Detailing Shirts

Re: here you go sonny !

detaled by hans said:
Seems like you'll be hitting on the 50 cent tip crowd ...... ever wonder why they call it the "GOLD COAST"

Good work is not cheap. Cheap work is not good.
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Hans: I dont really follow your train of thought, and i am not sure how familiar you are with Palm beach and its influential/well off residents...but i can tell you that from my experience (based on the high caliber clients i target) that i get tipped very well the majority of the time.

Not only that, these 'old folk' that you speak of so sterotypically all appreciate a person who has a hard/strong work ethic, pays attention to detail, and most importantly treats his clients with respect.

Regardless of age, people recognize you MORE for what you DELIVER and how TREAT them (This is what im proud of the most), rather than flashy promotional clothes you wear to advertise your business. My shirts are supplementary to my line of work.

I bought and designed these shirts with 2 things in mind.

1. Deliver a CLEAR and DIRECT message of what my business is about
2. Deliver an aura of professionalism


detaled by hans said:
Like to see Mike's work shirts in couple of weeks .... detailing cars in polo shirts ain't no party [palm beach weather for the upcoming week... low 80's.] ..... basically you strut your company shirt while your strolling for suckers ...ooops i mean clients .....
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I bought these shirts strictly for presentation and professionalism, they will NOT be used while i actually perform the details...so rest assured they will be in PRIME condition months down the road. Keep in mind too, that this is a calculated business investment that i made...spending a ridiculous $140 (as you suggest) would have been simply foolish).

I am also aware of the blistering heat/humidity, so with that said, it would be pretty d@mn difficult to work in them within temp's above 75 degrees.

And lastly, what are you trying to imply by saying that i am 'strutting my company while looking for suckers?' :rolleyes: :ticked

Nuff said.
 
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CharlesW said:
:yeah
That style of shirt, (Polo), doesn't seem to me to be what would look good with some of the T-shirt graphics you see a lot of. IMO, for a business impression, you made a good choice.
One question. Aren't these for you to wear while you are working? A $140 detailing work shirt seems a little expensive.

Charles
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Thanks for the support Charles.

As mentioned above, these arent going to be worn while i actually detail. And also, these arent $140...mine are roughly $25 a piece.

It was Hans :beat: who felt that i should buy shirts for $140, to which i replied that this makes zero financial sense when considering business expenses....and flat out a waste of money.
 
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onthespot said:
Greetings fellow detailers;

Mike, glad you're happy with your shirts...

Having said that...... :jump ......... I must now post with my personal experience. No disrespect meant here whatsoever...
I used to wear real nice polo shirts with my company name on them. After completely destroying them and sweating like a hog non-stop - I've now opted for comfortable cotton T-shirts...

They get very dirty. This can't be helped in our line of work. Besides the nasty stuff from the autos (interior and exterior) getting on our clothes - the chemicals we use invariably end up on them...
At $25 per shirt this can get very expensive...
Since I have the tendency to dive right into my work - often, at the end of the day - my shirts are a disaster...
I now pay less than $10 per shirt... And I go through about 10 of them a year...
Again, no disrespect intended.... Just another viewpoint here...

Regards,
Onthespot (Western NC)
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No disrespect taken bro, like i said before....im always open to feedback and suggestions from everyone (as long as its constructive, hehe...and yours is).

I don't plan to actually work in these shirts (as i mentioned in a reply above), its more of a profesional/presentational aspect in which i decided to get them. I only bought 3 too.

Regular and simple white t-shirts may very well be the next step for me, and i think you on the right track by utilizing them :)

Polo/Formal shirts = Deliver professionalism, used for marketing myself and my services

T-shirt: more usable for application and physical work of detailing, w/out worrying about damaging or messing them up.


Thanks for your input, and i wish you the best of luck in your endeavors!

:beer
 
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Poorboy said:
Yes you are dealing with a lot of elderly and retired people who don't see well and the design is a bit small....otherwise it looks good:bigups simple and to the point:D

Tassadar...we're looking into silk screening some shirts, embroidery is nice for a few, but too expensive to make 100's:D
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:beer
 
Mike your logo blown up on the back of a white t-shirt (silk screened ) would be a good way to promote yourself while working:bigups

Hans..have anything constructive to add :dunno :nono
 
Mike:
Based on your title line "Detailing Shirts" I got the idea that you intended to wear them as detailing shirts. My bad.
Also, I don't really think Hans meant anything too derogatory about the choice or price of your shirts.
One thing you have to keep in mind is the difference in financial means for people often is reflected in the way they look at price/value. One of my best friends wouldn't think of using anything other than a $70 or $80 Cross pen and I'm sure his shirts cost $50 to $80. He really isn't a big shot, that's just what he thinks is a good value.
Not being a professional detailer, (and being in the lower level of financial means), I look for the $3 tee shirts that are left over at Target when a fad ends. They work good and fortunately, I usually don't even know what the writing on them means.

Charles
 
No worries Charles,

You deserve a :beer for doing a fantastic job of lightening up the situation.

i may have taken what Hans said to offense when i really shouldnt have.



:)
 
BaDm0theR
Great choice of shirts and your logo.
I think the style and the simplicity is very professional.
If I was promoting a business I would do exactly the same thing or even a step up to a button down shirt with long sleeves ... since it is cold most of the time here in PA.
I know when I am out in public I am not overly impressed with tee-shirts because everyone wears them.
You only have one chance to make a first impression
 
Why do some of you have your phone number on the shirts?? "HEY, HOLD STILL WHILE I COPY DOWN YOUR NUMBER!"

Our shirts have our logo, name and biz description (mobile auto detailing). Other than using them to cover my nipples and spare tire, our shirts are for identification. They also play a part in the company image.

I can see a number on your truck, biz cards but I don't like them on shirts. I think it looks too busy.
 
Superior Shine said:
Why do some of you have your phone number on the shirts?? "HEY, HOLD STILL WHILE I COPY DOWN YOUR NUMBER!"

I can see a number on your truck, biz cards but I don't like them on shirts. I think it looks too busy.
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Superior Shine: After doing some leg work and research, i too concluded that adding a number on the shirt just doesnt look good. Not to mention that telephone numbers change, and i dont know of anyone who has jotted down business info off of a shirt.

This is not to bash any of you individuals who have placed their #'s on their shirts, its all preference i guess.


But with many factors up for consideration, and several weeks of design and re-design, i must agree with what Superior Shine has said.




Oh and btw....are you the same Superior Shine from the Meguiars forums? Because i saw a thread of the 745 BMW, and how you proceeded removing those atrocious dealer swirl/spider marks....you are simply incredible my friend.


My hat off to you, great work my friend.

:beer
 
Superior Shine said:
Why do some of you have your phone number on the shirts?? "HEY, HOLD STILL WHILE I COPY DOWN YOUR NUMBER!"

I can see a number on your truck, biz cards but I don't like them on shirts. I think it looks too busy.
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:wait what's the difference on your shirt or truck....

people find a way to get a number whether you are walking or driving...I've had people call me while I was driving and people just stop me when I'm walking and ask for a card. Sometimes the number with the area code will let people know your approximate location to them....we have different area codes in very close proximity.:dunno
 
Yes Badmother .... thats the same Superior Shine. We wash that BMW every week and let me tell ya ... those marks were very sad to look at. Looks 100% better now though.

I prefer NOT to have a number on a shirt. Just the name with maybe AUTO DETAILING in large font. If you know roller hockey or hockey in general you have seen the pants they wear now with the company name on the ass. I was thinking of putting a phone number there :) Theres an attention getter LOL
 
Tassadar said:
Steve (Poorboy) should make some t-shirts for the Poorboy's lineup. I like the products so much I would wear it.
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I'd buy a sweat shirt....or better...a Sweat Jacket....maybe I'll have one made up!!!!

I like the phone number on the shirt...especially in mobile detailing business and with a mobile phone. In my counseling business I use my land line phone number but then use call forwarding so the calls go to my cell phone which frees me up to leave the office and go play whenever I don't have a client. And that waythere's always someone "in the office" to take call and make appointments.

I love the idea of the upscale mobile detailer in an upscale burg wearing polo shirts on the job. Some guys look really bad in a tee shirt and could really send a negative message about the business. A polo is much more classy...imo. Maybe there's a cheaper way of getting the message onto a cheap Walmart polo shirt?

I love DC. I don't think I've ever read a post which was deliberately insulting or flaming another member. Kidding is hard to convey without facial expression and vocal inflection.

:cool :beer
 
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Nice Shirts and not a bad way to advertise. Your'e headed in the right direction for your business.

I've thought about shirts myself and it has a lot potential and a great marketing tool.

Still working on changing my existing bus. cards. I think it's too busy.

Take a look. I think I will denfinetly go with with a simplier design.
 
Hi Steve,
The card is very eye-catching albeit somewhat difficult to read with the text colors blending into the background scenary. You might want to just stick with a few basic colors (just a suggestion)...

Mine are probably overly simplified - plain white cards with raised red lettering... graphics on card are the same as on my T-shirts which can be seen in this forum thread...

(btw, nice to see how active you are here... I've received numerous emails from people in the past and referred them here to DC but unlike you - not many have stuck around... ;)

Regards,
Onthespot
 
Onethespot,

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. There is a wealth of information and experience here. I hope to be further involved as my experience grows. As you know by the threads I'm still lloking for employment and trying to start this business on the side.

Thanks for the tips above. Like I said I'm still in the creative phases. And I agree about the colors. I had to change the colors to help with visibility against the background picture.
 
Would agree with badmother on having those few nice polo or collared shirts to wear to trade events, golf outings, gifts....

But otherwise, the cotton tees are essential for daily work, IMO

Don't have the phone # on my shirts, mainly because I want the prospective client to engage me, thereby allowing for dialouge, demos, appointments... And, yes, by the time you could write a phone # down, I could simply hand you biz cards! LOL
 
I agree with Mike on that. I wouldnt have the number on my shirt because that gives a potential client the chance to just take your number from afar rather than coming to you and talking to you. Having the number on the van or truck is a better way to go.

Cujo
 
57Chevy: Your business card has alot of effective and powerfull marketing capability in it, its just a matter of designing and arranging what you want to say in the most effective and easy to read manner. Other than that, i think your on the right track. :D

OntheSpot: Im also currently in the design phase of making business cards, and i feel simplicity (while using effective marketing slogans/bullets points) is going to be my best route. I find that less words that carry more meaning and are easy and clear to read deliver the message to all potential clients. :D

On a side note....im very glad that i went through and made this thread ( i was quite hesistant even posting this for some reason...dunno why), i appreciate all teh engaging feedback from all of you.

I wish you all the best of luck, and lets keep this baby flowing with more idea's/suggestions.


Regards to you all,

-Mike T.
Plm Bch, FL
 
Speaking of business cards I made mine on my computer bought some business card paper and I'll tell ya it is a priceless tool. If I want to change something I can instantly. It can also give you some great idea for the card itself. I designed the logo and the text. It came out great I will use the same logo on all my shirts and signs. But i guess more importantly I have a track to run on when it comes time to have some shirts made up.

Money wise it cast me about $40 for the software and about 20 for the card stock that will load right into the printer and it will print 1000 cards that way i can print 50 and print more when i need them. just a idea for the tight budget of advertising. ( the software is microsoft Picture It! Platnium ) just in case you wanted to know. I'll post some pics of it when I get a new scanner.

PS... I like the shirt Mike!
 
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