I've been in the audio/security installation industry for about 13 yrs now and have never been certified but have worked for many high end custom audio shops. I am currently working part time at Best Buy (hey it's only for a hobby) on top of my full time job (dB Admin for Dod). I know Best Buy isn't the greatest place to work for but it gives me a place to work on cars and I love getting paid to do my hobby (but no custom :thumbdown. BB requires a MECP cert to work there as an installer. Which brings me to my question. Who here is MECP certified and for how long? Is anyone here on the Master level?


[Modified by Home Skillet, 1:27 PM 3/2/2003]

 

i am certified for almost 5 years now, maybee i will take the first class this year when i have to renew and take the test again.

 

Man, I'd love to get into installation.

 

Hey man (and all who are about to flame it) Best Buy is where I got my start ... it's not THAT bad of a place to work ... thank goodness I found a custom shop to work at though, I was going NUTS. In any event I've been certified for about a year now and I'm working on my First Class. For the record though ... it's not REQUIRED for a BB installer to be MECP certified ... it's just recommended. Plus you get a raise . Ideally I'm working towards my Master Cert. but those are damn hard to get. Last time I looked there were only about 80 in the entire US. The basic level is all you really need and isn't too hard to get. Check with your install lead about getting the MECP study guide. It's VERY useful. Also, BB has practice MECP tests in thier computer system. When I took it ... the practice tests were IDENTICAL to the actual test. The questions were just slightly reworded. If you can handle the practice tests and recognize the questions ... you will ace the test. I finished in about 30 minutes and got a 93 on it and I only took the practice test twice. Good luck to you man. It's well worth the time. I found that when I was looking for a job the first question out of everyones mouth was: "Are you certified?" It's real nice to be able to say "yes"

 

What are the requirements to be an installer at BB?

 

if BB is requiring to have an MECP certificate, forget it. i aint' applying

or i can just work as a salesman. i'll be recommending other brands left and right. better to let the customer get the best deal than for me to earn just a few bucks more

 

best buy "wants" you to be certified, they will hire without certification. for anyone who is just getting into installing as a career, i would highly recomend starting at best buy for about a year before moving on. they will get you certified, trained, and you will learn to work fast and efficently. you will learn so many different cars and the basics of audio and be able to install security with no problem within the first year.

 

I think I'll apply...

 

Best Buy is a great place to work but there's just a lot of crap to deal with there. My background has been working at custom shops from day 1 and it's so much more laid back than BB. I started working at BB keeping in mind that the install work is so basic and elementary and is great for beginning installers. Keep in mind that I've been doing this for many years but this time around it's a little different being my part time job right after my full time job. So I'm glad it's really easy. What the pain in the butt is the answering phones and talking to walk in customers when you're trying to wire up a customer's vehicle. Overall BB has been a great place for me to work (even p/t) and it seems like hanging out with friends while working.

 

As for me my certification ran out in 6/2002....I have held certification from the
2nd year the program started. It has added a form a legitimacy to our industry..
the problem is many shops and other installers dont believe in it. I not saying that if you take the test you will know how to work on all cars...no you wont. That will only come with experience. My advice is going to a large chain ( BB or CC) you will
gain this.

 

mine ran out too, and my job doesn't pay for me to take it anymore. Sorta sucks, but oh well

 

How much can I make as an installer in cali?

I work as a network engineer. I would love to do car stereo installs on weekends for a shop. My college major was mechanical engineering(didn't finish ). I have a descent understanding of electricity and physics. I have always thought that it would be fun, and a nice hookup for some toys for me

 

Used to be mecp and ase electrical. mecp expired don't care about ase. To me it seems like a way for best buy to over come their past track record of not so fab work. The tests are very simple, best buy will even pay for the books and the test for you to get cerified.

 

i used to work with home skillet and he is a fly installer you guys dont know who your talking to he actually got me the job i have now at a custom shop when i was certified but now im not ive been doing this for 12 years nopw and i didnt learn any more from being certified so......

 

Try taking the silver or master level tests.. you'll learn a little more. Silver is decently difficult, but masters.. damn

 

sometimes it takes that piece of paper to get your foot in the door...

As a shop manager, which noob would you hire? A guy with no exp. or anything... maybe tools, or the guy who shows enough interest to go and take a test and pass it.

that's how I got my break.

 

The test were brought about to add some legitimacy to the industry.
The thought or rather perception the public has of an installer is not
all that great ( ie: criminals,slackers,etc)...yet our skills require us to
be adapt at some many discsiplines that it would overwhelm the avg person.

Will being certified make you a better installer?...as stated above no...but those
who say that its a waste of times or it does not mean anything are missing the big picture. CEDA/CEMA and many manufactures want to bring a level of respect to
what we do on a daily basis..akin to a doctor or lawyer. The MECP symbol and signage are what consumer are being conditioned to look for. If you want to be in this biz become certified even installer/bronze level certification would help everyone out...and it shows a personal level of dedication to your profession.

Peace

 

what are the chances i could go to best buy and get a job installing part time with minimal experience? I have only done stuff to my own car, so I think i could do Hondas easily but obviously that isnt all that is going to come in. Anyone have any suggestions to this?

 

start out as a shop lackey.

one of my old bosses got his break by coming in to clean the shop, he started at, free for like a year, before they let him work on a car.

The last guy we took at my old shop worked in the shipping dept. and was always hanging out, he just kinda weaseled his way in to it.

With nothing to offer, you don't stand much of a chance just walking up and asking for a job.



[Modified by nOOber, 11:53 AM 3/5/2003]

 

wassup homey!! you dissed me the other night at Orange Ball. Anyways, I plan on taking my MECP within the next 2 weeks and then study for my 1st Class after that. I have a degree in Electrical Engineering and the MECP beginner test is similar to it. I'm not very worried about it but I do want to pursue the Master in the near future. Thanks for everyones input, keep em coming fellas.

 

Your right! I think it didn't matter to me because I have a nice comfy job that I don't ever have to look at a car anymore if i don't want to. But to the industry as a whole it is very important have some checks and balances.

 

i plan on doing this for a while as well, i never worked on too many cars other than my own and my gf's car...i plan on going to mobile dynamics soon for the training course...do you guys think it will be worth it? 8 weeks seems kinda short, i do have some basic knowledge of electrical and stereo systems...

 

Remember its 8 weeks of hands on... plus they offer job placement. But working as an installer wont get you too much money unless you own your own shop. Its not bad, but its not like super bad *** either.

 

if you work at BB, expect to deal with alot of politics. it's not just about installing, but about being a deceiving sales man that worry more about pushing accessories and Service Plans. It's a good experience, although it's full of B.S. I'm certified...yah, it's only a piece of paper, but if people think they are as good as they are, the MECP basic installer test should be an ease.

i'm about to take my First Class for the hell of it, and Homeskillet, with an EE the Basic test will be toooo easy for you...

also, one of the stores I worked at out in Torrance, CA #103 did custom work. it's kind of up to the supervisor.


[Modified by super laubo, 3:50 AM 3/14/2003]


[Modified by super laubo, 3:53 AM 3/14/2003]

 

Damn....

I want to get into it but I need some study resources and stuff.

My friend is MECP Certified Basic Installer, but even around here it's hard to come by. I think the highest level of certification was the step below Master.