Towing setup - need advice on cost

I just finished setting up my 2013 Chevy Sonic for towing. Bought a new open box Blue Ox Alpha tow bar on Amazon - included free shipping - total $495. Found used Patriot brake on one of the forums $250-but it arrived with minor damage so I shipped it to factory for repair and program upgrade. The upgrade was quoted at $110 and it included a one year warranty (same as a new unit). Plus they repaired all the damage at no charge. I did incur $65 in two way shipping charges. Then I went to Camping World where, as a Good Sam member, all installations of CW purchased accessories costs only $39. The normal base plate install labor rate at CW is $395 so the $39 is a steal. I could have bought a new base plate from Amazon at $350 but I elected to buy from CW for $466 plus that $39 install. Also let them install tail light wiring for the toad and a fuse bypass suggested by Chevy. The bypass is a convenience that allows me to forego digging deep into the instrument fuse panel to pull out a mini-fuse when I want to tow. The total bill counting the 3 installs was $779 at CW. I think when I added it all up (including a 6 inch drop receiver), it came out to $1780. So by buying some equipment from online retailers and having CW do a lot of the installs I feel I saved a ton plus the CW work was outstanding in all respects - very professionally done. Good luck on getting your setup done at a reasonable price. The only install I did was the Patriot brake and it was a snap since you will have to do it every time you set up to tow. Should take about 3-5 minutes.