Hi guys, I saw an idea like this one buried in a thread I saw last night and thought I would expand on it. So there's this locally owned mechanic shop here in Gainesville that I took my car to a few months back. I was thinking that I could offer to wash a few of their customer's cars for free after they finish working on them in exchange for them referring me to their customer once they get their car back. It would be beneficial for both myself and the shop. The shop looks good to their customers and increases their chances of coming back because it would look like the shop went the extra mile for free, and I get some easy exposure to help grow my business. Also, the shop specializes in classic and modern Nissan Z-Series cars, so I could potentially get customers that really care about their cars. What do you guys think?
An idea for getting customers after just starting a business
- Thread starter JamesCs
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AutowerxDetailing
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- Apr 10, 2012
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I think giving away services for free is nearly always a bad idea. You spend time working on a vehicle, using products, adding wear and tear to your equipment, etc. and all you have accomplished is that ONE person now knows your quality of work.
If you are trying to ramp up I'd suggest using down time to form a viable marketing plan. Working with the mechanic's shop could be a great partnership. I just don't think there is any reason to detail a bunch of cars for free. Ask them if you can leave a stack of cards on their counter in exchange for linking to their shop on your website as a preferred service provider of your business.
If you are trying to ramp up I'd suggest using down time to form a viable marketing plan. Working with the mechanic's shop could be a great partnership. I just don't think there is any reason to detail a bunch of cars for free. Ask them if you can leave a stack of cards on their counter in exchange for linking to their shop on your website as a preferred service provider of your business.
Eldorado2k
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- Nov 9, 2015
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Alot of people [myself included] don't like anyone touching their cars. I'd especially be upset if someone were to wash my car without permission and without my knowledge. That may sounds crazy to the average Joe, but seriously.
If you want to cut your teeth and gain some experience do it on friends and family's vehicles, just don't let anyone take advantage of you because you will be delivering good work and it's not exactly going to be easy work.. Be careful with that word "free"
And while you're gaining your beginning experiences make sure to take alot of pictures of your work. Learn how to take half decent photos and don't delete them. Little by little your rep will grow and you'll take it from there. Good luck!
If you want to cut your teeth and gain some experience do it on friends and family's vehicles, just don't let anyone take advantage of you because you will be delivering good work and it's not exactly going to be easy work.. Be careful with that word "free"
And while you're gaining your beginning experiences make sure to take alot of pictures of your work. Learn how to take half decent photos and don't delete them. Little by little your rep will grow and you'll take it from there. Good luck!
Jeremy1976
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- Apr 13, 2015
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Get some business cards from Vista Print. They are cheap. Do friends and family cars and charge them less than a normal customer to get started. Do a damn good job and word of mouth will be your best marketing tool.
With every customer you have, throw some of your business cards in their cup holder when you are finished with the detail.
Hard work pays off. Word of mouth is everything. Be passionate about what you do and the customers will feel that passion.
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With every customer you have, throw some of your business cards in their cup holder when you are finished with the detail.
Hard work pays off. Word of mouth is everything. Be passionate about what you do and the customers will feel that passion.
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Jeremy1976
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- Apr 13, 2015
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I agree. No one washes my cars other than me. No one! I take my Lexus to a high end Lexus dealership and they know the deal. I always make it a point to remind them a couple times when it's in for an oil change.
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As a business partner I agree 100% with the above statement. You are running a business now and EVERYTHING needs to revolve around the bottom line. Talking to the shop about your services and asking them to put cards on the counter is great - In fact, do it at a LOT of shops - but not EVERY shop. Pick the shops that cater to who you want as clients.
As a consumer, I'm going to be really upset if someone washes my car with my permission. Mine isn't a show car, but it's MINE. I don't even let valets drive it and wince anytime a mechanic has to.
Business cards, postcards, and such - check out Gotprint.com. Great prices, awesome products, and good service. I like them better than Vistaprint. They are cheap enough that we can order different card & postcards to try alternate marketing specials very inexpensively.
Lastly, you are a service based business...word of mouth, referrals, meeting & establishing expectations, and RUN IT LIKE A BUSINESS are our keys to success.
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks for the advice everyone. The thought that people wouldn't want their cars touched without their knowledge never came to mind (obviously). Doing friends and family will be tough since school starts next week and I'll be moving and hour and a half away, but I'll figure something out. And stay away from saying the f-word.
garyg7133
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- Sep 7, 2011
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Just curious, what kind of mechanic is it? Is it a dealer or a local shop? Perhaps you should consider renting one of his bays to work out of and when people see a detailer working in the bay it would put you in their sight. Heck you could even work out a deal to have your business card or service menu attached to the repair invoice...
WAXOFF
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- Jun 17, 2012
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I think you have a good idea but your concept needs to be different. I've been in the car business for 39 years and my opinion on how you should do it is a 2 way street but the other guy has to agree to it also. You could have an agreement whereas if you send a customer to him he will give that customer 10% off on his bill and the same thing for you if he sends a customer to you he gets 10% off on the service you provide him. This way you guys help each other out. All the people would have to do is hand either one of you a business card that is signed and dated by the respective business owners. The customer could only use that card one time. Both of you would have a supply of the others cards to give a blank one back to the customer in case they want to keep it for reference or to pass it on to another person explaining the program. If the customer comes back for more work they get another signed card from the respective business owner to prove that some work was done. Just how I would do it.
- Thread starter
- #11
Waxoff, I had pretty much this same idea after I thought about what everyone else said and it seems like one of the best ways for both parties to benefit
I could also offer their employees discount incentives to refer people outside of work. I could give the employees 10% off if they refer someone and give the person they refer a 10% discount as well
I could also offer their employees discount incentives to refer people outside of work. I could give the employees 10% off if they refer someone and give the person they refer a 10% discount as well
AuroraDetailing
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- Jun 29, 2013
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Or you can give cash for paying referrals. My buddy used to give $20 for referrals that ended up with full details. That's actually less than giving them 10% off in most cases for work we did, and more appealing. They'll be on the ball a little more to get you customers. And you don't necessarily have to offer that to everyone.
expdetailing
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- Aug 17, 2014
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Okay, all of you guys who are
saying you wouldn't want your car washed for free are not understanding the true nature of the OP's question. He didn't ask whether you Autogeeks want a free car detail/wash, he asked about the average customer. Average customers want it free and would be delighted. Proof as such is, everyone's suggestion to take the word, "Free" very carefully.
saying you wouldn't want your car washed for free are not understanding the true nature of the OP's question. He didn't ask whether you Autogeeks want a free car detail/wash, he asked about the average customer. Average customers want it free and would be delighted. Proof as such is, everyone's suggestion to take the word, "Free" very carefully.
Eldorado2k
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- Nov 9, 2015
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I disagree. Reason being is that I'm under the impression that not just us, but most people don't like their cars touched by anyone without their knowledge or permission. Especially if it includes cleaning/vacuuming the interior.
What happens if he were to vacuum the interior and throw away an important reciept or an important phone #? Or accidentally run into someone's personal business? Or mess up someones dash or door panels by spraying the wrong kind of cleaner on the surface and stain it? Then what happens? How do you even begin to explain that scratch on the paint accidentally happened while some guy you don't know was simply trying to wash your car for you for free? It's best to not touch other peoples cars.
- Thread starter
- #15
Both you and expdetailing have a point. It would just be a basic wash with no interior work, but some would like it and some would hate it. I don't think it's worth the risk of putting my name on it and then having multiple people get mad over someone touching their car without their knowledge.
However, I might be able to work out something with the shop where they ask the customer when they bring their car in if they want a free wash.
WAXOFF
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- Jun 17, 2012
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I work in a car dealer and most people are PIGS. If the car gets washed most of the time it's only when they bring it to get serviced. Granted there are those fanatics out there but in Pittsburgh clean cars aren't the norm. Sometime I don't even want to touch the steering wheel on some of them.
- Thread starter
- #17
Most cars in my area are like that too, bunch of dirty daily drivers. And I guess washing those wouldn't really generate business anyways, at least not enough business for the time I spend doing it