Went to Local Cars and Coffee, business questions...

Eric@CherryOnTop

Eric@CherryOnTop

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Hey guys, I went to a (new to me) cars and coffee event about 30 minutes from home this past Sunday thinking I would chat up some people and talk about their cars and see about getting some work. Well lots of nice cars there, mostly late model sports cars and exotics (saw my first Aventador in person). There was a guy there with a mobile detailing van and he was dressed in khakis and a red polo with his logo. He seemed to be well known to a lot of people there, I checked out his website while I was walking around and it sounds like he does paint correction properly (no before and after pics on his site and a lot of pictures leave a lot of questions for someone like me, though probably not for the average joe who just wants a clean shiny car). There was also another guy walking around talking to people about detailing that he does, not really sure who he is.

So, is it wrong to be talking to people about this if there's already two detailers there? Would people feel bombarded by this? A lot of cars there could use some serious help, just maybe the owners aren't interested, I don't know...


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This is somehow reminding me of a tv cop show and drug dealers having "their" corner and no one else should be selling around there.

I don't think you should be intimidated by the presence of other detailers, but at the same time I don't think that people go to these things to be pestered (or "bombarded" as you put it) by people trying to sell them things.

Get some business cards if you don't already have some, and develop a delivery line like "you have a beautiful car, if you need any help keeping it beautiful, let me know" and hand them the card, and walk away. Then they aren't being put upon, and they can stop you if they want to talk more.
 
As someone who attends and organizes some small cars and coffee events, I wouldn't want someone who has never been to an event before show up and start self promoting all over the place.

However, if you talk casually about what you do, and do it in a way that doesn't make it seem like the only reason you're there is to sell them something, then I don't see a problem with that.

Of course the events I plan have no sponsors or anything. Some of the bigger C&C events have tables set up and everything, and if those guys have paid for the right to be there, then that's something totally different. It sounds to me like those guys already there have a good repertoire with that crowd, and have probably been to many of those events in the past.



My suggestion is to attend more of these events. Bring some business cards, and only give them out if someone asks, or if the situation dictates an exchange of contact information. The more you attend, people will start to get to know you, and know what you're all about. I think you'll reach a point where people start to recognize you because of the business side of things, and less of the casual C&C attendee



I guess my point is, don't make it seem like the only reason you're there is to sell something. In my experience people don't go to a C&C to buy a product, they go for the personal interactions, the conversation and being amongst your peers who share a common interest.
 
i was at a recent C&C event where i ran into one of those detailers that was just going around trying to sell his services, handing out business cards. by the time the event was over all his cards were in the trash or on the ground. most of the guys that go there dont want to talk about how bad their car looks or detailing. they are there to hangout with other car guys and talk about cars.
 
refreshauto said:
by the time the event was over all his cards were in the trash or on the ground. most of the guys that go there dont want to talk about how bad their car looks or detailing. they are there to hangout with other car guys and talk about cars.
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Point taken, but most marketing winds up in the trash, whether it be flyers, mail, email, etc.

Personally, if I was a potential client, and some guy showed up a few times and was friendly and after I got friendly with him, then he tried to sell me something, I would be insulted etc. that the only reason he was being friendly was to sell something. IMO, if you're there to sell, do it in a fast, non-invasive way. I hate salesmen who want to talk about the weather or sports or some bonding nonsense before they try to sell you something.
 
I personally don't like when someone just comes at me out of the blue and tries to sell me something. I completely just tune out and politely just say OK thank you and walk away.

I don't like to throw away business cards and especially not on the ground due to karma and littering lol.

The more recent times that I have gone to car shows. I go up to people and start talking to them about their cars and improvements on what could be made on their beautiful cars. Never with sales in mind, just to chat with them to get to know them a bit more and the car some more too. I don't hand out business cards, until and when they ask me for one.

I do like taking my camera and taking a bunch of pictures though, and if it's me doing actual work that is worth documenting then I take plenty of pictures of the car, my work, and me doing my work, to keep building my portfolio.

I have invested a good amount of money on my camera equipment, software, etc..., but I am more focused on building my reputation than money. (nothing against money it is nice to get paid :D) money will come eventually (hopefully :laughing:) but reputation is more important to me now.
 
Haha wow, lots of different opinions here! Thanks for the insight everyone.


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My cars and coffee only allows authorized people to hand out business info to those that attend the event. I am an official sponser for the Pittsburgh Cars N' Coffee and I will be the only detailer allowed to give out info and talk with attendees. Anyone else who try's do so is asked politely to leave.

Eric you should find out who runs the events and speak with them personally before handing out info. We have a president and I spoke with him first. I introduced myself last year and spoke with him for just a few moments. I got a call before this year started about being a sponser for the club and that's how it went for me.

I would say do something along the lines of what I did. Talk one on one with whom ever runs it and offer to show off some of your work with photos and if the circumstances are right then in person as well.

I would inquire about rules on how they let people advertise business. If there are no rules and it's a free for all then. I would stay away from that all together.
 
Wow, sounds like you need a lawyer to go to one of these C&C things. They sounded like fun until I read this thread.
 
The events are good to go to. The question was about business advice. Evan has it right. Talk to the president that runs the event. I have done the same thing and am in the process of becoming the sponsor of one of the events locally

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You could get with the organizers and set a mobile detailing area doing Rinseless Washes for $10 a car. Once you get someone to agree to the Rinseless Wash, you try to get on common ground with the customer talking about cars and the event. Once you do the Rinseless, just point out any imperfections in the paint and let the customer know you can do paint correction and hand them a card. If you have electricity at the event , you could buff out scratches on the spot
 
You could take two 5 gallon buckets to the event with 50 towels per bucket and Rinseless Wash at least 10 cars with the Garry Dean Wash Method. While you are washing the 10 cars you could talk with the customers, make friends, and set up some future business
 
I have a car show in my town coming up next month and I am sponsoring a booth and showing the X5. I will have my brochures out, but I am also going to walk around and look at the other cars. If someone wants to talk I will. I can usually break the ice with stating that the car I have on display is a clients car. Then they ask what I do and then I tell them and hand them a card.

HUMP
 
Me personally I dont like to compete in a situation like that. What i would do next time is get your car shining more then you ever have. Do the interior the exterior the engine bay. Treat your car like you are entering in a pristegious car show and you intend on winning. Once you get that done dress professional possibly in a shirt with your logo shave your face do your hair and just try to look top notch. Go there as you not as your company and talk to people about their car not about detailing.

Personally if i owned a nice exotic and there are already 2 detailers in the group trying to sell them self and another one comes along i would look at it like "oh look here come another caddy to the golf corse to hold my clubs... this place is getting over ran" These guys are trying to hang out and talk cars and view others they didnt come there to get bombarded with sales. So set your self apart. Go there as you not as your business and let the potential customers come to you. Thats my opinion at least.
 
Evan, I like your idea, I'll give that a go next time I'm down there, thanks.


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ekennett said:
Evan, I like your idea, I'll give that a go next time I'm down there, thanks.


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I just believe in doing things the right way and speaking with the event organizer. Let them tell you want you can do and plus with will build a personal relationship with him or her. It will speak volumes to the person when you approach them and speak with them about everything and is shows you have respect for the group.

Let them know you want to be involved in group more than just be there to get business. Build yourself up and let them know all you have to offer.

If you want to know anything more you are more than welcome to contact me.
 
Evan.J said:
My cars and coffee only allows authorized people to hand out business info to those that attend the event. I am an official sponser for the Pittsburgh Cars N' Coffee and I will be the only detailer allowed to give out info and talk with attendees. Anyone else who try's do so is asked politely to leave.

Eric you should find out who runs the events and speak with them personally before handing out info. We have a president and I spoke with him first. I introduced myself last year and spoke with him for just a few moments. I got a call before this year started about being a sponser for the club and that's how it went for me.

I would say do something along the lines of what I did. Talk one on one with whom ever runs it and offer to show off some of your work with photos and if the circumstances are right then in person as well.

I would inquire about rules on how they let people advertise business. If there are no rules and it's a free for all then. I would stay away from that all together.
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Great advice.

Follow the proper protocols and create relationships that will last a lifetime.


Nice post Evan.



:xyxthumbs:
 
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