:help:i use to work with dealerships so i know the ups and downs. I just became mobile again and i aim for two full details a day $320($160+ each ) plus which roughly works out being 7-8 hrs. dealerships pay $100 no matter the condition (i charge more for customers hard water and pet ahir) but have multiple cars. i dont want to go back, im happier with customers however it is slow now . what should i do ( dealerships want my prime days to make money too and i work longer days roughly 9 hrs for $300)HELP!!! keep in mind im just got back to being mobile should i just work on advertising or do dealerships???
Dealerships?
- Thread starter A.P.D.
- Start date
David Fermani
Forza Auto Salon
Hire a helper and do wholesale and retail work. Best of both worlds. Keep in mind that Dealers send out work even when it's raining/snowing.
good point my problem is when there are problems that normally take more time which i charge customers more i do not get more money from dealerships some people swear dealers are the way to go while some say they want to much for to little or should i aim at doing more car washing????
David Fermani
Forza Auto Salon
Why can't you charge more for extra work on a dealer car? If you explain that it's above and beyond the normal detail, they are usually ok with an extra $25-50 or so on some services(compounding/scratch, overspray or tar removal). Every once in a while discount a car that's really clean, just so they think you're not just out for extras all the time. If you're planning on catering towards dealer work, make sure you are set up to operate the most effeciently as possible (costs/process). Sucessful business owners these days need to wear as many hats as possible to reach out to a multiple audiences.
David Fermani
Forza Auto Salon
A.P.D. said:
The key to making money in the detail business is having people do the work for you. If you want to break your back the rest of your life doing things yourself, then by all means go after the high end retail market (if possible). But, if you want to build a business that can support itself for the long term, focus on doing as much volume as you can. Income potential is unlimited.
Jean-Claude
Keeper of the beautiful
If you're going to hire help. See if your situation calls for an employee or a sub.
No point even going after the dealer market in the Dallas area. New car dealers have their own *ahem* detailers and used car lots pay $50-60 per car. Lots of small crews in dirty vans throwing cheap wax on the paint and greasy dressing on interiors to handle that market.
Maybe other areas of the country are different though. :nixweiss
Maybe other areas of the country are different though. :nixweiss
Scott - LA is the exact same way... I posted about 2 weeks ago on that,lol.
Like David said, the key is to have people work for you. Of course, you would have to hustle at first with getting new accounts and work, but once you are pretty well planted, hire people to do the work and expand. Also, I have learned and its still sometimes hard not to go all the way Autopian on any part of the detail if the money isn't there. Unless you have someone that is into cars and knows what a good detail looks like, don't worry, they won't know the diffrence. It'll probably be better than what they've seen anyway since they're used to hacks.
Like David said, the key is to have people work for you. Of course, you would have to hustle at first with getting new accounts and work, but once you are pretty well planted, hire people to do the work and expand. Also, I have learned and its still sometimes hard not to go all the way Autopian on any part of the detail if the money isn't there. Unless you have someone that is into cars and knows what a good detail looks like, don't worry, they won't know the diffrence. It'll probably be better than what they've seen anyway since they're used to hacks.
Envious Eric
New member
yep, like just wiping with a interior protectant removing mild dirt, leaving the heavier stuff still looks good to most people because its more "shiny" I couldnt leave a car like that, so I had to magic eraser it followed by a mild APC, then protectant - took 20 minutes longer, but looked MUCH better
JohnKleven
New member
Dealerships ALWAYS want everything done yesterday for half price. It can be good filler work though.
John
John