Shop? Mobile? Or both?

Flash Gordon said:
Is that enough work to pay your bills and keep employees happy too?
Click to expand...

No employees in the winter. I go solo. Luckily for me, the help that I bring in spring, summer, and fall are pretty good about finding other work temporarily...then coming back to me in the spring. Matter ah fact. I probably do my best work in the winter. There's no pressure, no time limit, and no employee to watch over. I like it.

Plus, it gives me time to work on new things, experiment a bit. Come up with new services for spring :xyxthumbs:

Is it enough to pay bills? Maybe, ha. It can be...but I save A LOT during the season before winter. I usually stay pretty busy up until the holidays. I sell a lot of gift certificates for Christmas too. That helps pull me through. But mostly, you just gotta expect it, and save up. I do fine.

Running a detail shop in New England is NOT for the faint at heart, ha. You gotta be able to survive those winters. I've seen a ton of shops and detailers come and go. It's tough without clients backing you up.
 
I detail only as a hobby for now. I think mobile and having a shop would be excellent choices but Myself I would find it hard to run both because you can only be on one job at a time. On the other job you have to trust the people representing you to do the right thing.
 
DJK83 said:
I detail only as a hobby for now. I think mobile and having a shop would be excellent choices but Myself I would find it hard to run both because you can only be on one job at a time. On the other job you have to trust the people representing you to do the right thing.
Click to expand...

Agreed. As I said before though...I've got some trustworthy detailers that have been working for me for a while. I will send them on the road, and hire outside to help me in the shop. I'd rather have the "new guy" with me at the shop. That way I can keep an eye on the work.
 
Kristopher1129 said:
No employees in the winter. I go solo. Luckily for me, the help that I bring in spring, summer, and fall are pretty good about finding other work temporarily...then coming back to me in the spring.
Click to expand...

Lucky you. Anytime I've had hired help that was worth a crap, they expected a check 52 times a year to support their family :hungry:
 
Kristopher1129 said:
One thing I would like to ask you though. I assume you have set rates for certain services and packages. But, I would like to get your opinion on this. I have my set shop rates. I was planning on adding $50 for the mobile service to come out. I felt that was a fair rate being that I already have a shop...and mobile isn't a must for me. Plus, there's not many, if any at all, professional mobile detailers around here. You think that's too much to ask? Cause I also thought of maybe charging $25, but then charging $50 if I have to run off my generator and water tank alone. What do you think?
Click to expand...


I would say $50 is a bit much - my personal opinion. I have only used a generator once since last summer! That one time was for an aircraft that was chocked far away from the FBO. Everytime I have gone to someone's home or workplace they have power there and are actually very helpful. 99% of the time they ask me if I need anything and are genuine about it. The water tank cost is foreign to me. I only do dry washes because that is how I have done them for 13 years. I figure this - you have to dry the vehicle anyway after pressure washing them down - so why not do it in one step?!?!? I hit a panel at a time with a GREAT cleaner/wax spray (very expensive, but worth it to me). Everyone is amazed by this product cause it last for about a month.

Takes me roughly 1 hour by myself to hand clean a vehicle and vacuum it out.
*Spray Panel/Panels , then with 2 MF's go to town on sprayed panels.
Simple and effective for me.

So when it comes to charging that much extra, I would say it is a bit much. BUT - you did say that you don't fully NEED the mobile service and that there is no one else around doing it - so maybe it is ok to charge that much. One thing I always think to myself, "You can always go down in price, but never up" So maybe start with $50 - if there are no bites, then drop it to $25.

Hope this helps?!?!?!??!
 
Kristopher1129 said:
Agreed. As I said before though...I've got some trustworthy detailers that have been working for me for a while. I will send them on the road.
Click to expand...

Whats to keep them from just branching out on their on and stealing your clients :bolt:
 
Flash Gordon said:
Lucky you. Anytime I've had hired help that was worth a crap, they expected a check 52 times a year to support their family :hungry:
Click to expand...

When I first started hiring help...I would worry about that. I felt like I had to have them there and get them paid so they stay. But, unfortunately in this business...it just makes no sense to have hired help all year round. It would burn a fat hole in my pocket. I even send them home if there's less than 3 vehicles that show up. Sometimes I'll book 4 or 5...but 3 show up, and I've got two guys coming in to help. Someone has to go! lol. It sucks, but thats how it has to be.

You gotta be almost selfish about it. If you're not...you'll just end up spending money you shouldn't have.
 
Kristopher1129 said:
You gotta be almost selfish about it. If you're not...you'll just end up spending money you shouldn't have.
Click to expand...


That musta been where I failed. Most all weeks my key employees would bring home more money then me, by the time everything was said and done :cry:
 
Flash Gordon said:
Whats to keep them from just branching out on their on and stealing your clients :bolt:
Click to expand...

These guys wouldn't do that. Even if they did...it would be pretty difficult to pull it off. All appointments are booked through me. All customer interaction is through me. All payments go through me. All equipment, and products are ordered by me. I will be following up and making courtesy calls to ensure customer satisfaction.

It would be different if I had them dealing with any of those things. But, I'm on top of things. Plus, these are people I've known for quite some time. But of course...there's always a little risk!
 
Flash Gordon said:
That musta been where I failed. Most all weeks my key employees would bring home more money then me by the time everything was said and done :cry:
Click to expand...

I've had some of those days - hurts!! I'm happy if I make enough to get by and put away in the business account and reinvest ----- Thinkin Bigger Picture all the way here!
 
Flash Gordon said:
That musta been where I failed. Most all weeks my key employees would bring home more money then me, by the time everything was said and done :cry:
Click to expand...

Yeah definitely. ALWAYS make sure way more money is hitting your pocket. If it's not...that will never work. I'm a lenient...but strict boss. I would give them $10/hr, OR if they were milking time and taking forever on something. I would cut it to pay by the job. For example, instead of $10/hr...I would simply say. Since you're spending forever on this interior...I'm gonna start giving you $25 an interior.

It sounds like a jerk move...but why should I pay someone 40-50 dollars for just an interior? Makes no sense. Especially when I could have done it in much less time. But my guys would still usually walk out with a good $80-$100. Not bad for a days work. But I would have $400-$600. That's the benefit of it being YOUR business!
 
B&B Tennessee said:
It's called a non competitive clause!!!!
Click to expand...

Yes, we have that here in TN, but its not worth the paper its written on IMO. Especially after you have to spend thousands on Atty fees with very little chance of recovering that money. Plus their only valid for 12 months ;)

Kristopher1129 said:
Yeah definitely. ALWAYS make sure way more money is hitting your pocket. If it's not...that will never work. I'm a lenient...but strict boss. I would give them $10/hr, OR if they were milking time and taking forever on something. I would cut it to pay by the job. For example, instead of $10/hr...I would simply say. Since you're spending forever on this interior...I'm gonna start giving you $25 an interior.

It sounds like a jerk move...but why should I pay someone 40-50 dollars for just an interior? Makes no sense. Especially when I could have done it in much less time. But my guys would still usually walk out with a good $80-$100. Not bad for a days work. But I would have $400-$600. That's the benefit of it being YOUR business!
Click to expand...

You keep dedicated employees using this method? What are you a hot chick or something :laughing:
 
Flash Gordon said:
How do you pull that off if your not even there :confused:
Click to expand...

Little invention called the telephone. Customers call my phone number...which goes to my cell phone. I make calls to ensure the work is there the day before the appointment. I'm the only one that speaks for my business.

Obviously, If my workers come back with no money...and they've been gone with my van all day. Then that's pretty obvious isn't it?

I'm the one that tells the customer when they will be there. So, they only deal with me. I don't see how they could steal the work without me knowing. I know you want to think it's so simple...but it's really not.

Mobile customers won't even be able to pay cash. My guys will have a wireless credit card scanner. Or they can take a check. That way, no money is being taken.

Besides...that's the whole reason I chose these people. They are not just people off the street. I've known one for 10 years. The other is my girlfriends little brother. PLUS, they don't even have their own equipment to steal work with. Makes no sense. They'd make more money working for me.
 
Flash Gordon said:
Yes, we have that here in TN, but its not worth the paper its written on IMO. Especially after you have to spend thousands on Atty fees with very little chance of recovering that money. Plus their only valid for 12 months ;)



You keep dedicated employees using this method? What are you a hot chick or something :laughing:
Click to expand...

I've used the same method at times! Works!

Non competitive clause works out of way of fear though - even if not pursued legally
 
Flash Gordon said:
Yes, we have that here in TN, but its not worth the paper its written on IMO. Especially after you have to spend thousands on Atty fees with very little chance of recovering that money. Plus their only valid for 12 months ;)



You keep dedicated employees using this method? What are you a hot chick or something :laughing:
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's usually pretty straight forward actually. They know my method of payment. I won't tolerate someone spending all day on one vehicle and thinking they're gonna get paid for 10 hours. Doesn't work that way.
 
Did you get my .02 on the questions you asked? They are there - just got lost in yours and Flashes exchanges!!! :dunno:
 
Kristopher1129 said:
All customer interaction is through me.
Click to expand...

Kristopher1129 said:
Little invention called the telephone. Customers call my phone number...which goes to my cell phone. I make calls to ensure the work is there the day before the appointment. I'm the only one that speaks for my business.

But what about when they arrive at your customers location? Still no interaction? How do they get the keys?

Obviously, If my workers come back with no money...and they've been gone with my van all day. Then that's pretty obvious isn't it?

Depends

I'm the one that tells the customer when they will be there. So, they only deal with me. I don't see how they could steal the work without me knowing. I know you want to think it's so simple...but it's really not.

Its very simple. They tell your customer they will preform the work cheaper. I mean, if its like you say, their already doing the work for your customer, so whats to stop that

Mobile customers won't even be able to pay cash. My guys will have a wireless credit card scanner. Or they can take a check. That way, no money is being taken.

How do they operate this scanner if their is no contact with customer

Besides...that's the whole reason I chose these people. They are not just people off the street. I've known one for 10 years. The other is my girlfriends little brother. PLUS, they don't even have their own equipment to steal work with. Makes no sense. They'd make more money working for me.
Click to expand...

I disagree. If they are wise and enjoy this work, they will invest in equiptment.

B&B Tennessee said:
I've used the same method at times! Works!

Non competitive clause works out of way of fear though - even if not pursued legally
Click to expand...

I always just told them I was going to beat the #### out of them if I caught them stealing. That works too

Kristopher1129 said:
Yeah, it's usually pretty straight forward actually. They know my method of payment. I won't tolerate someone spending all day on one vehicle and thinking they're gonna get paid for 10 hours. Doesn't work that way.
Click to expand...

You would be better off paying a 50% commision on all work preformed by them IMO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top