Well, that didn't last long....

Jngrbrdman

Jngrbrdman

New member
I think I have had my fill of this particular detail shop. It turns out that I was a bit mislead by the shop manager. There is no way that I'll ever make what I need to make working there. He doesn't charge what the job is worth and there is no way to make any money that way. He estimates 6 hour jobs will take 3 hours. I've been doing this for awhile and I like to think I'm pretty fast, but when a minivan pulls in that is obviously one that is used to cart around 3 or 4 kids and there are all kinds of crap everywhere, then you really can't estimate 1 hour for the interior. That just isn't logical. Nobody can clean and dress the dash, clean the windows, clean and condition leather, vacuum 6 pounds of Froot Loops and Ritz crackers, clean 2 front mats and 2 of the really long back mats as well as the rubber mats that go over them, and everything else that is involved in nasty minivan detailing. I came home on monday and had an appointment with a regular customer. I spent about an hour and a half giving it a wash/wax and engine detail. I made as much money on that job as I did in 7 hours on that *$&^@%! minivan.

I thought today would be better. Nope. First job of the day was the exact same freaking thing. Only this time it was a black Explorer that was in just as bad of shape and needed the same treatment. He said 3 hours on this one. There is just no way to make money there. When I am used to doing a good job by myself and getting 100% of the take, I just can't seem to wrap my head around settling for 25% of a lowball price. I'll tell you one thing though... If I ever have to take my car to a detail shop, then this is the place I will take it. Its not expensive and every car that comes out of there is detailed like a show car. I thought it would be fun to do that, but I didn't count on it taking so long to get it up to the standard that the shop manager wants it.

I am going back to the lawfirm and waiting out the summer till I can start teaching again. I can say that it was definitely an experience. I am really glad that I took the chance and got it out of my system. I really learned a lot while I was there. Unfortunately I have too many responsibilities right now to take a break and become a student and work for nothing. I am grateful for the contacts I made in the two days I was there and for the things I have learned, but I really gotta quit while I am ahead. I told the shop manager that I'd love to help out when they get swamped or on the weekends, but I just can't do it full time anymore. Since he doesn't have many guys who know how to do much more than wax, he said he would call me when he needs a car to be cut and buffed. We'll work something out so I can get in after hours or something. I think that is going to work out great in the long run.

I think the lessons learned here are:

1. Don't burn bridges. At least I still have a job to go back to.

2. Take every opportunity to learn, but don't be an idiot. Get out once you have learned it.

3. Keep your priorities in line. I'm glad that I have enough priorities that my desire to be a detailer doesn't cloud my judgement. ...too much. ;) I'll be happier keeping things the way they are. I'll continue to be a weekend warrior and OCDetailer. I'll do the shop work now and then, but I think I like things better when I am the boss and I get all of the money. There is nothing worse than getting paid $50 bucks for a $200 job. :angry Oh well... Live and learn. They have a really interesting price sheet and checklist that I think I might have to copy. I'll post what it looks like in another thread. Pretty snazzy if you ask me.
 
Sorry to hear of your experience Anthony...shops are notorious for trying to cut corners to get business and low ball jobs..glad you found out quickly and got out with a job to go back to...hope you hear something from that Florida gig:dunno
 
I am going to have to call him again. I sent him an email and it bounced back like a week later saying his box was full. grrrrrr.....
 
Sirry that didint work out for you bro.I think your makin a good choice goin back to thee firm and not settleing for less then what your worth. money isnt everything but hey its nice. If i didnt have my own place goin i probly would only be doin it as a private on the side repeat customer basis. So as i actually enjoyed it a whole lot more. But in a shop thats how it is . People are ignorant they thing an auto spa or professional detailing shop that is immaculate inside and runs on a good schedule is like a car wash with some tire shine and vent scent. Unfortunatly the prices are what wake um rite up. People have been passing by peaking and and slowing to stare at finished product time after time and have come in and asked what it costs wich makes it work it. I cleaned a womans car who said she had 2 dogs with little shedding and only in the back of her car. She brought the car in it looked like she was grooming dogs and givin hair cuts for the army in the freakin thing. But it was one forthe record and all the cars arent the same. I get alot of old folks wit sl's and cadilacs and range rovers all mint and pretty clean. Then theres days of dog hair , fruit loops and ritz. and lots and lots change. And time is allways an issue. My whole take on talkin to the customer is "how much time" well how long can you leave it . "how long do you need it" well how longs it guna take . i say youll be driven to work and your car will be waiting for you outside the door of your office by the time you get out . People can complane i cant under estimate and most people sit in the office and play wit my rotty half the damn detail anyways. i dont mean to talk up a storm but you tried it , it didnt work out . you still like it and will continue to do it on your own terms for a little somethin on the side and thats still detailin' to me.
 
Sorry to hear about that Anthony. You came out better than most though, so that is a plus. Also, I would still hit him up to build a website....and not for free either! :lmfao

Good luck in the future my friend.
 
Thanks guys. I think my future is still bright. I just had to try it and see what it was like. You can't say something is all bad until you have tried it. Now I know that the best way really is to do it yourself. I can't deny the amount of education that you can gain at a shop though. They really can show you the ropes and teach you a lot. It took me years to learn some of the tricks that they use at that place. If you get the opportunity and it isn't a hardship for you to do it, then I recommend the experinece to anyone who is looking to learn more about detailing. I am much more motivated to finish my eBook now. ;)
 
I feel for ya -- speed detailing takes a highly efficient team with their processes nailed down pat. Imagine prepping 298 vehicles for an Auto Show in less than 8 hours with 6 guys -- think it could be done??? That's washing those that need it, waxing them all, cleaning and dressing the motors, cleaning the wheelwells and tires as well as dressing them (all 1192+ of them), cleaning the windows, setting the seats, removing the monronies, and even buffing out the overspray (no ClayBar's!!) on four, one of which was a Black Cadillac Fleetwood??

I, the 5 others out there who did it, and the exibit managers who were there for the press preview, will attest to you that it can be done!!

Would I do it again -- @#$%^& NO !!
 
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Jngrbrdman,

Sorry that it didn't work out for you. Fortunately, you found out early, and had something good to go back to.

To be honest, there are only two ways to make decent money in the detailing business.......... own your business, and work it yourself, or become successful enough to hire people to work for you. Unfortunately, with the later of the two, the people who work for you will be in a similar boat that you were in........ bustin their "butts" for someone else.
 
Jingerbinger;

Sorry things didn't work out for you. You're still ahead of the game with the, albeit bad, experience tho. You can use it to your benefit (the experience)

All the best
 
Like everyone has been saying. At least you were smart enoguh to know when something wasn't right. You got out early before you really got frustrated.
 
A bad experience is still an experience you can learn from. Sometimes we think we have it all planned out and then something happens that changes our direction. Hang in there and remember, the most important thing is to be happy.
 
Hey no harm no foul... a great learning experience to chalk up to the lessons of life... Good luck it will all work out.

TC
:)
 
Yeah, I'm not too bummed out about it. Like I said, it was a good time. I did learn a couple new tricks that will save me some time and money in my own process as well as meeting a couple guys who are trying to get their own business started. I picked up a client even. ;) He was there installing a couple clear bras on some Ferraris. We just got talking and he needed someone to come to his house to detail and this shop just didn't do that kind of thing. I needed a little vacation from work and this worked out well for me. :) Now I get to go back to the oh so exciting world of consumer litigation. (insert sarcasam here)
 
25% eh? Hmmm, I would be willing to go as high as 45% for the right detailer.

My assistant gets about 35% when she helps me with a detail right now and a bit more when she does one on her own. Finding the right person is the catch though.

I wish you the best Anthony.

Take care,
Anthony
 
Jngrbrdman said:
I think I like things better when I am the boss and I get all of the money. There is nothing worse than getting paid $50 bucks for a $200 job.
Click to expand...


You may be looking at things a bit one-sided. Sure, the boss gets all of the money, but the boss also gets to pay all of the detailing business operating expenses.

Paying employees minimum wage is just one of the costs of doing business. Among other costs, actual operating expenses usually include the following:

1- Salaries, Wages, Commissions, Payroll Taxes
2- Marketing, Advertising and Promotion
3- Office Administration, Legal and Accounting
4- Operating Supplies, Bad Debts, Rent, Repairs and Maintenance
5- Utilities, Insurance, Taxes
6- Licenses, Depreciation, Interest
7- Depreciation of Vehicle
8- Operating Expenses for the vehicle
9- Repairs & Maintenance for Vehicle; 10- Repairs & Maintenance for Equipment

Usually, the price a detailing business owner charges is not based solely on what a minimum wage employee thinks they need to make. In order to cover expenses and stay in business, most successful business owners will stay focused on all of the costs of doing business. That is the only clear way to make a profit and remain in business.
 
“there are only two ways to make decent money in the detailing business”

Just out of curiosity as I am a detailer for myself only, what would decent money for a detailing business be?
 
$40 bucks an hour for your time is decent money. That is what I have been charging and what customers have gladly paid for my work for the last few years. I think if you are clearing somewhere between $30 and $40 an hour for your time and products, then you are staying competitive with places that have more overhead without looking like you are lowballing everybody. People are more than willing to pay $120 for a good detail job on their car as long as you do good work. If you aren't doing anything they can't do themselves at the $2.00 coin-op car wash then you are going to have a hard time getting business.

Anthony Orosco said:
25% eh? Hmmm, I would be willing to go as high as 45% for the right detailer.

My assistant gets about 35% when she helps me with a detail right now and a bit more when she does one on her own. Finding the right person is the catch though.

I wish you the best Anthony.

Take care,
Anthony
Click to expand...

Hey, Anthony.... I would love to move back to the big D. Are you looking for employees? :naughty I would much rather work in Dallas than Salt Lake. Besides... I miss Blue Bell ice cream so bad sometimes that I dream about it. I try to make it down there every other month or so just so I can get my fix.
 
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