I am really tring to gain the knowledge of how to legally do professional installs on my own free time. I am currently studying the MECP basic installers guide, and am focusing on passing the test for certification. I just need to know what to do in order to possibly purchase wholesale products, and/or install components for a side job. I am sick and tired of the joke dealers in town jipping everyone that comes through their doors!
Replies (4)
Swez on 09/19/2003 05:16:10
Hummm, there's always room for a good installer on the block and your reasons may be very valid in some cases... but it does take money to run a shop full of well trained techs.
One thing to consider here... are you willing to take liability for damages on installs that get out of control? Most install shop have to be insured against losses from many things that are out of their control. They also have to pay wages, taxes and overhead costs to remain in business to make some degree of profit.
Agreed... some shops really do abuse their clients with price gouging prices. But if the market in the area can support the prices they charge... that becomes the going rate. The big picture issue as I see it... ARE WE GETTING QUALITY WORKMANSHIP when we go to some local shops VS chain store outlets?
All this to say... if you do elect to set up shop in your own garage, be sure you're covered by not only knowledge and the proper tools, but also the liability of unforseen complications or damages to your customers' vehicles. Crack a dash panel, damage a door, mess up a seat or God forbid, a fire etc. Cover yourself and your clients with some insurance against such potential losses. It's a smart thing to do for all parties.
All that aside, learn the best in business practices used in this techical field. Build a library of informational resources to help you track down stubborn issues like power management of larger amps, how to solve noise problems etc. Buy quality tools and diagnostics gear as you will need them on a regular basis.
Am sure ttocs has a few more comments as our resident installer Guru. Let's see what he and others have to say to help you get started.
Good luck and welcome to the forum,
Swez
PS You can becoem an authorized dealer for gear as well. The big issue here, many manufacturers will take you on, only if you commit to buying large quantities of their products. That can be very expensive and hard to manage as well. A old friend on this forum was successful at this for a period of time... be he told me that some of his suppliers required as much as $10,000 in purchased goods to become a bonified dealer. Some required less... but that was pretty steep for an entry level player as a dealer to obtain wholesale pricing and return goods opportunities.
wannabe_pro_installer on 09/22/2003 00:10:11
Well thanx Swez,
I knew about having insurance, as I did intstalls for a local dealer (who was the biggest joke in town, and I ended up quitting) here for 7 months. Also it would be me working for myself, not any other technicians. I have a pretty good knowledge about all the stuff in genrall. Although, my main idea was just doing part time installs that were very basic, mainly for my buddies and people I knew well, just trying to get my feet wet. Eventually when I get my business degree, I want to go big, but for now... AND the other thing is, not a single guy out of the only 2 shops in town IS CERTIFIED in anything! And they both advertise "professionally installed" what a joke!! I was just thinking of a way to get some extra cash doing something I love, in my spare time. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFO!! you guys will see me around here more often!!
P.S.
Any links that could help my plan would be appreciated! THNX
Swez on 09/22/2003 07:21:41
Good plan for a part time business and since you have already worked in a shop, you have a pretty good idea what is needed in terms of tools and such.
The term... "PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION" means nothing more than guys who get paid to do what they do. Does not mean they have a lot of skills and know how... just that they earn money doing same.
However, if they could say "EXPERT INSTALLER"... that means something altogether different. An Expert is just that... very well skilled in many areas of a given field. Shoot for that and you'll be able to finance your college costs and have customers coming out of the walls to do business with you.
Good luck man,
Swez
ttocs on 09/22/2003 11:43:37
I looked into that idea and made some calls myself. I had also thought about setting up an ebay store. There are only a few companies that will allow you to become a dealer, without a true store/shop. The companies that will let you, I didn't want to use. Mainly low end crap that you will have to service. I have alot of people that I work with that have asked me to do work for them. When I needed to find something, I looked at ebay. I was almost always able to get them the product, installed, for less then retail and keep a few bucks for my time and troubles.
Replies (4)
Swez on 09/19/2003 05:16:10
Hummm, there's always room for a good installer on the block and your reasons may be very valid in some cases... but it does take money to run a shop full of well trained techs.
One thing to consider here... are you willing to take liability for damages on installs that get out of control? Most install shop have to be insured against losses from many things that are out of their control. They also have to pay wages, taxes and overhead costs to remain in business to make some degree of profit.
Agreed... some shops really do abuse their clients with price gouging prices. But if the market in the area can support the prices they charge... that becomes the going rate. The big picture issue as I see it... ARE WE GETTING QUALITY WORKMANSHIP when we go to some local shops VS chain store outlets?
All this to say... if you do elect to set up shop in your own garage, be sure you're covered by not only knowledge and the proper tools, but also the liability of unforseen complications or damages to your customers' vehicles. Crack a dash panel, damage a door, mess up a seat or God forbid, a fire etc. Cover yourself and your clients with some insurance against such potential losses. It's a smart thing to do for all parties.
All that aside, learn the best in business practices used in this techical field. Build a library of informational resources to help you track down stubborn issues like power management of larger amps, how to solve noise problems etc. Buy quality tools and diagnostics gear as you will need them on a regular basis.
Am sure ttocs has a few more comments as our resident installer Guru. Let's see what he and others have to say to help you get started.
Good luck and welcome to the forum,
Swez
PS You can becoem an authorized dealer for gear as well. The big issue here, many manufacturers will take you on, only if you commit to buying large quantities of their products. That can be very expensive and hard to manage as well. A old friend on this forum was successful at this for a period of time... be he told me that some of his suppliers required as much as $10,000 in purchased goods to become a bonified dealer. Some required less... but that was pretty steep for an entry level player as a dealer to obtain wholesale pricing and return goods opportunities.
wannabe_pro_installer on 09/22/2003 00:10:11
Well thanx Swez,
I knew about having insurance, as I did intstalls for a local dealer (who was the biggest joke in town, and I ended up quitting) here for 7 months. Also it would be me working for myself, not any other technicians. I have a pretty good knowledge about all the stuff in genrall. Although, my main idea was just doing part time installs that were very basic, mainly for my buddies and people I knew well, just trying to get my feet wet. Eventually when I get my business degree, I want to go big, but for now... AND the other thing is, not a single guy out of the only 2 shops in town IS CERTIFIED in anything! And they both advertise "professionally installed" what a joke!! I was just thinking of a way to get some extra cash doing something I love, in my spare time. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFO!! you guys will see me around here more often!!
P.S.
Any links that could help my plan would be appreciated! THNX
Swez on 09/22/2003 07:21:41
Good plan for a part time business and since you have already worked in a shop, you have a pretty good idea what is needed in terms of tools and such.
The term... "PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION" means nothing more than guys who get paid to do what they do. Does not mean they have a lot of skills and know how... just that they earn money doing same.
However, if they could say "EXPERT INSTALLER"... that means something altogether different. An Expert is just that... very well skilled in many areas of a given field. Shoot for that and you'll be able to finance your college costs and have customers coming out of the walls to do business with you.
Good luck man,
Swez
ttocs on 09/22/2003 11:43:37
I looked into that idea and made some calls myself. I had also thought about setting up an ebay store. There are only a few companies that will allow you to become a dealer, without a true store/shop. The companies that will let you, I didn't want to use. Mainly low end crap that you will have to service. I have alot of people that I work with that have asked me to do work for them. When I needed to find something, I looked at ebay. I was almost always able to get them the product, installed, for less then retail and keep a few bucks for my time and troubles.
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