veeman

iTrader: (3)

I hope someone will do a crutchfield set up. I like the idea, as I have had bad luck with all but a few retailers. I also do all my own installations and have never received advice or help from a retailer. All my car audio knowledge is either by trial and error, research(books, magazines), complimentary education(electronics, mechanics), websites in Canada and the U.S.,and specifically Crutchfield way back in the day when they used to sell to Canada and send their install booklets for free. Good luck, I would love to have the variety, convenience, and low prices that are available in the U.S.

[ January 19, 2006, 07:00 PM: Message edited by: veeman ]

Prolifik

iTrader: (7)

buy online!! save as much money as u can!!

Drew

iTrader: (1)

What's with the new name?

JohnVroom

^ hes been busy being a dicktator today so it kind of fits

TomK

I don't think the higher end of the industry is into whoring out their gear. The consumer in that bracket, generally speaking, can usually afford the gear (be it inflated or not) and likes the customer service and attention from a higher end dealer.

Mpuopolo

I understand that gettin the suppliers on my side is a key to making this successful, and as far as the argument that people would prefer the service for the premium, I beg to differ. I agree with what someone told me that the european way of thinking is quality overshadows price. But in North America, I think its the mentality that you want to get the most for the least, regardless of economic status. The rich get rich not by overpaying for things, but by shortchanging and penny pinching. [img]smile.gif[/img]

veeman

iTrader: (3)

^^I think wal mart, cosco, sam's club, best buy, future shop etc... replacing Eaton's, Simpson's, many small boutique shops, and sooner or later the bay, says volumes as to what people want...cheap!!!!

A-Rok

I don't necessarily agree.

There are quite a few of us left still who don't cruise on down to Walmart every wednesday night, welfare cheque in hand, ready to buy the most of the cheapest **** we can.

A lot is still to be said for service and warranty on the spot. Online is becoming more of a hassle than it is worth, and a lot of people really do not want to deal with that.

I don't care how cheap someone got their Sirius/XM radio for... when they drive down the street with the antenna wire hanging out the window, I'm oretty everyone agrees they are a tool. Car audio has and always will be a service industry.

Although I'm sure it is possible to have a nice little online shop... you have to move a lot of volume to make up for the minimal margin. Good luck!

veeman

iTrader: (3)

^^I agree that their will always be a need for small specialty stores, and the market is diverse enough to allow both types to exist...just not in same quantities as we have been use to. I personally like the idea of having both types available to serve me, the consumer, better. I shop about 50/50 online and locally, what I like is the choice to buy from whom I choose based on my experiences. As I have stated many times before, I have not received good service overall from the car audio stores I have dealt with over the last 20 years and as a rule I do not support poor service. Those that have given the service I expect have been rewarded with a good customer that purchases regularly and s their good name to others. There's no reason why both can't exist, the good stores will thrive, the poor ones will fall...that's a good thing!

[ January 19, 2006, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: veeman ]

Mpuopolo

thanks guys, there has been some good feedback so far, keep it comin