"some thought-provoking questions??"

[buda]

Was having some thought-provoking discussions this week with collegues and detailers this week about a number of things related to the industry and thought I would run by those on the Autopia some of the questions and hope for some interesting answers:



#1 - Are you a technician or a businessman?

#2 - What percentage of daily time do you spend detailng vs operating the business?

#3 - Do you really own a business or just have a job?

What is the difference?



Look forward to your replies.



Bud ABraham

[countrysquire]

Can`t answer those questions yet, still trying to allocate the $150 for starting my own detailing business...

[C. Charles Hahn]

Can`t answer those questions yet, still trying to allocate the $150 for starting my own detailing business...

:pound: :clap2:

[Ron Ketcham]

Oh!

Really, that is all you believe it requires to start any business, be it a detailing business or whatever?

You are kidding, right?

Grumpy

[mikenap]

Can`t answer those questions yet, still trying to allocate the $150 for starting my own detailing business...

Awesome.:first:

[autoconcierge]

Oh!

Really, that is all you believe it requires to start any business, be it a detailing business or whatever?

You are kidding, right?

Grumpy

The humor of the reply flew over your head @ "Mach .3", more "Thought provoking gems of wisdom from the "Carwash King," here are a few I thought might be better from the great "Boodah"





1. Do you spend most of your time trying get your customers car dislodged from the track of your "State of the art tunnelwash"?

2. How much time do you spend online trying to get cases of "Pine scent" mirror hangers by the case?.

3. The cotton rags are not that bad for your customers finish, as your guys only drop the towels "Occasionally" on the ground

4. Bubblgum machines in the customer lounge are "Moneymakers" behind sales of "Porkrhinds"

5. A 20% damage rate to your customers cars are "Acceptable" ratios in the "Carwash industry"

6. You can make back your ROI "With the quickness" as long as you have a 90% of "Entry level" guys "Employed" at any one time, as someone has to hire these guys as Obama needs those unemployment numbers to spike as why should 3rd world countries beat America in this regard

7. Reclaimed water is a "Green aspect" of your operation.......AlGore says so...........and that`s a fact

8. Carwash owners have lot`s of time off for vacations, as minimum wagers need no supervision.....place practically runs itself

9. "Penny saver" newspapers are the "Poo"

10. The above "Bullitt points" are "Revolutionary" in the industry

[Richie's Custom Detailing]

I have just one question for you buda.



Do you have any before, during and after pics of your "Professional" detail work?



If not then S T F U and go back to your lane.

[David Fermani]

#1 - Are you a technician or a businessman?

#2 - What percentage of daily time do you spend detailng vs operating the business?

#3 - Do you really own a business or just have a job?

What is the difference?

There can be a multitude of differences that revolve around the kind of business you operate. Such as do you have a crew of people working for you or if you are the only one who does the repair. People that pride themselves on performing the work will most likely gravitate around the technical aspects of the operation, where someone that operates a larger scale of business can`t be "hands on" and needs to be more "behind the scenes" and customer driven/oriented. This doesn`t in any way mean the technician can`t be customercentric in his business either as these people couldn`t have gotten where they they were without having a strong dedication to please their clients. For these people, operating the business is a funtion of detailing.

[Jpostal]

I fear that I might come across as a Buda supporter and be blacklisted by writing this but here it goes...



I understand that most you guys disagree/dislike buda`s posts because of the way he comes across and his disconect from Autopian style detailing, but the questions he asked in this post are worth thinking about for people who detail for a living (even though the questions are not ground breaking). Buda might not be the greatest detailer (or a detailer at all actually...I`ve never seen any of his work), but my guess is that he has more experience than most of us in running a business. This was posted in the pro detailer general discussion forum and in my opinion deserves some discussion because at the end of the day we have to be profitable. We will debate for hours about what the best glass cleaner/tire dressing/sealant is, but we can`t spend a few minutes thinking about, and discussing our business? Really?

[David Fermani]

I agree JPostal. Good questions from the OP that deserves some interaction as I believe this is what the motivation behind this thread was in the 1st place. I also think Bud has extensive knowledge on the business side of the industry too, but I think he may have got off on the wrong foot with some of the forum members. It appears he is here trying to help.:yield: Let`s take this thread and his efforts at face value and concentrate on positive discussion. Pretty please.....:pray2:

[Ron Ketcham]

Two great response posts.

Bud has years and years of operating businesses that are part of the detailing industry.

Successfully, I may add.

Bud and I have butted heads over the years on various issues, but never resorting to mud slinging, etc.

As JPostal says, Bud deals mainly with professional detail shops and major carwashes that provide detail services that "people want to buy", and these people do not expect the high standards that individual enthusists such as here attempt to obtain.

Grumpy

[DaGonz]

The humor of the reply flew over your head @ "Mach .3", more "Thought provoking gems of wisdom from the "Carwash King," here are a few I thought might be better from the great "Boodah"





1. Do you spend most of your time trying get your customers car dislodged from the track of your "State of the art tunnelwash"?

2. How much time do you spend online trying to get cases of "Pine scent" mirror hangers by the case?.

3. The cotton rags are not that bad for your customers finish, as your guys only drop the towels "Occasionally" on the ground

4. Bubblgum machines in the customer lounge are "Moneymakers" behind sales of "Porkrhinds"

5. A 20% damage rate to your customers cars are "Acceptable" ratios in the "Carwash industry"

6. You can make back your ROI "With the quickness" as long as you have a 90% of "Entry level" guys "Employed" at any one time, as someone has to hire these guys as Obama needs those unemployment numbers to spike as why should 3rd world countries beat America in this regard

7. Reclaimed water is a "Green aspect" of your operation.......AlGore says so...........and that`s a fact

8. Carwash owners have lot`s of time off for vacations, as minimum wagers need no supervision.....place practically runs itself

9. "Penny saver" newspapers are the "Poo"

10. The above "Bullitt points" are "Revolutionary" in the industry

I almost sprayed my coffee on my laptop when I read that!

Bravo Mr. Willis, Bravo!

[Accumulator]

#3 - Do you really own a business or just have a job?

I always assume that subtleties of expression are intentional, meaningful, and telling. So...



What`s with the use of "really" and "just" in the above? Omitting stuff like that might go a ways towards dialing back the knee-jerk criticism and result in more worthwhile discussion.

[jenn1270]

It is like any business, the technical people are more versed in the technical aspect of their business and not the "business" aspects. I think the business people (like buda) can learn from the technical people on here about offering higher quality service, and the technical folks can learn more of the business side (how to market, how to grow the business and the like)



Jenn

[C. Charles Hahn]

I always assume that subtleties of expression are intentional, meaningful, and telling. So...



What`s with the use of "really" and "just" in the above? Omitting stuff like that might go a ways towards dialing back the knee-jerk criticism and result in more worthwhile discussion.

:werd: That`s exactly it... if he`d just take the time to think before he posts and consider how he`s coming across to people, it would help his cause infinitely. As a business student I absolutely value the input and opinion of those more experienced than I am, but when that person with more experience is constantly coming across as belittling others who do not do things exactly the same way they do them (for any multitude of legitimate reasons) it makes me disinterested in anything they have to say.