Car Audio Shop Advertising Event

I really like my local car audio shop, but unfortunately - I was talking with the owner and business is really slow. It seems to pick up in the summer when people seem to 'joyride' more. He told me that if I had a good idea to get people in the door to please share it with him. I was contemplating some sort of car show. Where people with mods could come and show their cars off and we could give out trophies. I think it would be a lot of fun, and I remember a good turn out for one on my college campus. This would be a great time for advertising and they could bring in some of their demo cars.
Has anyone dones anything like this?
Anyone have any advice?

Thanks!

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I think it is a great idea, and so long as it is advertised right you will get a decent crowd. The only problem is that if someone from another shop might come and will be free advertisment for him at no cost.

in this world, we call those car shows!

Give something away, that always seems to attract people.

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Support the12volt.com

like store credit... giving cash would be dumb because they could spend it anywhere. give them some store credit and they have to buy through you!

25% of installations when you buy gear from the store for the month of march.

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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.

Have them set up a flea market style sale, they will be able to move dead and used stock. People are alwyas looking for that "special" price.

Have a bbq and beverages too. I think I am hungry.

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great ideas! I'm thinking the rules for entry could state 'no advertising' or something like that. I think it could be a lot of fun.

Has anyone actually ever done it?

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dwarren wrote:

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Have them set up a flea market style sale, they will be able to move dead and used stock. People are alwyas looking for that "special" price.

Have a bbq and beverages too. I think I am hungry.

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Do not give food away, you will have every homeless and hungry cheap skate in town eating you out of house and audio shop. I worked for a freinds lawn mower shop years ago. we had a " Spring Lawn Mower Extravaganza". Come on down free hot dogs and cokes, free balloons for the kids. live radio remote. the hole nine yards. Well we gave away almost 700 hot dogs about a 1000 cokes. stopped counting balloons. Sold 0 (zero) lawn mowers.we did sell some blades an parts, but no more than we aways did. the next spring we did the same show, but you had to get a ticket from a salesmen to get your hot dog and coke.  the free loaders got mad and left, the real cutomers stayed a spent some money. sold 5 riders that day @ msrp. That was a real good day. When you can sell at msrp you doing good.

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Big Dave

speedwayaudio1 wrote:

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dwarren wrote:

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Have them set up a flea market style sale, they will be able to move dead and used stock. People are alwyas looking for that "special" price.

Have a bbq and beverages too. I think I am hungry.

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Do not give food away, you will have every homeless and hungry cheap skate in town eating you out of house and audio shop. I worked for a freinds lawn mower shop years ago. we had a " Spring Lawn Mower Extravaganza". Come on down free hot dogs and cokes, free balloons for the kids. live radio remote. the hole nine yards. Well we gave away almost 700 hot dogs about a 1000 cokes. stopped counting balloons. Sold 0 (zero) lawn mowers.we did sell some blades an parts, but no more than we aways did. the next spring we did the same show, but you had to get a ticket from a salesmen to get your hot dog and coke.  the free loaders got mad and left, the real cutomers stayed a spent some money. sold 5 riders that day @ msrp. That was a real good day. When you can sell at msrp you doing good.

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You ever see that movie Slingblade?

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Shop front demos are a great way to attract interest we do it here on occationsand always works.

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WOW Sight and Sound
Maroochydore
Nothing is impossible!
Do it right the first time or don't do it at all.

Hmm.. in regards to the comments about other stores using it for free advertising:

My JL dealer does some impressive figures to say the *least*... they throw big parties all the time ... they welcome guys from other stores and even bring some guy with a JBL 10000zillion watt Van that owns a competing store over... CarToys, ExtremeAudio, CARRS..... *all* the local shops turn out sometimes...the extra shops add *LOADS* of heads at the event... giving other shops' customers exposure to thier store, while getting everybody excited about car-stereos and racing and what-not. I've seen NSX's from *other* stores bassing in front of the store when they do this ... competion or not they're bringing attention to *you*

Remember, this market is *not* saturated at all, and given the goofy-huge explosion in this market segment over the last few years, what is good for goose is still good for the gander. You need to promote the *industry* and generate interest in car customization in general.. being picky about who celebrates that interest with you won't win ya any friends or much business..

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"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview

Great advice! I just dont want competitors out there handing out coupons or anything!

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Well, obviously. I mean, if you invited other shops to a big bonanza, then offered to reciprocate in a few months with ur own cars/cusotmers... then certainly some decorum would be expected ... I'd be suprised if someone would abuse it like that...



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"I'm finished!" - Daniel Plainview

I agree that just getting the community excited about the car customization culture is a good idea

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