Texas...the new mecca?

ajbarnes · 01-05-07, 10:49

Is it just me, or is Texas becoming the new mecca for mobile detailing.

I thought California had a lot, but through out the boards, internet, etc., I'm noticing majority of mobile detailers are out of Texas. I guess the weather plays a large part and/or the economy?

I don't know, but what I do know is I hope PA doesn't become the new mecca in the future!

mirrorfinishman · 01-05-07, 11:52

Interesting observation when you consider the 2004 US Department of Commerce figures. Based on that information, Texas was ranked 28th and had a per capita personal income of $32,462. Somewhat below the national average of $33,050.

Pennsylvania, ranked 18th, was just about the same as the national average at $33,312.
While New Jersey, ranked 3rd, was well above the national average at $41,626.

Maybe it is the weather?

Wetwerks · 01-05-07, 12:56

well its 78 degree and clear here in Austin. BTW it is Jan 5.

LOL On a serious note, the weather i'm sure does play a part. Lets not forget about Texas summers though....

We can pretty much detail year round.

Walter
Co-owner

Rollman · 01-05-07, 01:12

I think temperature is the majority of the reason along with population growth . Same goes for Florida there's a ton of mobile guys down there. If we contiune to have weather like we've been having look for a spike in mobile guys here too. God knows the population around here is going up .

jdoria · 01-05-07, 01:21

Its also strange that the bottom 2 towns with lowest valued real estate are in TX also.

What does this say about the economy in TX?

No jobs?
Few white collar jobs?
Family money?

I have 3 guys out in Houston right now working for JPMorgan. They tell me that if I drop the contract with JP, it will be a long time before they find IT work again. I had 4, but I just left to go to work in Chicago.

It seems there is extreme polarity.

BMW335i · 01-05-07, 01:30

I would say the suburban nature of the state. Check out the statistics for how many familes or how many vehicles there are per person in Texas.

ZaneO · 01-05-07, 03:25

I live in a college town, and I would guess that there are at least 75 mobile wash/detail rigs running around that are operated by college students. Unfortunately, 99% of them don't have a clue about proper paint care. They're just making some money.

jdoria · 01-05-07, 03:30

Its the new pet rock.
Open a mobile detailing service!

JoshVette · 01-05-07, 04:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZaneO

I live in a college town, and I would guess that there are at least 75 mobile wash/detail rigs running around that are operated by college students. Unfortunately, 99% of them don't have a clue about proper paint care. They're just making some money.

I agree. I always see a truck loaded with "hired help" with a bunch of detailing logo's and products plastered on the sides and I wonder if they are serious detailers or simple car washers........

Picus · 01-05-07, 04:46

To put that in perspective, there is almost no mobile detailing done here (per capita), probably because of the poor winter weather. There are a ton of hack shops though.

TexasTB · 01-05-07, 04:56

hahaha,

There were none here when I started. Well, at least none that I knew of. There was one, but sold out due to moving out of state. There may be one or 2 fixed location shops that have a water tank on a trailer, but that's about it.

Now, I seen 2 or 3 running around. Mainly in POS vehicles......
More of a wash job scheme.......
But I don't care. I know where my market is and where the hot spots are.....
It's all about presenting yourself and word of mouth......
Due a good job and get more lined up....do a bad job and the word spreads 5 times as fast.....
The weak will be weeded out soon.....

Scottwax · 01-05-07, 05:57

The Texas economy, or at least the Dallas area economy has been very strong. I was able to raise prices enough this year that even though I did only 20 more cars than in 2005 (926 vs 906), I increased my gross more than $10,000 over 2005!

The weather helps, 3-4 cars per family helps (try taking them down to be washed one at a time), both husband and wife work, so weekend is play time, not clean the car time, etc.