mobile vs home shop

Mobile has worked for me for 15 years , you can't bring a private jet,100 ft yatch or heavy equipment to your house or shop this is where the reallllllllll money at!!
 
I work out of my garage. I usually go and pick the customers car up and leave mine there. If a customer drops off I will give them a ride to where they need to go. Im not being cocky at all but I drive a newer BMW because at my last job I had to drive customers as well and I found it made the customer feel better about there purchase knowing that I am a successful person. On the other hand some people see a BMW and think ¨Oh thats where my money is going.¨
 
I'm fully mobile. I think this way you get more higher end work. Most customers
with expensive vehicles don't like them to be out of there site for to long.
 
Calendyr said:
I have seen this video before but this time around I was shocked to see Paul use a sponge to wash a car. That's a big no-no in my book.
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I also wondered about this, but who am I to say that he is doing something wrong. :)

I've been checking everyday over at CarPro to get the new MicrofiberMadness sponge. :D
 
The only downside I see with being mobile is the winter. how do you guys do this when it's raining all week, freezing,...?
 
2shiny said:
The only downside I see with being mobile is the winter. how do you guys do this when it's raining all week, freezing,...?
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Sit at home and drink beer... best part of being mobile :laughing:
 
2shiny said:
:laughing: and at the end of the winter, just sitting at home without beer and moneyIm the MAN
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...a nagging wife and screaming kids! No wonder you mobile guys love it on the road :laughing:
 
Calendyr said:
I have seen this video before but this time around I was shocked to see Paul use a sponge to wash a car. That's a big no-no in my book.
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Speaking of no-no's. There is an Atlanta guy that uses a water blade to dry high end cars! First time I saw it I thought I was dreaming (more like having a nightmare). :rolleyes: And I can tell ya', he's not much for listening to other guys input either. Oh well.
 
Nitid Image said:
You guys that work from home, your town doesn't give you a hard time about it? I had dreams of working from home...went to the town to get a business license and the zoning officer said, "no way can you do that, your in a residential area". Then proceeded to tell me about all the commercial inquiries they have turned down for detailers.
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Planning n zoning will shut u down. Don't get caught!!
 
IMO, mobile is best for the first year or two (or three) while you pick up a clientele base and get your name out there.. anywhere you drive you will be advertising. then after you feel it is time, you can opt out for a shop and still offer mobile maintenance to those who have gone under a complete paint correction
 
thebamboo23 said:
IMO, mobile is best for the first year or two (or three) while you pick up a clientele base and get your name out there.. anywhere you drive you will be advertising. then after you feel it is time, you can opt out for a shop and still offer mobile maintenance to those who have gone under a complete paint correction
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This is what I have decided to do. Maintenance is a pain for shop based detailers like myself.

I am going to have a maintenance day, in which I use my personal vehicle to travel to client's locations and perform rinsless wash and wax maintenance. I would be able to justify buying a somewhat inexpensive van and adding decals if I fill up an entire day or two with maintenance work. After I fill up two full days of maintenance work, I am going to hire someone to drive the van and do that work for me, while I focus on the high end detailing at the shop. Eventually I'll offer slightly more advanced maintenance out of the van, but for now I'm going to keep it simple.
 
thebamboo23 said:
IMO, mobile is best for the first year or two (or three) while you pick up a clientele base and get your name out there.. anywhere you drive you will be advertising. then after you feel it is time, you can opt out for a shop and still offer mobile maintenance to those who have gone under a complete paint correction
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that's a great idea. :xyxthumbs:
 
Since I've started this gig full-time I'm a shop guy. I love it and wouldn't have it any other way, it's nice to be at home if you need something or just to even eat lunch in peace. A lot of my customers like to leave a vehicle overnight, so it's nice to work late inside if I choose, etc.

I do offer local pick-up & delivery since I live a couple miles outside of town, and on a small farm. Most of the clients that want this service are within 5 miles or so of me. For the right price I'll go anywhere they like though ;)

The bottom line for me is just that. The bottom line. Being at home saves me a lot of cash, that I otherwise wouldn't be able to afford a commercial building rent / utilities most likely at this stage of growth. I feel for you guys that have tight knit neighborhood organizations / zoning issues... It's nice to have freedom over expanding / building decisions.

I love that idea too of offering mobile maintenance services, would def be something to offer in the near future.:xyxthumbs:
 
Without a doubt what people pay for is the service of you coming to them, not the end result. People could save $50 to $100 by simply bringing their car to the closest detail shop. What they pay me for is the convenience that I provide. My customers are busy people with little time. In today's busy world time is money. If you can save them time, they are willing to pay you money.
Most of my customers are not even home when I'm there. They are out at a party or running the kids to soccer games. Once you get into a new neighborhood everyone wants you to do their car next. If I were to open a shop it seems like I would have to compete with every other shop doing $99 dealer details. Seems like I would be really tired and broke if that was my business model.
 
If you run a mobile detailing biz from home then you can have a shop at home. Just check with your city zoning and know your neighbors.

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