posted
I think I have been doing this long enough now that I know what I am doing (more or less), and I enjoy doing it. I know you have to get approved or something to become an installer officially. How does one go about this? Are there classes people need to take, or do you have to study for an exam?
posted
To become an installer, you usually need professional, verifiable experience. To get professional, verifiable experience you need to become an installer. It's just one of those things. You either need to know someone to give you a chance, or you should maybe get a job in sales at a place where you have an opportunity to work with installers. Offer to lend a hand when to bay gets busy or show some initiative and start wiring harnesses for the installers. If you can prove yourself to the installers and your boss, chances are that sooner or later when an opportunity to work in the bay comes up, you will be the first pick. Sales people are easy to come by, installers are not. Here's another tip: get a job at a place where the install bay is connected to the sales floor. Circuit City would probably be a good place to start (that's where I used to work). Ask around about your local shops because some of them can be shady on the pay. There is one shop where I live that is infamous for not paying it's employees. Pay day comes when the owner decides he has enough money to cut the checks. I would probably stay away from Best Buy (that's where I work now) at first. They pay their installers great (almost 50% more than I can make elsewhere, plus benefits). But as a sales person, you will NEVER get a chance to work in the bay. They are very strict about that (insurance reasons). Also too, unless you live in California, expect to spend atleast $1500 on quality tools when you become an installer, as they will usually be required to get the job. Get as many as you can from Sears. Their Craftsman hand tools all have lifetime warranties and are affordable. Most of mine are Snap-On and I'm already up to over $8,000 in tools. (At about $15 per screwdriver it's no wonder I don't and won't let others borrow my tools. Great tools, but extremely expensive.) Hope this gives you some insight. Good luck!
Posts: 15 | From: Pittsburgh, PA | Registered: Nov 2001
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BB isnt bad. Weve had 4 people come off the floor into the bay. I definatly wouldnt want to work on the 'floor' there. Way too much BS. I bank more than a few Sup's there too. They recently took away the 'bonus' system, but compensated us. Its nice for vacations and slow days etc. Ive spent a good $1k on tools thus far. MECP cert is a plus. They pay well for that. First Class was a good extra $3/hr.. Posts: 518 | From: SW Chicago, IL | Registered: Oct 2000
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whats your Exp.?what are you looking for?(sales work with the option to become an installer or training as an installer?)Email me with what you have exp. with may be able to help you out assuming by your name your in the San Diego area oneluckyshot@hotmail.com
Posts: 23 | From: Cali | Registered: Jan 2003
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