Performance Auto Sound - Moses Lake

After purchasing an older Montero that had had the stereo stolen from the console, leaving an open space for a
replacement stereo but leaving the speakers, we wanted to fill in the space
again.  After asking locals where to go, the only stereo shop in our area was Performance Auto Sound in Moses Lake.  Wal-Mart sells the equipment, but they do not install.  I thought of purchasing the stereo there (which go for a$30 to $100 and up) and then have someone install it for us.  After concluding that a professional would be the safe, honest route and we prefer to support small local businesses, we called Performance Auto for quotes.
Over the phone I clearly explained that this was an extra, fun car, and did not need a
fancy system; inexpensive is good.  We just wanted a cd, radio, auxiliary unit that worked with the existing
speakers.  I was told that if we purchased the stereo there, the installation would be deeply discounted in the
hourly rate and that they had a nice basic stereo that did all the things we
wanted for about $99 in stock.  If we brought in a stereo from elsewhere, the installation labor would be much more
at $75 per hour.  After a quote of the entire job being around $150, I made the appointment.
 On September 14th, 2012 my fiancé and I drove to Moses Lake
for our stereo purchase and installation. 
Upon arriving at the store, a representative looked at the open space in
the Montero and said he had an insert that would fit for about $15, but the
stereo I had been told they had in stock was not after all.  The next unit they had available was about
$50 more (a classic bait and switch method). 
Since we had taken time to drive over, we said OK and went for a walk as
it would be about 45 minutes to install. 
 We returned on time and it looked good.  The final
bill:  $ 280.22, significantly over the
quote.  Even though we purchased the
stereo there, we were charged the rate as if we had brought the unit from
elsewhere, $75 per hour or more.  We are
unsure actually how long it truly took them. 
Ross, the owner, explained this was due to the surprising difficulty of
the install.  What?  There wasn?t even a unit to take out.  It was a simple install with four speakers
intact and wires primed for hookup.  Ross
also suggested that we now upgrade the speakers.  We declined, paid the inflated bill and drove
on with a bad feeling.
 As we approached home, all speakers stopped working. 
I again called Ross and he said the install was under warranty, so we
could drive over to have them look at it again anytime.
 When I made it back to Moses Lake about two weeks later with the
Montero, I prepared for the Performance sales reps to use the opportunity to up
sell again.  That instinct was amazingly right on!  I told them the previous owner
did mention the driver?s side front speaker cut out on occasion, which may mean a simple wire shorting out.  Easy fix.
Ross had it in the shop about 20 minutes and concluded that ?it needs all four speakers
replaced, no doubt.?  I was shocked.  ?All four?? I asked.  ?Can you get just two working for now at
least??  Ross said, ?Two are hooked up
and working right not, but you need all four replaced.?  After minutes of discussion, I finally
received a verdict.  ?Well, you can use the two working speakers, yes.  But in order to fully use the stereo, you need to get four new speakers.  But two will do if that is what you want.?
 I drove home with two working speakers, very annoyed by their predicted pushy
overselling techniques.  When I had a
friend of a friend look it over, he had good news and bad news.  This stereo ? savvy handyman spent about an
hour with the system and it sounds amazing now!
Bad news:  we were ripped off by the stereo
install and blatantly lied to as well. 
They did not even have the speakers hooked up properly.  They had clipped and capped some wires, then
told us ?they did not work?.  
Good news:  All four speakers are perfect.  In fact the pair in the back is a very high
end set that some stereo shops would like to get their hands on.  In summary, Performance Auto Sound is guilty
of the old bait and switch game, overcharging for labor and deceptive sales practices.
 I will never use Performance Auto Sound again, nor would I recommend their services to
others.  If you are thinking of using Performance Auto Sound in Moses Lake, WA, please think again.