To be completely honest, I've tried to support my local guys. I ran my own website business for a year, and I can say that running One's own small business is not cake. I also understand that the local stereo shop's are a dying breed these days what with CC, BB, The Internet, and the shade tree tech. My problem is the Price, Quality of craftsmanship, and Lack of knowledgable techs. There are two shops in this area that I'll still spend money with. There are 11 "known" independants. The only reasons that I'll head to the shop as opposed to doing something myself is alarm/remote start & tint. I know both of the owners well enough to have been out to dinner on occasion with them... however their 'techs/installers' are mere idiots. A couple of them can bondo & paint like nobodies business, and there are three guys (combined) that I'll trust to wire something on one of my vehicles, or a friends vehicle. That's it. Jim (at Underground Autosound) had an Extreme dBDrag van back in 2001.. 175.6dB iirc, took home a few trophies... so Yes, he can get loud & is internet savvy. But at the same time, he wants to charge $200 to build a Dual 15" CRX box... all the while pushing some Niche Audio equipment down You throat. That's not the way that they are going to survive. What this industry lacking? Reasonable people. At all levels of the hobby. R&D? Pffft, how many amplifiers are made by Chunglam? Or, how many driver OEM's are out there... 11? For 87 different name brands? Marke-neering? A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link... in this hobby, marketing only has to be convincing enough to sell equipment to the most gullable person. Distribution? RE, Adire, and many, MANY others are authoried dealers only... right? What about all of the unauthorized dealers out there? Hell, You can get Hifonics at MANY websites online... yet According to John of Maxxsonics: "There are only two online retailers". :jerkmeoff: Installation? See above. Sales? Word of mouth > all. Yet Word of mouth is subjective.... Competition? I can point out at least 4 loopholes or shining examples of stupidity in every competitive organiztion.... more likely a a dozen examples. Not too mention that the average consumer (let alone the average retailer) has NEVER heard of these competitions now-a-days. As someone said earlier... these "are dying out", and by doing so, they are taking alot with them. i've typed too much, I've got other things to read. Sorry. [/rant]