Starting a new Car Audio shop. Wanted your opinion on starting lineup?

[Wkbdkid 10+ year member]

Hey ryan where you located in fresno? Im moving up there in bout 2 weeks for a new job and am going to check out some stores.give me a PM or somethin. Sorry for the dump.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

Sorry Im still a newb at multi quoting...

When compared the Cacade actually offers a superior product lineup. Second skin is great, but doesnt match All the endless possibilities. Ive became a SS dealer quite awhile back and loved the product, unfortunately the pricing structure varies Way too often for me. Not to mention all the GDs and "giveaways" that Ant does. Great for people on here who do not have a dealer, but not so great for us brick&mortar guys. Ive seen several locals buy product at the same price or even cheaper than I at my "dealer cost" can get it for. Far too many occassions for me.

If you already have a SA-3051 then you wont need another. Theyll just request the serial number and possibly ask to recalibrate it for you. They may recommend and enforce using the SPL190 though, unless you already have that as well. Their support is excellent when you need something.

Monster is certainly well known, but still a bit pricey and limited on mobile products in comparison to Stinger. BUT please dont be mislead, Ive tried multple other lines just to avoid putting more and more money into Micahs pockets. Unfortunately it didnt work. About 2 years ago they did implete the direct ordering online via their dealer site. This in itself was great, made ordering 10000X simpler.

Select definately has the market locked for hard to fnd items, no argument there. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif If you have an in with Scosche then call Metra AND American International for comparisons. Believe it or not they will negotiate heavily. AI will also buy Scosche and Metra kits from you. They also throw in free kits and harnesses to offset shipping costs. They dont have the broadest line, but their support is top notch. Prices are also set-no need to check anything. kits cost one price and harnesses another. Nothing more-nothing less.

Nak is still a bit rough, but well worth the troubles. Most of the time. Theres alot of story behind the changes they recently went through and some had left a sour taste in my mouth...But I continue to carry and support their product.

If youd like to discuss more personally shoot me a PM and we can talk via phone. Theres a ton I could tell you that would probably help greatly.

 

[Savstyle 10+ year member]

Hey ryan where you located in fresno? Im moving up there in bout 2 weeks for a new job and am going to check out some stores.give me a PM or somethin. Sorry for the dump.

PM me when you move hear i wanna hear your system, and i could show u the way to ryans shop if u dont knwo your way around.

To the OG poster list looks very nice, jus let us know where your going to be located

 

[AudioInnovation 10+ year member]

First of all, I'd like to thank you for detailed reply.

For deadening..speak to Doug at Cascade and that will suit all of your needs and will provide Excellent assistance and support.

I agree, We've used them in the past. Unbelievable product. But they don't have the prices that Second Skin can offer, and they defiantly don't have the name that Dynamat has.

If dealing with AudioControl direct..expect to drop $3200 for a buyin. Including a SA-3051 at a substantially discounted price. If not doing direct..you will lose dealer locator support and typically 5-10% above sheet cost.

We're ready for the buy-in with AC and other brands like Alpine. Going direct with some of these brands is going to beneficial to us. Not just that, it's the only way. IF we want to offer factory warranties. Which we do. We're making sure we only sell product we're authorized to sell. We currently have a SA-3051 already. I wonder if they'll make us buy another?

Settle in on A wire company. If you want something to offer your "high end" customers then look into Pear Cable or even IXOS. Neither have demands set on quantities. Personally Ive run with Stinger for Many years..plethora of products and pricing structure is fair for the volume.

I agree with one wire line. Yet, I really like KnuKoncepts. But carrying them only would be non-sense. So I did a survey at the current shop I work at. (Which has been a Stinger Dealer for 8+ years. ) I asked the customers the first "wire" Accessory line that came to their mind, Monster Cable was said 80% of the time. That's when we decided to bring in Monster into the store. Brand Recognition...

DEI for alarms..TONS of price points for various consumers. Seasonal promos for all retail level types. You also wont confuse your installers when their under a time pressure install. This also leaves less confusion for the customers when they say "which is better?" or "Which would you pick?"

No doubt!!!

Peripheral as well as Best Kits come from Aamp Of America-Stinger. Best kits is produced by Scosche. Aamp has quite a large array to choose from and would easily take over the wants you may have from Scosche.

Yes sir. But we have an "in" over at Scosche, and the prices are hard to beat.

Install Bay is exceptional on both product and availablity. Select may offer a bit more, but theyre also a bit more pricey and are not very flexible with those prices as Install bay is.

Boy do I know that. Select is ridiculously expensive on some stuff. But they do have supplies no-one else has. So we have to go with them. Install Bay is awesome! No complaints, so that's a no brainer.

If your planning for Nak..they do have a buy in as well. Theyre only dealt with direct and ship from Canada. Do not expect anything delivered fast and you may possibly get stuck with tariffs and duties. They do offer direct-over the counter exchange now, but will charge you for a new unit prior to shipping it to you. Do Not expect to have your credit/debit card credited back promptly. It may take several weeks.

You are correct. I talked to the Rep about the Buy-in, but it's not too bad. Being able to offer our customers that level of high-end when it comes to decks justifies being a direct dealer with them. I do know about the shipping delays. I will have to make sure I have a few in stock at all times. Thanks for the ins/outs about the exchange policies. Its information I need to know.

Again, thanks for the info.

 

[ssj2xxgotenxx 10+ year member]

:laugh:Whatever equipement you use is cool, just don't run a shop like Audio Excellence on San Bonita Road.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[RPM 10+ year member]

i wud say image dynamics would be a goo d brand to add on

 

[90accordman 5,000+ posts]

Pretty much have everything i would use in an install alreayd,so all i can say is best of luck to you in your new business Venture.

 

[SkwurlyFab 10+ year member]

Are you wiring up your own sound board? Where are you getting your switcher unit from?

 

[ilvwhtgrls 10+ year member]

i wud say image dynamics would be a goo d brand to add on

ID never has anything is stock.

 

[AudioInnovation 10+ year member]

Are you wiring up your own sound board? Where are you getting your switcher unit from?

We bought them used online. Work great! They were $1,600.

 

[coolahan 10+ year member]

is the kicker wire the stuff that is really flexible?

yes, its called hyper-flex and its the shit. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[AudioInnovation 10+ year member]

i wud say image dynamics would be a goo d brand to add on

I don't see ID fitting into the mix well. They don't offer anything over the lines we already picked out.

But thanks for the suggestion!

 

[ray@ss 10+ year member]

Sounds like 1 badass shop.

allready got your installer (s) picked out??

No audiobahn??

 

[AudioInnovation 10+ year member]

Sounds like 1 badass shop.
allready got your installer (s) picked out??

No audiobahn??

Thanks.

Yes.

No. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/uhoh.gif.c07307dd22ee7e63e22fc8e9c614d1fd.gif

 

[goodstuff 10+ year member]

If you already have a SA-3051 then you wont need another. Theyll just request the serial number and possibly ask to recalibrate it for you. They may recommend and enforce using the SPL190 though, unless you already have that as well. Their support is excellent when you need something.

WTF is a SA-3051?