I don't think most people realize the overhead that a car audio shop has. People get some work done and may pay over $50 bucks and hour for that work. $50 bucks an hour may sound like a lot but it really isn't when you consider rent, utilities, and salaries. When I worked for a small shop we had three installers working fairly steady and I think the owner still had to live on Kraft Dinner. The retail electronics biz is really competitive, the only reason the big box stores are making good cash is they are moving sh*t loads of product out the door. The small shops don't do that volume so they need to make good money on their installs or else they can't make it. I do all my own installs but if I didn't I would expect to pay top dollar for a proffesional to do it.

 

You get what you pay for.
Sometimes, you DO get less than what you pay for, but if you have been happy with their work so far, and they do quality work and don't cut corners, then I would say the extra $100 is well worth it in the long run. Try paying cash, maybe you can get some tax knocked off (thats popular here in ON, as tax is 15%).
I have paid top-dollar, and bottom-dollar, and been quite satisfied with both. The only time I ever had a bad experience, was with someone who had a rep for wworking only on 'exotic' cars, just FYI.

If a shop is doing right by you, and it costs you a couple hours pay more, live with it and be happy that it is done to your satisfaction...
Overpaying may **** us off for a little while but we'll be happy with the job and not kick our own *** later, but if you underpay and something goes wrong and you arent happy, you'll end up taking it back to the place so often that the extra 100 will look like a gift in hindsight.

/rant mode/off/

 

I dunno...guess i'm a lil chapped because they've turned out to be the most expensive place in town. And the above $750 was for an automatic before door locks and trunk release and any options....any of those were $50 a piece.

Second place is $650 installed an options $35/piece i think. And third place was $550 installed with locks n things!

 

Where did you goto before?

X

[ April 09, 2004, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: Xiph0id ]

 

The place that has had all of my business prior to the last couple of days has been Signature Audio, on 118th ave and about 157th st or so. I've been happy with their service all along other than i always thought it was a lil pricey.

We'll see if i can be fairly happy for less money though heh!

 

^ Isnt being happy with a shop a definative reason to use a particular shop over any other? I mean how hany times can you say you are happy with your vendors, what is the price of a good job done well?

 

I dunno....i've haven't given any other shops a chance quite yet....

But if i can get equally greate service from 2 different shops...i'm going with the cheaper one!

[ April 09, 2004, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: Hardcore Rock Superstar ]

 

Have you had an problem with Signature besides this $$ issue? All shop's have an + or -. Have an polite heart to heart with them [img]graemlins/dunno.gif[/img] I have been known to change my mind in the past if some 1 tells me why. No B.S. now lay it on the table. I've seen there work and would use them if I had the chance or funds. I do most myself because of the cost. But my labor is free and comes with many pissed of days when something goes wrong! Like I said + or - what that worth to you?

 

No i've never had any problems with them at all and i do think they're an awesome business. Their service has always been awesome - I'm just gonna research other places, see who else has aweomse service

"I do most myself because of the cost. But my labor is free and comes with many pissed of days when something goes wrong!"

LOL that sounds kinda like me...and i don't even do that that much of my own work do the basic install stuff amps decks stereos...but don't have the tools to do any building or cutting unfortunately (and lack knowledge to do alarms or similar)

 

You stated that you've established a relationship with the shop through bringing them business over a period of time.
If this issue is seriously going to make you take your business elsewhere, you could try just being totally up front with the guys at the shop in question.
Just be frank, tell them you are happy with everything, but you need them to see if they can do anything about the cost, because you can't justify paying a premium,and maybe there MIGHT be a little room for haggling, considering there is no rush, etc etc.
Most reasonable shop-keepers will understand, and maybe even accomodate you. They might get a little chapped, but business is business, they must know they have to compete, etc. Dont be rude or confrontational, act as they would be doing you a favour, as they would be, and you'd appreciate it greatly.

Just straight up 'I'd really like to get this and that done, but I dont know if my budget can fit it, is there ANYTHING you guys can do about the pcrice, for me? I've been really happy with everything you guys have helped me with, before, but I dont know if I can afford THAT much right now, you know?'
Also, I find this works with my mechanic a lot, lol, just give them the old 'no worries, there is no rush' line. Be patient, and in the end it will work out, because generally, a seller/contractor (which is essentialy what installers/owners are) knows when he is 'draggin his feet' on a job, and a good one will cut the customer some slack considering his delay, justified or not.

Hopefully, they'll be good guys, and hook you up. As long as you are concientious and polite, they should act the same way in return. Most shops will wiggle a little, if they 'like' how you come across. Flattery will get you everywhere, and I know if I owned a shop, I'd certainly be willing to work around a budget with a polite, honest guy than a argumentative confrontational guy that gave me the old 'I can get this for less here, you charge too much for that, etc'

Good Luck!