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slow times is this feild dead?


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quartersj77 
Member - Posts: 29
Member spacespace
Joined: July 18, 2007
Location: United States
Posted: August 16, 2007 at 3:46 PM / IP Logged  
Just wondering how buisness is for everyone? I work in Montgomery, Alabama. Its been super slow here, and lookin to find out if sales are down other places. I'm hopin its not all sold out here yet, we usually turn great number here but lately we are down like almost 50%. I would like top here from u buys and see if there is any hot spots left. Thanks
Its true, its true!
rtperformance 
Member - Posts: 17
Member spacespace
Joined: August 13, 2007
Location: United States
Posted: August 17, 2007 at 6:11 PM / IP Logged  
You need to go North. Im in Iowa and we are anything but slow. Plus with winter comes Remote Starts and alot of them. Sorry to hear about your luck! Try a 2 for one sale that always stirs things up, plus you can move older product with a close out sale.
dwarren 
Platinum - Nominee - Posts: 1,811
Platinum - Nominee spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: December 03, 2004
Location: California, United States
Posted: August 19, 2007 at 1:08 AM / IP Logged  

I am out in Northern California, and yes things are damn slow, the two big high end shops are as slow as ever, in fact one has gone to home audio.

I am the only installer for a 4 car shop, back a few years ago I hear there was always at least three installers. This industry is at the very least changing.

Bmnicolosi 
Copper - Posts: 173
Copper spacespace
Joined: January 26, 2005
Location: Louisiana, United States
Posted: August 29, 2007 at 10:54 PM / IP Logged  
Every shop down here in the New Orleans/Metairie area are dead.  ALL SHOPS.  it sucks,hopefully it picks up real soon.
If you say "I already know how", don't ask me a single question.
soundzplusinc 
Member - Posts: 22
Member spacespace
Joined: May 02, 2006
Posted: August 29, 2007 at 11:44 PM / IP Logged  
its always hit or miss here too ... Chicago burbs ...
But -- here's the good news...
You can change it ... You will need to Diversify to Stay Alive ..
Car Dealer work ..as much as most shops hate em, they can fill in when things are slow ..
Think outside of car audio -- try Fleet Services
Just some thoughts ... hope it helps ..
ranger svo 
Copper - Posts: 70
Copper spacespace
Joined: July 04, 2007
Location: United States
Posted: August 30, 2007 at 8:52 PM / IP Logged  

Like anything else, its a fad. Diversity is the key but only the best will survive.

Those who keep up with and embrace the newest technology will make it. We are still busy, but work has been shifting to work for the dealerships. Cruise Controls have become the big seller. Compared to last year Bass Specials have dropped considerably.

I used to build 2 to 3 boxes a week, now I build 4 to 5 a month. Thats a major drop.

I'll probably stick it out for another year or two and then go back to stocking shelves at HEB, it actually paid better anyway and I had to think alot less.

The moving power of mathematical invention is not reasoning but imagination.
Augustus de Morgan
eurobink 
Copper - Posts: 55
Copper spacespace
Joined: September 06, 2007
Location: Florida, United States
Posted: September 07, 2007 at 8:32 PM / IP Logged  

YES, you are correct.. the decline in sales began in 2001.. across the board.. today the average shop across the country is down 40%.. some as much as 60%.. it isnt going to get any better..

  • Fact.. most stolen vehicles are 96 models.. the immobilizers installed from factory make it nearly impossible to steal a vehicle..
  • factory sound systems sound very good, unlike before.. in many vehicles, especially GM, costs prohibit upgrading
  • newer vehicles have keyless entry, and many have alarms.. mercedes even has factory installed motion sensors
  • high energy costs are a huge factor for us..
  • manufacturing plant closings have taken 100's of thousands of jobs.. these were also our customers...
  • Manufactures are adding almost everything we did aftermarket as a factory option with great warranties
  • Manufactures plan to adapt plug n play .. we will not be needed
  • cruise controls are already plug n play..
  • what about vehciles with fiber optics
  • how about vehicles with no keys?
  • face it.. we are a thing of the past in the making
  • Even DEI quit providing what used to be outstanding tech support.. its not by coincidence
  • for those making money, prep to change careers or face the music when its too late
  • internet also created its own dent in our sales...

im in florida.. everyone down here is suffering..

the12volt 
Administrator - Posts: 3,955
Administrator spaceThis member has made a donation to the12volt.com. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Electrical Theory. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Audio and Video. Click here for more info.spaceThis member has been recognized as an authority in Mobile Security and Convenience. Click here for more info.spacespace
Joined: March 07, 2002
Location: Louisiana, United States
Posted: September 07, 2007 at 9:21 PM / IP Logged  
eurobink wrote:

YES, you are correct.. the decline in sales began in 2001.. across the board.. today the average shop across the country is down 40%.. some as much as 60%.. it isnt going to get any better..

  • Fact.. most stolen vehicles are 96 models.. the immobilizers installed from factory make it nearly impossible to steal a vehicle..
  • factory sound systems sound very good, unlike before.. in many vehicles, especially GM, costs prohibit upgrading
  • newer vehicles have keyless entry, and many have alarms.. mercedes even has factory installed motion sensors
  • high energy costs are a huge factor for us..
  • manufacturing plant closings have taken 100's of thousands of jobs.. these were also our customers...
  • Manufactures are adding almost everything we did aftermarket as a factory option with great warranties
  • Manufactures plan to adapt plug n play .. we will not be needed
  • cruise controls are already plug n play..
  • what about vehciles with fiber optics
  • how about vehicles with no keys?
  • face it.. we are a thing of the past in the making
  • Even DEI quit providing what used to be outstanding tech support.. its not by coincidence
  • for those making money, prep to change careers or face the music when its too late
  • internet also created its own dent in our sales...

im in florida.. everyone down here is suffering..

Heh, from this post along with several of your other recent posts you remind me of Chicken Little... "the sky is falling, the sky is falling..." 

I disagree with your statement "...it isn't going to get any better." If this industry had not evolved over the years when faced with similar 'obstacles', it would have died a long time ago for many of the same reasons you listed above. Business is down everywhere and it's not just in this industry. 

To believe the end of this industry is near or that it will never get any better is in my opinion premature. Personally I look forward to what's next in this industry and I think everyone else should too.

slow times is this feild dead? -- posted image. the12volt • Support the12volt.com
eurobink 
Copper - Posts: 55
Copper spacespace
Joined: September 06, 2007
Location: Florida, United States
Posted: September 07, 2007 at 9:38 PM / IP Logged  

this 'industry' is not very old. what 'similar' obstacles are you referencing?

i recall another outfit in communications throwing the same response as you just did when i posed same concerns.. today they dont exist.. that was the paging industry.. they claimed . dont worry.. keep pumping money into marketing.... we will be fine.. and with evolution, came the cell phone... and all the paging giants shifted their gears.. many of them losing completely with mergers or just plain bankruptcy..

what the automotive market has coming is gonna be great.. unfortunately.. optimism allows for too many errors... and i do not believe we.. as installers fit into this new evolution....  as such we now see mergers once again.. manufactures crying about their future prospects dwindling..

i see you secured your future very well with the internet.. great for you! Im impressed.. basically from what i see, you single handedly created this site.. and from the list of programs you seem to understand well.. you have no need to be alarmed.. the rest of us are struggling to pay bills.. if it wasnt for my windshield business and the dealerships i have.. i would be done too..

i have never heard of chicken little..  but what i have heard over years is others like you attempting to calm the public with optimistic thinking..   if i hadnt made real estate investments as well.. id be in deep too...   what has been promised for years is that the aftermarket industry would catch up with OEM technology.. 2 to 3 yr gap... i still dont see anyone pushing thru..  if you have more info.. i am sure we are all dying to hear it.. or you gonna   cancel my reply again?

f150fan 
Copper - Posts: 95
Copper spacespace
Joined: October 28, 2006
Location: Ohio, United States
Posted: September 07, 2007 at 9:55 PM / IP Logged  
To make it in any business you have to change with the times. There is always business out there to be had you just have to find it.
With as many shows involving customizing cars as there is on tv today the consumer awareness is out there and can be used as an asset.
The biggest problem with our industry is everyones race to zero. Everyone feels like they have to be cheaper than the next to get a sale.
In most instances consumers want to be able to make an educated purchasing decision and price is only one factor in that decision and if you can educate a customer on why what you have to offer is at a fair price whether it is the cheapest or not you still have a shot at closing a sale. Now the other half of that is once the sale is closed you have to deliver on the other end by living up to your promises and then some.
Eurobink, I think that I just read in one of your other posts you bragging about your cost on goods and how much you make on it. That kind of unprofessionalism does nobody in this industry any.
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