detailing business out of control,dont know how to proceed?

Scottwax said:
Rich does excellent work and I think in his area he is the only quality detailer around. :)



Word gets around pretty quickly!



Thanks for coming and speaking up for quamen but I would rather hear from him.

Weird!!!
 
doged said:
Thanks for coming and speaking up for quamen but I would rather hear from him.

Weird!!!



:think: I don't think Scott was "speaking...for quamen", but praising the quality of his work as a reason for why his business has grown so rapidly, addressing ajbarnes' comment.
 
RAISE YOUR PRICES!!!!

Its called the "fear of loss close" in sales terminology. you've created a frenzy for your services and thats great! now raise your prices, eliminate the flybye appntment and attract the permanent long term clientel, that will continually use your services and pay TOP dollar for it. Im in California and my minimum price for a full detail is $345.00. I get phone calls for details all the time, but when I tell them my minimum pricing, half of them cant afford it, the other half can. I close the people that can afford my services on a time and date for an appmnt that best suits my schedule not theirs. HENCE the fear of loss. they fear of losing their time for my services and will adjust their schedule to fit mine. You ever got your heart set on going to dinner to your favorite steak house and when you get their its an hour or more wait? If you wait that hour and eat there, its the best steak ever! If you go somewherelse, it will always be just O.K. (FEAR OF LOSS). If you wait for that steak, the people will wait for your services. LAST note to you! If they wait for your services, you better deliver the best steak ever!



AUTOSPA1
 
autospa1 said:
RAISE YOUR PRICES!!!!

Its called the "fear of loss close" in sales terminology. you've created a frenzy for your services and thats great! now raise your prices, eliminate the flybye appntment and attract the permanent long term clientel, that will continually use your services and pay TOP dollar for it. Im in California and my minimum price for a full detail is $345.00. I get phone calls for details all the time, but when I tell them my minimum pricing, half of them cant afford it, the other half can. I close the people that can afford my services on a time and date for an appmnt that best suits my schedule not theirs. HENCE the fear of loss. they fear of losing their time for my services and will adjust their schedule to fit mine. You ever got your heart set on going to dinner to your favorite steak house and when you get their its an hour or more wait? If you wait that hour and eat there, its the best steak ever! If you go somewherelse, it will always be just O.K. (FEAR OF LOSS). If you wait for that steak, the people will wait for your services. LAST note to you! If they wait for your services, you better deliver the best steak ever!



AUTOSPA1



you are correct sir.



I do this in my contracting business. I raise my margin a few percent to compensate for the demand and desire for my service. I also lose many of the bids, but the customers I keep are REAL BUYERS. They expect service and professionalism. The customers I didnt close also tell their friends that if they are looking for high end work, call JSATEK. Free advertising. Its also much better than dealing with a low life slug looking to price shop you for $5.
 
autospa1 said:
RAISE YOUR PRICES!!!!

Its called the "fear of loss close" in sales terminology. you've created a frenzy for your services and thats great! now raise your prices, eliminate the flybye appntment and attract the permanent long term clientel, that will continually use your services and pay TOP dollar for it. Im in California and my minimum price for a full detail is $345.00. I get phone calls for details all the time, but when I tell them my minimum pricing, half of them cant afford it, the other half can. I close the people that can afford my services on a time and date for an appmnt that best suits my schedule not theirs. HENCE the fear of loss. they fear of losing their time for my services and will adjust their schedule to fit mine. You ever got your heart set on going to dinner to your favorite steak house and when you get their its an hour or more wait? If you wait that hour and eat there, its the best steak ever! If you go somewherelse, it will always be just O.K. (FEAR OF LOSS). If you wait for that steak, the people will wait for your services. LAST note to you! If they wait for your services, you better deliver the best steak ever!



AUTOSPA1



Thank god, someone else who knows business!!! :goodjob
 
RAISE YOUR PRICES! I mean it. you have created this frenzy for your services and thats great! now raise your prices. You will weed out the cheap clientel and secure the long term customer forever. In sales terminology its called the "FEAR OF LOSS" close. simple supply and demand. your time is money and you want to get paid as much as you can per hour of work you spend on your customers car. you can only do so many cars per day. raise the prices and watch your clientel fight for their time to make an appmnt for your services. Im in southern california, I wont detail a vehicle for less than $345.00 dollars. my time is precious and my skill level is a master craftsman in the detailing world. Here's an analogy. You go to dinner on Friday night to your favorite steak house and there is an hour or more wait to be seated. (a) you go somewherelse to eat and the meal is just o.k. beacause your heart was set on that steak. (b) you wait it out and an hour later you are seated. since you waited, its the best steak ever! RAISE YOUR PRICES and make them set apptmnts and wait for your services. P.S. when you do this you better deliver the best steak they've ever had. GOOD LUCK!



AUTOSPA1

wcwashwax@verizon.net

email if you have anymore questions
 
-Lebowski- said:
Interestingg read, I wish I had the problems of too many cars.



Most business people don’t speak about having too much business and most great detailers don’t have to BRAG :secret about how good they are. LOL.................
 
Sorry guys for not getting back to soon, i have been busy as usual. When i first started this business, i was asking poeple do you think i can do 2 or 3 cars a week or make this much per year. I was very nervous and far surpassed anything i ever expected.



So how did i grow this business so quickly and get so many cars.

1. I have a commerical copy machine at my home which i created a packet of information. In this packet is my detailing certificate from Detail King, my brochure and a spring special flyer. I then place these inside plastic bags which i get from a company. I then put a decorative rock inside (landscape rock) and staple the top. I can then sit in the car with another person and travel to every neighborhood and throw out hundreds if not over 1 thousand/day.



2. Work. I do consider myself a pretty good dealer and im very particular. No matter what car i do, i make sure it turns out like brand new no matter how long it takes. I believe most of you do the same type of work on this board.



3. Im one of the only mobile units in the area,do the best work in my area and also travel all over. I detail as far as over 100 miles away from my home, so i do cover a large area. Even though i do travel this far, it is still worth it in the long run. My prices go way up and ill do 2 that day with a helper to compensate the distance so i dont have to return for the second.



Lastly I think it is all word of mouth. I havent put out any advertisements this year and already have this many cars. you guys have to remember im a college student, work 1 day a week doing my winter job that i still do in the summer only less days. Everyone who calls I ask them how they heard of me and they say i was impressed with the business card,saw one of your trucks or the most frequent response so and so told me your amazing. Now since my competition prices are about half of mine they get these nasty vehicles and people expect to turn out like new. They pay like 100 bucks or 150 and get a bad job.Since my prices are high, i get nicer cars that arnt hard to do and will come out like new everytime. I spend the time, enjoy myself and deliever amazing results day in and out.



Create urgency/marketing techniuqes. You ever ride through a develpment and see that most people have brand new or near new cars. if you made a flyer stating that we are going to be visting your development for this weekend only and the next time well be back here will be 1 or 2 months from now, I know you will have so many people call you wont be able to do all the cars. You have just created an emergency for your elite service which people have to have done now, especially since mr so and so is having it done, so you have to be as good and upscale as himself.



I really believe marketing techniques and customer relations is just as a big issue as doing good work. You do a good job that person might tell 3 people,but if you do a bad job that person will tell everyone. I have found it really easy to sell to the customer and explain exactly what they get,so when i tell them the price, they typically say that is all! I have attended Detail Seminars numerous of times and have given small presentations and hands on training as well. Each time i go I do pick up tips and tricks from Mr. Nick Vacco who i do believe at one point was doing about 10,000 dollars a week in details. With muliple shops and units, it was getting out of control. He was able to do this because of superior work,superior knowledge and superior marketing techniques.



As of now im enjoying myself detailing and have a full time helper. Ive just purchased a nice 10x20 canopy and a bosch work radio. When i go out and work, it is more relaxing for me since i do put myself under alot of stress with everything else. If all goes well though, i wont be in the hands on part anymore and im getting a product line developed and plan on opening my own training facility in the very near future. Any questions you can always call me at 570 807 2019 and ill be glad to help.



Every car you see on the road is a potential customer and if your not getting booked up, your not doing something right. You have to make that person realize that you do offer the best service and why it is important to get it done by you. The only thing i can see happneing if you have a bunch of other details like scottwax,myself or others on this board in your area, you will have alot more competion and not make as much money. I dont have that where i live and people tend to make me out as a detail god or something. I dont like that because im always under pressure to make everything perfect and what not, but it does help my business grow. No matter if the person ever uses my service or not,they do know me. Everyone all around the area knows me and word get around. No matter where im at business cards are placed nothing else. I always try to do details in parking lots etc and offer a discount to bring it there. I start the detail later in the day and see which area gets backed up aroound rush hour. As people are in this stop and go traffic they tend to pull in and ask about my services. Typically i can book a bunch of details right there, so the 40 or 50 dollar discount i gave for that person to bring A NICE CAR TO THAT WILL DRAW ATTENTION, ive just booked 1000 dollars or more worth of work and people saw me in action. I guess i bascially just think alot of how to get customer and littel tricks to do, to get them to choose me.



My lastest idea is going to be a flat screen tv in the back of my truck. As im either shopping in a mall,store or stopped in traffic, i will have a "commercial" made where the cars i do will flash on this flat screen that will be controlled off a laptop computer. This way people can actually see some of the work I do and it will be eye catching. Stuff like this sets me apart from others and makes my service unique and interesting. Offtopic. Now only if i could have this much skill and success with the ladies i be in heaven
 
Great post dude!!! The bag deal is a little off the wall but if it works for you, great. The Illegal Aliens (lawnmower guys) in my town do that deal with the rock & bag. Somehow I don’t see it selling $250 details in my town but you never know. About the girls? I market to hot women with money LOL............... The TV thing sounds like a good deal at a event or something?
 
So how many details do you actually do per week and how many days a week do you make yourself available? Sounds like you have a nice little niche' going on.
 
I work very hard and i do work 7 days a week. I can typically do 10 details a week if not more, it all depends on how i feel. Again I keep refering back to this,because this is the key issue. Im going to be blunt and outright on this, but i dont really care. Im a college student living at home with 1 more year of college left. Im typically take my helper everyday even if we just have one big suv scheduled. Even though i can do this alone and make 60-70 more in my pocket, it will take me all day. on the other hand if i bring him on this day, it is more relaxing and a very early day, almost like a day off. I can go enjoy my other activities such as bmx riding or whatever it maybe. At the end of the week if i make 800-1000 or whatever that suites me just fine if i worked everyday and some days did 2 small car details per day. I find this business really to be one that you can make as much money as you want. I setup my trailer for very cheap but still looks very professinal. I could literally go out and buy a couple more used s10s or smaller pickups equip them with trailers and make 500-600 per day for myself. But with this will come tons of more work,responsibility,bills etc etc. I rather just enjoy myself, make good money for where im at since i dont have a wife,mortage etc, and have tons of free time to enjoy the summer and then just go back to college in the fall. Just a couple years ago i was making 240 dollars per week working full time at 9 dollars per hour. Typically I make almost that per day if not more, depends on how hard i want to work that week,but you get the idea. Each day i get up and really have to realize that i have a good thing going here and dont take it for granted. This business has given me the oppurtunity not only to enjoy myself more,but also have given me the capability to really realize what potential there is in owning your own business.



As you can see by this post, im not the smartest person on earth,the most grammer correct person or a business person, im just your typical hustler. I just have a skilled way of talking to people and making them choose my service,even if they didnt hear of me before. Ill be straight up with them, im very honest and i do provide superior results. Ive just moved to the point where this part of the detailing feild has actually become to easy and not challenging enough for myself. It is repetive,but i still do enjoy each car i do. My point is that i would really like to have the responsibility of getting a product line together and teaching people how to set themsevles up for business and have hands on training. I still cant figure out why some people cannot get enough business? Almost every person drives a car who is old enough and many want this service done, it just blows my mind.



Again the tv thing will be played during shopping,at the grocery store,in traffic etc etc. DOGEd. You dont see it selling details because you have never tried it. Not to be negative but most people on this board do not think outside the box,and that is what it is all about. People tend to follow what other do,but i keep trying new things to see what works and keeping track of responses etc. I just really cant wait till im done with school cause that is my number 1 priority.



I cant see that people are providing really PRO RESULTS and still do not have business. I can detail a car in a neighborhood and typically book 2-3 details just that day after they see the results. Im also not about speed at all and i will pay my guy by the hour no matter how long it takes as long as the results are gotten.



I have many activites i enjoy that do not require alot of money such as the gym 50 a month,riding my bike which is free lol,going fishing etc etc. I place alot of time on having free time and enjoying myself instead of having alot of material things. Yes i do have 2 s10 xtreme trucks but there not new either. I could go out and buy a full size 30 thousand dollar truck and enclosed trailer,but what good is that going to do me? Nothing really, because it doesnst matter. My setup is presentable enough,no notes on it and it is making me money day in and day out which leaves me in control. If i say to myself tommorow, im not going to work for the whole summer i dont have to,because i do live my life a little more low maintance in certain areas. I really think it all depends on waht the person wants when they enter this business or any business. My first choice was happiness, 2nd betters hours and third more money. I think many people they put more money first and really lose sight of what this business entails.



Maybe im just talking to much and giving to much info,but it just really makes me wonder how come someone doing a superior job is not getting enough business? If there are like 10 other detailers in your area that do a job like yourself, i can see that but i havent found that to be. Many shops cant spend the proper time to do a detail for 99 bucks becasue of all the overhead costs. They would have to do many vehilces which they do in a short time to make the bills,and the cusotmers arnt satisfied or never return.



Ill openly admit most of my materail and ideas have come from Nick Vacco of Detail King,because i see it has worked for him. I mean no wonder they guy makes over a million a year teaching people how to start their own business.



Even the school when i had the idea on this board,many have shot it down. Saying it is really expensive etc etc,but had no clue of what it costs,how it is done and what not. It is actually alot cheaper than what most think and is very easy to do.



I remember when i used to work at home depot and i was cutting the rope with the heat thing they had. Another employee came up and said your smelling up this asile,your supposed to cut it with the knife which they supplied us with. I said this rope is thick and this knife wont seem to cut it. He says i cut that rope all the time with this knife so i dont stink up the place like you. I handed him the rope and said please show me how to save time and no stink up the asile. I knew he wanst going to be able to cut it, but i acted dumb. He couldnt cut it and blamed the knife or whatever,so i let him try mine and still couldnt do it. Conclusion. Each day when i go out or run into a situation, i typically dont know anything. This may sound off the way,but by me not knowing anything, i actually learn more than most people will. When you know something somewhat, you think you know more than you really do.



If you wondering ill be hopefully finishing my Bacholers degree in Criminal Justice and i dont know anything about busines,figures and what not, i only know how to hustle and keep an open mind and see what works for others and why.
 
Your life may cost you $50 per month now, but it wont forever. Get yourself ready for monthly expenses in the $5-6,000 range like many others of us have. I have modest wants also, but this is what it cost to live in the Northeast.



And go to the finance office at that college you go to and get your money back for the English and writing classes if you think you have terrible "grammer". Like your customers, dont pay for something you are not happy with.
 
jsatek said:
Your life may cost you $50 per month now, but it wont forever. Get yourself ready for monthly expenses in the $5-6,000 range like many others of us have. I have modest wants also, but this is what it cost to live in the Northeast.



And go to the finance office at that college you go to and get your money back for the English and writing classes if you think you have terrible "grammer". Like your customers, dont pay for something you are not happy with.





5000-6000 per month by that time ill make that per week. As with the grammer and what not, it is not their fault it is my fault. Im so busy that i typically dont go over each post to clean it up. I did well in the classes because i wanted to, i write these posts this way because i want to. I know it takes alot of money to live in the north east especially NJ. That is why my parents sold their small mansion and we moved to Pa to live a more peaceful and cheaper lifestyle since they are both retired. When you work for someone you have great secuirty, im after oppurtunity.
 
ScubaStevo said:
I'm currently booked until July 16th. Everyday at least a $100 wash and wax/ interior. :)

good job man only 17 and make a 100 cash a day not to bad. Beats flippin burgers and making 40 a day, good luck with all your adventures!
 
:nana: WOW, weve been set up for the Hook, Line, and Sinker! On 5.7.06 quamen was posting to ask advice about what to do for his overflow of business, but reading what he'd posted just a few days later it seems that he's capable of writing a book to teach us on how to market/operate a detail business.



Italiano! Bad Boyz Bragg, you know why? Because Bad Boyz score with all the chicks! LOL.

AND AutoSpa1 happens to be Sicilian.



quamen: keep doing your thing, keep doing your thing. :)
 
yeah i always have questions and still do. The book is more of a ring binder type deal that i have been working on that will be a marketing guide/inserts examples etc. I know if i stay at it, it could happen it just takes time. Anyone is capable of doing anything as long as they put their mind to it and keep pushing at it. Time seems to be my worse enemy now since i should be done with school in one more year and have to move on to a "real life" with real bills. Living at home at age 24 seems pretty bad right now, so i have to see what i can do before i graduate. Im afraid ill have to enter the real world with a real job that i would go to everyday and be limited on what i could make. Luckily my house is very big and my parents dont mind me staying here, there even making me my own office deal thing, but i just feel like a middle aged loser living off their parents still. I do buy food out 2 times a week though to save on the cooking time,since they wont take any money for rent lol.
 
Quamen: “Again the tv thing will be played during shopping,at the grocery store,in traffic etc etc. DOGEd. You dont see it selling details because you have never tried it. Not to be negative but most people on this board do not think outside the box,and that is what it is all about. People tend to follow what other do,but i keep trying new things to see what works and keeping track of responses etc. I just really cant wait till im done with school cause that is my number 1 priority.�



I’m interested if the rock & bag idea came from� Nick Vacco of Detail King�? Believe me, I’m a out of the box thinker�. I don’t see myself ordering a Yard of colored rocks then putting them one by one in a baggy with information. Not only that but you have to then travel in up-scale neighborhood throwing them into driveways, 1000 times a day. Dude, like I said in my previous posts, I’m not seeing the reality of it. Maybe that works for $35 lawn jobs but not $250 detailings? No, I wont be trying it because my arm & shoulder are worth more then that.



Quamen: “5000-6000 per month by that time ill make that per week�



Not being in Criminal Justice you wont!!!
 
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