The trim is installed so poorly that you can see the cut lines into the enclosure exposed at the top. After a 2^nd adjustment, you can see a 3 mm gap on the left of the trim with a clear view into the guts of the unit!
A few observations before I close:
1. I intentionally didn’t name the reps I worked with because I believe they are generally nice guys and are just trying to do their jobs.
2. It is clear that there is a management problem at this store and perhaps the chain in general. After 7+ trips back and forth, you would think that their CRM would prompt management that something isn’t right. At best you have a customer sat issue brewing after 7 trips and at worst you are totally thrashing your reps and technicians.
3. Audio Express seems to really hold true to their service guarantee for which #2 is a symptom. The problem is that they seem so focused on the process of upholding the guarantee that no one stopped to think outside the box and actually SOLVE MY PROBLEM. It’s like a hamster on a hamster wheel that keeps spinning but never actually moves an inch. He’s active, he’s moving but nothing’s happening.
4. At no time, not even once did I get an apology. Not a sorry for my time away from work and my weekend. Not a sorry for making several trips, not a sorry for breaking the trim and trying to cover it up. I also have never gotten a call from management.

These guys are a bunch of clowns. they wanted to charge me $ 500+ to install 2 headrest and a back up cam! Let me tell you how their scam works. They ask what kind of car you drive. If it is a high end vehicle, they will bust your head open with the price. That’s why they don’t give you a quote on the phone. The fat ass at the desk did not fool me! Don’t be taken for a ride with these clowns. Go somewhere else. I did!

Absolutely deplorable, I have installed several amps in cars, and even installed an app in a two-​door version of the g37 that I have now. Why I was being sold 4 sets of RCA is simply fucking ridiculous. Now I’m a commission sales person, and completely understand trying to make money. But I told this idiot named Nick at the Chandler Audio Express, that I wanted a set of component infinity door speakers, a set of coaxial infinity door speakers, a bass control knob, a 4-​channel Kenwood digital amp, a JL Audio w6v312 and a ported dual sub box. Along with the amp and W6 that I already had Installed for $ 1725 out the door, and I was providing A Rockford Fosgate RFK4D 4 gauge dual amp install kit, as well as an Audio Control LC2i line out converter.
I brought both brand new new closed packages into the store, so he could see everything that was inside of the package, because after showing it to him in the trunk on the way into the store he tries to tell me I need a distributor block (plainly visible and included in the above-​mentioned amp install package), I told him I was going to pay 1725 and not 1 cent over. But instead of taking the money, this idiot tried to sell me unnecessary sets of RCA, and an additional amp installation kit while he was holding the RFK4D in his hands.
As I said I am a commission sales person, and realize everyone has to make money. But that was fucking stupid. Even after I asked him where the hell you plan on running 4 RCA’s when there are no RCA outlets on the back of the stock deck or else there would be no reason to need a line out converter, he tries to go in the back and ask an installer and come back and say okay you only need 3 RCA. After telling me that he «always sells 4 RCA’s when someone buys a 4 channel amp» WTF??? Fucking ridiculous ripping people off like that. I would never recommend anybody go there.
At $ 1725 the deal was still profitable, for the company, and the salesperson. There was no reason to destroy the company’s reputation, and the deal for bullshit. News flash Audio Express you’re not the only game in town, and the internet exist worldwide. I would no longer assume your customers are stupid, and incapable of deciphering when they’re being sold bullshit. Not only did you lose out on 1700 today, I truly hope that of the 50 people that will read this review, at least half of them will know better then to even walk through your doors, where they could be taken advantage of. Shame, shame, shame!!!

Having no prior experience with car audio installation I did not know quite what to expect when I called upon Audio Express. I’ve heard their $ 1 install commercials on the radio for years, read good reviews online, so tried it out. From my first initial phone call with Jesus through to my in store purchase of a Kenwood stereo for my husband I was thoroughly impressed. The customer service here really blew me away. Jesus answered countless questions, suggested products, and helped us to find the right product at the right price point to suit our needs. We went at the busiest time of the year and still received excellent service while the phones were ringing off the hook & customers walking in non stop. Thank you to Jesus & team for making this a very enjoyable experience. I will be recommending Audio Express Chandler to all of my friends and family.

We have an old Isuzu that has oddball speakers, we asked for an installation that would allow us to use the original grills. They end up doing some really nice costume carpeting work to fill the speaker holes and use the Kenwood grills. They did a great job, my wife was happy and the sound is very good. It turned out to be a very nice Christmas present for her. And all of the old brackets are and covers are saved so they didn’t tear up the door panels. Given all the options I think the guys took the best route and the were willing to pull everything out if we didn’t like the result.

On 4÷23÷13, I purchased a car stereo from the Chandler location. Since I had other obligations to fulfill, Luis assured me I could return to the store at a later time to do a walkthrough of the system and set up the display. I returned to the store on ⁴⁄₂₅ since system was not installed correctly. Pat rudely addressed my friend for stating the errors and refused to acknowledge incorrect installation. After several minutes, Pat came out and looked at the system. He said to come back at 4:00 and the problem would be solved.
I returned to the store at 4:00 p.m. Pat was waiting on a customer and ignored my presence in the store. After waiting for several minutes, I asked if someone could assist me with retrieving my vehicle and setting the clock on the display. Pat rudely replied, «We don’t do that here.» Words were exchanged and I asked Pat if I could speak to the manager. Pat stated he was the store manager and shouted to get out of his store, embedding an expletive in his statement. He then threw the key to my vehicle towards my face.
Jake, the store manager, told Pat to go to another area of the store. Jake worked to resolve my issue and was very helpful. Jake stated he had no control over hiring.
Jake was very helpful and I commend his customer service. However, it is unacceptable to be treated in a rude manner on any sales floor.
The store also promised a 90 day trial of XM Radio, which lasted just one week. I am also still having installation issues.

I have an old car, a ’91 Volvo, and one of it’s redeeming factors is the bitching stereo system. Unfortunately, somebody swiped it out of my vehicle and left a big hole in the dash board. Thinking this was going to be an easy replacement I went and bought a new system which was a nearly identical model and thought I could just plug the wires into the new one.
Not so as the thieves took the harness as well and now I was at a loss. I called up Audio Express on Chandler Blvd. near my home and picked the store’s manager, Jacob’s, brain and he said to come by and he would take a look at it.
Later that day I stopped by the store. Mind you this was 2 weeks before Christmas and I knew Jacob was busy but he took the time to look at my stereo and the hole in my dash board, tell me what part I needed, what OTHER retailer I could order it from and some tips on how to install it properly.
Considering that I didn’t actually buy anything at his store and that it was 2 weeks before Christmas I felt Jacob exhibited exceptional devotion to the industry and to customer service.