How to Choose a Car Stereo Dealer

In choosing a car stereo dealer, you want to make sure the shop offers not only quality products, but also the skills and expertise needed to install stereos. If you know the right questions, this can be an easy task.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yellow Pages
• Car Stereo
• Stereo Magazines

1. Check the yellow pages and select shops that carry brands you're familiar with.

2. Call the shops and ask if the shop is an authorized dealer of products from major manufacturers. Inquire as to how long it has been in business and how many years of experience its installers have.

3. Visit the most promising shops.

4. Look to see if there are any plaques from manufacturers on the walls; awards; trophies won at sound-off contests; or displays of magazine or newspaper articles published about the store.

5. Ask the salesperson to show you the shop's photo album. A good shop will have an album that showcases its work. Ask the salesperson to explain installation techniques exhibited by the photos.

6. Inspect the shop's sound room. A good shop has a sound room to demonstrate the products.

7. Ask to see demonstration vehicles. Hearing products perform in a sound room is good, but it's even better to hear them in a car. It also lets you inspect the shop's installation techniques.

8. Ask if the shop has a woodworking room. Wood is used to construct subwoofer enclosures. If the shop has a woodworking room, it's a good sign that the shop is precise in its work.

9. Ask if the installers have experience working with upholstery. A good shop has installers who are well-skilled in using upholstery to trim their installations to make them look stock.

10. Ask if the shop uses computer software to design and install the sound systems. A good shop will have state-of-the-art software that helps the staff do their job.

11. Talk to the salesperson and try to determine if he or she has experience designing sound systems. In many of the good shops, the salespeople also have installation experience.

12. Inspect the installation area. Is it clean? A dirty, unorganized installation bay is a sure sign that the installer may not take good care of your vehicle when he or she is working on it.

13. Watch installers do their work. Are they careful when they take door or dash panels off the car?

14. Ask an installer how he or she would install your system.

15. Ask the salesperson what the shop's policy is on after-sale concerns. Ask about labor guarantees and how the shop works out manufacturers' warranties.

16. Choose the shop that most impresses you.

Tips & Warnings

• Are the salespeople willing to talk to you? If so, then they're probably willing to take the time to make things right.

[GregBRockin]

on 11/3/2008 We have a local shop that I have used for 22 years. We are in Largo,fl. and they meet all car/home/marine/commercial needs. Audio and or video I refer Archer's to everyone and they meet there repair sales and installation/design needs. Only one bad experience and they dealt with it exceptionally well. Which is why I am writing this. Sometimes how a place deals with as problem shows their quality service. And, the problem was not even their fault. Archer's ROCKS the Tampa Bay Area. Call them yourself @ 727-530-5221. I refer everyone there.

[teachtopia]

on 2/16/2008 I think it is also important to include electronic directories to this article. One such (of many) is http://carstereodealer.com . The yellow pages are great, but don't have the connection to google maps etc..

on 12/28/2005 There are many forums available online that will give you a consumers edge when speaking to a car audio shop. I run a custom shop where we specialize in everything from car audio to body and engine modifications. I have seen quite a few people spend too much money on a system that is comprised of outdated and/or poor quality components. Here are a few things to ask the sales person, if they are unsure of any of the following questions do not hesitate to find another shop.

1- What are the RMS and Peak Wattage? When purchasing powered speakers including subwoofers it is important that the amp used is putting out power consistent with what the speaker/subwoofer manufacturer recommend.

2- What brand do you recommend? This is where you can find a lot of problems, many shops will try to sell subwoofers and amps that do not have a long life expectancy, many of these components are made for short term use (loud but will not be for long). Here is a short list of trustworthy brands: Kicker, MTX, Jensen, Alphasonik, Powerbass, MA Audio, JVC, try to stay away from Pyramid, Bolt, and low-end Sony.

Lastly, make sure you trust their work, go to a couple car shows or ask anyone you see with a hooked up car, as crazy as we seem most car fanatics are really good people.