Despite popular belief , it is quite possible to get a great quality auto sound system even if you are operating on a limited budget. I completely understand your skeptical glances and the comments and grumbles that being on a budget means different things to different people. I can tell you without a doubt that you can get a really nice sound system for your car , truck , or SUV even if your budget is less then $300. There are several things you can do as a savvy consumer that will help drive the price of the wonderful sound you seek to a bare minimum if you use a few tips , tricks , and techniques , in order to do so. First of all , the competition in this market is fairly fierce. As a result of that you will find that prices tend to be pretty competitive from one shop to another and that your best bargains are usually going to be found online. Search around online and find the absolute best bargain you can find on the auto sound system of your dreams. Once you’ve found the lowest online price , get on the phone with local retailers. Many local stores understand the need to compete on a much larger scale. As a result they are often willing to match prices and even through in perks such as installation or freebie upgrades in order to sweeten the deal. Once you’ve gotten a few upgrades from local markets , continue calling around and let them compete with one another for your business. Take into account the value of the freebies and upgrades to you. If you really have no use for the bobble head hula girl then skip that offer and go for the one that offers an upgrade on speakers or an extended warranty thrown in for free. Make sure that the upgrades are really worth something to you. Also consider the value of the upgrade verses the price and go with the best bargain. Another truth when it comes to purchasing an auto sound system is that you do not have to buy the ‘best known’ or biggest name brand in order to get a great sound and excellent quality. Spend your money where it matters most to you. Sometimes you are paying for nothing more than the name attached to a product. I’m a huge fan of Bose. I love the sound and have yet to find a product that can offer the quality of sound at a lower price. That does not mean I would not jump at the chance to buy an untried brand if the sound in the display equaled the quality of sound I can get with a Bose sound system. In fact , I have held onto an SUV for 10 years because I’m not ready to give up my sound system and my truck still runs. A Bose system is not a budget investment , but you can find bargains that are similar and sound wonderful. In other words , don’t become a name brand snob if you don’t have to. In reality , there are many discount dealers you can find both online and off that will be more than happy to hook you up with a great set of sound for your car , truck , or SUV at a really great price. It simply takes a little leg and phone work on occasion to find them.