Going door to door?

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Greg1991

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Hey everyone! I just joined, my name is Greg Oakley. I have been looking on this forum and seeing a lot of threads about people not being able to get customers and I must admit I am one of those people. I just graduated college and I am trying to get a job but in the meantime, I detail cars for easy money :D. I live in a small neighborhood and I have asked pretty much everyone here except for 3 people. I have been thinking what to do after I ask the remaining people and I want to go to other streets and ask more people. My question is, do you guys think it is weird for me to ride my bike to random people's houses and introduce myself and ask to detail their car? Honestly I kinda like the rush of going up to someone and asking this although the answer I have been getting lately is no..(pisses me off). Anyway, I really appreciate the input and advice! Autogeek rules!!!
 
Do you mean pedal bike or motor bike? It seems to me that you might get more "yes" answers if you show up in a ride that epitomizes your work. But be prepared for people to be rude/standoffish considering you're going to their houses (something personal/protected) and trying to solicit business that they didn't ask for.

In any event, I don't think it can hurt. Just leave if they ask you to and brush up on your county's solicitation laws so you don't get in trouble.

Good luck!
 
Pedal bike and yea maybe I should have pictures for them to look at.
 
You may be better making some nice fliers... People can get very uneasy when strangers knock on the door.
 
Make a free website, advertise on local free websites such as craigslist, make some cheap business cards and hand them out to business owners. Practically anything will be more effective and time effective than door to door.

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Do you have any local car clubs or cruises that meet?

You would be better off going for people who car about the vehicle they own and the way it looks. Getting your self out into that crowd will pay off better but you want to make sure you have all you need and the proper insurance.

Additionally you should look into marketing to any business that has anything to do with Automotive needs. Networking with other companies and businesses that are in the same general field as you will add to your business.

I would also recommend Renny Doyle's Book How to Start a Home Based Detailing Business. This book is jam packed with great info on everything for detailing and has a lot of great ideas on what does and doesn't work when it comes to marketing.

You have to get your name out there and you have to hustle. Its not easy but if you work hard and are dedicated then the business will come.
 
Just one consumer's opinion here but I hate solicitors. The only ones I can tolerate are school age kids doing some kind of fund raiser. The age where mom or dad is standing right out on the street.

Anyway. I say no to any solicitation. I could even be in the market for whatever the product is and I'd still say no.

The car club is a great idea. Try and market to people who are in a compatible mindset. Any kind of automotive gathering I'd think could yield some business.
 
im not going to say no to going door to door because i am a fairly recent college graduate (3 years) and i am still in the same boat i was when i was in school. i am working for the university now (detailing the univesity vehicles) and make enough that i can pay the bills. thats why i am starting a detailing business on the side.

even though going door to door might not be the best idea in the world it shows that you are determined and very strong willed, and to that i say thumbs up to you! if you keep that attitude and trust that God will provide when the need come you will do well sir!!

lastly, take head to what VP MARk says. he has been a big help to me and he knows what he is talking about.
 
Greg1991 said:
Hey everyone! I just joined, my name is Greg Oakley. I have been looking on this forum and seeing a lot of threads about people not being able to get customers and I must admit I am one of those people. I just graduated college and I am trying to get a job but in the meantime, I detail cars for easy money :D. I live in a small neighborhood and I have asked pretty much everyone here except for 3 people. I have been thinking what to do after I ask the remaining people and I want to go to other streets and ask more people. My question is, do you guys think it is weird for me to ride my bike to random people's houses and introduce myself and ask to detail their car? Honestly I kinda like the rush of going up to someone and asking this although the answer I have been getting lately is no..(pisses me off). Anyway, I really appreciate the input and advice! Autogeek rules!!!
Click to expand...

I know that I absolutelly despise being disturbed at work from door to door people selling things. So I can't recommend you do it.

I think you might have better succes doing pretty much anything else.
 
Your topic brings me to something I was gonna ask about, so I might as well do it here and help you ;)

Car show season is about to start. Do any of you guys rent a booth at car shows?

If so, can you give advice on how to do it properly?

Like, what size, what to bring there, should I make banners, posters, brochures? What kind of costs are involved, etc. What service do you promote most?

Also, what kind of business have you been getting after the show from attendees?

The car show in Montréal in January, so I have 4 months to prepare.
 
Well you have the right attitude about it I have to admit that. Business isn't going to come and find you, you have to work for every sale you get at this point. Just like how some of the others have mentioned already in general people are not to fond of strangers knocking on their door. You should try and make some flyers and some business cards to help market yourself.
Craigslist is your best friend in this situation. You can put up a free ad in the services offered section. I would also check the section where people are selling their cars. Look around at the cars up for sale try and find some that have really noticeable paint transfer and offer to remove the defect or maybe just offer up a estimate if you get a response. Or you can find some cars on there that are up for sale that are in desperate need of a detail, try and convince the owner that you are adding value back to his car. Tell him when you are done he or she can get more money for the car and it should sell faster. A email is a lot less intrusive then someone knocking at their door. Good Luck.
 
To build a detailing business takes time and word of mouth is how I built my business took about a year. If a detailer came to my door trying to sell me his service I would never let him touch my car. Like Evan said car clubs and meets but you will need pictures for any of these guys to trust you and a website.
 
I respect your determination but there are better ways to spend your time than going door to door. Its a serious image problem.
 
I used to work the graveyard shift and sleep from 7 am -about 4 pm or so and would always get ticked off when someone Knocks on my door trying to sell me something. Agreed put a flyer in the mail box is a much better deal
 
I don't think it is a totally bad idea so long as your not trying too much pressure at the door step. Make up a nice flyer with your picture on it highlighting what you can do for them, why detailing is important, examples of your work, website, honestly state why your going door to door for work and a reason why they should trust you (as in your not trying to case their house out). Dress casual nice, if you have multiple piercings (take the visible ones out), cover tattoos, wear a plain nice button down shirt or polo pull over, belt, plain pants. You could even have a detail bucket (where you keep the flyers) with you and a microfiber wash rag to look legit. Meet, shake hands try to come off as friendly as possible, state where your live (neighborhood) if your close by, hand off flyer, say your taking appointments for the next two weeks and would like to add them to your list and move onto the next house. You should know your going to have a very tough time up selling services until you've helped them out at least two times (that might take months), it is not going to be easy money. It is a tough slog though and door to door takes a tough skin. Starting any business is a very tough job, I would recommend trying all avenues available.
 
Forget the flyers if you must go door to door. Get some door hangers professionally designed and printed on high quality card stock. I've done this before and it will work as long as you have a good website to direct them to.
 
Mfour, i was listening to a christian radio station yesterday evening and they were talking about churches putting newsletters, fliers, etc in the mail box to invite someone to church. they said that this is not a good idea for the reason that anything that is put into a mail box has to have postage on it. and by not putting postage on it that it was a considered a federal charge could be brought against you.

i dont say this to say i disagree with you. just sharing information that i heard. i was unaware it was illegal to put something in the mailbox without postage until i heard that yesterday..
 
Thank you everyone who gave me advice! I can safely say that I will start making flyers and a website and I won't waste my time walking up to people's doors.
 
Check your local laws. I know where I live you can get fined HUGE for going door to door selling services.
 
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