Ive noticed that alot of people say support the local car audio shops

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

cool story

He misses us.

 

[morespl 10+ year member]

It must be great to be in tampa I'm in illinois I could have at least went to 2 shows this weekend like every weekend. Some shops are good but few and far between I can go on for hours of situations that I have been involved with or seen.For instance I was at alfaro and sons memorial show this guy there had a 15 inch mojo a orion xtr pro 1500.1. He's starts talking about his system does a 139. Then a couple of competitors look at his ride I was also looking the guy had two runs of cheap 4gauge ran front to back as his power. For the ground they ground the amp off a self tapper and didn't sand paint off. They had the amp jacked up and clipping mounted to the back of he box then on top of it they took a fresh mojo said the were breaking it in and smoke was coming out the port. When you pushed on the speaker you could hear a crunching noise. He said radio doctor installed it and he was on fourth speaker replacement. That's just a recent story there are good installers out there but alot of times they just do it to collect a pay check and have no pride in there work and prey on a persons ignorance to get by.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

The guy that owns a shop closest to me told me to set my gains by ear, I haven't been back since.

 

[galacticmonkey 5,000+ posts]

The guy that owns a shop closest to me told me to set my gains by ear, I haven't been back since.

I set my gains by ear in my truck and havent had a problem.

 

[Chriszle 10+ year member]

I set my gains by ear in my truck and havent had a problem.

Good for you. Ignorance is bliss

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Yeah my local shop is just full of winners. One tried to tell me that he knew all about how much watts an amp would really produce...didn't bother to even ask him how he got this, but I told him I had a MA Audio HK602sx that is rated 3600watts rms...he says he's never heard of it. I lol a little bit because right after telling he's never heard of it he asks me about the fuse rating....he's lucky I looked at the guts already the only place you can see the fusing. I told him theres 6x40amp fuses. He punches some numbers on a calculator and winds up with the number 1700 he tells me this is what my amplifier will truly produce.....anyone know how his crazy mind/math came up with that retarded number?

Current X Voltage X 60% or so (real world efficiency of your amp). Probably closer to the truth than the 3600 that MA rates it.

 

[3kgtAudio 10+ year member]

Hey old thread here, but I thought I would comment. The retail world has changed these days. I own a shop, and I deal with manufacturers and distributors all the time. What has happened with the industry is that now a customer can go out and buy product at pennies over cost, which has changed peoples mindsets. Unfortunately, only a few local shops will survive until better regulation happens with sellers online.

You are never technically allowed to advertise and sell any product from any manufacturer for less than MAP. but the problem is its rarely enforced. Now you allow the general public to buy at dealer cost, that leaves every retailer up a creek when it comes to turning a profit. Its irriating seeing that happen, but anytime I advertise below map on anything I get flack for it. It makes me wonder how they get away with it.

Yes, being a good businessman and taking good care of your customers goes a long way, but sometimes thats simply not enough. There needs to be a happy medium. Regulate and allow enough margin so we all can make a living out here, yet still offer a great price and product to our customers.

 

[brodeisel 10+ year member]

Just read alot of peoples reviews on shops. I gotta say my mind has changed on them but in Iowa i think im forever alone on a good shop. Shoot i get made fun of by locals for geting my ho alternator and then spending like 360 on 2 12's. Idk i kinda wish i lived in an area with a better car audio scene.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

from Iowa, Madison WI isn't that far away - and you can visit AMS. First time i heard the $6k Focal Utopia Be set was at their shop (in a sound board and in a car).

If I have time to visit some shops in Des Moines I'll report on my conversations. I typically visit shops when i am in a new area - mostly because i love to talk about this stuff. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

3kGT - I hear ya about MAP and the challenges associated with it. I am guilty for not helping the cause because I buy most of my stuff used. But I have given my local shop a lot of business when I do work and people want new gear.

... that reminds me... i need to talk to them about getting my 14% transmittance tint taken off my front windows. after 6 years i finally got popped in Iowa (no less than 70% transmittance allowed). Iowa can ticket you $127 for illegal window tint - even if you aren't from that state (like a speeding violation). i talked the officer into a warning, but i need to remove my fronts.

 

[3kgtAudio 10+ year member]

Just read alot of peoples reviews on shops. I gotta say my mind has changed on them but in Iowa i think im forever alone on a good shop. Shoot i get made fun of by locals for geting my ho alternator and then spending like 360 on 2 12's. Idk i kinda wish i lived in an area with a better car audio scene.

Hit up Car Sound in Des Moines, I think they are still around, I worked there way back in 1997. Or if you are in the western part of the state, Go to Inphase Car Audio in Omaha(Millard to be exact). Both shops usually have some pretty good custom guys on staff, and will not rip you off totally like some of the big flashy shops.

 

[dumple 5,000+ posts]

my local shop ****** until i made the dude at the counter look like a fool infront of his boss

 

[mendezm9 10+ year member]

Hit up Car Sound in Des Moines, I think they are still around, I worked there way back in 1997. Or if you are in the western part of the state, Go to Inphase Car Audio in Omaha(Millard to be exact). Both shops usually have some pretty good custom guys on staff, and will not rip you off totally like some of the big flashy shops.

I went to Car sound in the summer. Was not impressed at all. Their demo room was missing over half of the decks and speakers. They were working on a couple cars and had no place for install stuff. I had to ask one of the installers if he could sell me some 0 gauge ring terminals. Ended up paying almost 10 bucks for 2 of them. I would say ford and garland is better by a mile in terms of going in having stuff accessible and having a salesman available at all times in case you did need some information.

edit. I have heard that Carl Chevrolet a car dealership is adding a car audio wing to their business. They are advertising it on the local radio stations and they are going to be doing a 3k car audio upgrade to who ever wins a drawing. I am looking forward to going in there and taking a look at what they have. That dealership is in Ankeny for the local people interested.

 

[keep_hope_alive Premium Member]

thanks for the updates. i'll be driving through those towns at some point this winter. i like checking out shops.

 

[kramer_212 10+ year member]

I say **** my shop the guys a ****. He thinks he is so much smarter then everyone. He charges you to ask him some questions and everything there is so overpriced it *****. So my nearest decent car audio shop i have found is like an hour away. Gah i hate driving that far to get something but i will not support the guy in my town. He has even wired some peopels stuff wrong. The only thing i will buy from him is some fuses. Any one else have a similar problem.

I lolz so hard at this because i have the same problem here, and i always drive an hour to audioplayground in souix falls.

i have actually redone 5-6 systems that "one tooth eddy" installed(thats what i call him anyways)

 

[audio_guy 10+ year member]

Shops in AZ are no better. I have and always will order my parts and supplies online.