So you are in the market for some quality auto sound system components, or maybe an entire system, but you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on it? eBay may be the answer to your prayers.
What is eBay?
Anyone familiar with the internet (and many who aren’t) has probably heard of eBay. For those of you who don’t know, eBay is the worlds largest online auction house. Every day, literally thousands of auto sound system parts are auctioned off to the highest bidder, often at bargain prices significantly under normal retail cost.
Using eBay to Find Auto Sound System Parts
eBay can be a wonderful tool for people looking for surprisingly good bargains on auto sound system components. There are all kinds of different brands available, many of which may not be available to you locally. And these parts are often sold for less than retail. Using eBay’s search makes it easy to find the exact auto sound system parts you are looking for. Every component, from the head unit to amplifiers, speakers to accessories, and everything you need to install your auto sound system can be bought off of eBay. You can also find installation guides, speaker boxes, sound dampening materials, and other related products there.
The Disadvantages of eBay
There are a few things to keep in mind when bargain-hunting for auto sound system parts on eBay. The biggest concern is that you can’t listen to it before you buy it. But if you can find the same part locally, you can easily give it a test listen in their storefront. In fact, that is probably the best way to choose what parts to buy, unless you are very familiar with auto sound system components and already know exactly what you want. Then there are the general problems that come with shopping on the internet. eBay has taken care of a lot of the problems that can come with internet shopping by implementing a rating system, wherein sellers (and buyers) are given feedback and a score based on how honestly they do business. Avoid sellers with low ratings, even if they seem to have a killer bargain. But sometimes people with no rating at all will be selling an auto sound system component. These people are first-time sellers, and can be worth a shot if you feel OK with taking a slight gamble.
Post-Purchase Installation
The last thing to keep in mind is that your new bargain auto sound system will still have to be installed. A lot of professional shops give a discount to the installation or the parts when you purchase and install in one location. Sometimes, this can wind up being cheaper than buying off of eBay and having your local shop install the system at their full rates. But if you feel confident that you can do it, you can always attempt the installation on your own. This will save you a LOT of money, but if your system is particularly complex, you may wish to have it done professionally. While more expensive up front, this could save you a lot of time and maybe even money if you crack that shiny new LCD panel trying to fit it yourself.
