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Print out flyers and post them EVERYWHERE... Give all my clients a % off if they agreed to sport a sinster decal... Everytime I heard a system come on I'd be walking to the car and inviting them to the shop... Post ads in the news paper and on your towns website... Go on forums and become the biggest post wh*re ever...

Word of mouth is your best friend... I know when our local shop started out a few years back they had hardly nothing, then they start hosting little event and getting groupies, now you see tons of cars driving around with the shop decals on them... Seriously, they just moved into a new shop and are doing really well for themself...

Can you do it? Yes you can!

Thats crap! I for one think this sucks! There is no reason a skilled person such as yourself should have to close down your shop. Perhaps the SPL competition might help you though. The guys in my area definitely get loads of business when they have one. And from what i understand they dont even have a mic... they rent one out for the day and then charge ppl like $15-$25 an entry, plus as an incentive they do free bench testing that day

i think the comp is a good idea, i hope all goes well with your store

Just a thought, but if you and Bill and who ever else who runs any sort of business what-so-ever put your heads together, discussed lessons learned, what has worked, what hasn't, etc., perhaps it could help everyone keep their businesses.

I plan to open a business one day. I would be very interested to talk with you about what has worked and what hasn't. Anything I can learn to better improve my chances of a successful business, I'm all about it.

As much as I love higher end equipment, I know that's not where the money is. I know there's killer markup on the crappy stuff and that's as much as most people are willing to spend anyway. So I know to run a successful business you have to appeal to the masses. As much as it may suck, if it keeps the doors up and the money flowing ... sell Audiobahn. Or what ever people will pay for. Maybe pricing could be changed. Maybe the store's location isn't ideal.

I watched a complete looser in Arizona rake in a ton of money every month and he didn't know a thing about audio. His son, a coke head, was the lead installer. Together they wern't worth shit. But they sold a crap load of audio equipment and made a butt load of money. The druggy didn't spend any time in the store and the silver tongue didn't step foot in the bay. That guy could sell ice cubes to eskimos. He pimped more Boss gear than I thought ever possible. But he made money doing it.

I firmly believe where there's a will, there's a way. And if you have the determination, you'll find the way. You know what you're doing, we all know that. What is making the other audio shops around you successful? What are they doing that you're not? What are they doing that you either do better already or could do better if you started? If you really want to stay in business, you might have to make some sacrafices. Sell cheaper stuff ... do alarms and remote starters ... hire a tint guy ... what ever it takes.

There has to be a way.

they only way to stay open is to sell cheap shit. im not giving up yet ill keep mine open for a while. so well see but its not going so hot right now.

sinister audio wrote:Well as you all know im the owner of Sinister Audio. and for the last year business has been pretty slow actually very slow and it has always been hard to pay the bills even with me getting a job at a factory to help cover the bills. well im finally feed with supporting a loosing cause. Ill probaly be open for a month more unless i start selling a ton of stuff to make payments other wise ill just have to sell what i have left and close the doors.

Devin, daggum it man...I hate to hear that....wish there was something I could do to help you out. Let me know if there is anything I can do.

Same goes for you too Bill.

You guys will be in my thoughts.

Joe

this is all good stuff but it almost sounds to me like the desire is gone....not the interest but the desire to have your own shop. maybe im wrong, if i am wrong then my own personal philosphy is "do it for love or money but love will leave you broke".........i know its easy for me to say because i just work at a shop i dont own one but, im the only employee and my personal success is a direct reflection of what goes on at the shop........i have a boss but i am the shop........

Bwcad1 wrote:they only way to stay open is to sell cheap shit. im not giving up yet ill keep mine open for a while. so well see but its not going so hot right now.

hey bill did you ever get a store front? that will be the biggest thing in your way..

I watched a complete looser in Arizona rake in a ton of money every month and he didn't know a thing about audio. His son, a coke head, was the lead installer. Together they wern't worth shit. But they sold a crap load of audio equipment and made a butt load of money. The druggy didn't spend any time in the store and the silver tongue didn't step foot in the bay. That guy could sell ice cubes to eskimos. He pimped more Boss gear than I thought ever possible. But he made money doing it.

Sounds like Will Castro at Unique Autosport

I firmly believe where there's a will, there's a way. And if you have the determination, you'll find the way. You know what you're doing, we all know that. What is making the other audio shops around you successful? What are they doing that you're not? What are they doing that you either do better already or could do better if you started? If you really want to stay in business, you might have to make some sacrafices. Sell cheaper stuff ... do alarms and remote starters ... hire a tint guy ... what ever it takes.

This is a good advice...advice worthy of reputation increase

^^^ Will castro used to sell cheap shit... used is the prime word there... he basically only installs JL now
Actually he doesnt do anything but sit on his fat ass but u get the picture

nah the will isnt gone thats the reason i still do it. i havent made much money at all doing this mainly because i cut such good deals to people. and i do that because i would rather them spend the money for good equipment than buy cheap shit. no terry i dont have store front simple fact is i cant afford it. i have a dual bay garage but thats about it.