Used cars dealers

Calendyr

Calendyr

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Today I went to see 3 used cars dealers to offer my services (gotta start somewhere).

First one had cars in really bad shape and could really use a service like mine. When I spoke to him he said it did not matter what condition the car was in, it will sell for the same price. To me that sounds really dumb. As a client I would pay a lot more for a car that runs well and that looks good. He was saying it wasn't the case...
Am I wrong on this, do any of you guys deal with used cars dealerships and if so can they sell the car for more money once you have corrected the paint?

Other 2 were dealerships that also sold used cars. The vehicles were in much better shape but paint was full of swirls on all of the cars I looked at. They did make the effort to get the cars really clean and dress them. So I am thinking they are using people that do a car wash and quick cleaning. I was unable to speak with the guys in charge at either places, left a card... they may or may not call back.

What is your experience with this, am I wasting my time?
 
I agree with Flash Gordon, they just want the car in and out. If they can spend $20 for interior and exterior, including engine and tires then they will take that offer any day.

I've had luck with Car Clubs however
 
Ya car clubs are on my list of places to go to, same thing with car shows.
 
lol, most customers can't tell the difference between a swirl and a squirrel (to steal a phrase from wiser men)...

Find people who truly love their cars, they are the ONLY ones who will consider paying you (most of) what you're worth.
 
You will make more money building a base of retail customers. I always turn down dealers when they call.
 
Dealerships can be a good thing when you have down time are off season or are still building your clientele. Just DO NOT SPEND MUCH TIME ON THEM. Clean and dress the engine bay, do a quick thorough clean and dress of the interior and one step the exterior. If you spend 8 hours perfecting the paint you really will be wasting your time. I never spend more than 4-6 hours on a dealer car. If they want more work than that done I tell them I can switch them to retail pricing. They amazingly get much happier with the results.

Also if you want to get in the door offer a free detail for them. You have to get your foot in the door somehow.
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It's obvious the first guy you visited with looks at the NADA book and that's all that matters to him.
 
VP Mark said:
Dealerships can be a good thing when you have down time are off season or are still building your clientele. Just DO NOT SPEND MUCH TIME ON THEM. Clean and dress the engine bay, do a quick thorough clean and dress of the interior and one step the exterior. If you spend 8 hours perfecting the paint you really will be wasting your time. I never spend more than 4-6 hours on a dealer car. If they want more work than that done I tell them I can switch them to retail pricing. They amazingly get much happier with the results.

Also if you want to get in the door offer a free detail for them. You have to get your foot in the door somehow.
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I know that is not where the money is. My idea was to get some more experience and fill my Schedule until I have retail clients. I agree that doing full correction with 3 layers of protection is not what they are after ;) I was just surprised that the guy thinks a car that looks like total #### (not even washed) will sell the same price as a car that looks like new.
 
What "level" of used car dealers were you visiting? The lower end dealers and buy here pay here places are in fact going to sell the car for the same price regardless of paint condition (barring major fading, etc). Only in the upper end of used cars will condition enter the price/value equation. So many folks are chasing those dealers that it makes it hard to turn into profitable work. When things do work out right though, they are great accounts to have.
 
CCC4me said:
What "level" of used car dealers were you visiting? The lower end dealers and buy here pay here places are in fact going to sell the car for the same price regardless of paint condition (barring major fading, etc). Only in the upper end of used cars will condition enter the price/value equation. So many folks are chasing those dealers that it makes it hard to turn into profitable work. When things do work out right though, they are great accounts to have.
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Agreed. Doing a bunch of $20 details will get old real fast. Not to mention they'll probably try to squeeze every last bit of their money's worth out of you.
 
I didn't read the other replies but here's what I have to say in short.

Way to hard of work and very under paid for trying to make a profit. I don't do dealer work...I tried it and got almost burned on my pay (long story). Aside from that I have a quality of service I feel comfortable doing and for the time they want it done, I'm not putting my name anywhere near it.
 
CCC4me said:
What "level" of used car dealers were you visiting? The lower end dealers and buy here pay here places are in fact going to sell the car for the same price regardless of paint condition (barring major fading, etc). Only in the upper end of used cars will condition enter the price/value equation. So many folks are chasing those dealers that it makes it hard to turn into profitable work. When things do work out right though, they are great accounts to have.
Click to expand...

I agree if you find the right ones they come in handy. I got one account that I pretty much charge him half price if he agrees to giver me at least 3 a month if I need it. If a customer cancels I can grab one from him and make 200 to 250 instead of nothing

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I pass on dealer work! There is only one dealer I do work for and I do the owners personal cars cause he won't let his guys touch them.
 
CCC4me said:
What "level" of used car dealers were you visiting? The lower end dealers and buy here pay here places are in fact going to sell the car for the same price regardless of paint condition (barring major fading, etc). Only in the upper end of used cars will condition enter the price/value equation. So many folks are chasing those dealers that it makes it hard to turn into profitable work. When things do work out right though, they are great accounts to have.
Click to expand...

Well the 3 I visited:

First guy was low end. All his vehicles were in bad shape. I started with him for that exact reason. I figured he is too lazy to even wash the cars, maybe I can convince him he could make more money or sell faster if cars were in good shape.

Other 2 places, one was a Suzuki dealer who also sold used vehicles. His used vehicles were clean but paint was in need of love ;)

Third place specialized in used cars of all brands from GM to Mini to BMW. Cars there were the best presented, super cleaned and as I mentioned were somewhat detailed but again paint was in need of love.
 
I am not interested in doing 20$ détails BTW. I figured I would give them something like a 25% discount off my regular price if they could offer some volume. I have no interest in working for peanuts when I have a job that pays 25$ per hour right now.
 
Most dealers pay around $100-$200 for a "full detail" and will not go above that rate. That is why if you are filling up your schedule gaps with dealer work it is important to work on them quickly. You can still turn $20+ an hour on them but you have to hustle and provide what the dealer is looking for not what you want. I've returned vehicles to them that I thought did not look good but they were ecstatic with.

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I have a Family Member/Manager who told the Detailers he manages when he first got their as the new manager "I don't care about saving conserving/saving product, I want everything extra shiny, so when the customer comes to pick up their car, they are impressed" (something along those lines)

Tires,interior,ton of wax, etc...

I am guessing this has to do with the before and after visualization of the owners own car

(Sounds crazy, but true)

He does headlights as an add on for $20

3M compound and wool pad, maybe polish but that is all (according to him) , he told me "the customers come and they are really happy to see their car fixed, and all the add ons it got"

He also said "i give a 30 day guarantee for headlights restoration"

That's nothing...!

He did tell me not to be charging what I charge for my headlight restoration, he said mine is worth a lot more.

(Smile)
Art :D
 
I have 3 used car dealerships and I'm having good luck so far. Two dealers is paying $115.00 for a full detail and one dealership is a low end car sales, I charge them 60.00.

I just opened my detail shop and already my schedule is booked until next Monday
 
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