I have been a stereo installer for more than 20 years and worked as a stereo installer in shops from 1990 to 95. Back in the late 80's early 90's cars were in need of a better stereo and it was a pretty new thing. Every teenager wanted a booming stereo. I was always technically minded and loved to tinker with cars so I started installing stereos. It was kind of learn as you go. I would always be the guy to put in one of my buddy's stereo because we were too broke to afford a shop to do it. I got noticed by a local shop for some of my installs and offered me a job as a "real" stereo installer. I worked for crap pay and crap work. Install a deck and two speakers. It was volume that would make you money. Deck and two. Alarms - door locks, starter cut and light flash. Quick in and get out. After a year I got really bored at my work, I wasn't being creative anymore. I went on my own, opened a shop and did Custom Installs. Got featured in Car Audio Mag in 1994 and 1995 with two different cars. Competed in IASCA shows, won Best of Show several times and got recognition. At first the money was all right. What did I know? It was the most I ever made at that time. I started competing in IASCA car audio shows I was winning respect and clients. At the boom, I was making a decent income but at a cost. I was working long hours, little sleep and always trying to create something new. One night I was working late and I realized that I was doing this with no end. I was lying there contorted underneath a dash looking at the underside of a steering column when it hit me. Is this what I wanted to do when I hit 40? Hell what about 30? If it wasn't, I'd better make a change before I get stuck. At the end of 1998 I dropped my tools, went back to University, got a degree and an office job. Now I make more than I ever did as an installer in the best of days. Holidays, Full Benefits, and Raises. Commission? What's that?
So I guess to summarize my rambling, if you are in it for the money - forget it. If you are passionate of car audio and love working on cars and electronics - you have a chance. Otherwise I think it is like a job for a teenager, young adult that need money for college or is not sure what they want to do with their lives and need a job. I still, to this day, still do custom installs, at home, in my shop, on the weekends, tinkering here and there. But now it is a hobby. I still got the bug. But it's not the way I want to make a living.
And all through the days as an installer, I never got a piece of paper MECP or otherwise. I took pictures of my installs, including the wiring and work in progress. That was my resume and that was how I sold customers. I have a huge photo book of my installs from all sorts of cars and trucks. My work, my reputation and my respect of their cars brought me my clients. I lived by certain rules. Always work in their cars as if it was your own. Respect their car, if you can't respect their AMC Gremlin, don't work on it. I was never that desperate. Never steal their loose change, if you find change, put it in their cup holder. Never, Never talk trash about other shops, installers or clients. It's a small world and it gets around.
I hope these two bits helps.
So I guess to summarize my rambling, if you are in it for the money - forget it. If you are passionate of car audio and love working on cars and electronics - you have a chance. Otherwise I think it is like a job for a teenager, young adult that need money for college or is not sure what they want to do with their lives and need a job. I still, to this day, still do custom installs, at home, in my shop, on the weekends, tinkering here and there. But now it is a hobby. I still got the bug. But it's not the way I want to make a living.
And all through the days as an installer, I never got a piece of paper MECP or otherwise. I took pictures of my installs, including the wiring and work in progress. That was my resume and that was how I sold customers. I have a huge photo book of my installs from all sorts of cars and trucks. My work, my reputation and my respect of their cars brought me my clients. I lived by certain rules. Always work in their cars as if it was your own. Respect their car, if you can't respect their AMC Gremlin, don't work on it. I was never that desperate. Never steal their loose change, if you find change, put it in their cup holder. Never, Never talk trash about other shops, installers or clients. It's a small world and it gets around.
I hope these two bits helps.
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