Guys, im wondering how much does a newbie installer makes?
in compare to a silver installer makes? and also a master installer makes?
is it worth it to open a shop specialize car audio and electronics?
how is the market regarding to client-tel, and buyers willing to pay?

i know different people have different point of view, regarding to different areas, surroundings and education, please feel free to share your thoughts!!! :gunsmilie:

how much you make depends on how much you know. you said silver so im guessing you are talking about MECP certification. well they don't do the silver/gold scale anymore but they do still have the levels.
but anyway. sadly the car audio market isn't doing great for shop owners. The internet sales have gone up alot and less people are buying from thier local shops especially since alot of times it is easier to get better products over then net than what a local shop will sell. it will also depend on where you live. If you live in a not so wealthy area you won't be selling JL or Digital designs or anything. you will have to sell low end equipment.
if you're in a good area with alot of potential customers then a business would be a good idea. you have to evaluate that yourself.

BTW for some reason i think bobthecow has a shop. he may be able to tell you more/better

the market is not that great here. there is like 2 shops and the cars parked out front are always crap (indication the wages of the owners) unforunatly there are a lot of businesses like this (i wanted to open a paintball shop) but its just not big enough of a demand to make money, and yes the internet kills these sales. its to easy to go on and get something for half the price you'd pay in person at a shop. are you planning on working for someone or opening your own place?

:amen: i don't know yet... basicaly im kinda doing reserch, understand the market alil more before i set my next step... ya those people that can't afford schooling for MECP, look for the MECP study guide, n buy a crappy car to do projects on it!!! After that if everything work out, go take your test!!! :gunsmilie:

To make your answers simple.
Newb installer- not enough, about $8
Silver installer- not enough, about $10.50
Gold installer- not enough, about $14


You wont make jack as a car audio shop owner. A friend of mine started a business, he had his certification done through Best Buy, he has his degree in business, and he was having a hard time getting money in. I was his installer for awhile, thinking that if he had an employee with a true MCEP cert. that it would draw more customers, but that didn't work out either. So he sold his shop, and now we still work together, but out of his house instead. I get really good deals from alot of websites because I am a prefered customer(which is what you get for buying about $3000 every couple of months, or at once in the case of just my car alone ;) .) But anyways, I only make about... i dunno $500 a month now out of car audio. Im still in the business, just not as much anymore.

One of the biggest reasons for slow business is that everyone out here wants a "killer kicker system man... my boy has one and it pounds!!!" ****, I won't install kicker. I have enough money out of my other jobs to decide what I will and won't install. But you can't do that until you either a. have a rep, or b. make enough money to not need the sale.

thx guys~~~
all of yours infomation are very valuable, thank s to all!!! :nahrung034: