Chemical Guys in Houston

Ao1051 said:
Sweet thanks for that feed back. I was thinking of coming with my own line... Not stealing others and putting my name on it but indeed creating my own line...but what brands would y'all like to see in something like this
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Brands I would drive across town for:

Sonax
GTechniq
CarPro
Menzerna
22ple
 
tpr1634 said:
My feelings are there is to much over saturation of suppliers. Most will go to walmart, many like us will purchase either here or else where so now you are going up against the big online hitters. But hey if you offer free shipping if one spends over $50 I'm in.:buffing:
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Depends on the area, I live in So Cal and I can't find an online store that has the stuff I want that isn't in Florida. As much as I love the prices and selection on here, I hate the shipping. That's no knock against AG, they process my ordered and ship them out super quick. But unless I want to pay a lot more $$$ for fast shipping, it's a lot of miles for UPS to move my package. It's typically 7 days from when I order before I get my package, maybe a few more. If someone had a west coast AG they would get all my business.
 
allenk4 said:
I h
I don't think the staff at any detailing store will be as knowledgeable about ALL brands as the Forum Members on AGO.
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It's been my experience that people who sale detailing products actually know very little about the products they sale. How are they suppose to when they are stuck behind a desk all day

:work:

The only exception to this rule would be Kevin Brown @ Buffdaddy
 
I would LOVE to have that type of detailing store up here in Houston!!! I would definitely drive there for duragloss, Optimum, meguiars (professional), and chemical guys!

Sent from my Nexus 4 using AG Online
 
Flash Gordon said:
It's been my experience that people who sale detailing products actually know very little about the products they sale. How are they suppose to when they are stuck behind a desk all day

:work:

The only exception to this rule would be Kevin Brown @ Buffdaddy
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Same way I learned about detailing products...personal experience and the valuable, informed first-hand experiences of Forum Members.

My greatest fear at work is running into someone who knows more about my product than I do.
 
I live in Houston and if you sold things at a good price I would stop by!! :) but I agree if you have to steal a product to make money then that's sad
 
Levithan9 said:
Yoe ever been on a Matco Tool truck? Sure, it all says Matco on the impact tool, but you can bet your a@@ that under that name is an Ingersol Rand. Only difference is the price.

I can go to tooltopia.com and get Ingersol Rand at darn near cost. My 3/8" IR Ratchet cost me $109, shipped free.

On the Matco truck, it's the "XP9A HEAVY DUTY AIR RATCHET WITH BUTTON STYLE AIR TRIGGER. SUPER SEALED HEAD FOR MINIMUM SPREAD, BUILT FOR TECHS, BY TECHS. $339."

So yeah, get some CG honey dew foam wash, and relabel it SUPER MOUNTIAN FRUIT DIRT FOAM DISSOLVER. Price it a few bucks more than what you paid from CG, and i'd buy it. Just so i can drive a few miles and have it TODAY!!
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Love the name, I do love honeydew. :buffing:
 
IMO, you would want an online storefront as well to compete and make decent money to cover your overhead costs. Having a lot of "hard to get" or desirable products would definitely put you a step ahead. Open house days with demos would be beneficial. I assume you will be detailing there as well?
 
I was excited to see Griots products at my local AutoZone. But with the retail price plus tax, online is still cheaper. However, I like knowing I can drive a few miles and get Best In Show immediately. Not being a pro, I have to do my detailing when the time is right. I would definitely visit a shop that had CG. You can't please everybody with a brick store, there's just no way to stock that much product. However, three carefully selected brands might get the doors swinging.

Chemical Guys, Poorboy's World, Collimite.
 
Are you catering only to the detailing crowd, such as those on this site, or to everyday daily driving car owners, or both? That will make a huge difference in what products to offer. Most non-detailing people (the typical money spending masses) are not familiar with many of the products discussed here; they are more familiar with your typical name brand merchandise that they see in your local parts store. A poster above listed these items - Sonax, GTechniq, CarPro, Menzerna, 22ple. Question. Do you think the folks in your area are familiar with these products or those at Advance Auto, Pep Boys, Autozone, Walmart and the likes, such as Mequiars, Turtle was, Armor All, Zymoil etc.? That's a question you need to ask yourself and determine the answer. If you offer products they are not familiar with be ready to educate the public in order to switch them over to such products. Here's the kicker though. Once you educate them about these products, they will start shopping online and more likely than not find it cheaper, say on Amazon. It's done all the time.

It's good to get feedback from a detailing forum such as this, but you have to remember that 99.9% of us are not located in your area and will not be visiting your store to purchase your merchandise, so I would be very careful about putting together a business model based solely on opinions provide here. However, if you plan to be an online dealer, then you may be ok. Good luck.

Just One Man's Opinion

Al

PS: Hey Quebert I agree with your shipping statement and I live way, way closer than you. The shipping costs is what many times kills many of my potential orders. One order was going to be about $22 for some polishing pads - not. The shipping distance between the company and me is not far. Shipping is cheaper from CA. I have my own UPS, Fedex and USPS accounts and wonder if they will allow me to ship via my account.
 
I mean if we could get Mikes attention to this thread... Maybe he would let me carry the autogeek name to Houston ;)
 
I think that Less than 1% of the population would even stop in the store and if they did would say it's too expensive. Reality it most people either don't wash or take it through auto car wash very few people you see washing cars in driveways these days. Over head of a retail space is pretty big $ unless you just have a real small office and drop ship 90% of you merchandise. You have to carry lines where profit is very good
 
quebert said:
Depends on the area, I live in So Cal and I can't find an online store that has the stuff I want that isn't in Florida. As much as I love the prices and selection on here, I hate the shipping. That's no knock against AG, they process my ordered and ship them out super quick. But unless I want to pay a lot more $$$ for fast shipping, it's a lot of miles for UPS to move my package. It's typically 7 days from when I order before I get my package, maybe a few more. If someone had a west coast AG they would get all my business.
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If you put in the comments section on your order "Upgrade shipping to West Coast", you will get it much sooner. I just placed an order last Friday with the big Easter sale and received my package today. I live in SF Bay Area btw.
 
I would carry tufshine tire cleaner. Best stuff for tires hands down that is only carried by ago that I've been able to find. And lots and lots of tug shine tire brushes. They rock too.
 
MattPersman said:
I think that Less than 1% of the population would even stop in the store and if they did would say it's too expensive. Reality it most people either don't wash or take it through auto car wash very few people you see washing cars in driveways these days. Over head of a retail space is pretty big $ unless you just have a real small office and drop ship 90% of you merchandise. You have to carry lines where profit is very good
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Good advice. In the 90's, I had a brick and mortar shop (not detailing related). In order to make a "living" at it, the doors had to be constantly swinging with a box in everybody's hand as they left. Even then, maybe $30k profit in a good year. Luckily my old job took me back. I never regret trying out my dream, I learned a lot.

This doesn't mean I wouldn't LOVE a Griots or Chemical Guys in my town!!! Me and 0.0054% of the population of lesser Tampa Bay.
 
I have a similar "store" setup at my shop. The products sold are usually for customers who want to "quick detail" or seeking a "special" spray. I can upsell them after I have provided any detail service.

These kinds of people aren't looking to do what we do. They're just buying something that's easy to use and won't take a lot of time.

I do however sell boutique products (authorized reseller) at my shop for the local businesses or enthusiasts. BUT to "compete" online with the resellers already available...no way.
 
If AG has the reseller program like if people shop from your website, why not see if you can resell AG products. Hello West Coast buyers!
 
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