Tips to get a great deal when buying car stereo equipment…CENSORED VERSION!
In this article, discover:
1. How you can save at least 25% on expensive stereo equipment at your local stereo shop
2. How you can conserve to 50%+ (!!!) on stereo equipment from eBay
3. How to save much more on stereo equipment buying from auctions.
4. How you can save money buying used equipment
5. How you can save money buying refurbished equipment.
6. Ways to get sponsored, and obtain stuff free of charge
7. How you can form a business, get stuff for cheap, and make money!
The situation:
Stereo devices are expensive. Actually, autosound is easily the most expensive hobby That i have ever had. As a result, most of us who don’t make a small fortune want to get the best deals possible, without dealing with tons o’ trouble.
Bet you didn’t know…
Stereo components don’t really cost their price. In fact, most dealers pay less than half of the MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested list price) for any component. This doesn’t imply that a dealer can just turn around and sell the item for his or her cost. Dealers spend quite a lot of money and time to market a product, and therefore mark up the price of a product. I am talking about, if your dealer has a unit that sells for $500, they may spend $250 for this. HOWEVER, the dealer also offers to pay for rent, utilities, payroll, etc. to make that item available to you. In addition, a dealer must also spend time choosing the item, ordering the product, and storing the product. In a nutshell, the dealer is doing work, and needs to become purchased it for. So, they margin the price. This is to be expected. The good thing is that lots of stereo shops won’t charge full MSRP if you bargain with them.
Bargaining…
So, you enter mom and pop stereo shop in Anytown USA (or Anytown World), and find out one that you like. The price is $499. You see a salesman hovering around, which means you ask the salesperson if you’re able to buy it for $250. No way says the salesperson.
Why did this happen?
You’ve made a “lowball” offer towards the salesman. You basically asked the salesperson to market the product without a profit. Be done with it. Most salesmen earn a commission on which they sell, and as such this salesman won’t accept your offer because he won’t earn a commission. Can you work with free? Absolutely not.
Instead, make an offer that’s well over the wholesale price, but well below the list price. Halfway between both of these prices is fair. If wholesale is $250, and retail is $500, offer $375.
The salesperson still disapproves. Wait a second! I figured you asserted you could bargain with the salesman, what the heck?
I had been correct when I said you can bargain. However, the salesperson continues to be thinking commissions. Why must he sell it at a price less than he’s accustomed to? Because you’re prepared to do something for him. Tell the salesperson that you’ll inform your friends. Tell the salesperson that you’ll promote his business. If you scratch his back, he’ll scratch yours.
Now, don’t be shady relating to this. Don’t lie to the salesperson telling him that you’ll refer your friends to him, and never get it done. Think about it, you just saved $125 on a device. To be 100% fair, you should do $125 worth of work with the salesperson. One way to do that is to refer your pals. Ask for a few business cards, and pass them on to your buddies.
How do you build a storage shed?
This is the phrase that has always worked for me personally:
“What kind of deal can you get me on that DEH-P960?”
This phrase is extremely effective since it provides the salesman some vital information:
1. You sound like guess what happens you’re talking about using the model number
2. You are interested in buying–if the price is right
3. You want a deal
Often, a salesman is with a slightly discounted. When the item was $500, they may say: “Well, how about $475?” You realize that you can do better, so you need to be in advance using the salesman. “Come on, both you and I understand you can do at least $400″. “Better still, let’s make it $375, and I’ll tell my friends–do you have any company cards?”
Chances are good the salesman will say yes. If he says no, just raise your offer by a number of dollars. Often times the salesman will make a counter-offer. Never accept it. At this time, the salesman Would like the sale, and will be trying my way through his power to close the sale. Don’t be obnoxious or cocky, just be firm.
It’s been my experience which i have been in a position to save about 25-33% on expensive gear at brick and mortar stereo shops.
Another hint: Do not attempt this in a national chain, you will get rejected. Why? Because they chains are bad bad companies. They have enough money, anyway. Work with local shops who actually care about car audio and video, and worry about providing you with good service, and don’t hire lame kids that do not know anything about anything!
2.) eBay
eBay. Here it is. eBay has the best money saving deals, and finest selection I’ve come across for stereo equipment. The main drawbacks are the accessibility to some brands is extremely limited (such as the high-end brands), you will need to wait for a item to reach (I understand this is often nerve wracking), plus some individuals are still worried about conducting business transactions online, id theft, fraud, etc. etc. However, with a few tips, you will be safe, and save big bucks in your audio system.
Alright! Let’s save some money! However, a few tips to keep you safe.
First, look into the seller’s feedback. I’d hope the seller would have at least several hundred POSITIVE feedbacks, and no under 98% positive. Most of the in a major way electronics dealers on eBay have A large number of positive feedback, and therefore are very reliable.
Second, be sure that the seller is verified or certified by a minumum of one online based third-party, that are experts in fraud prevention. Included in this are BBB Online, ID Verify, and TrustE. This helps to ensure that the seller is who they say they’re, and do the things they say they do. It also ensures that there are no major complaints against that merchant.
Third, consider the shipping price. Sometimes a few of the less reputable sellers on eBay have seemingly low prices on stereo equipment, but have extremely high shipping prices. Usually, the total price arrives to about the same as other sellers, BUT this behavior is prohibited by eBay since the seller is fraudulently paying less eBay fees compared to they should. Do not trust people who do that.
Fourth, buy insurance. Many times sellers include this within their shipping price, or require it, but when they don’t, spend the money for few extra dollars for this. You would be quite upset in case your $500 Alpine arrives having a cracked faceplate. This happened to me, and that i was quite happy which i had insurance.
Fifth, be sure that the seller accepts Paypal. This is a great security point, and shows that IF the seller uses Paypal, then that seller has been approved by Paypal. It’s not necessary to pay with Paypal if you don’t want to, but…
Sixth, just pay with Paypal. The reason: They’ve powerful fraud protection included in their system. It is simply safer than paying through any other means.
Seventh, whether it looks too good to be true, it likely is. Use caution!
I’ll show you in which the hottest deals on stereo equipment are happening right now on my small website!
3.) How to locate liquidators/seized electronics dealers/auctions, etc.
This is the way you’ll save as much as possible. Before continuing, Let me tell you that it’s possible to get electronics for pennies about the dollar. I would recommend this route for people who are curious about being in the stereo business. You’ll find liquidators and auctions where it is possible to buy throusands of dollars worth of equipment for only hundreds. You’ll find several pieces to maintain for yourself, and sell the remainder on eBay, or through Craigslist, and make back all of your money and then some! It requires a little work, but can be quite rewarding. I will tell you more about this on my small website!
4.) An alternative choice: If you wish to save bucks, to keep your used equipment. Now, I personally wouldn’t buy used stuff unless I knew it had been in great condition (which is difficult to do through eBay), however, you can get good equipment at very low prices if you’re selective.
One creative method of doing this might be through competitions. Visit a competition, and speak with a competitor. These guys change their equipment frequently, and know their stuff (so you’ll know it had not been abused, and you’ll know it was installed correctly). You could locate fairly easily some TOP QUALITY equipment at good prices simply by speaking with autosound competitors.
Check local newspapers, craigslist classifieds, online classifieds, car audio and video forums, car enthusiast websites, the options are endless! It may be a lot of work, but if you can find a well looked after device, you will save money.
5.) Refurbished goods:
They are sorta half-used. Usually if a product has problems, it’s sent back to the factory under warranty. The manufacturer will fix the broken part(s), re-package it, then sell it to wholesalers at a discount. Refurbished gear is excellent because it was basically restored to like-new condition, and sold for a cheap price. There isn’t any shortage of refurbished gear on eBay, and I highly recommened it as a money-saving option.
6.) Sponsorships:
For those who have a good looking car fit, you might be eligible for a sponsorship. Basically, with sponsorship, different manufacturers offer you many, and also you install them. In return, you show your automobile at shows, and promote the brand that sponsors you. This is one of the few ways to get free gear. Some work is required, but ummmm FREE Car audio and video GEAR!
7.) Go Legit:
Form a business, and get use of wholesalers. Usually all you’ll need to do is get a “reseller’s permit”. This document is free to acquire, but beware! It also requires you to do certain things (like pay florida sales tax to the government). It’s not hard whatsoever, you just need to keep records. Check with your state board of equalization for more information.