Instalation Prices, WTF ..

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Im surprised the price range you got was so narrow, actually. An "install" can be anything from screwing speakers into factory holes, to making custom kick panels, door panels, etc. With that limited price range, Im guessing you went to all similar level/quality shops, wanting to do similar quality installs.

 

[bigaudiofanati2 10+ year member]

I think i got some pretty decent stuff too, and it was pretty funny that the shops didn't seem to like the stuff i had, and wanted to bag on it and say there stuff was better ...

Its ALL about the SALES ...

They dont want you to bring your own stuff. Also if you do bring your own stuff they can install it wrong or damage it and say that well its broke but we can sell you this.

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

I think i got some pretty decent stuff too, and it was pretty funny that the shops didn't seem to like the stuff i had, and wanted to bag on it and say there stuff was better ...

Its ALL about the SALES ...

shop owners don't give a fu ck about your stuff 95% of the time, all they care about is making money and if you aren't gonna spend they'd rather you not bother them. I mean THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING, not look at your stuff. its nothing personal, they just trying to get paid from 9-5 (or whatever their hours are). they are probably much more honest and personable off the clock*

 

[CobraStang98 10+ year member]

To the OP, either do it yourself or stop *****ing about what theyre charging. You're paying for a service they can do professionally, like a mechanic or someone that does drywall/carpenter/electrician/etc. Its not that hard to learn to install a system, do sum research and do it yourself.

 

And for a shop to charge $580 for a full system install they will prolli completely hide all wires and actually do a very high quality of work (we would hope so at least)

 

The shop near me charges $80-100 per hr depending on which installer does it for you.

 

[ALLOUTGEAR 10+ year member]

shop owners don't give a fu ck about your stuff 95% of the time, all they care about is making money and if you aren't gonna spend they'd rather you not bother them. I mean THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING, not look at your stuff. its nothing personal, they just trying to get paid from 9-5 (or whatever their hours are). they are probably much more honest and personable off the clock*

Agree, however when i pull up to a shop and there is 3-4 tards standing around playing grab *** and smokin cigs instead of working, then it seems to me as a bidness man i want to get that $$$. I know they need to make a living and are prolly nice guys after hours but truth is, if your standing around at work, you ain't makin $$$

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Let me guess, you bought everything off the 'net unauthorized & for dirt cheap, and then went to the shop & got upset when they want to charge you enough //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/greedy.gif.5a53e6246569d7ab79867170f3b06629.gif to actually make a profit on the install?

Although, as audioholic said, without knowing full details of the install (and exactly what the "quotes" entailed) it's hard to say.

 

[theMessenjah44 10+ year member]

I think i got some pretty decent stuff too, and it was pretty funny that the shops didn't seem to like the stuff i had, and wanted to bag on it and say there stuff was better ...

Its ALL about the SALES ...

Do you take your bacon and eggs to the restaurant and ask them to cook for you cheaper?

no, because they make money off the product as well as the labor.

Most shops will still install outside product, but they're going to charge more installation than what they normally would because they've got to make their money somewhere.....

 

[ALLOUTGEAR 10+ year member]

Let me guess, you bought everything off the 'net unauthorized & for dirt cheap, and then went to the shop & got upset when they want to charge you enough //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/greedy.gif.5a53e6246569d7ab79867170f3b06629.gif to actually make a profit on the install?
Although, as audioholic said, without knowing full details of the install (and exactly what the "quotes" entailed) it's hard to say.

Didn't walk into a dealer and purchase there stuff for retail, correct. I purchased several things from members of this forum, amp/head unit wire from a vendor and the rest brand new items from a internet company. So the only used items are the amp and deck, everything else is NIB. I would not mind paying someone a fair price, i know everyone needs to make a living.

 

[ALLOUTGEAR 10+ year member]

Do you take your bacon and eggs to the restaurant and ask them to cook for you cheaper?
no, because they make money off the product as well as the labor.

Most shops will still install outside product, but they're going to charge more installation than what they normally would because they've got to make their money somewhere.....

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/idea.gif.5acb6a39a9b92425414c316dda202bad.gif thanks, i will try that ... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/rolleyes.gif.c1fef805e9d1464d377451cd5bc18bfb.gif

 

[alvitae 10+ year member]

Check on craigslist, Sometimes you find installers wanting side work and are dirt cheap. Of course you have to watch them I would think till you are sure they know what they are doing.

 

[dalucifer 10+ year member]

I think it depends on quality of install.. As stated prior you are not being specific with what is being done. I know a few people that would laugh at you if you wanted them to do an install for 500.00. When it comes to a service, you get what you pay for.

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

cheap bastard. this is why i wouldn't want to install for a living.

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

Most shops dont wanna deal with installing equipment you bring in to them, because 9 times out of ten it is gonna be flea market crap. So they jack up the installation prices on equipment not purchased from them, so when you come in and complain about something not working, they at least made a buck on you

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

if you lived closer since i'm not working right now i'd install it for you for $100 and a case of beer....//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/greedy.gif.5a53e6246569d7ab79867170f3b06629.gif

 

[Vermithrax 10+ year member]

OP, even the high side doesn't seem unreasonable to me if the shop does good work. You have to consider that for one, they won't make any profit on equipment sales since you have everything and two that they're risking some liability by installing gear that you may end up not liking and try to blame them for it not sounding the way you expected.

If you really think they're just trying to rip you off, consider opening a shop, all of the cost and liability and inventory involved, paying good installers, advertising, the total cost of doing business and compare that to what you "think" it should cost. These guys aren't doing this as a hobby, they're trying to feed their families. If they do good work that deserves some consideration and appreciation.