What do you do when it`s slow?

**ADetailedFinish** · 11-15-2010, 11:48 AM

So I`m just curious on what all you guys do to rake in the money during your slow months. I know a lot of you guys sell gift certificates for the winter months or do a lot of interiors. I`m kinda staying steady, but I`ve also been in the construction trade before and love to work with my hands. Well me and my father in law started working on remodeling houses. We aren`t license and bonded (and we tell customers that) but we do a good job and know all the codes. It`s kind of a word of mouth type deal. Also we install customer home theater`s. As a matter of fact we have a 9 speaker system and 3 tv`s going up tomorrow.

Just kind of curious what everyone does for their spare time when they`re not detailing!

**LS1-MEX** · 11-17-2010, 08:34 PM

when im not detailing im working at the family business(auto insurance)

**Jean-Claude** · 11-17-2010, 10:27 PM

Hustle.....

**tssdetailing** · 11-21-2010, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Jean-Claude

Hustle.....

you got it. trace back every lead that you left open-ended months ago. call old customers "did you winterize your car yet?" If you left a good taste in someone`s mouth-they typically will apprecaite follow ups. If all else fails, do some marketing work, IE set up google ad campaigns, call local car shops and see if you can drop off some cards. Mess with your website and update it.

**WAS** · 11-22-2010, 02:30 PM

Not much you can do when it`s -40F, lol, so basically winter is a slower time of the year for me.

**imported_Tileman** · 12-06-2010, 06:50 PM

Lucky enough to have a construction job in a union, but that gets slow from time to time and detail when that job is slow and also install tile and stone for 20 years, everything helps.

**Barry Theal** · 12-06-2010, 08:18 PM

Thats the reason dealership accounts are important up here in the north. Constant steady work. Let the dealership work pay your bills and let the retail work buy your toys. This business is feast or famine.

**Scottwax** · 12-07-2010, 02:35 PM

Weather here generally isn`t so bad I don`t have steady work in the winter. Last year was so nasty though, I ended up working out a detailing trip to Arizona. Have people in Florida wanted me to make a trip there this winter along with maybe a Vegas trip in addition to the already planned Phoenix trip.

**imported_DJ Mayo** · 12-07-2010, 10:00 PM

I got a full time job and detail when I want

**Envious Eric** · 12-08-2010, 10:41 AM

work nights at a resturant, sell stuff, market, market, market, and finally detail still - take on jobs I normally wouldnt, like interiors and wash and waxes...

"a dollar made for the day equals food on the table"

**CosminTX** · 12-08-2010, 08:57 PM

when is slow ....i beat my phone or a ferrari

**vtec92civic** · 12-09-2010, 04:44 AM

i`m right with you folks and figuring out what to do during slow times to keep the cash flow coming in. Keep the ideas flowing.

**justin30513** · 12-11-2010, 08:08 AM

I plan on going back to south Florida for about two weeks. I have 20+ details already lined up......and this time I`m taking my family.

**DaGonz** · 12-12-2010, 07:39 PM

I am a career firefighter for the City of Marlborough, MA and I work per diem for the Massachusetts Fire Academy and Marlborough-Hudson Ambulance Service.. detailing is a paying hobby that I do when I am not one of the aforementioned organizations.