PICS ADDED : Random Rant about the stupidity of Car Audio Shops...

TXwrxWagon · 08-07-2012, 03:19 PM

HOW can any car audio shop worth their creditably above Best Buy status, NOT carry installation materials and SELL them to DIY's?

I need a simple piece of 1/4" or 3/16" ABS plastic 10" x 10".. willing to pay fair price. "oh we don't sell installation materials"... "I don't stock that I order it as I need it".... " You want WHAT? What's ABS? those are brakes aren't they"... No kidding... no BS... This is the responses I get...

Next they won't sell wire-by-the-foot at highway robbery prices any more? Who is running these companies? OH! I know the same DA's who complain about the "internet & eBay are stealing their business..." NO JA's... you're LETTING them TAKE your business because your to stupid to see that guys like me, who have been installing for 27+ years won't come to you for anything BUT those things and when I NEED it TODAY I will pay for it.

STUPID STUPID STUPID....

End Rant...

Rob

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Mike 01Hawk · 08-07-2012, 04:14 PM

Can't you source ABS @ a big box home improvement store? Hobby Lobby?

Wire @ big box home improvement store, or radio shack / wally world as a last resort?

TXwrxWagon · 08-07-2012, 05:16 PM

Wally world, NOPE. Rat Shack... you're joking right? Hobby Lobby, hobbytown USA, etc all 1/8" max or thinner, won't hold up to engine heat. Home Depot & Lowes all I could find was ABS type bathroom stuff & it too is 1/8" or less.

I can get it on ebay in a day or 2, but I'm elbows deep and really needed it today. I know that 3 different shops use what I need. Hell I used to manage one of them 7 years ago, I know they have a scrap bin. Waiting for a ride to take me over and see if I can sweet talk my old place into letting me dig... gonna cost me though..

But that's my point... Why not sell the scraps in the box as needed for $1-$5 under misc install parts. Used to do it all the time when someone needed a speaker ring, an odd piece of wire, or random passive crossover. Its just the changing of the tide. Younger members of the industry don't see the Profit/Loss side of the equation. They see SALE $$ = commission... a $9 scrap gets them 90 cents...

Rob

Mike 01Hawk · 08-07-2012, 06:22 PM

Sam's Club sells HDPE cutting boards for $10 (15x20x1/2 inch)

But then again I don't know why you need it. Also you didn't mention gauge thickness on the wire.

Seems like you should have just joked with the install shop. "How bout I just throw you a $20 and you look the other way for 20 seconds while I go thru your trash".

<shrug>

Mike 01Hawk · 08-07-2012, 06:24 PM

How's the install coming along BTW?

TXwrxWagon · 08-07-2012, 07:54 PM

Install: Long and slow... Just relocated back to St. Louis to help start a new business. so time is minimal between working and getting back to the Wife & kids in Dallas till end of next school year... But I am documenting everything and will start a build log soon once the temps drop enough to actually work some more..

ABS/HDPE... I thought about that.. I know Shop-N-Cave and Schmucks have boards too about the same price... I just know painting HDPE is nearly impossible, so under the hood is an issue...

rob

TXwrxWagon · 08-07-2012, 07:57 PM

I have custom 1" HDPE spacers for front and rear in my wagon. Planing on full 5.1... as fully active as I can with the Alpine H701 processor.. Bought a 36" x 24" piece of HDPE from a PLastics co. in Dallas. have lots left over but it being 1" thick (.978" nominal) you have to be able to actually machine it. I got hooked up with a guy on here who's Father-in-law has a computer controlled router set up. He was able to spec the AI spacers I had and then basically CNC-router custom spacers for me... They are amazing pieces.

Rob

Cheveyboy · 08-07-2012, 08:48 PM

Hah, I was in need of 10-12 gauge speaker cable, localy. Yea right, nothing usable at HD or Lowes, nothing **** Shack or two of the local Best Buys. (I never knew Best Buys build there stores to a target audience untill I needed car audio supplies)

Went to a local installer, Freemans Car Audio. Asked the dude behind the desk for about 8-10 feet of it. His response, I dont know if we have any wire? WHAT? I say. He says he will go take a look. Meanwhile right behind him are interconects, and all sorts of other wire products. He comes out with 3 feet of some used 14 gauge **** that looks like I would wire up a house lamp with. I said nevermind you must not be in the car audio buisness like the sign says.

So out of desperation and last resort I stopped by a Autozone, they have 10 feet or so of precut 10 gauge. Thank f'ing god.

tru scoob · 08-07-2012, 09:23 PM

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.....eeeuuurrraaahhh
Carry on Soldier!...

kass145 · 08-08-2012, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXwrxWagon

I have custom 1" HDPE spacers for front and rear in my wagon. Planing on full 5.1... as fully active as I can with the Alpine H701 processor.. Bought a 36" x 24" piece of HDPE from a PLastics co. in Dallas. have lots left over but it being 1" thick (.978" nominal) you have to be able to actually machine it. I got hooked up with a guy on here who's Father-in-law has a computer controlled router set up. He was able to spec the AI spacers I had and then basically CNC-router custom spacers for me... They are amazing pieces.

Rob

just my thoughts but having a "full 5.1" in a car

good luck with the install tho looking forward to pix

gunz4me · 08-08-2012, 12:22 AM

I learned my lesson the last time I went by a local shop to get four 4 gauge crimp on terminal spades. The shop wanted $8 each, so I ended up ordering them online and putting my install off another week.

TXwrxWagon · 08-08-2012, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tru scoob

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.....eeeuuurrraaahhh
Carry on Soldier!...

guilty.... I cut first and didn't measure twice.... Totally guilty ... but still.. ABS is a fabricators' #1 material...

Rob

TXwrxWagon · 08-08-2012, 01:33 AM

oh do NOT get me started on wire and ring terminals... www.darvex.com or bagboy on ebay.... Trail is the same guy... YES his name is Trail.. I don't know, after 25+ years in car audio how people live with the idea of 500% mark up... Darvex.com will work with you on the entire order.

Rob

Neltech · 08-08-2012, 02:27 AM

I run a shop here in minnesota, we've got sheets upon sheets of abs, usually sell em for $5. kids come in all the time looking for a small ring terminals or forks or small fuses and I usually just hand them out. oh, and it best buy

Pinned · 08-09-2012, 10:53 AM

I tried to support my local audio shop a few times, but they do their best to force away any customer that doesn't want whatever they recommend/have them install it. I'm not an expert by any means, but I'm not paying hundreds to have them wire up my stereo.

I called the other night to see if they had a DEH-80PRS in stock, first of all the guy had no idea what I was talking about, then told me they don't stock that type of head unit. Great. Audio shop doesn't stock any of the decent SQ units that Pioneer makes right now...how can anyone stay in business stocking only low end units at high end prices?

Aaron'z 2.5RS · 08-09-2012, 12:36 PM

I'm late to the party I know, but if you look in the kitchen areas in the big stores, different sized cutting boards are all the rage...

AFA shops not having "bits n pieces" shops don't do custom work anymore... I just applied for a local install job... Drove the Subie down there, showed the owner, handed over a Resume....

The guy's like "I mostly need remote start/alarm installs, while I do the audio stuff"

He hadden't seen a custom install like mine in 15yrs...

If it's not hanging on the wall, most shops don't have a clue as to what you are talking about...

It's just how DIY has gotten so big and why thos custom installs people pay for are soooo dambed expensive...

Cheveyboy · 08-09-2012, 06:12 PM

I blame it on the iPod mp3 age.

Fidelity is gone.

No more need for a stereo that sounds better then an average alarm clock.

Mike 01Hawk · 08-09-2012, 09:37 PM

Uhhhh or maybe the fact that factory stereos are light years better than they were from the 80s/90s

Cheveyboy · 08-09-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike 01Hawk

Uhhhh or maybe the fact that factory stereos are light years better than they were from the 80s/90s

I must not have been that lucky, because my 09 sounds 10 times worse then my 96 Dodge Ram that I had when new.

But kidding aside, yea your right.

SPIRK · 08-09-2012, 10:16 PM

I was at a shop today asking about getting a custom job done in a hatchback spare tire well. First quote was fair. Then I told him it was a 2013 STi hatchback and the quote doubled. So if I had a base model impreza (exact same tire well) I can get it done cheap. But it's the top of the line model so I'm required to pay more. What?

TXwrxWagon · 08-10-2012, 12:13 PM

of course.... just like buying parts in general: STi = 5x the "value" of the part.

I realize that, for the most part, the "ART" of a custom install falls to guys like Bing and few select professionals scattered across the US. There is one custom shop near where I'm living in St. Louis and he was very knowledgable, but was out and only orders what he needs per-job and a 36" x 24" 1/4" sheet was 10 times what I needed and $50 and a few days to get. that was the closest I got.

As for 5.1 in the car.. well that's what the Alpine PXA-H701 is for. I've got all the support stuff, had the entire set up in my 2002 Harley F150 for about 2 years and most that listened were blown away.

There were (3) of the MRV-F407 4 channel amps, the MRV-T752, and a MRV-T1507, some are not pictured. speakers: SPX-F17 3-way set (x2), SPX-F15 2-way set (x2), SPX-F13 center channel (x1), Alpine SWX-D1242 12" Sub

heavily modified Kicks, you can also see the 3/16" aluminum plate for the 6.5" midbass in the door.

3/16" aluminum plate for center channel:

center channel finished in perforated leather seat insert material, also on the amp rack:

By txwrxwagon at 2012-08-10

front of bed amp rack, interior of rack lighted and finished in seat insert materials:

sub box made to look like factory rear console, used factory flamed lid and cup holder inserts

Rob

Mike 01Hawk · 08-10-2012, 01:02 PM

Nothing like deafening your toddler in style

TXwrxWagon · 08-10-2012, 03:01 PM

Simpson Racing Car Seat!!! FTMFW! X2.. still have them, even though the kids are both too big for them... I had custom matching covers made with the Harley F150 Logo's...

sold them when I sold the truck. Still have the Simpson covers...

Rob

tru scoob · 08-10-2012, 06:37 PM

Trucks are so hard to make sound good... I'm sure the center channel made up for much of the far left stage. even with a 701.
a friend of mine is going all F1 except for the amps. dying to hear the scan speak copies with the TRU TECH amps

Nice job BTW !!
ps: I need your ruxc701 NOW!

speakerpimp · 08-10-2012, 07:33 PM

Josh at JML Audio should be able to help you with custom supplies in St. Louis.

08-10-2012, 06:37 PM	#24
tru scoob Scooby Newbie Member#: 309011 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: dokodbay Vehicle: 2012 wrx swp	Trucks are so hard to make sound good... I'm sure the center channel made up for much of the far left stage. even with a 701. a friend of mine is going all F1 except for the amps. dying to hear the scan speak copies with the TRU TECH amps Nice job BTW !! ps: I need your ruxc701 NOW! Last edited by tru scoob; 08-10-2012 at 06:47 PM. Reason: missed pic

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08-07-2012, 03:19 PM	#1
TXwrxWagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 191557 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Rockwall-East DFW Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon WRB not so minty fresh	PICS ADDED : Random Rant about the stupidity of Car Audio Shops... HOW can any car audio shop worth their creditably above Best Buy status, NOT carry installation materials and SELL them to DIY's? I need a simple piece of 1/4" or 3/16" ABS plastic 10" x 10".. willing to pay fair price. "oh we don't sell installation materials"... "I don't stock that I order it as I need it".... " You want WHAT? What's ABS? those are brakes aren't they"... No kidding... no BS... This is the responses I get... Next they won't sell wire-by-the-foot at highway robbery prices any more? Who is running these companies? OH! I know the same DA's who complain about the "internet & eBay are stealing their business..." NO JA's... you're LETTING them TAKE your business because your to stupid to see that guys like me, who have been installing for 27+ years won't come to you for anything BUT those things and when I NEED it TODAY I will pay for it. STUPID STUPID STUPID.... End Rant... Rob * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by TXwrxWagon; 08-10-2012 at 12:18 PM.

08-07-2012, 04:14 PM	#2
Mike 01Hawk Scooby Specialist Member#: 219162 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan Base Silver	Can't you source ABS @ a big box home improvement store? Hobby Lobby? Wire @ big box home improvement store, or radio shack / wally world as a last resort?

08-07-2012, 05:16 PM	#3
TXwrxWagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 191557 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Rockwall-East DFW Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon WRB not so minty fresh	Wally world, NOPE. Rat Shack... you're joking right? Hobby Lobby, hobbytown USA, etc all 1/8" max or thinner, won't hold up to engine heat. Home Depot & Lowes all I could find was ABS type bathroom stuff & it too is 1/8" or less. I can get it on ebay in a day or 2, but I'm elbows deep and really needed it today. I know that 3 different shops use what I need. Hell I used to manage one of them 7 years ago, I know they have a scrap bin. Waiting for a ride to take me over and see if I can sweet talk my old place into letting me dig... gonna cost me though.. But that's my point... Why not sell the scraps in the box as needed for $1-$5 under misc install parts. Used to do it all the time when someone needed a speaker ring, an odd piece of wire, or random passive crossover. Its just the changing of the tide. Younger members of the industry don't see the Profit/Loss side of the equation. They see SALE $$ = commission... a $9 scrap gets them 90 cents... Rob

08-07-2012, 06:22 PM	#4
Mike 01Hawk Scooby Specialist Member#: 219162 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan Base Silver	Sam's Club sells HDPE cutting boards for $10 (15x20x1/2 inch) But then again I don't know why you need it. Also you didn't mention gauge thickness on the wire. Seems like you should have just joked with the install shop. "How bout I just throw you a $20 and you look the other way for 20 seconds while I go thru your trash". <shrug>

08-07-2012, 06:24 PM	#5
Mike 01Hawk Scooby Specialist Member#: 219162 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan Base Silver	How's the install coming along BTW?

08-07-2012, 07:54 PM	#6
TXwrxWagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 191557 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Rockwall-East DFW Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon WRB not so minty fresh	Install: Long and slow... Just relocated back to St. Louis to help start a new business. so time is minimal between working and getting back to the Wife & kids in Dallas till end of next school year... But I am documenting everything and will start a build log soon once the temps drop enough to actually work some more.. ABS/HDPE... I thought about that.. I know Shop-N-Cave and Schmucks have boards too about the same price... I just know painting HDPE is nearly impossible, so under the hood is an issue... rob

08-07-2012, 07:57 PM	#7
TXwrxWagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 191557 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Rockwall-East DFW Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon WRB not so minty fresh	I have custom 1" HDPE spacers for front and rear in my wagon. Planing on full 5.1... as fully active as I can with the Alpine H701 processor.. Bought a 36" x 24" piece of HDPE from a PLastics co. in Dallas. have lots left over but it being 1" thick (.978" nominal) you have to be able to actually machine it. I got hooked up with a guy on here who's Father-in-law has a computer controlled router set up. He was able to spec the AI spacers I had and then basically CNC-router custom spacers for me... They are amazing pieces. Rob

08-07-2012, 08:48 PM	#8
Cheveyboy Scooby Specialist Member#: 34773 Join Date: Apr 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Charlotte NC Vehicle: 2009 WRX WRB	Hah, I was in need of 10-12 gauge speaker cable, localy. Yea right, nothing usable at HD or Lowes, nothing ** Shack or two of the local Best Buys. (I never knew Best Buys build there stores to a target audience untill I needed car audio supplies) Went to a local installer, Freemans Car Audio. Asked the dude behind the desk for about 8-10 feet of it. His response, I dont know if we have any wire? WHAT? I say. He says he will go take a look. Meanwhile right behind him are interconects, and all sorts of other wire products. He comes out with 3 feet of some used 14 gauge ** that looks like I would wire up a house lamp with. I said nevermind you must not be in the car audio buisness like the sign says. So out of desperation and last resort I stopped by a Autozone, they have 10 feet or so of precut 10 gauge. Thank f'ing god.

08-07-2012, 09:23 PM	#9
tru scoob Scooby Newbie Member#: 309011 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: dokodbay Vehicle: 2012 wrx swp	Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.....eeeuuurrraaahhh Carry on Soldier!...

08-08-2012, 12:22 AM	#11
gunz4me Scooby Newbie Member#: 305130 Join Date: Dec 2011 Chapter/Region: South East Location: LFT Vehicle: 2012 WRX Satin White Pearl	I learned my lesson the last time I went by a local shop to get four 4 gauge crimp on terminal spades. The shop wanted $8 each, so I ended up ordering them online and putting my install off another week.

08-08-2012, 01:33 AM	#13
TXwrxWagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 191557 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Rockwall-East DFW Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon WRB not so minty fresh	oh do NOT get me started on wire and ring terminals... www.darvex.com or bagboy on ebay.... Trail is the same guy... YES his name is Trail.. I don't know, after 25+ years in car audio how people live with the idea of 500% mark up... Darvex.com will work with you on the entire order. Rob

08-08-2012, 02:27 AM	#14
Neltech Scooby Newbie Member#: 328435 Join Date: Aug 2012	I run a shop here in minnesota, we've got sheets upon sheets of abs, usually sell em for $5. kids come in all the time looking for a small ring terminals or forks or small fuses and I usually just hand them out. oh, and it best buy

08-09-2012, 10:53 AM	#15
Pinned NASIOC Supporter Member#: 152707 Join Date: Jun 2007 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Western MA Vehicle: 2000 Impreza BRP	I tried to support my local audio shop a few times, but they do their best to force away any customer that doesn't want whatever they recommend/have them install it. I'm not an expert by any means, but I'm not paying hundreds to have them wire up my stereo. I called the other night to see if they had a DEH-80PRS in stock, first of all the guy had no idea what I was talking about, then told me they don't stock that type of head unit. Great. Audio shop doesn't stock any of the decent SQ units that Pioneer makes right now...how can anyone stay in business stocking only low end units at high end prices?

08-09-2012, 12:36 PM	#16
Aaron'z 2.5RS Scooby Guru Member#: 1026 Join Date: Mar 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Hickigan Vehicle: '00 RS/WRX Stg5 '98 RS Stock	I'm late to the party I know, but if you look in the kitchen areas in the big stores, different sized cutting boards are all the rage... AFA shops not having "bits n pieces" shops don't do custom work anymore... I just applied for a local install job... Drove the Subie down there, showed the owner, handed over a Resume.... The guy's like "I mostly need remote start/alarm installs, while I do the audio stuff" He hadden't seen a custom install like mine in 15yrs... If it's not hanging on the wall, most shops don't have a clue as to what you are talking about... It's just how DIY has gotten so big and why thos custom installs people pay for are soooo dambed expensive...

08-09-2012, 06:12 PM	#17
Cheveyboy Scooby Specialist Member#: 34773 Join Date: Apr 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Charlotte NC Vehicle: 2009 WRX WRB	I blame it on the iPod mp3 age. Fidelity is gone. No more need for a stereo that sounds better then an average alarm clock.

08-09-2012, 09:37 PM	#18
Mike 01Hawk Scooby Specialist Member#: 219162 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan Base Silver	Uhhhh or maybe the fact that factory stereos are light years better than they were from the 80s/90s

08-09-2012, 10:16 PM	#20
SPIRK Scooby Newbie Member#: 251707 Join Date: Jul 2010 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Springs Vehicle: 2011 WRX 4d Wingless WRB	I was at a shop today asking about getting a custom job done in a hatchback spare tire well. First quote was fair. Then I told him it was a 2013 STi hatchback and the quote doubled. So if I had a base model impreza (exact same tire well) I can get it done cheap. But it's the top of the line model so I'm required to pay more. What?

08-10-2012, 12:13 PM	#21
TXwrxWagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 191557 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Rockwall-East DFW Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon WRB not so minty fresh	of course.... just like buying parts in general: STi = 5x the "value" of the part. I realize that, for the most part, the "ART" of a custom install falls to guys like Bing and few select professionals scattered across the US. There is one custom shop near where I'm living in St. Louis and he was very knowledgable, but was out and only orders what he needs per-job and a 36" x 24" 1/4" sheet was 10 times what I needed and $50 and a few days to get. that was the closest I got. As for 5.1 in the car.. well that's what the Alpine PXA-H701 is for. I've got all the support stuff, had the entire set up in my 2002 Harley F150 for about 2 years and most that listened were blown away. There were (3) of the MRV-F407 4 channel amps, the MRV-T752, and a MRV-T1507, some are not pictured. speakers: SPX-F17 3-way set (x2), SPX-F15 2-way set (x2), SPX-F13 center channel (x1), Alpine SWX-D1242 12" Sub heavily modified Kicks, you can also see the 3/16" aluminum plate for the 6.5" midbass in the door. 3/16" aluminum plate for center channel: center channel finished in perforated leather seat insert material, also on the amp rack: By txwrxwagon at 2012-08-10 front of bed amp rack, interior of rack lighted and finished in seat insert materials: sub box made to look like factory rear console, used factory flamed lid and cup holder inserts Rob

08-10-2012, 01:02 PM	#22
Mike 01Hawk Scooby Specialist Member#: 219162 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tulsa Vehicle: 2011 WRX Sedan Base Silver	Nothing like deafening your toddler in style

08-10-2012, 03:01 PM	#23
TXwrxWagon Scooby Specialist Member#: 191557 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Rockwall-East DFW Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon WRB not so minty fresh	Simpson Racing Car Seat!!! FTMFW! X2.. still have them, even though the kids are both too big for them... I had custom matching covers made with the Harley F150 Logo's... sold them when I sold the truck. Still have the Simpson covers... Rob

08-10-2012, 07:33 PM	#25
speakerpimp Scooby Newbie Member#: 241673 Join Date: Mar 2010 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Houston Vehicle: 2011 WRX Spark Silver	Josh at JML Audio should be able to help you with custom supplies in St. Louis.