am I worthy?

R

Robert Thoreson

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Hi all, I just found this forum and still have alot of reading to do but my main reason for joining is I'm not sure how good I am. Without making too long of a post, I work in a professional shop, the owner has 40+ years experience, helped develop pdq, and has had many successful businesses. He is semi retired now and employs me and my "manager". He always has high praises for us and claims we are the best anywhere. But ik there is alot to learn yet. There are many shops In the area and I do admit, we are better than them but I feel we are on a different level. They are the 4 hour and done shops. We do scratch removal and chip repair plus the interiors. We charge $40 a hour and our average bill is around $300-$400. We don't get alot of business that way but we also do cars for a local dealership. We charge them 32 an hour and spend 5-10 hours on each of their cars. I have no one to compare myself to and don't want to embarrass myself in the real world.
 
My suggestion is to hang around here for a while and look and read, and see if your techniques and results are similar to what you find here.

Like just as a for-instance, you're saying you do "scratch removal". Look for some similar threads, see what inspection techniques the detailer is using, and see if you are using those same inspection techniques. If not, adopt them and see if you get similar results. In this instance, I'm talking about lighting and removal of residual polishing oils, etc.
 
I believe he wrote pdq and I don't know what that is either. Was it supposed to be PDR as in paintless dent removal/repair?
 
Am I missing something.. the acronym for quick detailing shop, is PDQ?
 
Robert Thoreson said:
Hi all, I just found this forum and still have alot of reading to do but my main reason for joining is I'm not sure how good I am. Without making too long of a post, I work in a professional shop, the owner has 40+ years experience, helped develop pdq, and has had many successful businesses. He is semi retired now and employs me and my "manager". He always has high praises for us and claims we are the best anywhere. But ik there is alot to learn yet. There are many shops In the area and I do admit, we are better than them but I feel we are on a different level. They are the 4 hour and done shops. We do scratch removal and chip repair plus the interiors. We charge $40 a hour and our average bill is around $300-$400. We don't get alot of business that way but we also do cars for a local dealership. We charge them 32 an hour and spend 5-10 hours on each of their cars. I have no one to compare myself to and don't want to embarrass myself in the real world.
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What is your main question?
 
Sorry skimmed thru paragraph.Stay there and learn and follow on forum.
 
I'm curious how you guys worked out the hourly rate setup with your wholesale dealer accounts? Most dealers around here seem to want some sort of flat rate which is way too low considering the condition of the vehicles that typically come from the auctions and customer trade-ins.
 
Well our prices started as flat rate but soon after I started, the boss just said this is how it's going to be. And yes I ment the pdq car wash.
 
My main concern is that we only use 3m perfect it compound, malco swirl remover on a cyclo then wipe it down with showroom shine. To me they look perfect, in the sun they look like fresh paint but then I get online and hear about other people using different products for different makes and a bunch of stuff iv never heard of. I don't see our shop staying open another 10 years, and iv learned all I can form anyone in the area. I need advise on what to do. I'm 26 2 kids, one on the way and looking for a plan
 
Robert Thoreson said:
My main concern is that we only use 3m perfect it compound, malco swirl remover on a cyclo then wipe it down with showroom shine. To me they look perfect, in the sun they look like fresh paint but then I get online and hear about other people using different products for different makes and a bunch of stuff iv never heard of. I don't see our shop staying open another 10 years, and iv learned all I can form anyone in the area. I need advise on what to do. I'm 26 2 kids, one on the way and looking for a plan
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Either buy your boss out,or go out on your own.schooling and education are very important.see if you can learn a valuable trade like autobody.I was in the same situation was 31 went I built my dream house in Florida.so I had to stick with detailing,how ever I own a different business and starting a third.cash is king save what you can,and you may have a brighter future ahead.
 
Robert Thoreson said:
My main concern is that we only use 3m perfect it compound, malco swirl remover on a cyclo then wipe it down with showroom shine. To me they look perfect, in the sun they look like fresh paint but then I get online and hear about other people using different products for different makes and a bunch of stuff iv never heard of. I don't see our shop staying open another 10 years, and iv learned all I can form anyone in the area. I need advise on what to do. I'm 26 2 kids, one on the way and looking for a plan
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Detail on the side, start building up your own brand. Use the products that you've been reading about and dying to try out. Hope everything works out for you!
 
I say we will be closed bc the owner is 67 years old, half blind and never wants to try anything new. We don't even have our name on the building or business cards to hand out. And I would love to do work on the side but with the kids and work, I'm up at 6 and home at 6. I have no time right now. Plus when I tell people I'm a detailer, they think I'm one of those guys that will charge you $150 to vacuum and smear up the windows. I wish there was a way to distinguish between people like us and that kid that works in the back at a dealership
 
Robert Thoreson said:
Hi all, I just found this forum and still have alot of reading to do but my main reason for joining is I'm not sure how good I am. Without making too long of a post, I work in a professional shop, the owner has 40+ years experience, helped develop pdq, and has had many successful businesses.

He is semi retired now and employs me and my "manager". He always has high praises for us and claims we are the best anywhere. But ik there is alot to learn yet. There are many shops In the area and I do admit, we are better than them but I feel we are on a different level. They are the 4 hour and done shops. We do scratch removal and chip repair plus the interiors.

We charge $40 a hour and our average bill is around $300-$400. We don't get alot of business that way but we also do cars for a local dealership. We charge them 32 an hour and spend 5-10 hours on each of their cars. I have no one to compare myself to and don't want to embarrass myself in the real world.
Click to expand...


Sounds like you have a strong foundation to build on to me.



Robert Thoreson said:
I say we will be closed bc the owner is 67 years old, half blind and never wants to try anything new.

We don't even have our name on the building or business cards to hand out. And I would love to do work on the side but with the kids and work,

I'm up at 6 and home at 6. I have no time right now. Plus when I tell people I'm a detailer, they think I'm one of those guys that will charge you $150 to vacuum and smear up the windows. I wish there was a way to distinguish between people like us and that kid that works in the back at a dealership
Click to expand...


The best move you've made was joining this forum. Becoming great at anything starts with knowledge and that's what this forum is all about, sharing knowledge or information.

The products and tools you're using have respectable names but there are a LOT more tools, pads and product options available to you.

I'd highly recommend attending my next Competition Ready Class in February, it's $1,795.00 for the three day course but you'll bet both knowledge and skills to start your own business.

If you don't have the money in your budget to attend the class then check out how this young many forged a way to attend.


How to pay for your Competition Ready 3-Day Detailing Class with GoFundMe



Besides my class there are a lot of other classes out there plus this forum, videos, books and simply investing in some of your own tools, pads and products and like Yoda states,


Do or do not, there is no try - Yoda


yoda.jpg



What is meant by this statement is make up your mind to give it everything you have.

:)
 
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