slow times is this feild dead?

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.

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.

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..

eurobink wrote:

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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..

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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.

the12volt • Support the12volt.com

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?

i agree with you on the race to zero.. ive seen managers drop prices just to get the sale from the other store, yet both were owned by the same guy.. i agree with you 100% 

i didnt drop that remark to brag.. more so an example on your, now mentioned, race to zero.. ultimately, this race to zero is inevitable.. competitors dont work together.. we never have.. in florida i actually made friends with mine, and learned to not step on their toes, in turn they sent me work i specialized in, and vice versa..

i understand also why mr 12volt set the rules in this place.. however.. its time to quit walking on eggshells and rattle some cages.. we are retail shops.. individually none of us have any pull.. even the mightiest of shops are crawling.. im tired of everyone not trying to hurt feelings..

its like watching the titanic.. dont panic everyone.. as the ship is sinking.. panic is not needed.. but swift action is..

In auto glass industry.. to make a long story short.. it is setup in a way, propagagted by the insurance companies, that if we dont cut our throats we will not get the business..

i dont really care what method anyone uses.. it is more all purposes insignificant.. and NO, Mr 12volt.. this industry will be crippled forever.. as are the other industries who suffered unfavorable impacts.. what will come of it, noone knows. but it wouldnt hurt if a bunch of us joined as a team to service the industry nationwide...  i wonder what are the odds of that.. all oother companies are merging.. but the retail outfits are still being stubborn.

i wonder how much longer before my account here gets cancelled.. itll probably be a record.. hehe