Business Cards Under Wipers?

AutowerxDetailing

AutowerxDetailing

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Okay, so I would like some feedback on something from as many people as possible.

I see cars pretty much everywhere I go that are just trashed (siwrls, faded trim, filthy wheels, etc.) and I almost feel bad for the car because it's treated so poorly and really needs a proper detail. I've often thought about leaving one of my business cards under the windshield wiper with a personal note saying something like "we can restore your faded trim" or something like that but then I start thinking that the owners would take offense like I'm making fun of their car or something.

I typically hate flyers left under my windshield wiper but that's generally because they are completely pointless like a generic religious message or some sort of sale to a store I don't even go to. I am talking about something much more personal like a note written directly to the owner of the car.

So what do you all think? Have any of you done anything like this with any type of success? Your thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.
 
I have passed out my business cards at gas stations, but have never left them on the vehicle. Usually if I see someone attempting to wipe of their car I will approach them with a card.
 
Autowerx said:
Okay, so I would like some feedback on something from as many people as possible.

I see cars pretty much everywhere I go that are just trashed (siwrls, faded trim, filthy wheels, etc.) and I almost feel bad for the car because it's treated so poorly and really needs a proper detail. I've often thought about leaving one of my business cards under the windshield wiper with a personal note saying something like "we can restore your faded trim" or something like that but then I start thinking that the owners would take offense like I'm making fun of their car or something.

I typically hate flyers left under my windshield wiper but that's generally because they are completely pointless like a generic religious message or some sort of sale to a store I don't even go to. I am talking about something much more personal like a note written directly to the owner of the car.

So what do you all think? Have any of you done anything like this with any type of success? Your thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.
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If someone left a hand written note on my windshield, and I didn't know them, I would consider it suspicous behavior. I would keep your info should something weird happen, but definitly wouldn't call you to invite to my house

If you're going to do anything slide a card on the drivers side window. I don't like ppl messing with my windshield arms. That pisses me off everytime
 
Filthy cars are usually a sign that the owner does not care about the finish.
Why bother selling to someone who is not interested?

May I suggest targeting cars that are clean and show the swirls left by automated car washes, with a note saying that you notice their appreciation for the cars appearance and the you can discuss ways to bring the car to a higher standard. - that way you are talking to customers who will appreciate and pay for your services.
 
Flash Gordon said:
If you're going to do anything slide a card on the drivers side window. I don't like ppl messing with my windshield arms. That pisses me off everytime
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Flash my man, you are back. Had a detailer in my area do just that. Lady took her MB to the shop because her window wouldn't work. Guess what, the guys card slid down and jammed the window mech. Guess who got the bill.
 
Rsurfer said:
Flash my man, you are back. Had a detailer in my area do just that. Lady took her MB to the shop because her window wouldn't work. Guess what, the guys card slid down and jammed the window mech. Guess who got the bill.
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Some jackass broke my Godfather's windshield arm putting a yard work flyer on it. Stripped the gears right out of it...

Thanks!
 
This is all great feedback. I have never left a card on someone's car just because I have always hated people leaving crap on my car. I never even thought about potential damage, etc.
 
Belicoso said:
Filthy cars are usually a sign that the owner does not care about the finish.
Why bother selling to someone who is not interested?

May I suggest targeting cars that are clean and show the swirls left by automated car washes, with a note saying that you notice their appreciation for the cars appearance and the you can discuss ways to bring the car to a higher standard. - that way you are talking to customers who will appreciate and pay for your services.
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I would suspect this is the best approach. Sell to those that already care.


As backwards as it appears at first glance, you might get a few buys from people with very poor condition cars but, I suspect a person who already attempts to keep their car in good condition is a stronger prospect.

They're more likely to read your advert, be suitably intrigued by what they're not able to do themselves and appreciate the additional improvements beyond their skill level. they might even appreciate the chance to hand the hard and complex work to someone else every 6 months, which in turn gives them a much nicer car to wash themselves for the rest of the year.

I'm not saying its a slam-dunk, they probably already think they do a great job but, the advert is a less of a "cold sale" than some owner who doesn't care at at all.
 
I leave my card under wipers all the time. Have gotten a few jobs from it but no complaints.
 
Welcome back Flash!

Autowerx - I HATE it when someone puts a card/flyer on my car. That means someone leaned on or touched my car. It just pisses me off. I wouldn't recommend it. Just my .02cents.
 
lokerola said:
Welcome back Flash!

Autowerx - I HATE it when someone puts a card/flyer on my car. That means someone leaned on or touched my car. It just pisses me off. I wouldn't recommend it. Just my .02cents.
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I agree with this! But if you do it enough, chances are you might get a tiny bit of business... Maybe write a quick tiny message as to why you put the card on there? Like everyone here, I go to the car care section of any store im in the has it and I try and strike up conversations with people that look perplexed or really lookin around. I dont tell them I detail till I get into a conversation with them and sometimes get business that way :)
 
lokerola said:
Welcome back Flash!

Autowerx - I HATE it when someone puts a card/flyer on my car. That means someone leaned on or touched my car. It just pisses me off. I wouldn't recommend it. Just my .02cents.
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We are all detailers in one form or another so our take on all things cars might be a little different than you average joe.
 
I wouldn't recommend it. I can't stand it when I find something under my windshield wiper or in my door jam. I have to agree that it's best to let those who care about their cars find you. Just my $0.02.....
 
Autowerx said:
I see cars pretty much everywhere I go that are just trashed (siwrls, faded trim, filthy wheels, etc.) and I almost feel bad for the car because it's treated so poorly and really needs a proper detail. I've often thought about leaving one of my business cards under the windshield wiper with a personal note saying something like "we can restore your faded trim" or something like that but then I start thinking that the owners would take offense like I'm making fun of their car or something.
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Obviously they dont care about their car so my opinion is you are wasting your time. Besides 99.9999% of people hate it when people leave stuff on their car, usually it get thrown on the ground!
 
Nothing infuriates me more than garbage put on my truck. That and people leaving coffee cups in my box which proceed to blow out on the highway and smash the vehicle behind me.

I say you'd be better off with a craigslist ad, and community bulletin boards.

Sent from my GT-I9100M using Tapatalk 2
 
This is all great feedback. It looks like my suspicions were confirmed.

1. People generally hate it when people leave stuff on their car.
2. Dirty cars = people who probably won't even care about detailing.
3. Leaving stuff on people's cars opens the door for potential liability.

These are all excellent reasons not to do this.

Thanks all for the honest feedback!!!
 
waste of time and business cards, not many people get business this way, be better to advertise on some local forums or on craigslist, but most of the poeple who call find my business on google, just use good key words when you set up google places.... if it pops up top of the list you are good to go..most people who are looking for a detail, already have the thought in their mind of "i need to get my car cleaned" those who do not just use a car as an appliance, that is all cars are to most people so being clean is the last thing on their mind...there are better methods then putting cards on someones car...
 
Flash Gordon said:
Some jackass broke my Godfather's windshield arm putting a yard work flyer on it. Stripped the gears right out of it...

Thanks!
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That must have been some flyer. :) I don't do it nor do I like finding stuff on my car. Goes right in the trash w/o even looking at it.
 
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