30 Things Car Audio Installers Can’t Do

Car audio installers are sometimes asked to do more than just install great car sound.

A customer might ask for his car to be checked for wiretapping. Or he might want special compartments (“traps”) installed.

Roger Lanctot of Strategy Analytics went to his favorite installer who gave him a list of 30 things he could not do.

“As an example, he first told me that he could sweep a car for bugs or tracking devices at a customer’s request,” said Lanctot. “But if he found a device that was put in by law enforcement – state, local or Federal – he would not be able to inform the vehicle owner.  Given that I live in the Washington, DC, area, this is a real concern.”

Here are the 29 other things he said he could not do:

1. Take large sums of cash and not bank it
2. Take catalytic converters out of exhaust systems for the precious metals
3. Wire up dash video to play while the vehicle is in motion
4. Sell radar detectors in illegal markets
5. Install voice recorders
6. Steal airbags and wire around ignition squibs for checksums
7. Take the customer’s old radio when new product is installed
8. Sell used/pre-installed product as new
9. Provide fictional warranty docs
10. Hire illegals
11. Hide damage to customer car
12. Aid in insurance fraud
13. Do side work after hours
14. Resell product bought through unauthorized channels
15. Offer radar jammers
16. Disribute drugs to customers for a “tip”
17. Install illegal window tint
18. Install eyebolts in the car floor (for restraints?)
19. Snitch out cops
20. Work for “weed”
21. Pay kickbacks to car dealer employees
22. Install illegal audio/video surveillance
23. Install tracking devices without owner’s consent
24. Install non-SAE HID headlights  that blind other drivers
25. Install red/blue warning lights and siren in civilian car
26. Witness a murder
27. Steal customer’s drugs
28. Defeat emissions
29. Create hiding places for drugs and other contraband in the car

Lanctot concludes, “The fact that a list like this can be dreamed up reflects the nature of the world of car stereo installation….Car stereo installers have become the equivalent of doctors, attorneys and priests with privileged relationships to their customers and carefully proscribed relationships with law enforcement.  Everyone should have an installer friend – like a GP for your car.  But find one fast, they are a vanishing breed.  Just don’t expect him or her to tell you if the Feds are tailing you.”

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/automotive-aftermarket-confidential-roger-c-lanctot

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