"Thanks for helping kill the hi-fi industry, by the way. Us retailers are grateful..."

Well, someone paid a retailer top dollar at some point to get the items, i bought many components used from people, and yes, as well as powersellers. US Retailers are free to sell on ebay as well arent they?? Maybe i'm wrong. If you're familar with the Hi-Fi home audio industry, then you know there will always be very wealthy individuals who dont mind paying marked up, top dollar for items from a retailer. What they pay for is their lazyness to do the research on the gear themselves, and sometimes, but not often, good customer service. If i want to listen to a compontent at my local hi-fi, who is great, and i like the item, i buy from them if i can afford to. But car audio is a bit different IMO, most intall spots will not assemble a series of components you are interested in for audition, thus the need to spend time researching, asking opinions from end users through messageboards such as this, etc.
Every single spot i went to ask about system options for my ride reufsed to do anything but force feed their 'featured' HU or Amp and SUB of the month, not unlike a used car salesman.......So, yea, that doesnt really want to make me spend thousands of dollars with said 'retailers' I do my own research, and save a ton of $$$ purchasing things off of evilbay........those 4.8is car payments arent cheap, need to save somewhere!!! =)

I wished i lived closer to Portland, you sound like a great shop. I've read your posts, and your opinions as well as advice, thats what this place is all about. Maybe you were just being tounge in cheek, but i dont see any posts about how buying Euro Clear OEM HID lighting off of ebay is killing BMW parts counters, etc. I buy and sell a wide range of items from ebay. Ebay has often driven the price of many great deals through the roof, but has also brought marked up, overpriced things to an attainable level for some people.
To each his own, but alot of the fun of customizing cars, wheather it be audio, or others for me is parts hunting, reading, researching. I guess i end up appreciating the end purchase more, having done my own research and bargain hunting.
I also like sharing with friends and others where a deal might be. blah blah blah....didnt mean to rant.....
Business times are changing rapidly.....i think ebay is making it possible for people world wide to open 'shops' that would otherwise be impossible for them at a retail storefront level.....so, to sum up this rant: all the shit i sold this month is paying for my install and components, and i think thats awesome. =)

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'04 X5 4.8is Ti Silver
'03 330ci Ti Silver
'05 Dodge RAM 1500 HEMI

1932 Ford 3 Window Coupe, steel:
383 CI stroked SBC 550HP