Difficulties You Faced Starting Out

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DT08

New member
What's up fellow detailers? When many of you first started out what were some difficulties you came across? When I first started doing paid jobs, I was trying to get my name out there and detail what I could. The only thing that brought was a lot of frustration, because some people do not want to pay for what you do.



So what problems did many of you have and how did you over come them? It could be anything from money, not having enough equipment.....anything.
 
lol, good posts above. I blame arctic squirrels and groundhogs.



Anyways, serious difficulties when starting out. Equipment was for sure one of them. Trying out different extractors, different vacuums, etc. Air compressors was a big one, since every detail I do required compressed air for the interior. But, probably the biggest challenge was being consistently booked. That wasn't easy.
 
do you want to knock out 3-5 simple details a day, or one full paint correction? decide what end of the market you want to tackle and go for it. You may get some cross market happening, but I would assume little.



I am selling my extractor now because I rarely do interiors anymore (don't advertise it) and folex can work on those that i do do. I have my business focused on paint correction, with little emphasis on interior work beyond the basics...no carpet shampooing



oh and pricing....price yourself a little lower to gain clients, but not too low. Or advertise it as a "special". I made the mistake of doing stuff at ridiculously low pricing when I started out and now that I charge the normal rate, about double what I was, I have lost a bunch of the 1st clients I ever had because they were used to the "$100 full detail."
 
this is not good but ill tell you one thing, you have to tell them wat are you charging them for? have before and after pictures ready. explain the steps. you have to pick a book called, selling 101, by zig ziglar, its dirt cheap on amazon. You can learn something from there.
 
The first summer I started out I was priced pretty low. That brought the customers from East Hell and beyond....lol. They wanted the whole moon and the stars. After a month, I started targeting a different group of people. At first I was just trying to get my name out there and word of mouth helped, but it was just bringing the wrong type of customers.



@toyotaguy: I'm trying to up my skill at paint correction. I thought about just doing paint correction later down the line, but for now exterior and interior jobs are my specialty.
 
Finding products that YOU like to work with. That was probably one of the biggest headaches I started out with. My shelves quickly filled up with products that didn't work as advertised or just not to my liking. And when every local distributer stopping in or mailing stuff saying "try this you'll love it" it was like getting junk mail after awhile. That and learning how to say No was another big one. No- to people trying to sell you stuff to, no- I can't do it for that price etc etc.. When you first start out you just seem to want to say yes to everything to get a feel for it all and to push yourself to your limits if the case may be.
 
The fear of overpricing and not getting the job. Then getting the job and having to go like crazy to actually make any money. Then realizing that if you go too fast you actually go slower!
 
dvc61 said:
The fear of overpricing and not getting the job. Then getting the job and having to go like crazy to actually make any money. Then realizing that if you go too fast you actually go slower!
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+1, finding a good pricing niche for your market is difficult. I kept changing my prices last year because half the people i did work for felt like they weren't getting enough, and the other half kept saying i deserved more. I now cut out those people who wanted more for less and target the ones who enjoy a higher level of work for a higher price.



Jakerooni said:
...That and learning how to say No was another big one. No- to people trying to sell you stuff to, no- I can't do it for that price etc etc.. When you first start out you just seem to want to say yes to everything to get a feel for it all and to push yourself to your limits if the case may be.
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I also did this. To much wasted time. It was never fun.



My biggest thing was perfecting a workflow and the products/equipment I use. I started with 4 compounds/polishes last year(optimum, sonus, megs, poorboys) and now im down to 2 that I always go to for every detail. Same thing goes for microfibers, APC’s, tire shines and leather products.
 
I'm starting out my detailing Business in the next month. I'll let you guys know how that goes. I'm really excited and nervous at the same time but I'm confident that I should be able to pull through. I'm going to keep in mind about the stuff you guys said above.
 
This is a fantastic thread and I'm in the "new business owner" boat as well. I've done a few jobs for friends and family who have paid me, but I have not marketed yet because I'm scared about pricing correctly and building up the initial customers as well as the direction I want to take the business.



The biggest headache in my opinion so far is getting products. It has taken me a couple of months and I still do not have everything because the good stuff costs more than the stuff at Autozone, but it definitely works better.
 
@John K: I started out at Autozone and Walmart getting supplies. It was crazy, but I made sure not to let anyone know what I was using could be bought at Walmart or something.



Did anyone have problems with doing their business plan?
 
DT08 said:
@John K: I started out at Autozone and Walmart getting supplies. It was crazy, but I made sure not to let anyone know what I was using could be bought at Walmart or something.



Did anyone have problems with doing their business plan?
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Unfortunately, I may have to get a few products to round out my range from AZ / Wal-Mart, but the critical products I have ordered online. It is just hard starting out to afford the great stuff you see used on nice cars!
 
@John K: Once you start getting a nice customer base and saving some money from the jobs you do you'll have the "good" stuff in no time.
 
John K: DT08 is correct. If you can handle it, don't even "pay" yourself from the first few jobs you do. Take all the revenue you get and buy products, supplies and equipment. The bank account for us didn't start growing until after ~10 vehicles.
 
WAS said:
John K: DT08 is correct. If you can handle it, don't even "pay" yourself from the first few jobs you do. Take all the revenue you get and buy products, supplies and equipment. The bank account for us didn't start growing until after ~10 vehicles.
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I actually have been doing just that WAS! I take all revenue and put it in a separate account, and then I use that to buy supplies. I'm not even going to consider "taking home" any cash until I have 95% of the supplies I need (buffer, polishes, assorted pads, leatherique, etc., etc.). I may go ahead and go to Wal-Mart to get some basic metal polish and other things (even though no sealant is offered anywhere :( ).



Thanks again for the comments.
 
3m performance finish is sold at walmart autozone aco its a sealant an it works good thats what i use cause i got them at aco last year for 2 bucka bottle yes i stocked up all 20 bottles
 
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