mistakes in starting a detail business

millikan · 03-13-03, 06:54

I was wondering if some of the more experienced pros outhere could tell us newbies some of the mistakes that you made when you first started your business?

Intel486 · 03-13-03, 06:58

Not calling past customers back to setup another appointment with them.

ShineShop · 03-13-03, 08:09

Quote:

Originally posted by millikan
I was wondering if some of the more experienced pros outhere could tell us newbies some of the mistakes that you made when you first started your business?

The biggest mistake any business person in general can make is no being prepared. In my experience, most detailers are very unprepared when entering this industry in respect to lack of knowledge in both proper detailing and business practices. Detailing is a business that DESERVES the same respect as any other profession so a detailer needs to be just that - PROFESSIONAL. Detailing has a bad name because so many uneducated boneheads enter this business, look and act like morons, don't do quality work and don't charge enough. Follow this path and expect to be out of business in a big hurry. Most detailers work six days and over 50-60 hours a week and make little more than minimum wage because to stay busy they "whore" themselves to car dealers who pay nothing.

Scottwax · 03-13-03, 09:11

Yeah, I made the mistake of taking on used car dealer business. After doing 4 cars for him @ $50 each (back in 1994) and each one being in worse shape than the previous one (the last one I did for him took nearly 7 hours!), I told him I'd have to charge him a minumum of $125 each and he told me to take a hike, which I gladly did.

Like ShineShop said, don't sell yourself short and work too cheap. Quality work costs money and most people, especially those who hire mobile detailers are primarily concerned with good work and price is secondary.

Anthony Orosco · 03-13-03, 09:15

Shineshop is correct in that a major problem with detailers is that they get into it thinking they can make huge bucks in a short time. They pass out flyers and get a few regular clients then when the money is not there they drop out of sight so when someone who has been in business for years and a hard worker comes around seeking business these folks who have been burned before just shut the door.

Ya need to know what you are doing and don't lie to a client and don't ever steal from them.

Anthony

Auto Care USA · 03-13-03, 09:16

There are few, if any, jobs in which ability alone is sufficient. Needed also, are loyalty, sincerity, enthusiasm and most of all PASSSION. During my 30 years of hard work I learned that you never take even one customer for granted. You must make sure that you out service, out perform, and out class everyone of your competitors. You never worry about what they are doing. Do whats right even when no one is watching. Have integrity. Most important love what you do , and do what you love and then do it better than anyone else. Remember the road to success has plenty of free parking.

jgv · 03-14-03, 04:31

Quote:

Originally posted by Auto Care USA
There are few, if any, jobs in which ability alone is sufficient. Needed also, are loyalty, sincerity, enthusiasm and most of all PASSSION. During my 30 years of hard work I learned that you never take even one customer for granted. You must make sure that you out service, out perform, and out class everyone of your competitors. You never worry about what they are doing. Do whats right even when no one is watching. Have integrity. Most important love what you do , and do what you love and then do it better than anyone else. Remember the road to success has plenty of free parking.

Great post!

Really full of knowledge

Smoker · 03-14-03, 05:08

If it was easy, EVERYONE would do it.

My driving force is the fact that I get bored easily.

Most guys will sit thru a 12 hour shift at some factory and just think of the money.
Not me.

I wanna be busy, my own boss and I quite enjoy hard work (am i mental ??)

Detailing IS hard work, it IS long hours, but every day you make something ugly into something beautiful. Your doing something alot of folks have neither the ability nor the inclination to do.

That to me, is the reward.

Money too o course ;0)

sonnydaze1 · 03-14-03, 09:13

i couldn't have said it better myself smoker. i've worked the factory 12hr. shift job and couldn't stand it. i couldn't wait to be my own boss. i couldn't stand sitting in a cubicle 8hrs/day either, so, since the company i used to work for was so gracious to lay me off 2yrs. ago, i've been doing my detailing full time and making more money than i ever would have working for them. i say thanks everytime i go back to detail the company vehicles and smile when they hand me a check.

Mizzuri · 03-14-03, 11:07

Smoker your on the money with the last post.

Everyday we get job satisfaction which sometimes is better than the money... (very rarely)

Doing something you love, being your own boss, being responsible for your actions iswhat its all about.

Im 24 and started my own business 6months ago. I wouldnt trade it for anything. The amount of knowledge you gain from just practicising and actually detailing cars is amazing.

This forum has also helped me out alot, thanks to all who contribute.

Tony.