Roz
New member
- Nov 3, 2010
- 39
- 0
I've got a few question for the mobile-detailers on the forum. . . Hopefully you guys can shed some light on a few things and help me learn from your mistakes! OK, I am shut-up now, and I'll get right to it!! :xyxthumbs:
1) Pricing
I just saw another thread is dedicated to this question. My goal is, to start out and do a few customer's (mainly friends family) cars cheaply. Let the customer know I'm starting out and NOT to tell others the price they paid but DO tell others if they were pleased (or not). Then once things get off-the-ground, move on to a full-fledged pricing program. I also plan to do a good/better/best type of service, but I would really like to focus on paint-correction and leave the production type work to the others. But on the same token, I will not be one to turn away a client or their money! (Sorry, this paragraph wasn't much a question, but I still seek advice on pricing.)
2) Payments/Receipts
Those of you that are mobile, how do you provide your customers with a receipt? Do you simply use the generic book of receipts that you can get an office-supply store? Do you transport a laptop loaded w/bookkeeping siftware and a printer and provide a more personal/professional receipt? How do you accept credit card payments?
3) The Rig itself
What do you guys use?? I'm located in the SE I see a significant temp-change throughout the year. I wouldn't think having an office-on-wheels would work for me. In the summer months I could easily justify a truck/trailer combo with all supplies loaded onboard and at my fingertips. However, my realisitc intention is to solely use a truck and only take/use what I need based on the specific job I have in front of me. That way my supplies stay well stored, and I'm not trying to manuver a truck/trailer in a customer's driveway. Which leads me to my next question!
4) Water/Electricity
Another one of my big questions is, is it "uncouth" to use the customer's electricity/water?? Do you supply the water and electricity? This would probably require a trailer, but could still be managable with a truck-only operation. Obviously, I would supply ample hoses/extension cords but would your above-average customer frown upon using their water/electricity? If the roles were reversed, I wouldn't mind it one bit. For example, when a landscaper visits a jobsite, they usually use the client's water. I don't see this being any different. I wouldn't imagine using a whole lot of water anyways, I'm sold on ONR. However, with drying/buffing a significant amout of electricty would be used. I wouldn't imagine it would be to the point of tripping a breaking and having to bother the customer with locating the breaker-box.
5) Water Reclamation
It's understand that this is a federal law and it's supposed to be enforced by local authorities. I honestly have no idea how well-enforced this law is, BUT, since it is a federal law so I wish to (try and) abide by it. However, am I better off using biodegradable products or a dedicated water reclamation system (probably a mat). I'm assuming I'll be ok with ONR since the minimal amount of water will soak into the pavement or evaporate. Thoughts?
I believe that's it for now. If I think of anything else, I'll definitely speak up!! Thanks in advance!
1) Pricing
I just saw another thread is dedicated to this question. My goal is, to start out and do a few customer's (mainly friends family) cars cheaply. Let the customer know I'm starting out and NOT to tell others the price they paid but DO tell others if they were pleased (or not). Then once things get off-the-ground, move on to a full-fledged pricing program. I also plan to do a good/better/best type of service, but I would really like to focus on paint-correction and leave the production type work to the others. But on the same token, I will not be one to turn away a client or their money! (Sorry, this paragraph wasn't much a question, but I still seek advice on pricing.)
2) Payments/Receipts
Those of you that are mobile, how do you provide your customers with a receipt? Do you simply use the generic book of receipts that you can get an office-supply store? Do you transport a laptop loaded w/bookkeeping siftware and a printer and provide a more personal/professional receipt? How do you accept credit card payments?
3) The Rig itself
What do you guys use?? I'm located in the SE I see a significant temp-change throughout the year. I wouldn't think having an office-on-wheels would work for me. In the summer months I could easily justify a truck/trailer combo with all supplies loaded onboard and at my fingertips. However, my realisitc intention is to solely use a truck and only take/use what I need based on the specific job I have in front of me. That way my supplies stay well stored, and I'm not trying to manuver a truck/trailer in a customer's driveway. Which leads me to my next question!
4) Water/Electricity
Another one of my big questions is, is it "uncouth" to use the customer's electricity/water?? Do you supply the water and electricity? This would probably require a trailer, but could still be managable with a truck-only operation. Obviously, I would supply ample hoses/extension cords but would your above-average customer frown upon using their water/electricity? If the roles were reversed, I wouldn't mind it one bit. For example, when a landscaper visits a jobsite, they usually use the client's water. I don't see this being any different. I wouldn't imagine using a whole lot of water anyways, I'm sold on ONR. However, with drying/buffing a significant amout of electricty would be used. I wouldn't imagine it would be to the point of tripping a breaking and having to bother the customer with locating the breaker-box.
5) Water Reclamation
It's understand that this is a federal law and it's supposed to be enforced by local authorities. I honestly have no idea how well-enforced this law is, BUT, since it is a federal law so I wish to (try and) abide by it. However, am I better off using biodegradable products or a dedicated water reclamation system (probably a mat). I'm assuming I'll be ok with ONR since the minimal amount of water will soak into the pavement or evaporate. Thoughts?
I believe that's it for now. If I think of anything else, I'll definitely speak up!! Thanks in advance!