Need your guy's opinion on this..

[STR8BLaZiNTB 10+ year member]

****... lots of good honest advice.. hadn't read that hear in a while haha..

but in all seriousness, thanks to everyone who chimed in... for real.

I got some thinking to do and I already got one shop which I spoke to on the phone that is nearby which said I could be there as an apprentice and I can be taught the basics of installing and if they see me actually dedicated to it, they said they would be willing to teach me how to do more custom type of jobs like fiberglass, pods, amp racks, etc..

So I got some thinkin to do.. dropping 10-15k is a little steep like someone said on what I could learn the same thing in a shop for free.. sure I won't be getting payed but I wouldn't expect it since they are teaching me what could earn me money in the future.. it's a little like if a school would be paying me to be going there.. so I get it.. might stop by and have a talk with them tomorrow.. I'll update everyone tomorrow.

Once again,

Thanks everyone

/Rant

 

[viperrgh2 10+ year member]

I'm 20 and in a similar situation, Ive been installing on my own for about 4 years now and learned most of what I know from working on my own and friend's cars with the knowledge I got from this website. I got a job at a local shop as a "training" installer position with a very weak salary. I learned alot while working at the shop but mostly just how to save money and time in order to make a more profitable business. I found my self arguing with my boss over the quality of installs often, me wanting to increase the quality... This is a great way however to learn, I know stereos very well and can install alarms/remote starts. I also have had many thoughts about running my own shop but as said the industry is dieing, my boss had to lay me off and I never even got a raise even when I was doing everything on my own since he couldn't afford it. If your heart is set on opening a shop I suggest learn on your own first, work at a shop, get certified by taking the test and then start a shop. However your shop will need to beat the rest to survive. I find the best way to do so now is simply provide the best service for the best price and specialize in custom expensive jobs which requires a great deal of skill.... Best of luck to ya...

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

IMO, I wouldn't bother with the idea of opening a shop in the future.

The internet / car companies / big box stores are killing off old fashioned B&M shops.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Like others have said-

If you want to learn the art of installing, don't go to a car audio school. You may not want to be around a shop all the time, you may be something of a pest unless you're actually working for them.

My best advice-- read a lot. Get some tools and fab stuff up on the side to learn. Work in your car and friends' cars as often as you can. Get the hang of wiring and fabrication.

Definitely go to college and get a degree, and maybe you can open your own audio-related business one day.

 

[chase007 10+ year member]

My dad started a shop in the late 80s with 5,000$ just car audio. He know owns the biggest dish network and tv, home audio store in grand cayman. We stopped doing car audio in 95 and We plan on starting it back up again When I get back to Cayman next week and seeing how it goes....Btw 5,000$ grew to about a 8million dollar busisness the land alone is 3 million.. I don't plan on making Ca a carrer I rather go into computers. But its a fun hobbie I do love it, no matter how much you guys bash me.

 

[TurdFergueson2 5,000+ posts]

Alright so basically I'm 19 and I want to in the future run my own shop. In the meantime, I want to become an installer..
My question is.. spend about $10000 give or take about a $1000 for school out of state which will end up costing around maybe $12000

or

Going to shops and see if they will hire me as an apprentice type of thing without pay but learning from the bottom up everything?

I have done a little research and some shops say in their opinion school is good so you know what you're doing and others say experience is what counts.

What do you guys think I should do?

Thanks

I would maybe look into becoming an online dealer. Not really sure how, but there are a few company owners that post who may be able to help you out. Then should you still want to get your shop going, you should have a little product knowledge as well as a fall back plan.

 

[viperrgh2 10+ year member]

I would maybe look into becoming an online dealer. Not really sure how, but there are a few company owners that post who may be able to help you out. Then should you still want to get your shop going, you should have a little product knowledge as well as a fall back plan.

Lot of the internet sellers are actually the same wholesalers that supply the stores, and get the best pricing.. . it's hard to compete with their prices while maintaining profitability.