AppliedColors
New member
In modern business, winners and losers are often separated by their mastery of modern information technology. The auto reconditioning field, though essentially "old school," is no different.
Here are 9 IT must haves for the detailer:
1. A Windows Mobile Phone.
This AT&T 8525 ($400) is essential to my reconditioning business. Its calendar schedules my entire day and provides reminders as appointments occur. For example, if we are due to detail an F150 at 11 am, I am reminded at 10 am, and given the customer's name, email, phone number, address, and any notes particular to the job (ie, skip the engine, price discount, headliner stain, etc.).
The contacts capacity of Windows Mobile phones--with data cards added--is in the 1000s. Literally every customer we have served, what work we performed, what they were charged, any complaints they had, chemical sensitivities, what kind of car, what their phone number and address are, and when they should be reminded for their next detail, is stored here. Notes about supplies that are needed and errands that need attention, are all stores here.
Email is pushed immediately from my office PC to this phone via emoze (emoze.com). Many customers book their appointments exclusively via email. If I'm in the rain miles from my office pressure washing floor mats, I'm alerted of their email on this phone within seconds of them sending it.
Credit cards can be processed onsite with Windows Mobile phones.
Windows Mobile phones have full Internet Explorer capability. Google, yellowpages.com, etc. are all in reach wherever you are personally and professionally.
2. A bluetooth headset.
This H700 was purchased for $70.
One cannot afford to miss a single call. Customers often do not call back and do not leave messages. Their business goes to the first company to answer the phone. Put this headset on when:
Driving
Pressure Washing
Polishing
Vacuuming
The only time a detailer should not answer the phone is when in the company of a customer. Otherwise, every call should be answered...no exceptions.
*Most Windows Mobile phones allow you to play .mp3s through your Bluetooth headset. Record your favorite talk shows or books on tape in .mp3 format and listen to them as you work.
3. A website.
Websites establish credibility and professionalism. They separate you from amateurs and "cost cutters" and the image you promote there justifies where you price yourself among competitors. Encourage customers to book appointments and send pictures for estimates.
Spend as much as your budget allows. Our business is appearance oriented, and tight and professional website design is exactly what a good detailing customer is looking for.
Here's an example of good design work:
Bing's Carwash and Detail, Boulder Colorado
Note that this business is just 16 months old, but the quality of its website and the sophistication of its writing gives the impression of an established, well run business. The logo and button work is top notch on this site.
Good web design can be had for 33% of what American firms charge if you are willing to work via email with an overseas firm. 1000s of them can be contacted on elance.com. They are all reviewed: you can read about their charges, quality of work, and timeliness from customers there.
This site was designed by an Indian firm--credit card implementation and all--for $500:
Applied Colors :: Home
If you provide the photos and basic direction, an Inian, Indonesian, Filipino, Brazillian, or Romanian firm can provide a site of superb quality for $250. It's money well spent.
And do not neglect your logo. It should be unique, simple, memorable, and relevant. Insist on a quality logo from your designer. Apply it to your website, letterhead, message board avatar, work vehicles, brochures, and business cards.
4. A digital camera.
Anything 3 megapixels or more, with an automatic flash, should suffice. Have this camera with you at all times...no exceptions. Recognize opportunities to update your website's pictures. Demonstrate to your customers the ability to treat the full spectrum of detailing challenges: pet hair, carpet stains, water spots, oxidized paint, faded rubber and plastic, headliner stains, moldy jambs, etc. Take before and after pictures. Take many many pictures from different angles with and without flash. Take enough photos and you'll find "money shots" among them.
Customers will often choose your company because you posted before and after pictures of their specific problem.
If you have a difficult or exceptionally picky customer, take before and after photos to demonstrate a tangible improvement.
Note that I keep my camera, headset, and phone all quickly reachable on my belt at all times:
Equipping this belt is part of my morning routine. These devices are always with me, enhancing my productivity. I never miss calls, never miss photo opportunities, and never miss emails. This belt ensures I'll never incur the expense of a secretary or personal assistant.
By the way, I felt like a total douche bag taking this picture of myself.
5. A Craigslist advertisement. Craiglist accounts for a good 33% of our business. We post professionally designed and presented ads with 30+ photos and we post them to the top daily. The ad is free. Nothing--not word of mouth, not search engines, not fliers, not passing on cards, not shaking hands, not a sign on the street--has been a better return on the time and money invested.
We have detailed $30k, $40k, $50k cars off our Craigslist ad. Some jobs have been over $700, including interior and paint repair.
Nobody calls to price shop because our prices are firmly quoted in the CL ad.
6. An Angieslist placement. Angieslist is essentially Craigslist with member-posted reviews. Plumbers, Electricians, Mechanics and...and lots of detailers are reviewed there. Angielist is so popular it charges its member yearly dues (about $50) just for the right to search the list.
Get your company listed on Angieslist and prepare for a revenue boom. But you can never shortchange an Angieslist customer--he or she will alert the entire board of their bad experience.
Ask your customers if they are Angieslist members. And if they are, ask if they would place you on the list. This is the only way you can be placed on the list. You cannot place yourself there at any price.
7. Quicken. Record your income and expenses and chart them monthly. Calculate profit ratios of your services (quick detailing, scratch repair, interior repair, full details, interior details) and cultivate your most profitable services. Sort expenses and strategize ways to minimize variable costs.
8. Message boards. Become a member of mobileworks.com, doording.com, and autopia.org and read and post daily. It's time well spent.
9. A GPS computer.
Magellan Maestro: $250. Used units can be bought on eBay and Craigslist for $99. Mobile detailers: never be late because of bad directions. Keep your eye on the road and your mind on greeting the customer. Fixed location detailers: never be lost when running errands and gathering supplies. There's no excuse to not have a NAV unit at current pricing.
Here are 9 IT must haves for the detailer:
1. A Windows Mobile Phone.
This AT&T 8525 ($400) is essential to my reconditioning business. Its calendar schedules my entire day and provides reminders as appointments occur. For example, if we are due to detail an F150 at 11 am, I am reminded at 10 am, and given the customer's name, email, phone number, address, and any notes particular to the job (ie, skip the engine, price discount, headliner stain, etc.).
The contacts capacity of Windows Mobile phones--with data cards added--is in the 1000s. Literally every customer we have served, what work we performed, what they were charged, any complaints they had, chemical sensitivities, what kind of car, what their phone number and address are, and when they should be reminded for their next detail, is stored here. Notes about supplies that are needed and errands that need attention, are all stores here.
Email is pushed immediately from my office PC to this phone via emoze (emoze.com). Many customers book their appointments exclusively via email. If I'm in the rain miles from my office pressure washing floor mats, I'm alerted of their email on this phone within seconds of them sending it.
Credit cards can be processed onsite with Windows Mobile phones.
Windows Mobile phones have full Internet Explorer capability. Google, yellowpages.com, etc. are all in reach wherever you are personally and professionally.
2. A bluetooth headset.
This H700 was purchased for $70.
One cannot afford to miss a single call. Customers often do not call back and do not leave messages. Their business goes to the first company to answer the phone. Put this headset on when:
Driving
Pressure Washing
Polishing
Vacuuming
The only time a detailer should not answer the phone is when in the company of a customer. Otherwise, every call should be answered...no exceptions.
*Most Windows Mobile phones allow you to play .mp3s through your Bluetooth headset. Record your favorite talk shows or books on tape in .mp3 format and listen to them as you work.
3. A website.
Websites establish credibility and professionalism. They separate you from amateurs and "cost cutters" and the image you promote there justifies where you price yourself among competitors. Encourage customers to book appointments and send pictures for estimates.
Spend as much as your budget allows. Our business is appearance oriented, and tight and professional website design is exactly what a good detailing customer is looking for.
Here's an example of good design work:
Bing's Carwash and Detail, Boulder Colorado
Note that this business is just 16 months old, but the quality of its website and the sophistication of its writing gives the impression of an established, well run business. The logo and button work is top notch on this site.
Good web design can be had for 33% of what American firms charge if you are willing to work via email with an overseas firm. 1000s of them can be contacted on elance.com. They are all reviewed: you can read about their charges, quality of work, and timeliness from customers there.
This site was designed by an Indian firm--credit card implementation and all--for $500:
Applied Colors :: Home
If you provide the photos and basic direction, an Inian, Indonesian, Filipino, Brazillian, or Romanian firm can provide a site of superb quality for $250. It's money well spent.
And do not neglect your logo. It should be unique, simple, memorable, and relevant. Insist on a quality logo from your designer. Apply it to your website, letterhead, message board avatar, work vehicles, brochures, and business cards.
4. A digital camera.
Anything 3 megapixels or more, with an automatic flash, should suffice. Have this camera with you at all times...no exceptions. Recognize opportunities to update your website's pictures. Demonstrate to your customers the ability to treat the full spectrum of detailing challenges: pet hair, carpet stains, water spots, oxidized paint, faded rubber and plastic, headliner stains, moldy jambs, etc. Take before and after pictures. Take many many pictures from different angles with and without flash. Take enough photos and you'll find "money shots" among them.
Customers will often choose your company because you posted before and after pictures of their specific problem.
If you have a difficult or exceptionally picky customer, take before and after photos to demonstrate a tangible improvement.
Note that I keep my camera, headset, and phone all quickly reachable on my belt at all times:
Equipping this belt is part of my morning routine. These devices are always with me, enhancing my productivity. I never miss calls, never miss photo opportunities, and never miss emails. This belt ensures I'll never incur the expense of a secretary or personal assistant.
By the way, I felt like a total douche bag taking this picture of myself.
5. A Craigslist advertisement. Craiglist accounts for a good 33% of our business. We post professionally designed and presented ads with 30+ photos and we post them to the top daily. The ad is free. Nothing--not word of mouth, not search engines, not fliers, not passing on cards, not shaking hands, not a sign on the street--has been a better return on the time and money invested.
We have detailed $30k, $40k, $50k cars off our Craigslist ad. Some jobs have been over $700, including interior and paint repair.
Nobody calls to price shop because our prices are firmly quoted in the CL ad.
6. An Angieslist placement. Angieslist is essentially Craigslist with member-posted reviews. Plumbers, Electricians, Mechanics and...and lots of detailers are reviewed there. Angielist is so popular it charges its member yearly dues (about $50) just for the right to search the list.
Get your company listed on Angieslist and prepare for a revenue boom. But you can never shortchange an Angieslist customer--he or she will alert the entire board of their bad experience.
Ask your customers if they are Angieslist members. And if they are, ask if they would place you on the list. This is the only way you can be placed on the list. You cannot place yourself there at any price.
7. Quicken. Record your income and expenses and chart them monthly. Calculate profit ratios of your services (quick detailing, scratch repair, interior repair, full details, interior details) and cultivate your most profitable services. Sort expenses and strategize ways to minimize variable costs.
8. Message boards. Become a member of mobileworks.com, doording.com, and autopia.org and read and post daily. It's time well spent.
9. A GPS computer.
Magellan Maestro: $250. Used units can be bought on eBay and Craigslist for $99. Mobile detailers: never be late because of bad directions. Keep your eye on the road and your mind on greeting the customer. Fixed location detailers: never be lost when running errands and gathering supplies. There's no excuse to not have a NAV unit at current pricing.