Rick's Electronics Boutique — Local services in Saint Petersburg

Rick’s Electronics Boutique

When you use Rick's to install a system, unbeknownst to you, you have acquired a lifetime commitment from them. When we moved to a condo, they installed 3 big flat screens with a Sonos sound system, including one complex system with components in closed cabinets, and a remote that not only controlled it all, but reached right inside those closed cabinets to communicate. Magic.

They consistently offered lower priced choices, and explained when a quality difference led them to recommend a more expensive option. We were confident we had the best quality at the best price - a buyer's dream.

Since then, 2014, I've had occasion to call on them 3 times, when we made changes. Each time, as another reviewer stated, "I was treated like royalty." They dealt with my issues quickly and inexpensively, and made it clear they were there for us whenever we needed anything electronic.

I was moved to write a review today, because my husband just finished a 30 minute phone conversation with Rick. We called, not realizing they were closed on weekends. Instead of saying that and telling us to call back, Rick asked what the problem was. In thirty minutes he talked John through a fix with the new Frontier cable box and its remote control that gave us back a living room television until Rick's programmer, Brian, was available to come and reprogram the universal remote. We had spent about 2 hours each on the phone with Frontier, who was very helpful, but couldn't figure out why their remote wouldn't work with their new box. Since we were trying to watch a hurricane and the US Open, we were very grateful. My husband asked Rick to please send us a bill for his time, especially since we discovered they were actually closed. Rick laughed and said, Oh no, this was part of their service.

OK. ...

I had bought an Emotiva Gen 3 from the manufacture 2 months ago. I had been trying to get the Magnolia Room at Best Buy to Bi-amp my speakers and reset my Marantz 8802A sound/processor and of course install my extra speaker wires for the bi-amp. I could not get anyone to call me back. The Geek squad does not come out on any high end Home theater. I finally looked in the phone book looked under "Home Theater". I gave Ricks a call on Wednesday. The manager was here with installer Thursday and Friday the installations were complete. The installer gave me his cell number and Sat I called him up I was having problems with my Firestick and Harmony remotes(Both the manager and installer Brian told me prior they are impossible to pair).The installer came out Saturday to find out what the problem was. Within 10 minutes I was having problems again. The next day Sunday he called and insisted on coming out even though I told him I could wait till business hours on Monday. He neverless said he could be there in 10 minutes. He came there Sunday and stayed at least an hour and resolved the problem which was really unrelated to his installation. He also suggested different locations on my Martin Logan Motion 60 speakers which worked to perfection. I have never met an installer who is not the owner have so much pride in his work that he insisted on rectifying the situation immediately. The install is perfect, there prices are very reasonable and the installer Brian has an infinite knowledge of Home Theater. Plus they just became an Emotiva Dealer. My total interaction with Rick's Home Theater was a 5...

When I say I'm a big fan of Rick's, people often ask how a small store like that can maintain its business model. I tell them this: Rick's offers a terrific product line; they do a lot of home-installation work (including lawns and pools). Probably most important, they offer expert advice on A/V gear. Sure you can buy products online or at a big box store, but in most cases ... you're on your own.

Rick and his crew will help you make the right choice for your budget —they don't sell just high-end gear — and either set it up or walk you through the process. Plus their store is cool, with great listening and watching stations. Kind of like home away from home for...