A Detailers Paradise

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imported_turbomangt

New member
Recently I picked up a car to detail at Medinah Country Club (which is 5 minutes from my house, and is host of the U.S. open.) This is not the first time I've done this and I'm amazed at the cars I see in the parking lot. Maybach's/Bentley/Rolls/Austin Martin on and on it goes. As good as I'm at marketing I can't break this nut open. They allow NO advertising so I can't just throw fliers on the cars. The valet guy won't work with me on handing out info. The General Manager (which I detailed his car) doesn't want to do anything. I'm convinced that if more people know I can pick up their car and detail it as they golf, it would be a service they would want. If anyone has ideas I'm all ears on this one. Its a gold mind just sitting there. Gary
 
What about a sign in FRONT of their property ;) like on the easement into the place stating you can have your vehicle picked up and dropped off...Maybe rent a bilboard in front of the place ;)

of course i am just kidding around so please dont take this too seriously.
 
Sure, and then I could walk around on the course and hand fliers to members while they golf. and when I get arrested I could tell the prisoners about my detailing business. :soscared:





scottabir said:
What about a sign in FRONT of their property ;) like on the easement into the place stating you can have your vehicle picked up and dropped off...Maybe rent a bilboard in front of the place ;)

of course i am just kidding around so please dont take this too seriously.
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Funny, I have a similar country club near me. I was pretty desperate, so I drove in to the parking lot and started putting flyers on all the cars. A few employees saw me, but did not say anything. Later on that evening, an employee called me and told me that it is a private club, and that I was not allowed to put flyers on his member's cars. I apologized, and explained I was not aware it was a private club. I told him that it would not happen again. The next day, the GM called and left me a message. I figured he was calling to lecture me some more, or to tell me he called the cops. When I called him back, he told me that he respected my aggressiveness, and that he was interested in having me provide detailing services for his members while they golf. We are now trying to negotiate the terms. The only problem is that I will have to do the service in 4-5 hours because that is amount of time his members usually play golf. I will not have enough time to do my "full" detail, which takes me 10 hours usually. I did come up with a nice package that I can do in 4-5 hours though. I will let you guys know if I get the contract.
 
Gary, you seem to be pretty tuned in with the local media, not to mention your column. Perhaps you could mention in your column that you have been told by some people that they would love to have their car detailed, but can't find the time, to which you can respond that they can leave it while they are at work, or during some other activities...like GOLFING. I think you have mentioned you advertise in some local papers, etc. How about an ad "Get your car detailed while you're on the back nine...". Put it somewhere where the golfers, or better yet, their wives, will see it.
 
If you already have customers that go to the club, and utilize this service, why not give them some sort of perk (discount, add-on, etc.) for every referral you get from them? You aren't advertising (directly) and if the customers are truly happy with your work, it shouldn't be too hard for them to "put the word out."



Of course I realize that if they can afford to drive such vehicles and play golf at private clubs, etc. they aren't too hurting for money, so they may not 'need" the perks, but some people, regardless of their personal wealth, are always looking for something for "free." ;)
 
Brad has a great idea-see if the manager will work with you to provide detailing services on site. The cars are sitting there for 4-5 hours like he said and that should give you ample time to at least do a good exterior detail.
 
Gary simple, tell the guy whos car you are detailing that if he tells 3 or 5 other club members about your services and they call and mention his name as their reference then you will give him a free wash and wax or maybe just a wash and vacuum.



Then you make the same deal with that guy and so on until you have enough repeat business from them that you don't need that deal anymore.



This way you are not including the club itself or its property.



Anthony
 
All those country clubs have membership directories. Most of them list home addresses for the members. If you could get one member to let you borrow his directory you could do a tailored direct-mail to the club members.
 
splattj said:
All those country clubs have membership directories. Most of them list home addresses for the members. If you could get one member to let you borrow his directory you could do a tailored direct-mail to the club members.
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Now that I would :drool: over!
 
actually i might be wrong, but 4-5 hours you could prolly do a full good detail. Most people with cars like that, I hope tend to vaccum and not spill drinks and food in the vehicle and keep them pretty neat. The interiors on most may just need a wipe down, vac and dress. Then the exterior you will have ample time for a complete detail!
 
WEll, looks like getting the address book will take some spy work. It seems the members sign an agreement NOT to give the list to anyone for this exact reason, direct mail. I won't give up yet. Gary
 
I assume when you go to 'pick up' a customer's car, you're leaving your own vehicle at the club in the parking lot, yes? Well, if you have a sign on it with your business info, and it is always perfectly cleaned while sitting there, people may take notice. Just try to leave it in a high-profile parking space where it will be seen by several people.
 
You should suggest that he leave the book in his car the next time you detail it....

Accidentally, of course.
 
Well, I have to say that you seem to have a seriously tough nut to crack here. If the US Open has been played at this club, the club is obviously very exclusive and the members clearly have a lot of $$$$. Clubs like this pride themselves on preventing their members from being "bothered" by people selling things. I can tell you that I golf at a private country club and that my club has an arrangement with a detailer like the one you are looking to establish, but I can't tell you how much business the detailer gets from the club. It's a relatively upscale club and the lot is filled with BMW's, Benz's, Bentleys, Audis, etc.



The idea is solid though. Basically, it takes 4-5 hours to play golf (and maybe eat lunch and shower too) so while the car is sitting there it's a good opportunity to have it detailed. At my club, you call the pro shop who arranges the detail and you leave your keys at the pro shop when you arrive. The detailer picks up & drops off the car and the cost of the detail is applied to your monthly bill from the country club. So, it really is a great service to the members.



I would definitely try to set up a meeting with the GM of the club you mentioned to arrange something like this. I think there are three things you can do to increase your chances. First, present it as a service to the members which will increase their satisfaction with their membership at the club. Second, bribe him!! Offer up a couple of free details either for him or to give away as prizes for a golf tournament or something. Third, offer a kick back to the club. For every detail you do referred to you through them you will pay them xxx amount of $$$. I think the arrangement is great for you, but you will need to motivate them to allow you to do business with their members.
 
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