Installers, Why Help Noobs and DIY’ers?

Boy, look what I started...he he.

Right off the bat, I apoligize for not being clearer...By noobs I meant people are not in the business, not  new installers. I have no problem helping green guys, I do it all day at work.

It's late, and i'm tired from working a long day, so I might make sence, but I'll try.

So, some people believe it's Ok to give out info to everyone...

Even if they are the kind of people who are too cheap to pay for an installer to do the job and too lazy how to learn to do it themselves but don't mind bothering someone on the phone or forum to get help when they can't figure it out when they weren't smart enough to attempt it in the first place?

As long as they buy from an authorized dealer?

As long as they refer you more business?

As long as they don't ask stupid questions?

Where do you draw the line?

As far as helping customers... I go way overboard helping people that come to my shop. Just because I don't like telling people how to do things themselves, doesn't mean I'm not all about the customer service. I'm the king of customer service. I'm also the guy buddies from other shops call for advice cuz I don't mind helping out fellow techs.

Your taking something I say way to literal, of course I'll always have a job. Thats just my way of telling someone that I don't want to help them.

Do some of you really think you'll make this world a better place by letting Joe Blow know which wire is what in his neon? Do you think he'll pass that info on to others in his local 'neon club'? When 'Joe' hooks up his amp power wire without a fuse and almost burns his car down will we realize that maybe he shouldn't have been working on wiring in the first place?

IMO, anyone who has to ask how to do something simple, didn't do any research, and probably doesn't know how to do the job properly and shouldn't be doing it at all. If you want to learn how to do something, then read, you will find you answers.

I've seen way to many hacked installs and it causes nothing but grief. Nothing pisses me off more than someone who thinks my job is easy and think they can do it themselves. When someone books a job in after I quote a price and then they say 'I tried to do it myself', I have no problem telling a customer that the price just went up and it'll cost them more and it's too bad that they didn't bring it here in the first place.

Can some DIYer's do a proper job, sure. Is a guy that asks for the wiring to bypass his clutch switch on his 92 Sunfire one of them? Probably not. The only info that you should give someone like that is the directions to the nearest install bay.

But thats just my opinion.

I agree with your feelings here justaguy, but the joe blow that is looking for a simple answer in here is usually pretty few.  The response he recieves is almost always to use the search function which would mean he would have to do some reading.  I know it is a pain in the ass to answer questions that undermind logic, but lets face most guys don't use too much logic.  I don't know of a single case when someone has not brought it to their attention that it is stupid or unsafe

I agree that it sucks to have to work on a job that the person with no knowledge thought they would give a try and you wind up doing more fixing than installing.  But lets face it that is always going to be a part of our job.  The last shop I worked at had rates for installing equipment that was bought form us and higher rates for a c**tomers own stuff.  They bought it, took it home and gave it try themselves, and it has become their equipment.  It seemed to make them want us to install it right away rather than to give it a try themselves.

I think this forum is great, and an excellent source of knowledge.  I think the regulars have best interests in mind including business and safety.  As long as it stays this way I don't see where any harm will be done.

I think this sums it up pretty well - this is a reason to hang out & talk car audio with people that are listening (unlike my girlfriend).

And I think you'll notice that most of these questions get brushed off entirely.  If someone doesn't understand the basics well enough to read the install manual & follow its instructions they usually get told that they're in over their head & to find a shop.

What's more comman are questions like, "I'm installing a new HU, is it OK to use the factory B+ or should I run a larger wire?"  that's a legitimate question from someone who's thinking but just doesn't know the best answer.  I think we're all happy to help that guy, even you.

The other comman type question is "should I use this amp or that one?" or "which sub sounds better for this application?"  Both are questions that require an informed, experienced answer, one you can only get by asking others - there's no manual for that.  I can't think of a better reason for the existance of a web forum in that respect.  And it gives us a chance to hear other's opinions about gear. 

And ultimately, my opinion is always the right one, I just wish more people would realize it...

My take on this subject is that on forums such as these, I help where ever I can and try to help someone with " real world " advice and technical knowledge. I don't believe that I'm loosing business from my posting information to help a fellow installer, newbie or DIY'er. Justaguy, if your working 10-14 hour days and your still able to help other's with installatins and tech support, then your doing your job GREAT !! You obviously have a successful business where your occupied with customer's and at the same time your helping your customer's build a relation with you.

Your going to be the guy that customer's say " .......... hey go to this guy cause he know's his stuff and also he'll help you when your in a bind". This is what all independant businesses need to focus on in light of the Big Box Store's (  BBS )moving in. Personable and thankless is what I call the key to success in the new world of doing business. I still give up hours of my time in the evenings & weekends to help out member's on this forum because it provides me with knowledge and also gives me personal satisfaction that I did something to help another person NOT go to a BBS to get it installed. While on the home front at my shop I do give out advice to installer's and in the end most of them bring in their friends and I sell them stuff and I give them advice on hook ups, enclsoure sizes and how to build. I don't look at it loosing business rather investing my time and energy into what I have always believed in to be the best form of advertising for a small business............ word of mouth.

And even you guys who don't want to give advice, you're passing by the best posts!

Here's a guy trying to find a reputable, qualified shop in the NY area to do an in-depth install, and ZERO pertinant replies!

https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=64722&PN=1