No turning back now…

onebad82z

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Been talking with my brother in law for the last few months. We both could use some extra money to make ends meet. Many ideas have been bounced back and forth. I recently painted a hood for a customer (side work) and was the first use of a DA for the detailing side of it. Have been using a rotary for a couple of years now so I am pretty comfortable there. No pro by an means but definitely not afraid of it. Problem always was swirls. But using the DA has cleared that up for me. While finishing up the hood he ( my BIL) mentions detailing and such as side work. I expressed that I still am green to the real detailing work but it isn't a bad idea. I have most of what is needed to do a basic detail. Clean, clay, wax, interior, etc. We talked some more over the weeks and came up with a basic package we would like to try.

Now it gets interesting.

Knowing well enough that it would be a hard start I had no thoughts of money just flowing in. He comes to me last week to tell me he had dinner with a long time friend who also owns/operates a used car lot. He inquired about her prep services. She pays $100 to get a car prepped at the local car wash. They wash, wax, dress tires, vacuum interior, clean glass, and spray the engine bay down. So I told him to tell her $75 a car and we will even clay it. She bit! Not surprisingly as the bottom line is less money but not a bad way in my mind (am i nuts?) to get this thing going. She said she easily moves 20-25 cars a month.

Our plan is wash, clay, machine wax, dress tires, vacuum interior, clean glass, and spray the engine bay down, dress plastics and hoses.

So like I said, no turning back now huh. We have done 4 cars this week. She loves the work.
 
If you are looking for some extra cash and you have the time then I think its a great idea. It doesnt sound like you are diving into any major work or hrs spent on a car if you are just vacuuming the interior and not doing an all out interior detail. You will know after the first month how you like it. Goodluck with it.

Jon
 
Now it gets interesting.

Knowing well enough that it would be a hard start I had no thoughts of money just flowing in. He comes to me last week to tell me he had dinner with a long time friend who also owns/operates a used car lot. He inquired about her prep services. She pays $100 to get a car prepped at the local car wash. They wash, wax, dress tires, vacuum interior, clean glass, and spray the engine bay down. So I told him to tell her $75 a car and we will even clay it. She bit! Not surprisingly as the bottom line is less money but not a bad way in my mind (am i nuts?) to get this thing going. She said she easily moves 20-25 cars a month.

Our plan is wash, clay, machine wax, dress tires, vacuum interior, clean glass, and spray the engine bay down, dress plastics and hoses.

So like I said, no turning back now huh. We have done 4 cars this week. She loves the work.

Congratulations and good luck with your new venture! :props:

$75.00 is not allot of money considering the product usage. In a nice way let her know that the $75.00 offer is not opened and but be sure your work is first rate and consistent.

Try to use lessor expensive products to keep costs in check. One wax that will help you do this is Collinite 845. This is a great wax and when applied with a dual action polisher will go along way and at only $14.00 or so per bottle it's a steal! :props:

In time bring additional options like 1-Step correction using something similar to Meguiar's D151 or Prime Strong. Both products really make the finish pop removing oxidation and slight swirls.

Time is money so keep track of your costs and the length of time a car takes from start to finish then do the math...:props:
 
(am i nuts?)

Only if you haven't calculated your material costs per car, looked at how long it takes you to do each one, and determined whether the profit you're making is adequate.

Otherwise all I can say to you is good luck with your venture! :props:
 
Give it a shot and see what you are making per hour. Good luck
 
If you are looking for some extra cash and you have the time then I think its a great idea. It doesnt sound like you are diving into any major work or hrs spent on a car if you are just vacuuming the interior and not doing an all out interior detail. You will know after the first month how you like it. Goodluck with it.

Jon

Thanks Jon! I do a lot of side work with mechanical, modifications and body/paint so this just fills it in a little more. 4 kids to feed so more money is never a bad thing. But it may take over.

Congratulations and good luck with your new venture! :props:

$75.00 is not allot of money considering the product usage. In a nice way let her know that the $75.00 offer is not opened and but be sure your work is first rate and consistent.

Try to use lessor expensive products to keep costs in check. One wax that will help you do this is Collinite 845. This is a great wax and when applied with a dual action polisher will go along way and at only $14.00 or so per bottle it's a steal! :props:

In time bring additional options like 1-Step correction using something similar to Meguiar's D151 or Prime Strong. Both products really make the finish pop removing oxidation and slight swirls.

Time is money so keep track of your costs and the length of time a car takes from start to finish then do the math...:props:

Thanks for the product recommendations! Right now we are using 95% Megs products. I knew from the start we wouldn't make a lot of profit with this deal. My idea was just to get things moving. Get cars in, detailed, and out with a good word. Hope people like what they see and bring in more cars. In time I would like to offer more services but I want a decent customer base. She also agreed to send each car out with a business card once we design and print it. My main job is graphic packaging so the card is easy.

Only if you haven't calculated your material costs per car, looked at how long it takes you to do each one, and determined whether the profit you're making is adequate.

Otherwise all I can say to you is good luck with your venture! :props:

Thanks Lil! I am keeping track and plan to sit down after the first month. When she dropped off the first car she agreed that we will re-evaluate our deal after a few months to make sure we both are profiting.
 
All credit to you! Not Lazy and don't mind earning extra few bucks. Keep up the good work and rewards will get back too you.
Congrats.
 
I expressed that I still am green to the real detailing work but it isn't a bad idea.

Now you have a consistent supply of cars to hone your skills & still make a few bucks at the same time. Better than using friends/family cars for free. :xyxthumbs:
 
All credit to you! Not Lazy and don't mind earning extra few bucks. Keep up the good work and rewards will get back too you.
Congrats.

Thanks mark!

Now you have a consistent supply of cars to hone your skills & still make a few bucks at the same time. Better than using friends/family cars for free. :xyxthumbs:

I would rather that as it gets me into a rhythm. Just worried wondering if I bit too much off at once. Time will tell!
 
Don't expect much loyalty from a used car dealer. As you have just witnessed, they switch detailers often without notice. This business (like others I suppose) is both physically and mentally exhausting

Good luck on your business venture

Flash


PS If I had a dollar for everyone of these threads I would be as rich as Mel Craig :idea:
 
I'll clean & wax as many as she sends my way. If it brings in a few customers so be it. Not banking on this being a permanent deal. Hope it brings in some customers and allow me to build my skills to do a higher level detailing program. My idea is use this to get my name out there. Not making a huge profit on her so if it works like I hope I will probably drop her 1st.


Either way I am finally doing it instead of talking about it!:hungry:
 
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