When it comes to ordering an in-car entertainment system, there are several avenues in which you can take your spending, you can order straight from Amazon, Ali-express, eBay and more, but are these the best locations to get good customer service, help with any issues you may have down the line with the system, or offer security, warranty, and reassurance that you're getting the right system for your car.
A lot of these online platform sellers, don't offer a comprehensive and useful pre-sales advice line, which is, and should always be contacted before ordering a system from any online seller when ordering such a fragile, expensive, and intricate piece of kit.
Price Point
One of the major considerations when ordering an in-car entertainment system is the Price, this is going to be one of the main contributing factors in which system a majority of people purchasing a system are going to be looking at. Now, this is a good idea, as a price point is a good base filter on a search. Giving you options that are within your budget is ideal, as it will allow you to find a system you're going to be able to afford. The main objective when you're looking for an aftermarket radio, shouldn't be what system you can get for as cheap as possible, it should be, what system is going to last me the longest.
What do we mean by this?
Well, for instance, you could purchase a £100-150 system from Ali-express, but in the long run, this system is quickly going to become slow, outdated, and ruined by a plethora of issues. We recommend spending a bit more upfront for an in-car entertainment system, which is going to last you far longer and will come with a multitude of superior features, functions, and a better aesthetic.
It's a big ask for a lot of customers to add on another £100-£200 on top of a starting price point, but trust us, it is one-hundred per cent worth the extra cash, for a clearer mind, and futureproofing the inside of your car.
One of the main issues people have is finding the correct system for their car. This is an unfortunate error, especially when you're buying something that is more than likely coming from a factory in China. for some of the cheaper models, bad quality constantly plagues the radio market, and for good reason, there are simply too many car types, manufacturers, and connection types for even a universal system to be as integrated, and developed, as there are for the more expensive and better-tailored systems.
Reputation
Make sure that you know who you're ordering the system from, this seems simple, but a lot of people are under the assumption that these systems are created in Europe, this is not the case, as most electronic goods are shipped directly from factories in China, especially aftermarket radios, which are created as cheaply as possible for the mass market. Systems such as XTRONS, are generally created as cheaply as possible to suit the mass market, which is why we heavily discourage people from ordering them. Instead, we suggest ordering from a smaller, more trusted seller, who's readily available to answer questions about the system itself, installation guidance, and setup.
Overall Look
One of the things to consider is the platform you're ordering from, where are these systems sold, does the site look dodgy?
It's silly to suggest but please take a good deal of time scouting out a website that you're going to order a system from to see if they're definitely worth the parting of your money. It's easy to rush into a decision, just remember that you have all the time in the world to order. So ask questions, take notes, and compare your options.
Look into reviews of the company from a reputable review source, like Trustpilot, Yellowpages, e.c.t. There are hundreds of websites you can use to find out more information about the company you're going to be dealing with. If you're also going to have them install the system, maybe take a look into their auto electricians previous work, this can be done by asking who is going to be doing the installation, and to have a look at some of their previous work.
