question

[new-yorker]

Does Polk offer any seminars or workshops were you can get certified as a product specialist?

[PoweredByDodge]

You can become MECP certified at a place in Rochester, NY -- I don't know where in NY you are, but it's pretty much the middle of the state.

As far as becoming a specific product specialist... Thom or Josh can answer that.

[new-yorker]

I am MECP Certified. But i noticed alot of companies offer workshops. i.e. rockford fosgate offers some. my friend went to one where he got a certificate saying he is a product specialist and knows how to install, operate, etc RF products. I was wondering if Polk offered something similiar for installers trying to expand their horizon.

[Mike B.]

Some are workshops , others are more of a Sales meeting w/ a little more in depth tech info. IE. Alpine, used to give certificates stating you were a "product/ system specialist" if you attended there "sales training".(most were power point look see's, not anything hands on.)


If there is enough demand for such classes , it may happen . Speak w/ your rep.

[neomagus00]

how do we find out who our local rep is?

[brettw22]

Local rep would be something you'd only get to deal with if you're working at a dealer store.......

Best bet is to probably call Polk CS and ask them to put you in touch with the local because stores tend to clam up when you ask for the direct contact of any particular manufacturer.

[exalted512]

im a pioneer navigation specialist, have a jacket to prove it:D
-Cody

[audiobliss]

Let's see a pic of the jacket. Wonder what in the world it'd look like...white lab coat with Pioneer on it? :D

[hellohello]

yeah, pioneer written on it in a manner not unlike a magic marker....

[exalted512]

its a black dickies jacket that says pioneer it knows on the back and the front and says navigation specialist on the sleeve
-Cody

[audiobliss]

Ah-ha. No pictures. I knew you were making this up.

[new-yorker]

I found out, Rockford Fosgate offers RTTI, which is a workshop you get sales & technical training, and a certificate to say you are a product specialist.

[exalted512]

DEI has the snakepit, thats one of the better ones to go to if you can.
-Cody

[new-yorker]

yea the snakepit would be wonderful..but im poor. lol

[swerve]

All the schools are going to be expensive. I was this ----->> | | close to going to mobile dynamics but decided to get my associates first to see where my heart really was.
i'd go for home and car... but in illinois there really isn't a market for that kind of stuff unless you go up north.

[new-yorker]

I spent $6k for tuition to go to Syntec in NJ, and then another $5k in electronics into my car, and another $3k into tools. Gets very expensive!

[spwuinmk67]

How was Syntec? A friend and myself were considering going there...

[new-yorker]

Syntec was a very good experience. it really opened up my eyes to the industry. they really hold up to their reputation. And the thing I like about it was, you learn all the theory stuff, and take the MECP Test in 3 months. and then its not over yet, you still got another 2 months of fabrication. Plus, Syntec also runs a business from the same location, where they cater to repeat customers. the family who owns syntec, use to own a shop at first. they still have the shop, and do all the work in the same installation bay as the students. And you get to work on customer cars. Really nice cars I might add.

[PoweredByDodge]

3 grand on tools? what kind of friggin tools were you buying? I've got two tool chests, about 5 feet tall, 2 1/2 feet wide, and 1 1/2 feet deep --- filled from top to bottom with Craftsman, Williams, Husky, and Blackhawk tools, and that shit didn't cost me no 3,000 dollars. Hell if you add in the goddamn 35 gallon air tank / compressor with the impact guns / sockets and all the air tools... and then add the hydraulic jacks and even the garage door opener and then you start to come close to 3 grand. i hope whatever the hell you bought was gold plated, cuz you could have had a whole garage / mini shop full of tools for that price (buying on sale rocks).

[audiobliss]

Well, I can confidently say that if you didn't even spend near $3k on just the boxes, you bought crap! And that's coming from a Snap-On dealer's son. :D

[new-yorker]

most of my tools are snap-on. At syntec, they have a student program, where you get up to 60% off snap-on tools. my tool boxes are craftsman, and I have some Napa stuff. Snap-on is a rip off though, even with a student discount.

[cam5860]

Nah 60% off snap-on tools is not a rip off man. My father has been running his own auto mechanic shop for 30 years. He still has the snap-on tools he bought 25 years ago. Although his buys a lot of craftsman tools, snap-on tools are better tools. I agree snap-on tools are to high but you pay for what you get.

[exalted512]

snap on tools are way too pricey. Buy a friggin craftsman. if it breaks, take it to sears and you wont have to wait a week or two for the snap on guy to makes his rounds and hope he has it in stock. Snap on is great for specialty tools, other than that theyre worthless IMO when you can get a craftsman for a helluva lot cheaper and have the same warranty.

I spend $180 for my craftsman ball bearing toolbox at a pawn shop...damn thing is like new. Wouldve cost me around 700 from sears.
-Cody

[cam5860]

I agree you can't beat craftsman tools for the money and warranty, but snap-on makes better tools. If your going to make a career out of something it's not a bad idea to own snap-on tools.

[audiobliss]

If you make your living using tools, Snap-On is not a rip-off. Sure, you can buy Craftsman and have them replace it everytime you break it, but can you imagine the down time you'd have? You'd have to buy four of everything so that when one broke you'd still have one to use! Sure, Snap-On is expensive, but considering how popular they are with serious mechanics and how the company is still around, they're worth it to a lot of people. And 60% off is definitely NOT a rip-off...it's a steal.

[PoweredByDodge]

look -- the tool boxes are ball bearing slides... they were about $400 each. Some of the tools are hand me downs, but that speaks for brands like Williams and Blackhawk. They don't break (not often at least). I've tried to shy away from Craftsman and get more Husky stuff - it's just as good, and cheaper. Both have lifetime guarantees. The compressor and air tools are Craftsman. While, yes, I agree, if you are doing it for a living, you should have good tools - such as Snap On or preferably Blackhawk Industrial or Mack (Which are comparatively cheaper but of the same quality and "league"). But for just starting out - there's no need to put all that money into it - I guess I jumped the gun, I mean I don't know if you've been doing this for 1 year or 10 years... I figured that if you went to the school then you were just starting out - and thus why I said what I did... but if you've been doing it a while and you had the opportunity to buy quality Snap On tools at a big discount, then that is definately a smart business decision. They'll last you forever, but you already knew that. :)

[Toxis]

I have a big tool... wait, what's this thread about?

[beardog03]

Snap-on are more ergonomic..
They fit your hands better...they have better shapes for doing actual work and they make outstanding products...but they are very pricey..

I own both Craftsman and Snap-on because one make a better tool than the other at times, and visa versa...

The NEW craftsman tools are very cool, but they are not always made of the best materials..

sometimes the brand name does not mean dick....sometimes it does...

If you use them to make a living, cost means nothing compared to VALUE...

and I`m not just being a tool......although I know I can count on mine in a pinch..!!

[new-yorker]

I've come to learn, Snap-on is great for specialty tools. most of my specialty stuff, like paint spray guns, sandblaster, and air tools are snapon. And for wrench sets and stuff, i just went out and bought NAPA tools or craftsman tools. Craftsman comes out with creative tools, but some of their stuff is poorly made, and just not needed.

[audiobliss]

PBD - Basically what I was saying. If you use them for a living, then it's worth what they cost. But no backyard mechanic in his right mind would pay for all Snap-On stuff.