Update on "Did I Shoot Myself in the Foot?"

**Brenton** · 05-12-2006, 08:45 PM

I started a thread about a local dealership that ask me to train their head detail guy. http://www.detailcity.org/forums/pro...-the-foot.html

They never showed up for their first appt, and have been too busy to get in. Fair enough. They are kind of hacking their way through it.
But ... the used car Manager called on Monday and asked for a full detail + full paint reconditioning. I gave a really low price of $249, doing the interior at about half price. I fussed like crazy over that thing, but it looked good. I got home at 11:00pm on my anniversary.

They needed it Wednesday at noon, so I got a friend in to help, moved an appt, and the like. Had it almost done, and they asked me to keep it till Friday for customer pickup--they sold it over the phone.
I dropped it off, and they were thrilled. It wasn`t perfect, but it was so far beyond what their guys could do.

Then he said, "how much work could you do for me?"
I said, "I could do one a day next week."
He said, "Done. I`m going to give you a tonne of work."

Good news. A friend will help and I`m hiring someone Tues or Wed, but this could be the boost our business needs.

I`ve got two hearses and a customer full detail next week, so it`s going to be a tough one. I`m also dropping 20,000 flyers next week, so it could be insane.

I`m not sure a one-man operation is going to cut it next week.

**joe.p** · 05-12-2006, 08:55 PM

Congrats pei,This may be exactly what you need. A beautiful detailed car could be the best advertisement you can hope for. I`m glad to hear this your wife must be thrilled. Good Luck

**SNike05** · 05-12-2006, 09:01 PM

CONGRATULATIONS !!

If I lived closer to you I would have loved to help you.

**BlackSunshine** · 05-12-2006, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by PEI Detail

I got home at 11:00pm on my anniversary.

Ouch!!!! Congrats on the Biz...I would love to help you out as well, but the wife probably wouldn`t appreciate me going on vacation to detail a few cars....it would be a bad scene.

**cwcad** · 05-12-2006, 09:39 PM

Congratulations!!!

I am a firm believer that it never hurts to give. You made an offer to help them. Just because they did take you up on it has nothing to do with it. It sounds like it was destiny. Now take advantage of the situation.

I wish that I could stop by to observe or even help but know this.....there are a lot of people on this forum pulling for you!! I am one of them.

Hang in there! GOOD LUCk!!!!

**C. Charles Hahn** · 05-12-2006, 11:26 PM

That`s awesome! Looks like they`re going to put their (well, soon to be your) money where your mouth is! So pull your foot out of your mouth and prepare for arrival

**belcherm58** · 05-12-2006, 11:34 PM

Good on you! Hope it works out.

**West6MT** · 05-12-2006, 11:56 PM

Sounds good PEI, hope that it all works out for you.

If you want,...I will move to PEI and become your apprentice/co-worker LOL.

**jaybs02** · 05-13-2006, 04:29 AM

Thats great news Brenton. Glad to hear that business is picking up for you.

"J"

**DLR Detailing** · 05-13-2006, 06:59 AM

That is fantastic PEI!!!
Sounds like you have "that foot" in the door now. IMO... I wouldn`t spend your next anniversary at the shop

Dave

**Brenton** · 05-13-2006, 11:28 AM

Thanx folks.
And if any of you Canadians need a job .... I`m sure your wives/others won`t mind.

My wife also worked that day. We pretended yesterday was our anniversary. Worked better.

**GregCavi** · 05-13-2006, 12:20 PM

Congrats!! It feels good to get a nice lineup of work.

Now, I highly highly highly recommend you write up some kind of contract for the work you will be doing. In the contract write up something about your pricing, and how and exactly when you will get paid. Include that until you get paid you have lien on the vehicles. Also include such terms as late fees for getting paid, and terms in the situation that a check may bounce.

The reason I say this is I got screwed over at the limo place I did work for. It was a very long drawn out stressful problem. In the end my work was pretty much given out for hundreds less than I usually get. If I would have had a nice contract and terms, it would have saved me a whole lot of time and stress. I was ready to take them to court to get paid in the end.

So again, congrats on the great deal, and I hope you take the necessary steps to write up a contract. Even if you really know the guy, I highly recommend doing it.

Greg

**joe.p** · 05-13-2006, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by GregCavi

Congrats!! It feels good to get a nice lineup of work.

Now, I highly highly highly recommend you write up some kind of contract for the work you will be doing. In the contract write up something about your pricing, and how and exactly when you will get paid. Include that until you get paid you have lien on the vehicles. Also include such terms as late fees for getting paid, and terms in the situation that a check may bounce.

The reason I say this is I got screwed over at the limo place I did work for. It was a very long drawn out stressful problem. In the end my work was pretty much given out for hundreds less than I usually get. If I would have had a nice contract and terms, it would have saved me a whole lot of time and stress. I was ready to take them to court to get paid in the end.

Greg

I remember how exited you were when this came through for you.Sorry you had to deal with the aggrevation.You did alot of nice work for them. You gave some good advice,one good thing about all of this your learning at a young age to cover your arse.

**Brenton** · 05-13-2006, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by GregCavi

Congrats!! It feels good to get a nice lineup of work.

Now, I highly highly highly recommend you write up some kind of contract for the work you will be doing. In the contract write up something about your pricing, and how and exactly when you will get paid. Include that until you get paid you have lien on the vehicles. Also include such terms as late fees for getting paid, and terms in the situation that a check may bounce.

The reason I say this is I got screwed over at the limo place I did work for. It was a very long drawn out stressful problem. In the end my work was pretty much given out for hundreds less than I usually get. If I would have had a nice contract and terms, it would have saved me a whole lot of time and stress. I was ready to take them to court to get paid in the end.

So again, congrats on the great deal, and I hope you take the necessary steps to write up a contract. Even if you really know the guy, I highly recommend doing it.

Greg

Same as Joe. I remember the photos. That`s too bad.
These guys always pay me after 60 days.
I`d like a contract for my work-prediction reasons, but that`s considered a betrayal of trust here.
Weird.

**CalgaryDetail** · 05-13-2006, 04:25 PM

thats awsome im so excited for you. This dealership could be your big break. Have fun with all the work, and good luck hiring someone (maybe i should move to pei looking for a detailing job