Placing your business card on a car window a good or bad marketing idea?

Another idea is to make friends with your local auto parts store(s). You can leave your cards (with a 'holder') and have them place them on the counter/next to the check out/any place ith traffic.

Also making 'friends' with the parts store will/can bring a call. Just talking about detailing with the manager, etc can bring a call back from one of their customers asking about this 'wax/polish...blah blah'.

Bill
 
Mobile detail said:
I did a study on this in college. It turned out to be like a 98.73% discard rate. It costs more then your going to get back by advertising this way. When is the last time you bought a service that was from a flyer you got on your car. you're better handing out extra cards to satisfied to customers and having them pass them out. word of mouth is still the strongest form of advertising. Good luck!
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If one out of a hundred calls, how can you say thats not worth it? Business cards are super cheap. Plus, that "one" person could lead you in a direction you would've never expected

Mobile detail said:
I'm surprised (but happy) about your response flash. totally would've thought you had a different outlook on this. Interesting.
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Well, thanks...

I use to put a high value on monetary items. The longer I've lived, the more I've realized this "stuff" just doesn't matter much to me anymore. No worse feeling in the world then being able to purchase just aboiut anything you want and then still be miserable 3 months later

Your going to be dead before you know it, and all that"stuff" is going to end up in a garage sale or goodwill box ;)

BillE said:
Another idea is to make friends with your local auto parts store(s). You can leave your cards (with a 'holder') and have them place them on the counter/next to the check out/any place ith traffic.

Also making 'friends' with the parts store will/can bring a call. Just talking about detailing with the manager, etc can bring a call back from one of their customers asking about this 'wax/polish...blah blah'.

Bill
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Great idea ^

One of my best customers ever came to me by way of the Kinko's manager


==================================================================


The main thing your going to want to do is get your name out there. Introduce yoursdelf to as many pppl as you can. Explain to them what you do and what your trying to accomplish. If this means, putting a piece of paper on someones car, then by all means do it. If you get in a confortation with an individual, tell them you are sorry and walk away


Flash


Dang it ^ I didn't realize all that was in red :doh:
 
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Personally, I think having a card holder at some automotive places or gas stations is a better idea and would generate more people really interested in what you have to offer. With all the car break ins going on these days, people may think you are are a thief. Just my opinion.
 
Flash Gordon said:
Well, thanks...

I use to put a high value on monetary items. The longer I've lived, the more I've realized this "stuff" just doesn't matter much to me anymore. No worse feeling in the world then being able to purchase just aboiut anything you want and then still be miserable 3 months later

Your going to be dead before you know it, and all that"stuff" is going to end up in a garage sale or good will
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Great point. I used to be so worried about my cars as well, now I realise that it is a machine that is replaceable with something newer and better. If I do see someone wack their door into my car then I will be upset, but in the end the car will eventually be recycled into a new car. I guess when I was younger my cars were such a big investment that I took such good care of them because I had to work hard to pay for them. Now as my priorities changed (family, home) the lesss I worry about the car and focus on the family more.
 
A lot of interesting comments. The reason I asked this question is, my son and I are business partner, and we were having a debate on this subject. I’m more on the side of “not happy” finding unwanted advertisement on my car door or windshield, whether my car is a bucket of bolts or is brand new. Whereas my son doesn’t see any harm in gently placing our business card on someone’s car. I told him I did not think it was a good way to promote our business that we had other marketing options we currently use to gain business, which were working. He was persistent in wanting try placing the business cards on cars. I told him OK go for it. Well, we received quite a few calls off the business cards, many by people with high level careers positions. In addition, they would tell their associates, friends, etc about us. Some even connected us with their HR people. For us it worked out well, so I guess my son proved me wrong.

Note: we only place the cards on the upper right side of the window rubber seal, not on the bottom window seal, preventing the card from slipping down the door panel. In my opinion, it’s easier for the car owner to remove the card as they enter the car, than under the wiper blade.

To date we have had more positive response this way, than from any of our other marketing tools.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
Greg
 
I associate "business" cards, flyers, and the such, placed upon whatever area of a vehicle, as the doings of the fly-by-nighters. Parking lots littered-up with these paperworks are, IMO, a testament that others feel the same.

I was taught an early age:
-Have respect for others' property
-People usually work to earn monies for that property irregardless the value/what it cost
-Yes, it is just property; it can be replaced if its damaged provided one has the money to do so--but why should they have to?
-Family is the most important facet of one's life--but shouldn't it be lived with the least amount of outside-the-family intrusion as possible?
-Don't assume that someone can go through life thinking/believing:

"If it's not yours, break it"!! mindset.


That's just how honestly I feel about some things.........Bob
 
Porsche Pilot said:
I personally don't choose to do that. I get aggravated when someone does it to me. If I see a car that I am after I will wait and typically strike up a conversation with the owner. Stalking? Perhaps!
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I do the same. I personally hate when there are flyers or cards left on my car. I think most people just toss them anyway. So, it's a waste of your money. You have to pay to have those cards printed up.

I will wait around for a little while to see if I can catch the owner. If I don't then oh well it wasn't meant to be.
 
I see how many of you feel leaving business cards on someone's vehicle is a bad idea. What other type of marketing have you found that worked the best?

You have me thinking about the littering issue. The next time we put cards on people's vehicles, I'm going to go back an hour later and walk the parking lot to see how many cards are on the ground (and of course pick them up). The last thing I want is to trash up a parking lot or any other place. We are in the Cleaning Business, not the Littering Business.

Thanks
Greg
 
No - I hate when anyone put anything on my car. You risk breaking the wiper. Hang cards on supermarket bulletin boards. Advertise in local paper or pennysavers.
Do not mess with peoples car's. You will not be loved.
 
I honestly have been doing business for 3 years (not my main source of income) off of referrals only! I have at least a client a week and sometimes I book 3 a week. I feel that putting business cards on people windows isn't proper. Marketing is defined in my words, as getting your product or service to the client efficiently. A simple business card on the window will not do the trick, yet it will probably offend your "prospective client". Conversation (word of mouth) is the best marketing technique for small businesses to use. If anyone has any questions about marketing their business or general entrepreneurial questions about their business please feel free to pm me.
Thanks,
Andrew
 
I immediately throw out any junk placed on my car, and I alert the business owner that its going on. In my hometown its illegal to do this, and you will get fined. Its pretty easy to track you down since your name and number is on the card.

I would be responsive to either a referral from a trusted source, or if you just came up and talked to me in a parking lot. In my opinion it takes more effort to come up and talk to someone, and I respect that. If you sound like you know what your talking about and have reasonable prices I'll give it a try!
 
Flash Gordon said:
Sensitive subject for sure...
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Indeed!

I respect the negative and positive comments from members regarding this thread. Whelther we agree or not on a topic, that's the beauty of our country, we have freedom of speech, guaranteed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. My goal was not to upset any of the members, just thought I would throw the question out there. I'm teaching my son, if there is something you don't like (about whatever)
that's fine, however be proactive and offer a solution in a positive and respectful way. Some comments were productive for example like the ones from Flash Gordon, and a few others that were a little concerning. I look at Autogeek's forum as a place to learn about detailing.

I thank you all for your time in contributing to this thread.
Greg
 
I don't own a business nor have I worked for someone to do this but...

Porsche Pilot said:
I personally don't choose to do that. I get aggravated when someone does it to me. If I see a car that I am after I will wait and typically strike up a conversation with the owner. Stalking? Perhaps!
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I don't understand why people get mad when someone does this. Like Porsche Pilot if someone leaves me behind their business flyer/card on my windshield I get pissed. I don't even read it sometimes and just throw it on the floor and walk away, or toss it in my car then toss it out in the garbage when I get home. But why do I get pissed? And this isn't my only view seeing how many of you get anger when you see a flyer/card on your windshield. It's just strange.

TBH man you should do it. You'll at least get a customer or few, even after spending all that time printing out copies.

prisonerofcs said:
I immediately throw out any junk placed on my car, and I alert the business owner that its going on. In my hometown its illegal to do this, and you will get fined. Its pretty easy to track you down since your name and number is on the card.

I would be responsive to either a referral from a trusted source, or if you just came up and talked to me in a parking lot. In my opinion it takes more effort to come up and talk to someone, and I respect that. If you sound like you know what your talking about and have reasonable prices I'll give it a try!
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Most people will view that as aggression and will fear/loathe you more than actually respect you.
 
No matter how you look at it, It not right to touch someone elses property.
It not your dont touch it, simple.

How about if you had a motor cycle. You come outside and some idiot is sitting on it. Would you get mad. Yes you would.

How about someone comes to your home and just walks around your property, Would you say anything or allow them to walk on your small plot of land that you worked hard for.

I know it comparing diffrent items. But its all resorts to if its not your, keep your paws off.
 
I wish I knew how to break down a response, cause theres alot here

Rei86 said:
I don't own a business nor have I worked for someone to do this but...

If you did own a small business, maybe you would understand a little bit better!





I don't understand why people get mad when someone does this.

Me too brother ^ if having someone place a piece of paper on your car leads you to want to get violent with an individual, maybe your next stop should be to your local mental health facility.

Like Porsche Pilot if someone leaves me behind their business flyer/card on my windshield I get pissed. I don't even read it sometimes and just throw it on the floor and walk away, or toss it in my car,

When you say toss it on the floor....is an asphalt parking lot what your really reffering too?

And this isn't my only view seeing how many of you get anger when you see a flyer/card on your windshield. It's just strange.

:iagree:



TBH man you should do it. You'll at least get a customer or few, even after spending all that time printing out copies.

Thats what I say ^ whats it going to hurt? The only bad marketing idea I've seen posted so far, is to do nothing!



Most people will view that as aggression and will fear/loathe you more than actually respect you.
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:iagree: Last thing I wanna see when exiting a building is some creep lurking around my vehicle. This would first send me into a defensive mode, then when the person started giving their sales pitch, that would not only aggrievate me, but cause me concern that this individual may be stalking me or my wife.
 
gt08vapor said:
No matter how you look at it, It not right to touch someone elses property.
It not your dont touch it, simple.

How about if you had a motor cycle. You come outside and some idiot is sitting on it. Would you get mad. Yes you would.

How about someone comes to your home and just walks around your property, Would you say anything or allow them to walk on your small plot of land that you worked hard for.

I know it comparing diffrent items. But its all resorts to if its not your, keep your paws off.
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Hard to argue with this ^

OP....If you see a mustang with murals, skip that one ;)
 
Yeah I used to toss it on the ground, bad me. I know I'm littering:( Don't have to lecture me on that Flashy.

These days I usually roll my eyes when I see a flyer/card on my windshield and sigh, take a look at it (usually cards/flyers for a new restaurant that just opened with a menu, a lawn care business, new club or they're having a big bash, and the usual Gym membership sign up) and toss it in my car and throw it away when I get home.
 
Last thing I wanna see when exiting a building is some creep lurking around my vehicle. This would first send me into a defensive mode, then when the person started giving their sales pitch, that would not only aggrievate me, but cause me concern that this individual may be stalking me or my wife.[/QUOTE]

I guess I'm just unusually outgoing :)

I don't mind people coming up and talking to me. I think it was all the political campaigning I did in college. I had to go door to door and knocked on over 10,000 doors during the 02 campaign season. Sure I got yelled at and even threatened, but most people were far more receptive. Even if they disagreed with me. So, now when the situation is reversed, I usually go out of my way to give people a few minutes.

Oh yeah, twice the door was answered by a naked old man... that was interesting!!!
 
Flash Gordon said:
I wish I knew how to break down a response, cause theres alot here




:iagree: Last thing I wanna see when exiting a building is some creep lurking around my vehicle. This would first send me into a defensive mode, then when the person started giving their sales pitch, that would not only aggrievate me, but cause me concern that this individual may be stalking me or my wife.
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This could cuase a issue also. Could you imagine if the wife had someone stalk her before. Husband would be very defensive at first.

I agree very much on the marketing idea, The really only bad one is the one you dont try.

I think your area would also be a big part for this to work out. Someone said this is illeagal in their are, So i would check the local laws first.


Now How about this. Car shows and cruise nights. Make your flier's up and pass them out here. Where i am from there are shows every night. When you go to them, if you leave your windows down it allows people to put a flier on your seat. People put fliers for benifits other car shows. If you would not like the fliers, keep your windows up.
 
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