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Becoming a Metra Dealer???

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Old 08-29-2006, 12:20 PM
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Becoming a Metra Dealer???

I know i need to register a name for my company etc

But how much do i need to put up front to buy from that company,i know we've talked about Amp companys and HU companys before.

Also would i have to buy like 20 mounting kits,harness kits to start of with or just a few.

I know i have to pay at the end of the month but if i can buy the basic ones witch are the norm cars i work on for $5-10 and sell for $20 its worth it.


Any feed back would be great
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Old 08-29-2006, 01:07 PM
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What area are you in?
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Old 08-29-2006, 05:28 PM
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As to Province or town

its Port Hope ONT


Why???
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Old 08-29-2006, 06:37 PM
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Do you have a vendors permit? If not get that first and than get in touch with Importel Ltd. or Carrady Imports they both distribute Metra in Ont.
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Old 08-29-2006, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by selective sound
Do you have a vendors permit? If not get that first and than get in touch with Importel Ltd. or Carrady Imports they both distribute Metra in Ont.

Speaking of Importel Ltd i called them and they said the only way i coul buy of them is if i had like you say a Vendors numers(bussines number).All i wanted where some relays etc from them at the time.

It didn't even matter that i was a MD grad either.

Im thinking on two names right now and then im going to register one.Don't know if i should copy right it thow,because i don't know if that name is only good for this town or not.Would hate to move to T.O and find out i can't use that name.


Do you mind PMing me and just giveing me a heads up as to what you payed to get a contract with them.
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Old 08-30-2006, 09:56 AM
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First most distributors will only sell to real businesses. So you need to set yourself up as a legit business and then apply to the Ontario Metra distributor. They will do a credit check etc before they sell anything to you. And dont expect them to sell to you simply because you want to buy a couple of kits for you and your budies and dont want to pay retail prices. Business is business.

BTW, what kind of business do you want to run? Is this full time? Do you have an install shop? How much will you be buying from the distributor every year. This is the kind of questions that they may ask. If this is only part time, you may want to become friends with a local car audio store and get some install business. You can then make an arrangement to buy install stuff at wholesale prices from them.

There is no fee to become a reseller! Why would they charge you? This is not a franchise.

Last edited by zoomer; 08-30-2006 at 10:02 AM.
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Old 09-04-2006, 12:52 PM
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Well in a sense its going to be run out of my house untill i either find a shop i want or build one.

I just need to know how much i have to put up to get there products
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Old 09-04-2006, 07:29 PM
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The actual paperwork to create your company should not cost too much. You can probably do the paperwork yourself if you do not want to pay for a lawyer. But check with a lawyer first just to find out the fees and his fee. It may be worth talking to him and not making mistakes. After that it should not cost you anything to sign deals with distributors. They want the business too. But dont expect to get all the big brands if there is another shop right up the street. For accessories like metra, it should not be a problem.
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Old 09-04-2006, 08:16 PM
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Some more things to consider:
If you will be working on cars, you may want, um may need mechanics insurance. If something goes wrong and the electrical system catches fire while your customer is driving down the road. Also, what about liability insurance: The customer then sues you for personal damages.
Also important: Dont do any work on a car untill you have proof that the customer owns it. Dont work on it if it is Daddy's car. He may not approve and make you rip it out. You may want to think of some sort of work authorization form like they have in garages.
You may also need business insurance for the place you will do the work in. What if car catches fire and burns down the house? Your home insurance may not pay for it since you where running a business.
Just some things to think about. When you ask why it costs x$$ to do an install, commercial installers running a business have all sorts of expenses.

Also think of the kind of work you will do. Do you want to get a reputation for top notch work? Or will you do anything for a buck? I ask this because sometimes you have to say NO to job if you think you cannot do it right. Know your limitations. Also watch out for cars that have had alot of bad work on them. Do you really want to fix someone elses botched job, and then be responsible for everything because you where the last one to work on it?
Watch out for alarm system and remote starter installs. I have had some nightmares where a previous installer from a national windshield chain just stuffed all the loose wires under the dash. I opened it and everything fell out! I had to spend 30 minutes just to fix the mess before I could start my install!
There are also lots of good websites that will provide info on how to take dashes apart etc. Scosche.com does have a pay site that lets you get all the info.
Take pictures and take notes while you are working. They will help with the next install.
Also take pictures of finished jobs. Make yourself a scrapbook to show customers your work!

One last thing: If installing other peoples equipment, try to test it out first in front of the customer. You do not want to spend time on installing a blown amp or sub, and then have the customer blame you for blowing it during install! Get youself equiped with the ability to test head units, amps, and speakers out of a car. Not full specs, but that they work and make the right sound!
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Old 09-04-2006, 09:50 PM
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Well i do have a big 1500 Square foot garage that im useing.I do have fire and all the rest of that stuff on the house.But thats something i didn't even think about with people saying they want work done and then saying they don't need it.

The plan was

1,sign a paper stateing what work will be done

2,pre check list of course

Im mostly just going to do HU and 4 and amp and sub sort of jobs

as the one shop in town is a joke and don't even do there own work sends it to someone else that i know of(no saying anything)

also try to sell you things you don't need


so i've gotten alot of jobs from word of month,the only thing is they still have to buy there mounting kits/harness'es from this place.


Yep just the normal stuff

i won't be doing alot of customs as i don't have all the tools for that and that room set up.

see i was told to become a dealer of any company you have to put up credit to get product.Like alpine whats 10K to become a dealer and want what you buy payed back in 30 days.

I haven't looked into the brands i want so im not to sure,also have to find some boards etc.


Do you own your own shop????
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