Mis-conception about paying retail...

[HifiDon]

if they bought it from a store that would mean they would almost have to pay retail?

This is a mis-conception... If you go to a Best Buy, or large chain store then yes.... If you go to a specialty store (small mom & pop) store that carries, let's say JL then MOST of them will help you out. I have matched & BEAT prices from the internet on brands such as JL AUDIO, Boston Acoustics, Phoenix Gold (years ago)!!!

Here is why this is a mis-conception:
We as a JL Audio dealer could NOT advertise below MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) but we could SELL it for whatever we wanted (within reason, overhead cost,etc)
So when we placed ads, internet specials,etc we had to list it close to retail... Even when you called I had to tell you MAP or retial..

BUT when you walk in the door, I could sell you anything for BELOW MAP, etc... Sometimes AT dealer cost to move the product (last years, etc)

Not ALL dealers will do this. But give them a shot on every item you can. Because without them WE will have no place to preview, listen, touch our new products. I ALWAYS buy from a Brick & Mortar store.. I do sometimes pay more than online BUT never retail. So if I have a problem with my amp... I have someone Face-to-face I can talk to about getting it fixed.. You have to be patient & look for their sales & get to know the people who work their.. So visit all your local shops for the brands you like.

Main rule:
Never go into a shop, spend three hours for them to design a system & then come in the next week with your internet purchases for them to install. Be respectful & give them a shot at matching or beating your quotes. They have overhead, enthusiasts to employ...

I loved my job (Sales & Design) and I NEVER did it for the money (95%+ do not). I always dropped prices (free install, free kits, discounts, etc) to get your business. I did it so I can see the look on your face from a perfect install, perfectly tuned system & I gave you MORE than you expected..If you have a problem with ANYTHING... Here is my number, call me, stop by, I'll be here for you......
It's called a lifelong customer/friend!!

[ttocs]

has anyone welcomed you to the forum yet don? Tell us about yourself?

[HifiDon]

No welcoming yet...

I'm 28yrs old, born & raised in Ashland City & Clarksville, TN... Moved to Nashville (Music Capitol) when I was 21.

I started my journey when I was a teenager. Started installing systems into cars around 14 & all throughout high school.
The day I realized I wanted to do this forever was when DG Drag Finals were in Nashville.. I couldn't comprehend what I saw (being 16) & was amazed that this world even existed. For the next 4-5 years I attended all of the iasca & db drag finals..

During this time I had many different jobs & always was involved in Car Audio on the side. My first Professional position was for Hifi Buys Nashville ( NOT Tweeter). They are actually the only independent HifiBuys store & is still in business today. 35+yrs

I was in Sales & Design for 4yrs. I consulted a average of 30-40 customers a DAY!! 70% of systems are based off pure SQ..We worked on everything from Honda's, Boats to several Lamborghini, Ferrari, BMW M6, Bentleys, etc. We sold JL Audio, Morel, Hertz/Audison, Focal, Boston Acoustics, Eclipse, Alpine, Clarion, Stinger, Kinetik, and a few more..

My favorite customer was the average joe.. Hardly any money to spend but wanted a system.. I would educate them on the options & explain how IMPORTANT the proper installation was to the system & get him something beyond what he could normally afford!

Since then I have moved to Largo, FL & started my own business (non-car related). I am currently in contact with a very special car audio company about a possible position in the future. Something about this Car Audio bug I can't get rid of

[Francious70]

Welcome to the phorum from Murfreesboro, TN!

It's good to hear that Brick & Mortar dealers are still willing to wiggle on price. Nowadays to many places refuse to haggle, it's a skill I'm sad to see lost to the ages.

[The Golden One]

man i didnt realize we had a few folks from around nashville in here i just wounder if ether of you guys had got a chance to visit the phoenix gold dealer there i believe it was around murfressboro. i lived in franklin for a little over a year around 11 years ago and went to that phoenix gold dealer, they had on display a team phoenix 2250 a dealer plexi mps2500 and alot of other nice phoenix gold amps. i had to pinch myself to make sure it wasnt a dream, it was just unbelievable a memorable moment indeed.

[HifiDon]

I know Hifi Buys was a HUGE dealer for old school Phoenix Gold, PPI, RF, Stinger & ADS. They have tons of old pictures of installs from the early 90's.. I had the pleasure of learning from the old timers that work their. Most have been there 10-20+years!! ah..the stories of running a ENTIRE system off a punch amp

[HifiDon]

If you ever need anything in Nashville, give me a shout.. Go in hifi & ask for Lee... Tell him Don sent you & he will take care of you.. Great Guy!!

[The Golden One]

I know Hifi Buys was a HUGE dealer for old school Phoenix Gold, PPI, RF, Stinger & ADS. They have tons of old pictures of installs from the early 90's.. I had the pleasure of learning from the old timers that work their. Most have been there 10-20+years!! ah..the stories of running a ENTIRE system off a punch amp

im just trying to figure out if that's the same place it wasnt a real big building but the way they displayed those phoenix amps was jaw dropping or maybe it was just the amps that where, i wounder if you may still have access to those pictures that would be awsome.

[HifiDon]

They have some pics displayed in the waiting room. but most the owner has & it was tough for him to pull out..
You can see their website here:
http://www.hifibuysnashville.com/mobile.php

You can look for the Mastercraft X-Star boat on the second page of the pictures. It has some PG stuff...

A pic of the storefront. We had all these vehicles in our car-bay that day....I'm standing against the Hummer talking

[The Golden One]

i think that must be the place but i was like 17 when i went there but i think i remember those pillars on the building i think the place used to be white but i dont think they had that big install bay on the left but man it's been over 11 years wow.

[HifiDon]

Yea that's the place. They since updated everything, inside & out.. Really neat place & great employees.. If you haven't been there in a while, you should swing by. Bring your favorite CD & just listen away!!

[The Golden One]

Yea that's the place. They since updated everything, inside & out.. Really neat place & great employees.. If you haven't been there in a while, you should swing by. Bring your favorite CD & just listen away!!

i live in memphis now but if if im ever up that way i will definitely check it out that place has some sort of nosatalgia about it, ah i figured they wouldnt have those phoenix gold amp's still on display, but it's good to see there still going strong.

[Bfowler]

does that mean you are carrying PG Don?

i like your approach to installs. too many get caught up on brands. i would take properly installed mid system over a 6k jl or focal system that was just dropped in any day.

[The Golden One]

dang there is a maroon porsche 911 with some ti stuff in it so they must have had PG for a bit longer than when they carried the ms amps and then there is the black corvette with a 2250 in the back yea buddy.

[HifiDon]

does that mean you are carrying PG Don?

i like your approach to installs. too many get caught up on brands. i would take properly installed mid system over a 6k jl or focal system that was just dropped in any day.

Hifibuys in Nashville probably will not carry PG for a while. During the Rodin exchange, it left a bad taste in their mouth. They do carry stinger & alot of other great brands that fit everybody's budget.

I currently am not affiliated with any shops, manufactures but I cannot comment yet about my future plans.. if all goes well then I might be back in the loop, just not retail

The proper installation & installation components is half the battle. You can buy the BEST equipment out there & if you do not have the proper enclosure, crossover settings, gain setting & for you SQ guys a proper Time alignment....it's pointless!

Example...SOOO many people don't understand how to set a gain on amplifier.. Too many people think it's a "Volume" control.. If that was the case, who would want to turn it down??

Common saying..not my words.. "Man such & such can only turn his radio up to 10 & it's loud" "And his radio goes up to 35"
My brain wants to EXPLODE!! It's hard to explain to them that you want your radio at 7/8 power level & gain LOW!!
This is where a good system designer steps in & explains all the mis-conceptions about stereo systems..

[HifiDon]

dang there is a maroon porsche 911 with some ti stuff in it so they must have had PG for a bit longer than when they carried the ms amps and then there is the black corvette with a 2250 in the back yea buddy.

Alot of these pics of the PG stuff is from people like ya'll who have had the equipment in SEVERAL cars!! My happiest days are when people walked in with OLD Xtant, ANY PG amps, Esoteric amps, JL w6 Subs, etc in MINT condition... 95% of the time they bought it from hifi years ago & if it works great....why replace?

I actually bought the LAST PG amp from there. It was a 200.4 Xenon.. After that, we lost our confidence in the brand..

[Stryker]

Welcome to the phorum dude
sounds like you've seen your fair share of installs....
Hopefully you will stick around and get to know the hardcores.
It's winter up north here so just waiting for the spring to start doing a few things with my setup.
What are you rockin in your ride?

[HifiDon]

Welcome to the phorum dude
sounds like you've seen your fair share of installs....
Hopefully you will stick around and get to know the hardcores.
It's winter up north here so just waiting for the spring to start doing a few things with my setup.
What are you rockin in your ride?

Thanks!

I wish I could say I'm rocking the best of the best...but after looking at the "Stash thread" I have nothing on ya'll..

Like most car audio guys, I have more equipment in my garage than in my truck...

My last system, before someone totaled it (un-insured driver):

1994 Accord EX 2-door
Pioneer Dex-P1r Head unit
JL ZR650 CSI Components in kick panels
Two JL 13w6v2 Subs Front firing, tuned to 38hz w/ 6 cubes total
JL 1000/1 Amplifier
Two JL 450/4 amps - One per side bi-amped to components
JL Wire, RCA's, connections, etc...

I loved everything about the system except the ZR components.. Just not what I wanted. My favorite speakers I owned were the Boston Z6 speakers... they have a good mix of SQ & volume... Looking to do two pair in the next install...Still undecided on amps, subs, etc... I might run 8 x 8" subs or 8 x 10" subs FRONT FIRING in the next install...we'll see if I keep my Tahoe long enough