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Hey guys I'm new here and like to say hi.
I was just wondering your guys' take on my situation.
I've been installing for Circuit sh*ty for a little over 2 years. I was an installer at their #1 volume store in the company. I just relocated to Southern California. I am very unhappy installing there. I get $700 every two weeks not including bonus, which goes up to $300. Should I suck it up and stay there and ask for more money? Or can I make more money and deal with less B.S. at Good Guys, Best Buy, or a mom an pop shop?

not really, 700 is ok for an install job. The only way to get beyond the installer pay barrier is either through commission or working for a contract shop/Manufacturer shop.

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depends on the type of work you do if you mainly do heads speakers and amps 350=700 every 2 weeks isnt bad ive never worked for circuit city,but i have worked for bolth good guys and mom and pop shops,,,,good guys pays commision vs. short fall so depending on your location you can make big money,i was at the Beverly store so Crackin' 1100 bucks every 2 weeks was a regular thing....but you were only aloud to hit short fall twice before you get written up......i relocated recently so had to leave the good guys but now im at a shop that pays 55% of all installs but i have no short fall,so its feast or famine ,but im making more here then i was at good guys thankfully,,,all i can really say is you need to be patient and keep looking for the jobs that will benifit YOU theres alot of shops you can go to,ALOT will try to take advantage of an installer,,,,if your worth the money AND you know your worth it,,,,,go out and get it,,theres a shop willing to work with ya.....................thats just my 2 cents

I have to echo the statement above...ALOT of shops will try to take advantage of the installers, alot of the salesman try to take advantage and push the installers around and bully them into doing things cheaper and unwise. Be sure that you know HOW your pay is structured. If it is commission be sure you know where the control of the rates sit, and where you stand on issues of safety, ethics, and liabilites. I kid you not, some stores really will abuse their installers by discounting jobs, selling without apropriate concern over application, and getting installers to do unwise installs. Add that to the very real possibility of a shop that charges it's installers damages (even cost of supplies) and you can have an installer who suddenly is very unhappy! If you are on a commission get a contract, take home a copy before accepting and even have it looked over legally if possible (especially if you are moving a million miles). In the end though with a healthy store that treats it's installers half decient, you're best money in in commission and if you do not have work they ussally have little to say about what you do with your time.

A good installer on 50% comm can expect to clear $500 to $1000 a week (after taxes) in most areas I have seen. I do stress though in these stores, know what protect your labor rates, and how the jobs are handled. Also keep your own records on your jobs to check against what you get paid.

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Roy C. Jarrett

I have been in doing this for this long because I enjoy it more than what I trainned for (comp prog/elec repair), and I am slightly nuts!

Hey 23 yrs and counting...

I work for circuit city and i make over 900 dollars every two and I also get bonus about 400 and up dollars a month. You may want to try asking for more money?

lol nice guys you make more than me.... i work for hh gregg and im only making around 450 every two weeks and its hard to stay out of a draw... so tell me what i can do... i also live in ohio lol

I have found no ryme or reason to pay rates offered (let alone how often the pay and the promise are not the same). I have seen hacks that can live like Rock Stars, and craftsmen that barely can afford to pay for their apartment after getting gas for their AMC Pacer! It can be especially bad in a big city where a guy can churn out some real ditruction, and as it starts to come back on him in mass jet over to the next "Free Eddie's Gadget Emporium" to start again. I would not mind if the install rate wars, and the temptation to cut a deal from the installers wallet would come to an end. I do hate the day that "free install" raised it's serpent head.

Wouldn't you like to know that you are getting paid in a reasonable and ethical fashion. That the pressure to produce would not over-welm the desire to create, and the product of your labors would be seen as having value for it's quality, not as a hinderance to the next sale, and only really worth any real attention if the customer starts complainning then or within the warrenty period?

Why is it that High-End installations are seen more as advertising than profitable endevours? How often is the $5k job is 60% labor or 20% ( or less ) labor? How often is the guys doing a $25 starter bypass for dealers or fleets making more ( or WAY more ) than the high-ender sweating over the 3 day or week long (or more) job for a guy that uses money for TP?

I think it is time for installers to expect to be paid for what they do, and what they deserve. It is a radical idea I know but it would be nice huh?

So would world peace......

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Roy C. Jarrett

I have been in doing this for this long because I enjoy it more than what I trainned for (comp prog/elec repair), and I am slightly nuts!

Hey 23 yrs and counting...

I make about 1200-1400/week CDN as an installer. I make straight commision. 50% of the work I do.

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Shaughn Murley
Install Manager, Dealer Services
Visions Electronics
Red Deer, Alberta

extreme1: WHERE DO YOU WORK?!?!?!? lol

Visions electronics.

Probably one of the best paying places I've seen, both in install and salesman.

On top of the install commision I also make a percentage of the profit from all the install parts, kits harness's etc.

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Shaughn Murley
Install Manager, Dealer Services
Visions Electronics
Red Deer, Alberta

I worked for Circuit City for almost 11 years as sales counselor/ installer/ asst. manager for car stereo. back in the day we had to bug the manager to give us raises. i was always under the assumption that when you did good, you would be rewarded for it. I busted my butt and still had to beg. one way I got a good raise was I left to go to work for a small mom-n-pop shop for 7 months. I asked the manager at Circuit City if they wanted me back, he said yes, and i got a 2 dollar an hour raise. 2 dollars in 7 months, pretty good. that was then.

this is now, you only get raises twice a year at Circuit City. a max of 50 cents at each review. so it is possible to recieve a 1 dollar an hour raise, but in reality you most likely won't. not many people will, if any . you can't suppliment your income with commission any more, so you're kinda stuck.

you said you're not happy installing, so the solution is simple, leave. I quit Circuit when the fired most of the commisioned salespeople in feb. of 2003. 95% of the friends I made at Circuit were let go for "cost cutting measures". Leaving was the hardest thing I ever did, but in the end it was the best descision I ever made. good luck.

Hello another new guy here. This is an interesting thread to me becuase I relocated to Bakersfield CA about a year ago, and having a fairly high tech background, I was have trouble finding a job. I have always been in to car audio and thought I'd try applying at a few shops in the area. So after do a little homework on the local shops I went after the one with the best rep. I emailed the owners my homepage address of my car and custom work, and a copy of my resume. I couldn't believe it but he hired me with no real experience. Well I've been working there since the end of Jan, and am now producing like there top installer. I get 50% commish, avg $950 every two week since prolly my 2nd month working there, and have hade my work posted on Rosen web site, car shows, even met the JBL boyz, Gary Biggs and Mark Eldridge, at a class they heald in LA my boss asked me to go to with. Preety cool considering I don't think I learned anything I really didn't already know. Got to see their rides and hear them though. Must say its nice to have a sponser. But the glass work was perfection ather than some cracking paint.

Anyway I guess I'm safe to say I picked up this type of work and am not doing to bad. But the amount of time I work just kicks my butt and is ruining my relationship wih my fiance. How many hours do you guys avg a day. Our shop is a 9-6pm deal, but I ussually get home aroung 8pm mon-sat. Ive done some nights till 1-3am for cars in shows the next day. Sucks. No money is worth this much effort.

Jerey

Welcome to car audio..... 1-3am is very common. You are representing yourself aswell as your shop, as much as you think your only helping your employer, people will remeber you and every extra hour under your belt will be attributed to your rep as an installer.

I have alot of respect for installers who will go that extra bit to do it right. I'm like that and i know it's hard on relationships and social life. It only leads to social respect later. When your at the shop at 2a.m., working on those tiny details, just think of what those details will mean at the show you are attending the next day. They are more than worth it. Any reasonable employer will take notice that you are giving all you can for their name, and will support you accordingly.

Then there's KTS....... dicks

maybe i should take them out of my sig. it's about time.

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Just wanted to thank everyone for their input. I've always have been one to listen to those who have gone before. So thanks. I'll be moving to Fontana California soon so if there is anyone out that way that is in need of an installer let me know! Like i said i really really am ready to leave Circuit Town. I hear alot about preloading alarms for dealerships. It sounds like something i can do... but i'm not too familiar with how the whole thing works. like how do you get paid and stuff.

5150azn,

Fwd me your resume. I'm based in Riverside, Ca.

Sean

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Emergency Vehicle Technician
Got Freedom? Thank a vet!

Thank you for posting. I've sent you an E-mail. If you haven't recieved it please let me know. My address is garysisombath2003@yahoo.com Thanks again.

Gary

ive never worked in a install shop but i learned alot from people that have done it for yrs . but 700.00 is a good pay every 2 wks . i be hitting the boss up for a raise real quick . if he doesnt want to give in i give him a 2 weeks notice and find some place else .

i started on my own installing stereo's and amp's . i didnt charge all that much i just wanted to see if i could do it without sending my customer to a shop and shell out more cash . for me it didnt take much for a side job .....a few $100.00 and time on the weekends .

Check this out basically from learning you just have to be your own boss and dictate your pay based on how high end of custom work your capable of. If your not any good at fiber glass or bondo work in general your not going to make what you want.

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i hate ebay they are stealing my business

5150azn wrote:

Hey guys I'm new here and like to say hi.
I was just wondering your guys' take on my situation.
I've been installing for Circuit sh*ty for a little over 2 years. I was an installer at their #1 volume store in the company. I just relocated to Southern California. I am very unhappy installing there. I get $700 every two weeks not including bonus, which goes up to $300. Should I suck it up and stay there and ask for more money? Or can I make more money and deal with less B.S. at Good Guys, Best Buy, or a mom an pop shop?

i dont know what your doing wrong, ive been with circuit city for less time than you have and i make more than you...

Ohhhh Yeah! Say Hurray for me! No more Circuit City for me! Just got hired with one of the top custom install shops in the US. Honestly I didn't think I would be worthy enough to work at a place like this. Though I'm not making more money and I have to drive 45mins 1 way. I hate Circuit City that much! I'll give you guys details later.

Today I am one happy installer

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Tell the Snap-On guy I'm not here!

Unfortunatly, the mobile electronics industry as a whole, not everyone, banks on young people to basically work for free.

The pay may seem attractive, but considering you supply your own tools and skills which are equivelent to a mechanic, electrician, cabinet maker, product specialist...and so on, most people are really selling themselfs short. Not to mention, medical benifits, retirement and 401k are unheard of for most installers.

Now I agree that you shouldn't get payed the big $$$ just for popping in a few HUs, but if you show up for work and have a toolbox worth over $2000 and growing....shouldn't your employer be interested in training you? Most don't and you are stuck on your own earning min wages, learning what you can from senior installers.

I don't work in mobile electronics, I work with electronics. My company is training me on specific products which will take at least two years to learn. My work alone can bring in up to $750 an hour in revenue, even while I'm in training...so I really don't believe it's an inconvenience for shops to train installers if my company can train me. There is no school in the world that teaches specifically what I do, it's OJT only...mobile electronics is equally unique, shouldn't they follow the same protocol?

In mobile electronics or anywhere else you go, make yourself irreplacable.

5150azn wrote:

Hey guys I'm new here and like to say hi.
I was just wondering your guys' take on my situation.
I've been installing for Circuit sh*ty for a little over 2 years. I was an installer at their #1 volume store in the company. I just relocated to Southern California. I am very unhappy installing there. I get $700 every two weeks not including bonus, which goes up to $300. Should I suck it up and stay there and ask for more money? Or can I make more money and deal with less B.S. at Good Guys, Best Buy, or a mom an pop shop?

Iwould advocate a Mom & Pop if you like the owner and he works there, often times the reduced stress with the right situtation makes a heck of a compensation package! If you do that though be carefuk to find a place that stands a chance of being open next week, and has an attitude of not being left in the "techno dust". You will probly be held more acountable for you work though ( but there may be alittle more glory ).

If you want to know what the low down is though at any place ask the installers, and be aware that some of them may see you as a threat. Also consider OEM shops, often the work is profitable though in many ways different than retail. Some installers love doing OEM work and some hate it, and it is often a mobile ( on-site ) type of job.

Personally I would consider $500 a week after taxes a tolerable pay (5 day week), but for an experianced installer in today's market it should be more. The pay that the big box stores often offer has made installers under rate the potential our industry has. The whole "free install" bit has destroyed much of the profit for installers everywhere.

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Roy C. Jarrett

I have been in doing this for this long because I enjoy it more than what I trainned for (comp prog/elec repair), and I am slightly nuts!

Hey 23 yrs and counting...

Ok since starting this post... I've quit circuit city roadshop to work for an ultra high end custom shop in southern CA. Rich and Famous people cars only. I do some very crazy installations like flushing 10 to 15inch monitors into escalade dashes and stuff. I don't want to throw any numbers out because it's not polite to discuss pay. But damn I get $11hr! Whats up with that? If your familiar with MTV's Pimp My Ride; your familiar with West Coast Customs. We are competitors. If this is the top of the hill, whats left for my installation career. I remember in middle school I would dream about being a custom installer. Now I install for real famous people but I get paid crap. What am I doing wrong?

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Tell the Snap-On guy I'm not here!

this is definatly NOT ht eindustry to be in if you want to be rich. it is one that even though you might be the most creative, fastest and most knowledgeable guy at the shop, it might go un appreciated.....until you leave, or tell them you are leaving. you have to prove yourself in many aspects of the job and show that you are willing to stick it out.
another thing that can help you make more money is if you bring in buying customers. this will show that you are there for the company.
also make as many contacts as possible. find suppliers, manufacturers, magazines, etc. this will give you a bit more room to bargin if your contacts will only deal with you. it will also give you more worth to a new employer if you are job hunting.

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$11/hr? Damn I started at circuit city at $10.50/hr. And it looks like I'll get my .50 raise in a week or two. I don't know about the west coast but on the east coast I heard that installers are getting $18/hr to work at best buy.

If you guys want to make money you have to get out of the retail world completely. Doing this means you will loose alot of what you enjoy doing in retail world like working on different vehicles and custom work, but money is money. I know people that make 60K+ mostly installing/preloading alarms, some video, and an occasional radio.

Also, if you are relying on an hourly wage then you are in a f'ed up shop in the first place.

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Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Hey fellas,

just wanted to say that I feel what your going through. I work at best buy and am only at $10.00 hr. I have all my M.E.C.P. certifications except for my master installer certificate which I will have in 2 years. Not to mention I am a fishcamp graduate, and coming this march will be a certified judgd for Iasca. But remember location is everything! I know of many shops that will start a guy out around $14.00 an hour and go as high as $21.00. Its just where your willing to go and what skills you have. Don't get it twisted though. Knowing how to do something and being "efficient" at it are two entirely different things. You can talk all day about what you know how to do, but when its time to do that big job and your boss loses $ on labor cuz ur slackin, believe it- you'll be finding a new shop pretty quick. Another thing is that shops that do pay good- normally dont have any openings. If moneys your top goal ya might consider evaluating your love for the industry. I say this because for those of us who live and breath car audio- "yea moneys nice but feeling the envy and respect from the customers ride ya just hooked up makes ya feel like ya got 10 inches". LOL... Also, Im at best buy yea whatever we all know its nothing to sneaze at, but I work there for the discounts and benifits for my son. I do custom fabrication on the side and am booked up for the next few months to say the least. Once I leave Iowa hopefully I will get into a better bay, til then I love it too much to leave it! Peace!!!

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Lathan Hites
"I'm sorry, without a credit card I'll be requiring a stool sample"

How are the benifits at best buy?

benefits are decent. not bad, but not great. good for an installer... whatever that is. wish I was more help on the subject. sorry. peace

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Lathan Hites
"I'm sorry, without a credit card I'll be requiring a stool sample"

in my opinion, your never going to make "alot" of money working for someone else. after all, your employed so the company your working for can make money based on your experience and expertise. the best thing i ever did was quit, and starting working for myself. i went from taking home $5oo a week busting my ass, working for someone else. and now i can manage to make that same amount in a 7 hour work day.

cripes mate!!!!and I want to move to america and do installs there??? I mean I'm on minimum wages with the company I work for and I'm earning$16.50/h and in about 6 months that will raise to close too$19 an hour!! and I thought I had it rough where I am!!!!

btw anyone know of a job going in Wisconscin?

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Let's see, you're living in Australia, the land of friendly girls and you want to move to America, particularily Wisconscin, a known frigid state in the winter,...

Ya been smelling Kangaroo dung lately mate?

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Emergency Vehicle Technician
Got Freedom? Thank a vet!

Dont goto Wisconsin man.....nothin but cows..corn..and SNOW

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lol, yeah I know mate, but thats where the missus is now so off I go! know of any install shops I could contact there?

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i would definitely say you get paid based on where you live as well... i have a cousin living down in ATL (Georgia, for those who down know) making 11/hr as a basic certified installer at circuit city.. he said nobody there makes over 15/hr... now i live in NY, making just shy of 13 as a basic certified installer and i know one of the guys i work with who has been there nearly 3 yrs (still basic certified cause hes too lazy to study for 1st class) is making just shy of 18/hr. so depending on location and place of employment is gonna make a difference on how much you make.

on a side note.. heres the pay scale for best buy's 'region' that im in

basic installer: $15.75/hr max

1st class installer: $21/hr max

autosound specialist: .75 raise

security specialist: .75 raise

hope that helps:)

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MECP Certified Installer
93 Probe GT - Lots of Mods
89 Probe GT Turbo - SOLD :(

KarTuneMan wrote:

Dont goto Wisconsin man.....nothin but cows..corn..and SNOW

We've got more then just that. I just haven't figured out what it is yet. And I have been here 28 years.

i ve noticed most members on this site either work for circuit city or best buy. i do understand that these stores are reponsible for employing thousands of installers, but most people never mention the independent stores. the pay scale is much different there, and personal relationships do play a factor as well. independent stores appreciate loyaly and after some time, the raises come. based on experience and time there, you dont have to work all year to get a whopping 25 cent raise, the same one the dumb cashier up front got for working a year, ya know. your raise at a private shop could easily be a dollar, 2 dollars, 3 ,4 whatever you deserve, plus they usually start higher as well. its not all about certification, even though i am certified and agree with what standards its trying to set, the piece of paper doesnt necessarily mean someone can install fast, neat and most important correctly. only experience can do that. so dont complain if you only been installing for 4 months professionally and only make $11 an hour. im sure the manager at that shop (west coast customs competion guy) doesnt get paid $11. its all about experience and skill, the ability to solve problems, trouble shoot the hairiest wiring situations, and generally being a solid stand alone installer that other people dont have to look over. they just put you on a job, and it gets done quickly and correctly. thats how to get the $$$$

Hey everyone,

Since first posting this thread I have had 4 jobs ranging from Circuit City installer, to high-end custom installer, to high-end shop lead tech and now I have found myself in the tech department of one of top ten electronics companies in our 12volt industry. I answer tech questions over the phone, help develop new products, quality check our inventory, and lots more. Is it more fulfilling than being a regular installer...no Does it pay more..... more than a regular hourly tech.

I don't know if my road stops here. I kind of hope so because I want to grow with this company and have a future for myself. Spending hours behind a desk and hours in the lab; I still miss installing. But I guess I'm here for the money huh?

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Tell the Snap-On guy I'm not here!

Humm, i started at $7.50/h, and worked my way up to $25/h within a year by just showing quality work, and speedy installation. I also get commission on sales. Its a common fact that the installer sells more because customers trust them more than the dressed up salesmen who probably don't have a clue. Working for an independant shop thats doing well is your best bet for respect and high pay. I can't drive 5 min in my town without getting a honk and a wave from old customers,, it just too dam kool.

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

Hey guys, I'm a newbie and have been looking around the site for about a month now. I am from Chicago and I am heading to tempe in march to attend Mobile Dynamics. I really like it out in Arizona so I was wondering how much pay is over there and if there is a lot of independent shops. I am going to have all MECP certifications except for master installer. I don't have much experience other then working on friends cars. So yeah I was just wondering on average pay near phoenix. Thanks

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D.S.B.

Well in AZ, the main shops are Audio Express (piece work based pay, NO CUSTOM COMMISSIONS, low piece work rates), BB, CC, Ultimate Electronics ( heard nothing but problems when it comes to paying the installer for commission involving custom work), Soundwerks ( higher end shop, but must have custom experience, not the best rep lately), Kustom Car Audio (been downsizing lately, but other then that not much news on them), fry's electronics, mom and pop shops, and a few HIGH end shops that you will not get a job at without tons of experience (good rep but still problems).

Being a newb you will get stuck with getting payed probably around 8-9 bucks an hour until you get quick. Also you will NOT have all your certifications coming from Mobile Dynamics, you will be certified basic and in 1 year you will get your first class cert.

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Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Hmmm, I just read through this thing and I am thinking I am getting f**ked. I have been doing this for 3 years now and am making 10.25 a hour, AND THATS CANADIAN :) Sounds like I could come down to the states and be pulling down way more money. Might have to talk to the boss tomorrow.

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double-secret reverse-osmosis speaker-cone-induced high-level interference distortion, Its a killer

when I started I was making 7.50/hr, worked my way up to $10.25 over about 4 years. I left that store. (this was 8 years ago) I have been working for my current company for 8 years now, where I get paid commission 38%.. I can usually average 500 a day in labor, 10 hour days. we used to work 4 days but now its 5, and for me its usually 6. I sometimes have to pull 70 hour weeks just to keep up with the work load (I worked 15 hours today) I have been installing for about 15 years now (12 years pro).I was MECP, but now I am not certified, only because there is no benefit for me to be. I won't expect a raise of any kind either for certification or for quality of work. I am the second highest paid installer in the company which consists of 10 stores. I really don't see any way to make more than 50k doing what I do. I am frustrated working at this company because the hacks make the most money and do the least work. I think the logical next step would be to open up my own shop. I hope to be able to make more money and not work ironman shifts. plus I am getting too old and decrepit to keep installing forever. It's really tough on your body.

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car audio pays my bills...

Ravendarat wrote:

Hmmm, I just read through this thing and I am thinking I am getting f**ked. I have been doing this for 3 years now and am making 10.25 a hour, AND THATS CANADIAN :) Sounds like I could come down to the states and be pulling down way more money. Might have to talk to the boss tomorrow.

Damn man, when I first started I was at least making more then that, $10.50.

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Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

I dont know how much mobile dynamics will help me in finding a new job but where would be the best place to start considering I have no experience? I'm still deciding if I want to move to AZ because right now im working at a store named Abt electronics near chicago, https://www.abtelectronics.com, and they have a high end install bay. I talked to the manager and he told me to go to school then he'll talk to me about it. If he gives me a job here I'll probaly just end up staying here but if not I'm definately moving to AZ. Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks

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D.S.B.

The extent that Mobile Dynamics helps on getting a job is sending out a list of graduates and contact numbers to shops that request them. That is about all.

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Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.

I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.

Ravendarat wrote:

Hmmm, I just read through this thing and I am thinking I am getting f**ked. I have been doing this for 3 years now and am making 10.25 a hour, AND THATS CANADIAN :) Sounds like I could come down to the states and be pulling down way more money. Might have to talk to the boss tomorrow.

Good luck, they'll tell you you're being paid too much already and probably how it's costing them money to have you there and BLAH BLAH BLAH...

Buddy of mine just quit Medicine hat store, that was the speech he was given.

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Shaughn Murley
Install Manager, Dealer Services
Visions Electronics
Red Deer, Alberta

just dont waste ur time with a big box whore like best buy. They are by far the "queerest" company I have ever had the misfortune of working with...

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Lathan Hites
"I'm sorry, without a credit card I'll be requiring a stool sample"

If you want to make real money, work for yourself. By working for "the man," only "the man" will make the real money. The workers will get a lot less. My dad owns a car audio/video/security shop and I've worked part time for him during school vacation time. His salary employees get decent pay, but the ones that get commisions make the most money. They still don't take home as much as my dad and he doesn't do much work. I would suggest that you save some money and open up a shop with a partner, or even a couple of partners. Later on you could buy your partners out, like my dad did, or you can sell your part.

I've found the secret! Dealer Expediting! If you want to make real money and work for yourself, this is it. Only if I had known years earlier.

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Tell the Snap-On guy I'm not here!

dsbenjamin wrote:

I dont know how much mobile dynamics will help me in finding a new job but where would be the best place to start considering I have no experience? I'm still deciding if I want to move to AZ because right now im working at a store named Abt electronics near chicago, https://www.abtelectronics.com, and they have a high end install bay. I talked to the manager and he told me to go to school then he'll talk to me about it. If he gives me a job here I'll probaly just end up staying here but if not I'm definately moving to AZ. Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks

depending who you talked to john or neil they didnt tell you that you need to be first class certified and have at least four years experience before you can even fill out an application. But that sounds like something john would say. If you go to mobile Dynamics talk to an instructor named dave he could get you hooked up with a job down their

hey guys VERY new here, joined today, n e ways i graduated from mobile dynamics in az in 2003 and i havent been able to get a descent job here were i live.I was working for a small shop here but they paid me 6.50 bucks an hour and that didnt cut it, i have a family to feed and all, i quit and went to work as a security guard were i made 8.50/hr. Well i was reading this thread and i was thinking of moving to phoenix az and try my luck there as an installer, but my questions is, is it really hard to get a installer job in phnx with minimal experience? im not trying to make millions just enough to make a descent living for my family. i know being new to the industry i have to work my way up the ladder but what shops in phnx will give a guy like me a break? we have 3 best buys here and 2 circuit citys here, have tried like hell to get a job there but their installers have been there for a while and they aint hiring no more for this time. i was thinking of going back to mobile dynamics to freshen up my skills but if its too hard it looks like ill have to take drastic measures and hit the truck driving thing for a while, i dont want to but i need to get myself somekind of a career, hope nobodys asleep by now but had to ask. thanx for any feedback!!!!

btw nice site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Im a mobile installer for a well known, nationwide company here in the UK.

my basic yearly salary is £18,000 Pounds Thats about $36,000 Dollors!+ £2 Bonus for every job completed, thats about $4 for every job! So you could say I earn $39,500 a year & I work from home, so when I finish I go home today I was home by noon, So I get paid for spending time with my family.

But our cost of living is very high here.

WHAT U PAY IN DOLLORS, WE PAY IN POUNDS! FOR THE SAME THING!

I don't think Mobile Dynamics is worth the time to attend maybe unless your new to the industry and you want to start your own shop. But if you plan on going there to gain skills to work for someone else you shouldn't attend. I've been around the world and (AY YAY YA)learned that it's shop experiance that get you in the door. So I don't understand why people go to these schools.

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Mitsumanx, it is relatively easy to get a job here in AZ. Audio Express will hire just about anyone and will train. There are also a couple independant shops that will do the same.

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thanx guys for feedback, so auex you think i could land myself a job there like in a audio express?im going down there this saturday to pick up a part for my car so i guess ill hit them up and see if they can help me out, again thanx guys for the replies!!!!!!!

thanx guys for the feedback, so auex you think i can land myself a job in audio express or a small shop are they pretty good in training people? i mean i know basic stuff like deck and twos and stuff like that but thres alot i need to learn ,but i will say that i am a fast learner and i love this field.well im going down to phnx on saturday to pick up a part for my car, i'll stop by these shops and see if they help me out.well thanx guys for feedback bye!!!!!!!

i just read threw this topic and sounds like a bunch of you guys are getting screwed i work at a reatail store called brandsmart usa here in miami and we get payed 60% commision of the install and i bring home after taxes and all the other shhh about 950 a week and they have good benefits and 401 k but its hard to get a job here because they pay so good all the guys here have been here 2 or more years .........from reading this post it looks like theypay better here on the east coast

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