How to start dealership accounts?

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pinoyheat551

New member
How do i start dealership/fleet accounts?



I'll meet up with the GM, we agree on pricing, we write up a contract, and thats it? How does billing get done? Does a lawyer need to be present to write and validate the contract?



It would be much appreciated if you guys could help because im in dire need of more business...thanks in advance.
 
Dealerships don't sign contracts. If they like your work they will keep using you. Just go in there look professional and try to get a meeting with used car manager or general sales manager. They may want your spiel at that time so be ready with pricing and brochures. Best of luck.
 
Why would they not sign a contract? They make everyone who walks out of there sign a contract. Really, I would not do business with a dealership if they were not willing to sign a contract laying out the services to be provided and the amount of the services.
 
I have several dealership accounts and not one of them wanted a contract. The only thing they really want is good work at fair prices. Insurance is something that is a must as well. All my dealers wanted that right away. Just go in there and be yourself. Let them know what you can offer.
 
Do you make them sign a contract? I would want one signed even if it is only to clearly lay out "what services are to be provided", and at "what price". The dealerships here in Northern Virginia want "full details" for X amount of money per car. What is a "full detail"? A full detail is defined differently by different people. I had dealerships tell me a "full detail" is what ever the car needs.
 
I made a brochure that states prices and what they get for that price so everything is writing. They don't want to sign any kind of contract. I started with one dealer and just from his word of mouth and a quick visit to introduce myself I now have 4 dealers sending me cars just 2 months later. It's quite easy to get new accounts once one or two dealers see that your quality for the price is far better than the hacks down the street. Most dealers just want the car to look clean shiny and presentable.



The way my dealer pricing is, it's one price for cars and small trucks, a slightly higher price for large cars and SUV's and another slightly higher price for very large trucks and vans. That price is basically for a one-step with some corners cut that the dealers don't care about. If they have a car that needs more than a one-step then that car is quoted individually. I don't charge extra for say a more heavily soiled than usual interior, but the other guys around here do. When they ask why I don't charge extra I tell them because when you send me the cream puffs that I hardly have to touch, it makes up for it. They love that.
 
pinoyheat551 said:
If you dont mind telling the forum, HOW MUCH do you charge the dealerships? Im assuming 90 to 100. Am i close?
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depends on where you live. different dealers expect different things.



I was doing dealer work for 150-350 depending on what they needed.
 
pinoyheat551 said:
If you dont mind telling the forum, HOW MUCH do you charge the dealerships? Im assuming 90 to 100. Am i close?
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You are a bit low. I charge $125, $150, $175 according to the size of the vehicle. You may not be able to charge those prices somewhere else, but in this part of CT those prices are actually a bit on the low side. I read a survey somewhere that the national average for a wholesale detail is just over $140.



The dealers I work for tell me the other detailers they were using did not clean the door jams, or even the roof of taller vehicles. They would leave the carpet and seats soaking wet and the dash and door panels would be so greasy with dressing and not even wiped down first. Tire dressing would be applied over dirty tires, etc, etc. No wonder it's easy for someone who actually does a proper job to get the business. I'm not saying all the other detailers in my area are like that, but that's what my clients are telling me they've experienced from the ones they've used.
 
I'M in san antonio tx and new in business ,can anybody tell me how much is a good price just for wash and dry? outside only? thanks
 
brwill2005 said:
Do you make them sign a contract? I would want one signed even if it is only to clearly lay out "what services are to be provided", and at "what price". The dealerships here in Northern Virginia want "full details" for X amount of money per car. What is a "full detail"? A full detail is defined differently by different people. I had dealerships tell me a "full detail" is what ever the car needs.
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Sounds like you have some experience doing dealer work? Did YOU have a signed contract?



I've never known any dealers to sign a contract for detailing. I can't remember hearing any detailers having their clients sign a contract either. The thing is that it should be done, but it isn't. I believe it's 1 thing hindering our trade from being recognized as a credible sector of the auto repair industry. For retail work we had a repair order that I would use that had a check list of services that we offered. I had the client review them and asked if anything stuck out being needed on their vehicle. Many times the customer upsold themselves!



I think with dealer work a detail includes everthing needed within the general relm of detailing. It's important to inspect the vehicle before you drive off and review the vehicle (if need be) with the Used Car Sales Manager. Look for heavy scratches, tar, overspray, tree sap, excessive soiling & pet hair as these are generally not part of a normal dealer detail.
 
No, I have never done dealership work. I HAVE been contacted by several though. I absolutely would not take on a dealership account without some type of written proposal or contract stating the things I mentioned above, and signed by both parties. As I said, dealerships are great at two things; making others sign contracts and ripping people off. Honestly, I have very little desire to do dealership work, for these exact reasons.
 
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