Hello from the $1storedetailer

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$1storedetailer

New member
Hello everyone,
I have been detailing cars for 20 years now. A few years back I decided to start a project. The goal of the project was to start a detailing business using only dollar store products.
The business plan was built on the idea of absolute minimum supply cost to achieve maximum customer satisfaction. After investigating the chemical science involved with mass producers of Dollar store products, I realized there was little difference between these products and so called "Brand Name", "Designer" products. I compiled months of comparative analysis data to reach my conclusion and am now dominating the local detailing business by offering low cost quality. There is a reason Wal Mart is dominating its competitors.
Please feel free to add any questions or comments.
$1storedetailer
 
I guess all that counts is that your customers are satisfied with the end result, but I'm still a big believer in "you get what you pay for".

That applies to products and service.
 
forrest said:
I guess all that counts is that your customers are satisfied with the end result, but I'm still a big believer in "you get what you pay for".

That applies to products and service.
Click to expand...
That pretty much sums it up for me. :)
Considering that the average "Brand Name" product cost is from about 25 cents an ounce to $1.25 and ounce and that I normally use less than 6 ounces of all the products I use per detail, the $2 to $3 cost isn't all that bad. Even the $1 store stuff has some cost so the actual difference is probably only about a dollar or so.
If I skip the Mountain Dew, I would save more money. :)

FWIW, not all "Brand Name" products are expensive and more importantly, not all "Brand Name" products are good.

Like anything else in this world, as long as it works for you,that's what is important.
 
Well, good for you if you have found your niche market. However, dollar store stuff is almost always "ready-to-use," which means stuff like glass cleaner is mostly water. If you get a 32 oz. bottle for $1, you are paying $4 a gallon. If you were to buy a gallon of glass cleaner concentrate for, as an example, $20, and you can dilute it 10:1, you would be able to have 11 gallons of RTU cleaner for $20, which works out to about $1.82 a gallon, which would be about 45¢ per 32 oz. In this example, you would be paying more than twice the price of "Brand Name", "Designer" products by buying from a dollar store. Not as cheap as one might expect.
APC's can be bought for under $15 a gallon. They dilute 4:1 to 10:1. That "Awesome" stuff is in 8 to 12 oz bottles, I think. If used at full strength, 8.3¢/oz. in the 12oz. bottle. The $15/gallon stuff, used at full strength is 8.5¢/oz. Pretty similar costs. (And these gallon prices are at full retails for the "casual" user. If you are an official business and use quite a bit you'd be able to get the product even cheaper.)
Also, you'd be carrying all these little bottles from the store to your car, then to your business. I think it's easier (and more environmentally conscientious) to go with gallons and decant into a refillable bottle.
I don't recall ever seeing polishes at dollar stores.


I guess my point is, good for you in finding your customer, but as to the cost, I think you'd find going with the professional stuff would be cheaper/more cost effective than buying from the dollar store.
 
Hey Beemer

Maybe that is the magical polish, sealant, gaze and wax!!

Dollar store spam!

Just a small amount on a sham pow and you can do 100 cars!!

:rofl
 
Welcome to the forum, interesting screen name. :) Maybe you can be more specific about the products which you have found to be able performers.

Forest makes an excellent point. If your customers are satisfied, no other opinions can can trump that.

Getting what you pay for...well, that isn't an absolute anymore. There are countless products and services whose ROI falls short. It is rarer though to get what you don't pay for.

As Big Leegr mentioned, I don't recall seeing any polishes at my local dollar stores (Dollar Tree, Family Dollar). And a good point about the RTU dilutions. Of course there is always the exception, and IMO the L.A. Awesome Cleaner is just that. $1/32 oz. = $4/gal and dilutable. As I stated in another post, if they would just call it a Impressive :). Use it diluted 4:1 in rotation w/ ARO 1:1, AM 777 4:1, PB APC 4:1 for tires and wheel wells.
 
$1storedetailer said:
Doller Store spam?

Just seeking a wider scope of opinion.
Click to expand...

I'm not going to sugar coat it, I just call it like I see it.

Based on your opening thread you sound to me like you have an agenda with this dollar store angle of the dangle. Not sure what that is but I'm sure it will come to the surface.

There are plenty of us here who shop at dollar stores, however if you think the products that come from these stores, are equal to all the other car care suppliers, your painful misguided.

They are cheaper for a reason, they have less capabilities to clean, protect or work effectively which means that you will use more to produce the results.

I didn't need a spread sheet of data to figure that out:D
 
Welcome to DC, I hope to see you stick around long enough to elaborate on your processes. I have to say that this a first for me to see a dollar store detailer post at DC. I used to buy my towels for wheel and engine cleaning etc. at the dollar stores, other than tire shine (silicone based) and maybe Nu-Finish, I don't remember seeing much else there that would even be close to a polish.

I am interested to see one of your "full Dollar Store Details". No disrespect intended with this comment but, I would be willing to bet my last dollar that there will be no direct sun reflection in any of the photos.

As said earlier Welcome to DC.
 
Beemerboy said:
I'm not going to sugar coat it, I just call it like I see it.
Click to expand...

Does anyone else find it odd that of all the threads that cartoysautospa guy hijacked with his useless info, he hasn't posted anything about this guys way of detailing?

And this guy just signed up yesterday right as cartoys guy was being blasted by everyone, and now since cartoys is gone this guy is going on.

I think its just some guy coming in here to stir the pot and get a laugh. I bet if someone looked they have the same ip addy.
 
:surrenderWow, I had no idea I joined the conspiracy theory forum.
Do my concepts really seem that rediculous and unacceptable?

Would everyone feel more comfortable if I discussed removing swirls,"you can only see in direct sunlight" with the "latest" advancement in polish technology?

May I suggest adding a few lines to forum etiquette for new members
1)Do not discuss views, in which are alternative to popular forum belief.
2)Post your IP so as to display your "true identity"?.
3)A list of this forums popular belief.

I admit I use a funny profile name but I try not to take my self to seriously in life. Life is too short.:) On a side note, I just figured out how to add smileys.
 
For some reason, you do seem to be causing some unrest within the ranks. :D
Spamming was mentioned, but:
1.I don't see any spam content in your posts. (Although that might come later)
2. I haven't yet figured out just how you would shill or post spam for dollar stores.

Your IP address seems to be yours, but that doesn't really mean anything.

You could be here to stir the pot and get a laugh and we certainly seem to be falling into the laughable category.

While I do agree that a good job of washing and detailing can be done with OTC products, I question the $1 store being the place to find them.
Most of the $1 items I have seen have either been closeout products that didn't receive good public acceptance or items that certainly aren't worth more than their price.
The few $1 store purchases I have made have been for throw-away items and they were definitely that.
An example, $1 sunglasses that the lens fell out of after about 3 times wearing them.
But, I had the same thing happen to some Ray-Bans that cost considerably more than$1. The Ray-Bans were replaced, but I didn't bother to go back to the $1 store about theirs.
I do think they have the lack of return of $1 items factored in to their business plan.
I have looked at Big Lots and Dollar General for theses "great deals" that people often post about and have not had very good luck.
I did buy some Meguiar's brushes at Big Lots for 1/2 price and thought that was a good deal till I saw them in Advance Auto for the same 50% off price.
 
I would be more comfortable if you are just yourself. If swirl removal/paint finishing is part of your service then yes talk about your processes and even products. If it isn't then obviously leave it out and talk about what you do.

I count myself among the sceptical regarding finding a sufficient number of quality products at a dollar store to complete an average detail. But if you do, good.

Just like the new kid in school, some folks will eye you suspicously others will be more welcoming. That goes for any internet forum I've become a part of. If you genuinely want to become a member of the community, just share information, ask questions get to know us as we get to know you.
 
Good points Mr. Clean.
Here is my arsenal purchased from my local Dollar Store. All below $5 for avg 23oz container. Items in red are my standard use. It costs me about $20 in chemicals per job. I have compared prices to other "comparable products". Tire wash for instance:
Black Magic = $3 for 23ounces ($0.13/oz)
"Comparable brand name product" = $39.95 per Gallon ($0.31/oz)
"Comparable product diluted by 50% = $0.16/oz
The savings may be small but my supplier is 1 mile from my house or within minutes of any job I may be doing.
Febreze Auto
STP Son of a gun Protectant
STP Tire Care
Armor All Protectant
Armor All Cleaner
Armor Wash and Wax
Black Magic Tire Wet
No Touch Wet and Protect
No Touch Tire Care
Turtle Wax Carauba Wax/Cleaner
Rain X Fast Wax
Rain X Glass Cleaner
Westleys Bleche Wite Tire Cleaner
Blue Coral Wheel Magic
Tuff Stuff Multi Purpose Cleaner
Blue Magic Leather/Vinyl cleaner
Gunk Engine Brite
 
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