Would it be better to by all your own stuff and just pay someone to install it?, Im asking this question because I can get this stuff for a cheaper price than what an inataller is asking for it.

 

Depends what you're looking to have done. Most audio stuff is fairly simple, but sometimes could be tedious (i.e running wires). If you're not familiar with what you're looking to do, bring it to a professional and save yourself the frustration if you have troubles

 

thats what im doin...ebay is saving me a couple hundred on electronics, then im goin to a local shop for install

 

A lot of shops will only install what they sell. That or they charge like $100 an hour to do it. Of course you can get stuff cheaper online...there's no overhead. Also, alot of time you don't get a warranty.
Most good audio manufacturers don't allow a lot of online retailers because thay can charge so little that it drives customers away from audio shops.

Just a little food for thought. :-)

P.S.- check if that shops prices inculde install. Every shop I went to had the same HU for approx. the same price installed.

 

Yes, I'm sure you can buy elswhere & take it to shop to install.
But since the shop is not making any bucks on the equipment, I would expect the shop to charge a higher installation fee.

My mechanical ability is limited to writting checks so I was happy to buy from a good shop & have them install.

 

Just pay a little bit more...you will be very happy with the results and the service you get. When you go to a nice place that cares about their work you will get your monies worth.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Brickyard Rat
[B]Yes, I'm sure you can buy elswhere & take it to shop to install.
But since the shop is not making any bucks on the equipment

I beg to differ in this point, I saw a shop charge $380.00 for an alarm install and the I saw the same alarm on the internet for $150.00, what do you think of this?

 

Easiest way to get a good price is to have an idea of what all you want done. Then you can go to a few reputiable places and get estimates for the whole package. If your dealing with specific brands most shops know which other shops in the area sell that brand and will want your business over the other guy.

The prices you find online are pretty close to the shops invoice price so you know about how much the parts cost them and then you can tell if they are taking you to the cleaners on the install or not.

The only other alternative is to take it to place that has the same price if you got it there or not like Best Buy or Circuit City. Which is actually not that bad of an option if your just doing something simple like alarm and HU. Just make sure you buy all the kits you will need before you go to Best Buy b/c they will rip you off on those.

 

edit - nm amex stopped accepting internet ads for the price match