I hate having to re-invent the wheel.

Yea I need to get down there anyways. I just found my sister I haven't talked to in about 10 years or so living just south of Indy. Since it's slowing so much I think here very soon I'll come visit down there.
 
Such is the cycle when you are doing business with dealerships guys. I learned after 10 years that you are far better off going after retail work that PAYS then slaving away doing details for dealers. Don't get me wrong, we have seen a steady increase of details coming from the dealers the last 2 years after 3 years of SHARP declines. The difference is now I don't rely on them and they know it. I charge what I need to charge and I won't kill myself to do 15 details a day to please them. It hurt in the short run to lose that work but it's paying off now when 75% of the work I do in our busiest month is profitabel retail instead of the other way around. I honestly used to have to turn away retail work because we were always so buried with low paying dealer details!
 
Lex had mentioned banks, which I think is a good idea and have yet to do myself. Another possible stream along those lines is the body shops and auto shops in the area that have cars for sale. A lot of them around here have gotten many repair vehicles that haven't been paid, so they sit in front of the shop with a price on the windshield.



I also like the "inspection" idea. I'm still amazed at how many customers are dumbfounded when I point out a panel that has been repainted on their vehicles they had no clue about.
 
jake,not knowing what its like there.is there any car clubs,gyms,health clubs maybe even dare i say,streetracers? maybe even hit a big insurance company?



gotto be worth finding places with a high number of cars that are in fairly good condition. people who look after themselves and have to be well presented for work normally look after cars too
 
Well to put to bed any thoughts of untapped markets I'll toss this out there.



Right now I have 4 dealers (2 new car huge lots and 2 corner lots that buy auction cars)



6 body shops. (they liked my work better than their own so they send me in some when I can)



2 dentist offices Both dentist and secretaries vehicles.



3 realitors.



And supposedly I'm on call from the airport with rental cars that come in more than normal in dirtiness (is that a word?)



plus I'm in two rather large barter organizations for trade between businesses. This actually works out great for networking and getting the name out to other businesses.



Then the actual customer pays retail side of it. and I'm still really slow. I got a couple nibbles this week. But this time of year my retail side of things really take a dip and I usually start relying on my contract work. Unfortuantly nothing is coming in from the contract side of the business. So it's not like I don't have the feelers out. It's just people quit spending their money right now. I'll probably pick up again just before the snow fly's then work on selling gift certs right before x-mas. And then when the tax returns start coming in early next year I'll pick up the dealers more and more. I'm just suprised as to how quickly the customer pays just dropped off around here. I could see it if it was just me. Maybe I screwed something up and got a bad rep but it's not me at all. Everyone around me that's a stand alone detailer is just as bad.
 
Since the winters are crappy in Michigan, what if you created a total "Winter Protection Package" to "Protect Your Vehicle From the Sand & Salt This Winter!".



Something like: Quick interior detail, apply plastic floor covering to all carpets to protect them from salt/sand (remove it in the spring), exterior clay, quick polish, apply durable sealant to paint (makes snow removal easier), wheel sealant, hydrophobic treatment to all exterior glass, anti-fog treatment to interior glass, install winter wiper blades and fill windshield fluid resevoir with de-icer solution.



I think lots of people would want this done??



Also, you could find a local person that does remote starters and work out a deal with him and make a few bucks on each one. Have every Saturday be "Remote Start Day" and line up a few cars every Saturday. Offer a free basic detail (wash, vacuum, windows) with any remote start install. These are usually very popular around Christmas.
 
If the car business is that bad around you perhaps you can look at what else your supplies and equipment can be used for.



I once worked for a shop that would turn to pressure washing and staining decks and wood sided houses when things got slow. He had a mobile pressure washer and water tank which is all we used to clean and strip the decks and staining is easier then detailing. Not bad money either.



I hope things pick up for you!
 
No problem, good luck!



It might be worth it to do a cheap newspaper ad for the month before Christmas offering the winter protection package and remote starts. Also, do a Craigslist ad. It's free!
 
Yea my local paper has been calling a lot lately. maybe it's time I tossed them a bone again. They usually don't net much in the way of traffic in the door. But maybe it's time the people just see the logo again.
 
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