Getting Customer Cars to Home-Based Shop

davisautodetail

davisautodetail

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I'm going to be mobile, for the most part, but if I end up doing heavy duty work like paint correction and stuff that takes more than a few hours, I'd like to be able to use my shop. I have a 1200' shop at my house, so plenty of room.

I'm in a rural area, though, so it would probably take most people 15 minutes to get here (not uncommon here in my area, it takes me 20 minutes to get to walmart.)

I was curious how other guys who have a "hybrid" business model with mobile and home-based work. Should I expect the customer to bring their car to me, and then I take them home/work? I don't mind that, and I actually thought about using my Cobra as a marketing gimmick...give customers rides back in that (if they want.)

I could go pick up vehicles, but the insurance is a bit hairy on that stuff.

Thanks for the advice!

KD
 
The simplest way and least intrusive to you is to start by simply letting the customer know they need to make arrangements to drop the car off. If you have a good reputation and they've already "sold" themselves on letting "you" do the work, then people will jump through hoops and over hurdles to get what they "want".

Ask them if they can do it the night before the job is scheduled because for most people this will be "after" work. Just like they will be off work, family, friends, co-workers and neighbors will also be off work for the day and make it easier for them to arrange someone to follow them to your shop.

Remember, while they are there with their car, if you haven't already, now is the time to inspect their vehicle and fill out your Vehicle Inspection Form with them walking around the car with you.

There's a lot of good reasons for this besides inspecting the condition of the paint, one is to show your professional and knowledgeable to them and the person tagging along to give them a ride back. You have to tell to sell...


Also, during this prices you go over what you're going to do for the package they have selected and if any questions come up about doing "more" for their car that's when you simply educate them that you can do as much or as little as they like but more steps equals more time equals increased costs.



:)
 
I have a very similar question. Here are a few thoughts I had on the subject

1) Am I charging for the shuttling? or building in the cost of the detail (time is money, and gas costs money)?
2) Am I wise in taking on the liability of transporting people? What happens if I am involved in a car accident?
3) Should I raise the insurance on my car to accommodate to the increased liabilities? ... and how do I recuperate that cost?

If this is a business, then it needs to be treated as one. You may find some justifications but.....

In my opinion after having read enough comments on this forum is that your work will bring people to you. It may take a while to build the clientele considering you are in the boondocks but people drive long distances and wait long hours in line for fine dining..... so why would they not make drop off and pick up arrangements?
 
I've had people bring me their cars as far away as Los Angeles to Apple Valley...

In fact, the first time I detailed the Joker Truck, the owner drove it to my house in Apple Valley, this was taken in my driveway. This would have been around 60 to 70 miles one way...

700_JokerFinished002.jpg


700_JokerFinished001.jpg




Most the cars I've worked on fall into the SIV category and for these types of cars you really have to drive to them...



:)
 
I have a shuttle service in a limited area and charge $10 for gas and time. yes I have insurance to cover it because I'm using it for work. The cost was only another $10 month. Most my customers as Mike says they make arrangements to get picked up and dropped off. Hope this help :)
Todd
 
Cool, sounds great.

Now, the $64000 question, in my case, would you guys still go mobile, or do that as a secondary service and go fixed.

Here's my shop. I'm in a rural area, but Montana is sort of that way anyway, so it's not as backwoodsy as you'd think.

I have a great shop, 1200', lift in one bay, huge air compressor with central air line system, etc. I even have a temp paint booth setup right now that I'm working on the cobra in.

It sure would be easy if I could reduce the mobile calls, or maybe just do mobile one day a week.

What about going to fixed location and upcharging a trip fee for mobile services?

Mike, really looking forward to meeting you in the training in May!

SDC10657.JPG


SDC10847.JPG
 
I could live in that shop. Awesome!

:dblthumb2::dblthumb2:
 
rms64 said:
I could live in that shop. Awesome!

:dblthumb2::dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Thanks! I built it myself, so I'm pretty proud of it. It's not nearly that clean right now, but it definitely gets used.

Do you think customers would mind leaving their cars there?
 
Very nice - definitely reason to be proud!

Objectively speaking, if I was a customer I certainly would be impressed and feel "better" about leaving my baby there if that makes sense. Really nice setup for sure.
 
rms64 said:
Very nice - definitely reason to be proud!

Objectively speaking, if I was a customer I certainly would be impressed and feel "better" about leaving my baby there if that makes sense. Really nice setup for sure.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the main house is pretty nice too, so as long as I keep things pretty organized, it looks really professional.

Looks like you're in Orlando. I have a vacation rental in Davenport, and I'm coming down for Mike's training in May. Love it down there, not quite as cold! ;->
 
With that shop I'd do as much there as I could. And like you suggested go mobile 1-2 days a week or maybe just the first week of the month.

However I don't see the kegorator in the shop??? :cool:
 
davisautodetail said:
Looks like you're in Orlando. I have a vacation rental in Davenport, and I'm coming down for Mike's training in May. Love it down there, not quite as cold! ;->
Click to expand...


Yep, pretty much in downtown Orlando, after 20-ish years or so in Cincinnati. Living here is much different than visiting but you're right about the weather - pretty great this time of year.

I've been to the AG location and even had some one-on-one help from Mike to get me started - very cool. You'll love the class I'm sure - would like to do that myself!

:props:
 
I would do fixed--as long as you have the insurance and zoning issues worked out. That will give you a longer detailing season, as well.
 
I detail out of my place, and do it by appt. only and also offer a discount to people that can drop it off the night before, it works really well,and so many people are trying to save every dollar they can now days.
 
Thanks to everyone, sounds like this might be the way to go.

A couple of follow up questions:

1) So, do I make a big deal out of my location just to make sure it's clear? I don't want people canceling on me. The farthest someone might come would be about 20 miles or so. How do I go about setting the right expectations?

2) I like the discount idea, just for clarification, is this drop off the night before thing even for basic services like wash and interior and maybe one-steps or are we talking about 4-6 hour jobs only? I wouldn't think most people would want to sit and wait even for a 2 hour job, but I guess you never know that either.

I could just do mobile for quick jobs on certain days, and the other stuff here.

3) Do you guys at home do signage, or since it's more by appt just incognito?

FYI,

No kegorator, I don't drink any more, but I do have a 1960's fridge in there and a 1940's gas pump waiting to be refurbished.

No zoning issues here, we fall outside of any districts, so I can pretty much do whatever I want. ;->
 
Dr_Pain said:
I have a very similar question. Here are a few thoughts I had on the subject

1) Am I charging for the shuttling? or building in the cost of the detail (time is money, and gas costs money)?
2) Am I wise in taking on the liability of transporting people? What happens if I am involved in a car accident?
3) Should I raise the insurance on my car to accommodate to the increased liabilities? ... and how do I recuperate that cost?

If this is a business, then it needs to be treated as one. You may find some justifications but.....

In my opinion after having read enough comments on this forum is that your work will bring people to you. It may take a while to build the clientele considering you are in the boondocks but people drive long distances and wait long hours in line for fine dining..... so why would they not make drop off and pick up arrangements?
Click to expand...

I figured I'd post to this as well.

1) Looks like a good idea to just discount for those that you don't have to drive to. You could charge a fee for shuttling, or I think I'd build it in.

2 and 3) From what I read on this and another forum is that you should really never drive the customer car. My insurance company didn't even want to cover me if I wanted to transport customer cars. As far as if you take the PERSON in your car, your normal insurance coverage should cover it, I would think, just like any other passenger. That might be a reason to NOT charge for that service as it changes the relationship for WHY they are in your car vs. you're just giving them a courtesy ride home for free. I'm no attorney though.
 
I stay in my shop, I do pick up, but in a very limited area. I do go mobile for collections or collectors that do not drive those cars. I do not charge extra for that, nor do I give a discount. Most people like to see where the car is going to be, and when I show them the lighting they understand I can do better at my shop
 
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