Paradigm Integration

I had a great experience working with Julie. She is knowledgeable and her recommendations helped me in building a great audio system. They even lent me an amp while mine was back-ordered.

Dave at the San Carlos location was very helpful and patient in dealing with my old Sony receiver. It is far below his normal level of sound systems. Three other places had all been worthless. If you visit, bear in mind that the company has moved a few blocks away from its old El Camino location in San Carlos.

Hermary's built and installed my system over four years ago. It is bullet-proof. Today, I called because my system wasn't working. Coincidentally, it was after a Comcast tech replaced one of my cable boxes that it stopped worked. I spoke with John Reynolds and he thought the problem was caused by the Comcast tech who inadvertently shut off our Control4 system. John was correct and the problem was instantly resolved. I can't say enough great things about John, Hermary's and the other customer service professionals at Hermary's.

David provided excellent guidance on my options, and was willing to tailor the installation to a tight space. While we had a few stops and starts due to schedules and availability of his team, David and his crew installed a TV, sound bar & subwoofer, WiFi and cable hookup really professionally. All the components are first-rate. Very happy with the final result.

This company is amazing. I couldn't have been happier with the process from start to finish. These guys are used to installing in very large homes and working on huge projects. Ours was somewhere in the middle. Four TV systems integrated with lighting and security. They ( Dana specifically) walked us through all of our options and were willing to work within our budget constraints, i.e. they made recommendations where we could cut and let us transparently know what we would be sacrificing.

They even helped us integrate with our alarm system, doorbell system, and internet. The team helped us get an outdoor TV too that has been a major hit all around. The install went exactly as scheduled and the Hermary's team was courteous, on time, and respectful of our property. The support thereafter (John specifically) has also been absolutely top notch. Helping us via phone whenever there was a problem or snafu with the new technology.

Many times this has been operator error, and they have never made us feel stupid or uninformed. Recently I wanted to add headphones to our TV set because we are in a loft-like format with teens wanting to stay up late and watch TV etc. I wanted to get this done before Xmas hit. I was having trouble with the equipment Hermarys had researched and recommended and called for help. Caught them during their corporate holiday party. Did they help?

You bet. And we got the headphones added on in time to keep my nephews et al happy. I have absolutely no problem paying for pros who know what they are doing and offer exceptional service. In fact, I want to pay for that and I look for that. Thank you to Hermary's for really making what is a complicated part of life now days, as simple as possible.

Arrogant idiots. They want only completely clueless customers. If you have any interest in audio visual they will not work with you. Does that mean they are interested in unlimited spending by the completely uninformed? I think so. Do your homework! Do Not Let companies that have done work for the Bay Area Rich and Famous shame you into giving over complete control and making you Pay through the nose for average Stuff.

We have been a loyal customer of Hermary's for the past 3 years and highly recommend them for your one stop shop for home automation. Hermary's has been an excellent and patient advisor and assisted us in creating a scalable solution as we have expanded our system over 3 major phases. Starting with the basics (tv, speakers, rack system, control 4, home networking) to integrating our home security, cameras, lighting, and multi-zone entertainment (across 6 zones including 3 in the backyard and door station). Dana McKissick, John Reynolds, Paco, Paul, Clarence Hermary and the rest of the team have been great to work with, while accommodating our needs as we have evolved into a complex system for our entire home.

Smart home technology evolves quickly and the Hermary's team is not only staying up on the latest trends, but mindful in how to adapt and scale a solution that works for your custom needs. We intend to remain loyal customers and will likely do additional projects in the future.

I have known Clarence Hermary and his Son, David over the years during my career working for the City. Clarence and his Team were very helpful in guiding me to the right Speakers, Hi-Fi Components etc which I have been quite satisfied with. When it comes to setting up your Home Theater Experience, Clarence Hermary and his Professional Team have the know how to Design and Deliver the Ultimate in your Audio and Visual Entertainment. Did you know that the City of San Carlos (City of Good Living) was voted #1 City to live, in a recent 2015 Yahoo News Article.

It is a coincidence that Hermary's has no equal in terms of excellence in Home Theater Development and Customer Satisfaction for their Bay Area Customers. IF you call from Back East from New York City requesting an obscure Part or Component, and you are not really a customer, common sense. deal with Ebay or Craig's List or call the MFG if they still exist.

I had a really good experience with Hermary - Specifically with Dana. I recently moved into a house with existing ceiling speakers and all I wanted was to be able to hook up my iphone to play music during a party. Dana arrived on time for my in home consultation and was friendly and knowledgeable. He ended up recommending a solution that did not involve Hermary's at all.

He said for my purposes, I didn't need a complicated custom solution. To be honest, I don't know jack about AV, so he could've told me I needed thousands of dollars worth of equipment and I would be none the wiser. Even though they didn't end up installing anything. I would not hesitate to call them in the future based on the excellent in-home consultation.

I called Hermary's with Middle Atlantic rack part number in my hand, ready to place an order. I wasn't worried about price - I simply needed to order the rack shelves as soon as possible so I could complete my install. The first guy (I'll leave it nameless to protect the guilty) hemmed and hawed, and said he'd have to have someone call me back since they probably didn't carry the parts.

I said I figured they were a special order, but that was fine, I just needed to get it moving. I waited four days, and then called back - and couldn't get a live person. So, I left a message. Waited two more days, and when I didn't get a call back, I called them again. This time I still didn't get a live person, but I fought my way through their phone system till I found someone with the last name of Hermary (figuring they'd be a boss and actually care about a customer) and left him a message.

I received a call from the first salesman two later (do the math - this is 8 days after I called to place the order!). The guy said, "Oh, well, it was a special order, and they'd been busy, and he was sorry, but could they now help me out?". I said no, but I had found another distributor and placed my order. He didn't seem to care that he lost the sale.

But he did call to follow up, so two stars. A couple of days after that, I got a call from the Mr. Hermary who I had left the third voicemail with. He said "they had all been away at a trade show and what I had asked for was a special order and it would take time and yada yada yada.". At the end of the day, it should have been easy - take the numbers I had, order the parts (which is EXACTLY what the other company who I ended up ordering from did).

They could have charged me anything they wanted - I just needed parts. But they didn't seem to care and had no sense of urgency or customer service. I should have Yelped them first - I would have read the reviews that show a consistent lack of interest in Customer Service and saved myself some time.

I am still surprised that Hermary's gets bad reviews. Dana and his team have just been fantastic! They put in my TV system in a year ago and we just upgraded out wireless network yesterday. Great service, great teamwork and great follow through. Dana and his team really do an outstanding job!

I went to Hermary's with a large project. I described what I wanted, but told them I wanted to be able to see a line item project bid so I could pick and choose where I wanted to spend my money. Dana showed me around and then scheduled an appointment to visit the job site. He showed up on time and took lots of notes. He told me he would create a detailed proposal.

He also said that he was going to write it up and he would include everything, even stuff that might be over the top. But he said, don't worry, we can always back out things to make it fit your budget. About a week later than promised I received the proposal. Before I get to the proposal I want to mention that they play their cards close to their chest. Sharing information, teaching the customer, giving out any of their precious knowledge is apparently a definite no-no in the employee handbook.

When someone works on my car, I want to know what they are doing. When the plumber is working on my house, I want to know what they are doing. When I wanted to know what Hermary's was going to do and why they would do it one way versus another, Hermary's was tight lipped. I understand that they may pride themselves on their knowledge of products and methods, but until they've proven themselves, they have to tell me something that makes me comfortable to do business with them. Essentially, this a part of the interview process.

Thus far, they were not ace-ing the interview, but because of their reputation I kept them in the running. The first bid was around $150,000. The revised bid was about $95,000 after some of the stuff that I didn't HAVE to have was pruned. When I tried to make a third pass just prior to signing a contract, Dana sends me the most arrogant and condescending e-mail. Essentially, I was told to accept the price and quit quibbling.

The arrogance really came through in the part about how I should be happy to pay those prices to have Hermary's handle this project. Bottom line, I suspect they do quality work but I will never know. What I learned is don't you dare question Hermary's and also just go ahead and open your wallet and let them take what they want. If price is no object, AND you don't want to learn anything about what they are doing, then they'll be a great fit for you.

Called Hermary's on a Sunday at 2:30, They were closed and David told us to come in the back door. We had the show room all to ourselves and was very nice to accommodate us to 4:00. I researched projectors for our needs and David recommended the same exact one. David Hermary and Derek made great suggestions for our home, installed my screen and projector, helped us with our existing ceiling speakers and sound system.

Not sure why the negative reviews? I think being in business for 40 years means they are doing something right. Hermary's did a perfect installation and was very professional. I did go to Best Buy at the magnolia department. They told me one screen was the best, then the screen I wanted turned into the best one, then they said a system would be for screen and projector $4000.00, then when I went to purchase, it changed to $4000 for the projector and $2500 for screen. Not honest there, they just want to sell something. Go to Hermary's I would recommend them to everyone!

Shady. Shady. Shady. I called several times and asked if they had the Goldenear Triton 2s in stock and they said yes. I even asked if they had the whole set of center and surrounds and they said yes. I drove to their shop and asked them if they had the Goldenear Triton 2s in stock and they said yes. I hung out for a minute to demo them and then asked to buy them and guess what happened.

The computer made a booboo. The only set they had in stock was the floor model.and they would sell it to me for LIST PRICE. And if I wanted the center and surrounds they would have to order them. I was irate.also I drove 2 hours to this shop because they told me they had them in stock. Typical scum salesman.

On January 12, 2011, Clarence Hermary found my phone number and called me to ask me to remove this one-star review. It made me even angrier than I was before. He had a nerve to tell me to come over to him in San Carlos (I am in Oakland) to "talk about" this review. This below (text below the dotted line) was written in 2010 and was saved till January 2011.

I decided I didn't have time to explain in detail what had happened so I published it unfinished in Jan. 2011. I still don't have time to write the detail of what took place in this business establishment. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - These people are very irresponsible and rude. They don't return calls.

They don't check voice mails for days. They ignore business appointments. The door is locked and no one answers the phone when the showroom is supposed to be open. Strangely they are in the building but they don't answer the phone and the door is locked when there's an appointment. All of them are very rude. They don't want anything to do with you if you don't buy their service. Very unprofessional manners in business engagement. No class. I cannot believe this type of business exists in the Bay Area.

Saturday October 23 2010, I drive to Hermary's at around 1:00pm. Per their website they are open on Saturday's. Per the opening times on their front door, they are open all day Saturday. Today they were not open. Doors locked, no lights on. Not too happy that I made the drive. I see the pattern in other reviews: horrible customer service.

Ok, Where to start? I met Mr. Hermary (I think the owner and father) in my first visit, seemed like a wonderful guy and since I was referred to them, I figured this is finally going to be the positive electronics buying experience for my home system I was searching for, OMG, was I incorrect! $20,000 later and not even close to satisfied. David Hermary seemed to forget everything we discussed, then became extremely arrogant and brazen, making the end of our relationship uncomfortable to say the least. Net:net - misrepresentation of products (sold me a remote not supported, gave me the wrong plug and charger for a $1000 remote, which I have subsequently spent $300 additional dollars retrofitting), mediocre knowledge of cabinet spaces and requirements, lastly the absolute WORST customer service on the planet. Don't make the same mistake I did, go to Magnolia and spend $5000 instead of $20,000.

I would like to echo the review by Lynda M. We also TRIED to use Hermary's for a home theater installation on a fireplace, probably a $10,000 project. After leaving a message and emailing the company, I finally spoke to Clarence (two weeks later), who seemed helpful and nice on the phone. He came out to my house in San Francisco, and had some ideas for the project. Clarence told me he would have an estimate within the week.

That was TWO MONTHS AGO. I have contacted Hermary's three times since the initial consultation. Each time I spoke with Clarence and he assured me that he was thinking about my project, and that he would email me a detailed estimate. Again, to date I have not received this estimate. Keep in mind that Clarence is the "President" of the company, which makes this type of behavior even more inexcusable and unprofessional.

To be fair, I never used Hermary's service, though I tried valiantly. Thus, the one star is for customer service. Looks like I will find someone else to give my money to.

We used them and they were very helpful in picking out the equipment. However, when it came to installation, they were HORRIBLE. They installed the side speakers about 1.5 feet too high, and the ceiling speakers, which are directional, THE WRONG WAY. To fix it, they'd have to tear out part of the ceiling, etc. When they installed the satellite receivers, they forgot to remove a splitter that was very obviously on the cable - which created havoc when trying to use each box in a separate zone.

When we had them come out to diagnose and then ultimately fix THEIR mistake, they charged us for 4 hours of work - which we refused to pay! GREAT EQUIPMENT! HORRIBLE SERVICE AND QUALITY OF INSTALLATION!

Seems to be a pattern here. I went into the impressive showroom with photos and dimensions of my space and details of what I wanted. I had a decent first conversation and was encouraged. I was supposed to get a follow-up call to set up an appointment to see the room. When I didn't hear back for almost two weeks, I went back into the store, talked over some more details and again was told the cabinet maker would call to set up an appointment and look at the room.

In the meantime, alarm bells ringing in my head, I contacted and evaluated three other vendors, all of whom came out promptly, provided detailed written quotes, answered questions, updated quotes and I made my decision and signed a contract. (Work is in progress at this very moment). WEEKS later, Hermary's calls and leaves a message and asks if I am still interested and want to set up an appointment.

You gotta be kidding! There's something seriously wrong with their customer service and i'd worry about them doing the work when they can't seem to even follow-up on a simple appointment.

We TRIED to use Hermary's for our home theater install. They came out and said they would get back to us with a quote. weeks later we never even heard back. We called them back, they said "Oh didnt we call you already?" We said no! They were then going to call us back with the quote.then they still never called us! And this was one of the owners that came out! NICE!

We called again a few times to complain and decided to look elsewhere. For such a huge purchase, we wanted GOOD service! WE finally ended up using Theater Works in San Carlos. THEY WERE AWESOME! WE could not have had a BETTER experience!