lawl local car audio shop owner is a d-bag

[Bolognablake 10+ year member]

The guy that owns the only local shop around says he makes all of his money on installs, and he stays pretty busy. His only competition is Best Buy, Circuit City, and Electronic Express.

 

[kngadrok 10+ year member]

I'm gonna throw this out there:

Some of you guys are idiots. I know that may be too strong for some of you, but dont take it personal.

So "B&M's" sell at or over MSRP. Based solely on that, they're crooks?

So you can buy off the net at way less than than MSRP, based solely on that, it's the best deal?

This is America and is nothing new, one place sells for more and another for less.

Buy from which ever one that you choose, and allow others to buy from the one that meets their needs best whether that be the net or a local shop.

There are all kinds of factors that go into where I do or do not buy from. Just because I buy at a higher, or lower price does not mean that I am or am not getting screwed.

I myself, buy from a small local shop, they are not cheap IMO, but they are very very knowledgeable, and from what I know and hear, very honest, and do EXCELLENT WORK. For that, I dont mind paying MSRP.

Not everyone is looking for the cheapest price, and not everyone who sells at MSRP, or even over MSRP is a crook.

Ever shop for a new car, notice that most prices are over MSRP?

Has anyone ever been screwed by a deal on ebay? Anyone been screwed at a local shop?

There are pros and cons to both, dont rip somoene for making a choice that you "differ" with them on, here in America everyone has the right to choose, even some of you (felons //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif.

 

[DjiNN 10+ year member]

I personally think that if shop owners raise the price on the equipment .. they should install that equipment for free .. this will get consumers to buy at a B&M more than the internet .. If they buy it off the internet they still need the items installed (if they dont know how to install it themselves like me) and then you retailers wont have competition with the internet .. Let's say .. you get a JL amp for 300 and you sell it for 400 .. just think of that extra hundred as an install price ..

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

lol install for free.

how would i get paid.

 

[DjiNN 10+ year member]

The increase in the sale prices .. that is how ..

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

dosnt really work that way

 

[ilvwhtgrls 10+ year member]

I personally think that if shop owners raise the price on the equipment .. they should install that equipment for free .. this will get consumers to buy at a B&M more than the internet .. If they buy it off the internet they still need the items installed (if they dont know how to install it themselves like me) and then you retailers wont have competition with the internet .. Let's say .. you get a JL amp for 300 and you sell it for 400 .. just think of that extra hundred as an install price ..

Sweet jesus man, how would you pay for rent, insurance, wages, utilites etc etc if you were making less then 25 points and giving away install. B&M stores have it a little harder with the internet but there are a lot of valid reasons to stay local. Even if it is getting harder to compete, if the shop has good intentions, IE taking care of the customer, and a good business plan, in the end everyone will be happy. The customer will get fair pricing, great customer service and the shop will make enough money to keep its doors open.

 

[Mike Troll 10+ year member]

I wont buy on the internet unless the piece of equipment is used or not available through a local retailer somewhere. I have built up a good enough repoor (sp?) with my local shop that sometimes I even save money buying locally. I also began builfing that relationship with my local shop before I realized stuff was so much cheaper online. But I have paid my dues and my fair share of paying retail. I also like the fact that I can walk into my local shop just to hang out and shoot the shit. but to me it isnt all about the cheap prices, its about the relationship ive built with my local shop and the friends ive made.

 

[camry_tuner 10+ year member]

the word is rapport,

i usually buy stuff on the internet, but usually used, i do agree, i do go to local shops to get pricing, and such, but i still try to buy authorized, if possible... or i'll try to get it through hook ups or support a dealer that is on the forum.

cant blame anyone for tryin to get a deal, its juss life.. if i had the money however, im currently a college student, i might be going to a local shop more than online, but i cant afford shit, so thats my only option... juss wanted to put in my 2 cents =P

 

[Mike yayo 10+ year member]

First how does the internet have such low prices on equiptment and make money? second shops need to focus more on pushing like 2-3 brands and focus on installing and custom work they would make more money i think. For some people like me how can u hate internet buyers from trying to save money, i have to say if i had to buy my stuff at a shop i stil would not have enough.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

the word is rapport,
... or i'll try to get it through hook ups or support a dealer that is on the forum.

cant blame anyone for tryin to get a deal, its juss life.. if i had the money however, im currently a college student, i might be going to a local shop more than online, but i cant afford shit, so thats my only option... juss wanted to put in my 2 cents =P

I think this may be where B & Ms may actually be headed. Selling both online and shop so they can pass the volume discounts on to the local and online customer. Plus the ability to 'act local' with installs and over the counter customer service for those who want those things.

 

[ga12r 10+ year member]

First how does the internet have such low prices on equiptment and make money? second shops need to focus more on pushing like 2-3 brands and focus on installing and custom work they would make more money i think. For some people like me how can u hate internet buyers from trying to save money, i have to say if i had to buy my stuff at a shop i stil would not have enough.

Internet wholesalers dont have the overhead thet B&Ms have. They dont have to pay installers, knowledgable salespeople, upkeep on a showroom, display boards, insurance for the shop and the list goes on. And yeah, any shop that wants to stay open now is having to concentrate more on custom installs than sales. One of the big problems ran into is people wanting things installed that thye buy online though, they majority of people buy things without knowing it will not work in there application. I cant count the number of times a guy has come in with 2 dual 2ohm subs and 1ohm stable amp they purchased online, and they want us to make it right. Also it can get interesting when we install a amp purchased online and it burns up in a day or two and we get the blame. I dont have these problems when people buy from us, because I do over the counter exchanges.

 

[phyphoestilic 5,000+ posts]

This is why customer service is a huge thing now, it's the only real thing that retail stores can have over the interenet, reputation of the store/dealer by word of mouth is the only way u can really sell products. That or u get the rare customer who doesnt know anything about anything. That plus some places just charge too much for labor/installs.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Internet wholesalers dont have the overhead thet B&Ms have. They dont have to pay installers, knowledgable salespeople, upkeep on a showroom, display boards, insurance for the shop and the list goes on. And yeah, any shop that wants to stay open now is having to concentrate more on custom installs than sales. One of the big problems ran into is people wanting things installed that thye buy online though, they majority of people buy things without knowing it will not work in there application. I cant count the number of times a guy has come in with 2 dual 2ohm subs and 1ohm stable amp they purchased online, and they want us to make it right. Also it can get interesting when we install a amp purchased online and it burns up in a day or two and we get the blame. I dont have these problems when people buy from us, because I do over the counter exchanges.

I suppose I see the issue a little more clearly now:

If you install someone else's stuff, you have no idea of the quality or if it is what the cover says it is. You take a gamble. Even if it is not your fault, you will still get the blame. I still think buying large quantities to sell some over the net and some at the store is the way to go. You get the volume discount, thus allowing your shop to be more flexible with pricing and margin. I know folks already do this, I just think it is a good idea.

 

[Prowler573 5,000+ posts]

Sorry man, It is just frustrating hearing "I can get this for XXX dollars online, yall can kiss my ***" 4 times everyday. I dont blame you from buying online, it is cheaper, I cant fault you for that. It just sucks that dealers get such a bad rap on this board. All you guys would probably think I was trying to rip you off if you seen the prices in my store, but I assure you that isnt the case. And I would never down another product unless I new it was for sure inferior. I am a kicker dealer but I was also a RE dealer before they went mainstream and I still am. I have always tried to give my customers the best options. Sorry if I came across to strong earlier.

If you'll have a closer look you'll find that the majority of 'bad press' given to B&M dealers on this board as well as so many others is due mainly to their attitude rather than their pricing.

The all-too-common vehement statements that the products they sell are the Be All, End All of car audio and any other brand consideration is an exercise in lunacy.

Does JL make quality gear? The answer is inarguably yes they do. Are they without a doubt the best thing going? Well, duh. Of course they aren't. But most of their retailers would certainly have you believe that this is the case.

Outside of that the lack of overall knowledge that is too easy to find in your average B&M shop (as well as entirely too common in most Big Box stores) is simply maddening for those of us that actually have a clue regarding most things dealing with aftermarket mobile A/V gear. Someone whose job is pertaining to audio sales/installation/implementation not having the faintest idea about what they're talking about is more than enough to send me elsewhere when I'm looking to drop some coin on a purchase.

Easily I will admit there are exceptions to this rule but sadly it is the case more often than not nowadays.