This is what I have gleaned from the people in my neighborhood that I have been talking to. Even my neighbors who typically trade out of their cars every 2-3 years say they are going to keep driving what they have until the economy shakes out. If you're a Pro and you don't believe this to be true, I think you will be missing out... while "the other guy" eats your lunch.
2009... Great Year for Pro Detailers
- Thread starter Bobby G
- Start date
This is what I have gleaned from the people in my neighborhood that I have been talking to. Even my neighbors who typically trade out of their cars every 2-3 years say they are going to keep driving what they have until the economy shakes out. If you're a Pro and you don't believe this to be true, I think you will be missing out... while "the other guy" eats your lunch.
Showroom Shine
New member
DavidB said:
I agree with you on this one. I'm gearing up for a busy season. I am also preparing to take some training on Aircfart Detailing. A big step,and I'm ready. This is going to be a Great year for Showrom Shine Auto Detailing and all you other detailers out there. I have taken some training and added some profit centers to my business. Let's Do It! :bolt
I'm in collision repair and 08' has been slow. Fewer people driving, fewer accidents...
I don't advertise at all and it's been strictly word-of-mouth. This is how i wanted
to grow but i may just start marketing myself this year...
I wish you all the best but it wont be good for many...
I don't advertise at all and it's been strictly word-of-mouth. This is how i wanted
to grow but i may just start marketing myself this year...
I wish you all the best but it wont be good for many...
imported_slicknickis3
New member
DavidB said:
I'm interested in learning more about this bit of code.... Can you program something like this to target just the people in my area??
Is there any way I could get my hands on the data?
slicknickis3 said:
Yes, I can target people to every major Metro area in the USA and Canada. I cataloged about 340 areas in total.
slicknickis3 said:
Not sure yet. If there was general interest, I was going to drive traffic directly to a "Find A Detailer" directory here on Autopia. Unfortunately, after I took the time to catalog more than 4,000 detailers across the USA, I have only had a handful come and claim their free advertisement. It's like herding cats! :hairpull
Superior Shine
New member
I think it is a wonderful idea. I'd market to private car sellers if I were looking to increase business.
I have found that no one thing will open the flood gates of customers.
Deliberate and thoughtful marketing to build a solid clientele base will sustain your business through thick and thin.
As far as 2009 goes, Superior Shine is blessed. We are booked out into March. If we pick up a huge (and I mean huge) polish job we will be booked into April and will be looking to hire additional help.
Building our solid customer base over the years is why we are prospering now.
Bad thing is I am losing potential new customers because of the two month wait.
Do yourself a favor and turn off the T.V. and shut out the news. I havn't listen to news in years.
Focus on God, your family and business. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap".
I have found that no one thing will open the flood gates of customers.
Deliberate and thoughtful marketing to build a solid clientele base will sustain your business through thick and thin.
As far as 2009 goes, Superior Shine is blessed. We are booked out into March. If we pick up a huge (and I mean huge) polish job we will be booked into April and will be looking to hire additional help.
Building our solid customer base over the years is why we are prospering now.
Bad thing is I am losing potential new customers because of the two month wait.
Do yourself a favor and turn off the T.V. and shut out the news. I havn't listen to news in years.
Focus on God, your family and business. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap".
Scottwax said:
I think the different parts of the country are being affected in different ways by this downturn. You guys in Texas seems to be holding up pretty well. Kentucky is doing pretty well also. On the other hand, Michigan and many of the other states with a large union presence are really having trouble.
imported_ajbarnes
New member
2008 for me was slow......very slow! This was mainly due to me transferring a lot of my attention onto my other business. I also didn't do very much marketing and relied solely on repeat and word of mouth business. Now this year I'm planning on making a few changes and start getting back on track.
Good luck everyone in 09' and God Bless!
Good luck everyone in 09' and God Bless!
trusteddetail
New member
Scottwax said:
I think you're right on Scott.
So far in 2009 we've been slammed and we have 9 cars at the shop for tomorrow.
We do both used car dealers and retail and both have been busy but used car sales are just nuts right now.
I guess it all depends on where you are from. Here in Detroit, it's the worst I've personally ever seen it. It used to be you'd rarely hear of anyone out of work or laid off and now it's as common as someone having work. People are really afraid to spend money too because everyone is fearing they will lose their job.
I agree with trusteddetail and scott in saying that detailing can be recession proof Used car sales is at an all time high right now. Heck even at our BMW dealer, we are selling twice the preowneds as we are new. We have a waiting list a mile long of clients wanting us to find them cars. When used car sales are up, it only makes sense to me that our profession would be up as well.
I like the idea David and am seeing what you are seeing. The neighborhood mechanics around me are busier then ever and my own customers are hanging on to their vehicles instead of buying new like they usually would.
So true. Inspiring even...at least it should be.
Superior Fine said:
So true. Inspiring even...at least it should be.
imported_shine
New member
Elkhart Co. unemployment hits 15.3%
This worries me...considering I live there. The county has the highest unemployment rate in the state. It was quite the opposite in years past. I have barely started out as a "Pro" and don't detail full time at all--only a seasonal thing now, so I'll just have to do my best and see how it goes.
This worries me...considering I live there. The county has the highest unemployment rate in the state. It was quite the opposite in years past. I have barely started out as a "Pro" and don't detail full time at all--only a seasonal thing now, so I'll just have to do my best and see how it goes.
Jean-Claude
Keeper of the beautiful
It's hard for me to say how 2009 will be, or has been. I just took my detailing pro in the 2nd half of 2008.
The weather throughout January sucked for a mobile detailer. But I still managed to pay bills.
I just got a contract with a large gated business park that has 5,000 tenants. The management property emails every tenant and has me listed on their websites amenities page. I start this Thursday. I am nervous and excited. I even hired help. If there's only enough work for me, I will be ok. But I'd like to keep 3 guys slammed there 5 days a week. We'll see.
Hopefully, I can go full-time on my detailing and completely leave the family business. That's my goal this year.
The weather throughout January sucked for a mobile detailer. But I still managed to pay bills.
I just got a contract with a large gated business park that has 5,000 tenants. The management property emails every tenant and has me listed on their websites amenities page. I start this Thursday. I am nervous and excited. I even hired help. If there's only enough work for me, I will be ok. But I'd like to keep 3 guys slammed there 5 days a week. We'll see.
Hopefully, I can go full-time on my detailing and completely leave the family business. That's my goal this year.
imported_Jakerooni
New member
Being from Flint which is in just as bad if not worse shape as Detroit I can vouche for everything bob has said about it. Things are downright scary around here.08' was ok for me not near as good as 07' 09' isn't looking so great at all. It's going to take alot of creative adaptation to endure what is going on here. If the "normal" clients take off and decide not to spend their cash on detailing services and all's you're left with are the few higher end enthusiest with some disposable income still are they enough to maintain your business? I know full well mine wouldn't last to long without my regular clientel that get basic services. I can't live off of high end detailing alone. There's simply not enough of that type of business here to keep the doors open. This year I already have additions in the work because I can't survive on detailing alone here anymore. So it's either find a way to adapt to your drastically changing market or try to find a 9 to 5 that will pay the bills.
imported_d00t
New member
For me 2009 started off extremely rough.. now it's look like it's going to turn out great if things keep the way they are. I'm currently booked until the weekend of March 18th 