getting flagged on craigslist?

The problem with Craigslist is that the only people who go there are cheap. I only browse it when I want to find something dirt cheap. So why would anyone try to advertise a pricy detailing service on it? Just doesn't make sense. It would be like WalMart trying to sell a Armani suit...
 
Ive gotten a few calls just in the month that I have posted. Some are from people thinking they can get their whole car looking brand new for 50 bucks... others are more reasonable. I have a returning customer now through craigslist. This guy buys wrecked cars, hires people to fix them and then sell them. He's pretty reasonable and likes my work so he uses me now.

I do this in my spare time at the moment but I want to do it full time and eventually quit my 9-5. I'm trying to get as much work as I can get so this flagger really hinders that. I'm gonna hit up some dealerships hopefully this week and try to work a littler harder than I have been on customer acquisition. Even when I think I'm doing all I can, I feel there's something else I could be doing.
 
But the OP is new to the business, I do not know him nor his financial status but I can only assume he is trying to gain any sort of business he can big or small. One of those small leads might lead to a big one or better yet a dealership that will want him to come out there part time. Your analogy is accurate in a sense that that armani suit might just not carry that famous name yet but one day he will gain popularity and will graduate from "walmart status" to something higher and more prestige

...Sorry OP for talking for you, I will let you address others concerns!
 
Just be careful make sure you have a good conversation on the phone before meeting so you can sort of get a feel of the person to try to eliminate some of the head aches
 
Oh and good luck I'm try to start doing a little detailing on the side after winter
 
Tundra_10 said:
But the OP is new to the business, I do not know him nor his financial status but I can only assume he is trying to gain any sort of business he can big or small. One of those small leads might lead to a big one or better yet a dealership that will want him to come out there part time. Your analogy is accurate in a sense that that armani suit might just not carry that famous name yet but one day he will gain popularity and will graduate from "walmart status" to something higher and more prestige

...Sorry OP for talking for you, I will let you address others concerns!
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HAHA no problem, you're right on the money. When I decided to start this business I didn't just say hey, I'll give this a go for a bit. I decided that this is what I want to do for a long time. I want to make a business and a living out of it. I want to be able to raise a family on it. I know it's hard starting out, I've only been doing it for 2 months as a business.
 
Dugdug said:
I'm gonna hit up some dealerships hopefully this week and try to work a littler harder than I have been on customer acquisition. Even when I think I'm doing all I can, I feel there's something else I could be doing.
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Good for you Dug! I wish you the very best!
 
Flash Gordon said:
Good for you Dug! I wish you the very best!
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Thanks flash, any tips?

Also that return customer I was referring to above was the guy I was telling you about with the swirls on that black car he called "his baby" I met up with him the next day but he wasn't interested in me polishing his car so I didn't get any pics of it lol He took me to another car with some major orange peel. I wet sanded the whole front end and polished it. I was going to take pictures in the morning with the light out but he was in a hurry to pick it up. ANyways, he was impressed so I got his business now lol
 
Put together a book of your work, and keep it in your car. That way when you happen upon someone, you can show them your work. That and a good professional Business card.
 
I really don't care for craigslist as a form of advertising your business. If other people are like me...I'd never seek detailing on craiglist. Mainly because they are obviously not established...cause if they were, they wouldn't need to rely on craigslist for work.

Not to say everyone on craigslist does lack luster work...but, I think most of us could agree that most of them do, and that's why they're seeking work.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where it's SO simple to seek out reviews, and feedback on businesses. I check reviews and feedback on everything now a days. Whether I'm traveling somewhere, seeking a service, product, etc. There's usually always some reviews out there.

I say if you want work...make sure customers are reviewing your work, and posting it. Preferably on google. Just having a couple reviews under your business will change the number of phone calls that come in.

Plus, craigslist is full of garbage, ha.
 
I would say I have built my entire business on CL. I would get one customer and then they would tell others and so on. I still post there every once and awhile and I am probably the most expensive one on there. I still get business.

I was getting flagged a lot last year. I think the more you get flagged the easier it is for you to get flagged again. Say it takes 10 people the first time the next time it takes 8 then the next 6 and so on...Just what I think.

Don't get me wrong I use to get lots of calls with people wanting work done dirt cheap and I would simply say sorry there are other guys on craigslist that will be happy to do it for that price..Not me.
 
I sold a car from Craigslist. It was a car that wasn't worth paying to advertise it. A free site like Craigslist attracts societies bottom feeders. If I was a professional detailer, I am not sure my target market would be found on Craigslist.
 
I hated using CL to try and get work. for every one decent customer I got, I got 10 calls from African princes, and 10 calls from people who wanted a full detail done on their car right away in under an hour. Also got lots of calls for blood and bodily fluid clean ups...not sure what that was all about.

In the end it was more headache than it was worth. That was when I first started detailing. Thankfully now I don't have to worry about advertising, as word of mouth keeps me as busy as I want to be.
 
Flannigan said:
Also got lots of calls for blood and bodily fluid clean ups...not sure what that was all about.
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The gang members here now put two dogs (Pits) in a trunk, turn their radios on FULL BLAST, drive around and let the dogs fight untill the death. It could be that, or someone got murdered if you find blood in the trunk

My suggestion is call the proper authoritys and let them hash it all out
 
Tundra_10 said:
I think its cause you are making multiple posts. I promoted a business on craigslist as well, I never got flagged but I also only reposted my ad about once a month. I think there are rules about reposting.
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There is a guy near me that posts his ad every single day and they never get flagged
 
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