Is it me or is it the economy? - Page 2

brwill2005 · 10-14-09, 02:22

What other marketing have you done? Honestly, you can not expect to do a few nice cars and be busy. High end detailing is a niche market. Even in the wealthiest areas, there is a limit to how many people will purchase a service such as this. I have been in business, full time, for four years and am just getting to the point where I am busy all the time. I have done lots of marketing, in that four years, to gain new customers. It takes time to build up a solid reputation and brand.

bigfish528 · 10-14-09, 02:40

I noticed many people who drive expensive cars do not care what happens to the car , they drive them not because they appreciate the car and the design but drive expensive cars because it is a status thing. It's look at me look what I drive and as long as it looks clean which is why they take their cars to the drive through car wash is all that matters to these people. And not a proper detail for which people on this site know what it means to have a car properly detailed.

Jakerooni · 10-14-09, 03:14

We're in a lull of a ecomonic wave right now guys. Last half of last year and most of next year are going to be extreamly bad for almost all service based industries (except the local garage mechanic which should see a huge surge) This is the time you really want to have some accounts to fall back on to survive with. Remember you're the very last guy in the money trickle going on here. Everyone else has to start making money again in their own lives before they can use your services. Once they get their own lives back in order after this whole mess then they'll start sharing the wealth to the service industry. But it's still going to be another year or so before things get even remotely close to back to normal for the majority. (You'll always have a few standouts that can do quite well no matter what the economy)

MaksimumAuto · 10-14-09, 04:07

Your problem is that your thinking like a detailer and not like a businessman. Francois-Henri Pinault once said "Think like a strategist act like an animal."

Your not succeeding because your in the wrong state of mind. You need to come up with some strategies. You need to translate your business into percentages and numbers. What percent of your clients are coming from google...craislist...yellowpages..refferals. Figure out the weakest links and enhance them. Brainstorm ways to enhance your sales strategies. Here's some examples from my experiences:

Enhancing Google Numbers:
Search Engine Optimization
Build up my website
Link Share
(My website traffic from google has been rising about .5% daily for the past 2 weeks.) This means that more people are finding me through google. Growth has begun, and I can focus on my other marketing means.

Craigslist:
Enhance adds with videos, pictures, and good content
Post frequently.
I make about $500+ in details from craigslist alone monthly.

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Point is: Analyze your business from the bottom up. Optimize the hell out of it. Every person that looks for a detailer in google and doesn't call you...your basically taking your competition out on a VERY expensive dinner at your cost. It's dog eat dog out there. Make sure that you're doing everything you possibly can to make your competition go bankrupt. If you're not...then make sure you have another job lined up.

Business isn't a Coca Cola world peace commercial from the late 90s. You need to dominate your market.

SoCalB6 · 10-14-09, 04:16

[quote=slp123;1319651]What are the prices for the same work on a similar car in your area? The pricing may be driving them away.

I searched google and came up with this.

their best package on a large vehicle is $45 cheaper than your full detail on the G35.

that might be your problem[/QUOT
Not to hijack, but what is throwing me off is the

"Machine Polish
• Vehicle finish is buffed to conceal minor scratches and
blemishes in the clear coat
• Black vehicles require a two stage cut and polish buff"

If they are doing 2 step corrections on black cars plus complete interiors for $190 then...

If they were local and did good work maybe I could subcontract and just sit at home.

SoCalB6 · 10-14-09, 04:29

[quote=slp123;1319651]What are the prices for the same work on a similar car in your area? The pricing may be driving them away.

I searched google and came up with this.

their best package on a large vehicle is $45 cheaper than your full detail on the G35.

that might be your problem[/QUOT

Not to hijack, but what is throwing me off is the

"Machine Polish
• Vehicle finish is buffed to conceal minor scratches and
blemishes in the clear coat
• Black vehicles require a two stage cut and polish buff"

If they are doing 2 step corrections on black cars plus complete interiors for $190 then...

If they were local and did good work maybe I could subcontract and just sit at home.