Offer Auto Detail and ????

oz198 · 04-08-09, 11:10

New to the boards here so....Hello All!

But after reading through many of your older posts here, you guys seem to be the ones to ask. Am in the process of getting my own deal going. I have over 8 years of professional automotive expirence for passenger vehicle and heavy trucks and even busses. Also have 3 years of solid auto body expirence and about a years worth of PDR under my belt(off and on, so still perfecting). Here is kind of what I am thinking of doing and I would like to gain a little of feedback from you guys that are expirenced and already out the getting it done.

I would like to have a shop that offers all the bells and whistles of auto detailing as well as handling trucks, busses, rv's, and maybe some marine. Maybe in a year or two offer PDR services. But here's the big one. Aftermarket Accessory sales and installiation. Now I'm not just talking vent visors and bug shields here. I mean nerf bars, lift kits, light kits, wheels, tires, engine preformance, pretty much anything you could think of in the aftermarket world.

Do you guys think there would be an interest in a kind of full service shop that could provide all of these services? Or do you think I am trying to spread myself to thin? Or do you think that these are some things that should be offered in different places?

Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

slicknickis3 · 04-08-09, 11:39

I've thought about that recently as well. At this point in time, I think specialization is key to building a high-end image(at least for me). I'm relatively new to the business and would rather be known as 'the areas best detailer' than the guy who sells lots of stuff and does some detailing too.

Once my image is where I want it to be, then I can think about offering 'the same level of expertise' in other areas.

Again, just my opinion, everyones business model is different so it may work for you.

oz198 · 04-08-09, 11:49

I hear what you are saying, and I also thought about that. If someone would just think of my detailing as like a filler or side gig. I was thinking to gradually intergrate it into the business by not really advertising it. And then when someone comes in just have a couple small displays with some vent shades and bug shields and small stuff like that. And in the customer area I would have copies of my catalog laid out for them to veiw and if they asked me a question about something then I could let them know I could get that installed for them. Then I could still advertise as a detail shop, but provide my customers with that little something extra.

Or would I still run the risk of word spreading that I'm a guy who sells stuff and also does some detail work.

As long as I don't let my detail work slack at all, I would hope I could still acheive the same status. Ya think?

Jean-Claude · 04-08-09, 12:04

Detailing and pdr has a great market even in a struggling market.

The sales of what boils down to toys for trucks and cars in a struggling market sounds like a way to lose money. Much like starting a business that installs putting greens at people's homes. Those type things do great when everyone has money burning holes in their pockets. But when it's time to cut out stuff because you don't have the money, it's those fun, unnecessary things that go first.

There again, if it doesn't cost a lot of have the option to sell/install, then it could do well. In other words, if you don't have much/any overhead. Special order stuff gets paid for by a customer up front.

oz198 · 04-08-09, 12:12

That's kind of the deal. Am set up with a distributor not far from me. I have $0.00 in inventory(unless I want to set up small displays) and they will warehouse everything and ship to me free 3 days a week for anything I order from them.

Jakerooni · 04-08-09, 12:59

Alls you have to do is look around at other businesses offering the same type of stuff in your area. I'll take a good bet and say the aftermarket stuff is suffering big time right now. Just not anything people need. And right now people are being very very tight with their money. If it's not a nessecity then it dosen't need to be bought. You can try it out on the small scale side of the business and see if it takes off. Get catologs and have customers order stuff on a as needed basis. I wouldn't stock much inventory at all.