I'm doing a small retail store and the owner asked me to price up a sound system for the store. Does anyone know where i should start on pricing up and researching diffrent systems that are out there?

Sound system can cover everything from a in store paging system to background music, or a combination of all, first find out what the owned is loooking for, this is usually a field of it's own, special cables, different devices for different manufactures, you may be better off to sub it out to a local AV Dealer.

The owner is looking for a basic sound system to play backround music.

Unless this guy is only going to play Stephan Foster songs you probably need to hire a music service with licenses for all the music you play

Lady we were working for, just told us to be carefull not to damage the AV cables in the ceiling, she just paid $4000 in fines to get the music turned back on , someone hooked up her system and put music on with out a license, she learned the hard way. Main reason we sub out the AV work.

I didn't know you need license to play CD's interesting stuff.

the copyrights see it as if you are using the music to help you sell your products.
This happened to a pool hall that I hung out in. They got busted and had to scrap the music or pay the fines. They had to put in a jukebox so that all music was paid for as it was played.
Think that Musac (or whatever) had somethin to do with this idea?

This thread does bring up some interesting opportunities.

Sure, you can just put in the equipment, collect your check, and leave it to the user to figure out what to play. Let it be their problem.

OR ... you can offer them a subscription service. While 'Mazac" is the best known of these, even the local radio station is likely to have one. I am certain that "Sirus" and their competing satellite systems have such services.

Simply put, when you use such a service, the service gets stuck dealing with the copyright issues. A tiny portion of your fee ultimately is used to satisfy these claims.

There is something else you should know about these services. Muzac built its' empire on one fact: while a certain type of music may be popular with your audience, it does not follow that this is the same music that will best help your business. Muzac sells its' research as the reason behind their selections and styles. Take a walk through a variety of businesses; chances are, you'll notice a difference in the Muzac that's played - if you look for it!

I'm officialy scared to install this system

Don't be afraid do as John suggested and sell him the package most of these music copyright companies pay you a monthly commision, the real mony is made from selling the plans the installation work is peanuts and your done once the equipmwnt is in place, with the plans you have a service contract, electricans need to learn how to market for profit.

Thank for all the great advise.