I am opening a Car Audio store in Austin, TX, need some input on brands

[alpinetypeR7874 10+ year member]

hey I live in austin I am going there

 

[GLN305 10+ year member]

Definitely find employees with prior knowledge, even of brands you don't carry. My local shop carries Memphis, Kicker, Alpine, etc. I mentioned my ZX350 and the one installer said "that is a sick amp, I had a ZX450 that I beat the crap out of and it still worked. Great amps". I buy m boxes ans small accessories I don't feel like waiting on shipping to get. I've never heard anything in my equipment bashed, and we had a pretty good discussion of pre-outs and gains on the mid Alpine HU's, as mentioned earlier.
Remote starts are my local shop's biggest installed item. A lot of people who go there are like us, they want to do it themselves. They still do a LOT of HU installs, but very little speaker or amp set up's. Something to consider.

As luck would have it, I have a good friend that has been an alarm installer for about 10 years now and I asked him if he wants to work for me in Austin. His answer was "hell yeah". I was happy to hear that because he's really good.

It really seems that the general consensus is that too many shop currently don't offer good customer service. I see no need to bash anyone's equipment because these days alot of equipment is really good

 

[GLN305 10+ year member]

it would be worth a drive to be able to compare all those brands in one place!!!

Well, I won't be carrying all of those brands, just a select few. This list is just helping me get an idea of what brands I want to consider carrying and it will be slimmed down greatly. It will still be worth the drive for CA.com members though //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[GLN305 10+ year member]

do you plan on making boxes and doing custom work?

Yes, I have personally been building boxes and doing fiberglass work for over 15 years and have built some demo cars and award winning show cars.

Here are some pictures of my past work. Keep in mind all of this has been done in Germany in my small garage with cordless power tools including a tiny cordless circular saw. The only corded tool I own here is a router.

 

[GLN305 10+ year member]

hey I live in austin I am going there

I look forward to seeing you when I get up and running. Looks like I better post a thread here when I open up instead of sending 50 PM's hehe. Everyone seems to want to come to my shop when it opens and that makes me feel great!!

 

[GLN305 10+ year member]

OK everyone, I changed my origional post to indicate than I need some input on less expensive brands to carry. Give me some names and experiences you have had with lower end brands so I can make a solid decision on them. Thanks!!

 

[siacarman 10+ year member]

oi did not see any mention of treo...i own treo subs and speakers and i love there quality of a speaker...

 

[siacarman 10+ year member]

what about anything on the hifonics, planet audio, mb quart, crunch, a/d/s...should be good rep. stuff to sell..

 

[GLN305 10+ year member]

oi did not see any mention of treo...i own treo subs and speakers and i love there quality of a speaker...

I tried contacting treo about six different times and no one ever responded whether it be via e-mail or voicemail. I kinda gave up on them after that //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[GLN305 10+ year member]

what about anything on the hifonics, planet audio, mb quart, crunch, a/d/s...should be good rep. stuff to sell..

MB Quart, Cruch, hifonics = Maxxsonics

a/d/s = DEI

Got those covered.

Planet Audio I have not checked into and I will do that today. Thanks for the idea!

 

[siacarman 10+ year member]

what about jl's tma...total mobile audio...decent budget intro

 

[vwrx_freak 10+ year member]

The great part about DD is that they have entry level subs that aren't that expensive, but also have a high end range. I agree with your comments on DLS though, but I want to carry at least one high end brand. I am thinking that I will be doing some shallow subs in Austin also. As far as the wiring kit, you are right on target with my line of thinking.

on a side note there is already a chain shop here sub sonic car audio that carrys DD. RE. and arc audio. so some of you high end brands are covered. not saying there is no room for competiton in the marketplace but people that shop for those brands know what they are talking about for the most part and wont pay full reatil for the equipment when it can be obtained on the web cheaper.

 

[GLN305 10+ year member]

what about jl's tma...total mobile audio...decent budget intro

Customs Sounds carries that also. I'm trying to stay away from items they carry. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[GLN305 10+ year member]

on a side note there is already a chain shop here sub sonic car audio that carrys DD. RE. and arc audio. so some of you high end brands are covered. not saying there is no room for competiton in the marketplace but people that shop for those brands know what they are talking about for the most part and wont pay full reatil for the equipment when it can be obtained on the web cheaper.

Thanks for that info. I don't plan on carrying RE, they are too easily had on the internet. DD is a must for me, I just believe in the product that much that I want it in my store. If Arc Audio is already there I believe they are area protected and I can't carry them. I'll check and see though. I really don't want to compete on pricing with the same brand, I want to carry different items, so this was very helpful. Thanks again!

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

OK everyone, I changed my origional post to indicate than I need some input on less expensive brands to carry. Give me some names and experiences you have had with lower end brands so I can make a solid decision on them. Thanks!!

Powerbass...period. They make some good budget equipment and have a good warranty program. 2 of the three shops around here have them for a solid budget system customer base.