Getting a shop to install things that you did not buy from them?

[ls1pimp 10+ year member]

I have a full system that I took out of my old car, and i need it installed in my new car. The first guy i talked to copped an attitude with me as soon as I told him i already have the equipment and only need it installed, so obviously i won't be using him or his shop. But i still need a place to get this done at, will i run into a hard time finding a shop to do this for me?

Click to read more...

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

do it yourself //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/up2something.gif.dd110ecf3ae4b76050d87598f2f8de7c.gif

 

[jjski78 10+ year member]

Most shops will do it, just be prepared to pay more for the install. A lot of places will nearly double the price for equipment they didn't sell. Most will tell you it's because they don't know the condition of the equipment, and the extra money is to basically cover them if it's faulty and needs to be replaced. This usually applies to places that give those wonderful lifetime warranties on their labor.

 

[PatFitz9 10+ year member]

yeah, most shops won't do it. or if they do, they will charge more than usual.

 

[ls1pimp 10+ year member]

looks like im stuck in a rut then. I need a head unit installed, 1 set of component speakers installed, and 2 amplifiers put in. How much shoudl I except to pay for all of this?

 

[j3bus2k3 5,000+ posts]

First go in and pretend your interested in a product...ask a good number of questions about it and really lead the guy on that your going to buy it along with a set of components and 2 amps that are also on display. Ask him what kind of price he can set you up for to install all of it and if it suits you, ask him to write you up the order and then tell him that your bringing in your own equipment. If he cops an attitude, respectfully tell him you were just making conversation over a piece that you liked, now that you need it since you already have gear...

 

[skmfkr 5,000+ posts]

wtf i bought an amp and sub online and the shop built the box and ran the wires and didnt have any problems with them

 

[crow 10+ year member]

I'll be honest and say if I owned a shop, I would hesitate to install gear I didn't provide. I would really hesitate to install used stuff I didn't provide. A good shop is bonded for anything that might go wrong, but insurance companies are evil and will look for any way to get out of parting with their cash regardless of how good a case the shop has.

 

[jeffs42885 10+ year member]

Alot of local shops around here do the same thing. I went to a local dealer to look at components, and i found Diamond Audio HExes, they sounded amazing, but they were like 600.00 MSRP. I went online, and got them for less then 300 shipped, and i called them and they said that they don't install things not bought there. I mean come on, labor is very profitable, someone would still make a buck to do labor.

Im gonna get flamed for this, but find yourself a good REPUTIBLE roadshop. The circuit city Standard operating procedure says that they charge the same rate for stuff purchased outside of the store. So wether you buy a set of polk speakers at circuit, or alpine speakers at best buy, it's still 40.00 to install.

 

[jjski78 10+ year member]

Alot of local shops around here do the same thing. I went to a local dealer to look at components, and i found Diamond Audio HExes, they sounded amazing, but they were like 600.00 MSRP. I went online, and got them for less then 300 shipped, and i called them and they said that they don't install things not bought there. I mean come on, labor is very profitable, someone would still make a buck to do labor.
Im gonna get flamed for this, but find yourself a good REPUTIBLE roadshop. The circuit city Standard operating procedure says that they charge the same rate for stuff purchased outside of the store. So wether you buy a set of polk speakers at circuit, or alpine speakers at best buy, it's still 40.00 to install.

Not true! When I worked at CC we would charge double for stuff not purchased from us. It may have just been my store's policy, but you never know. I'd say just save some dough and do it yourself. It's not hard, and if you need help we are always here.

 

[Skip01 5,000+ posts]

Just go to Mobile One...i dont believe they charge more than they would normally at least my friend that works there says they dont...and they install peoples crap all the time...even if they know its not gonna work they still attempt to install it.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

The shop's gotta make ends meet. If you are taking up their install bay time with something that they didn't make a dime on instead of using that time on an install for a customer that bought equipment from them, why should you expect the same labor rate?

You know those high prices that you guys whine about for equipment are what it takes for the shop to make ends meet. Take that profit away from them on the deal, and they have to make it up somewhere.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

i personally will install whatever comes in the shop simply because i as do many installers get the majority of their pay from comission so the more work the better... i do make sure to examine the equipment first and test for functionality in front of the customer and inform them that if the product fails at no fault of the installation that its not my problem....wont do alarms that we dont sell though as testing to make sure they work would take more time then its worth also had a stupid experience doing that once so wont do it again

 

[iceteebone 5,000+ posts]

abc warehouse around here will install anything.

 

[j3bus2k3 5,000+ posts]

Why not try and find a member from here in NJ that will install for you?