FINALLY, picked up a detail!

Tex Star Detail

Tex Star Detail

Formerly TexasTB
Man, has it been a long time! Got a call this afternoon from a guy on the military base here. Has a 96 Dodge Ram Extended Cab...BLACK in color.
Anyways, he said he was given my name and number from the guys at the quick lube place....where I advertise. (Owners and I are friends) Said the person who referred him, he trusts very much. Didn't tell who referred him at first. lol

I went to go look at it this evening. Well....it's a work truck, just like he said.:D
The interior is gray cloth and carpet. The carpet is stained up ALOT. Not anything caked in to the carpet, just spilled soda and such.
The exterior, well, it is scratched, dinged, and swirled up. 10 year old work truck, what else to expect. He said he didn't want it perfect, since it will stay a work truck, possibly giving it to his son. His main concern was the inside and getting the exterior, "better than the automatic car wash does". I do engine details with a full detail, but he said he really isn't sure if he needs it, since "nobody looks under the hood".
Very nice and polite guy. I gave him a killer deal....I needed to pick it up.
$150 is what I am charging. Normally, I would have charged $200-225 for the condition, but what the heck. It is in a HUGE parking lot across the street from the military hospital. It is like a hotel type of place. Not like the barracks. Mainly older military persons. Nice cars. He said he could most likely get me work to keep me busy. SWEET. He wanted to know where to park his truck for maximum shade.....:D
So, D-Day is the 6th, 7 AM....I like to work as early as possible to get the most out of the cool mornings.

I have to take off work that day....hope they do not get upset. But heck, I am making 3 times the money. This is where the problem is going to occur. What if I do pick up several details? Not sure I will be able to keep taking off of work. (for those who do not know..read here... http://www.detailcity.org/forums/off-topic-forum/18362-i-had-get-job.html#post185563 )
Don;t want to put in my 2 weeks and then have the business die down again. I guess it is a risk that I may have to take.


-Chris
 
Congrats on getting that detail. I can certainly understand why you lowered your pricing a little bit. I knew one would come around for you with all of the persistance you have. You are in a bit of a quandry with the current job though. From what I can remember, you picked up that job fairly easily and I would assume, with your tallents, that you would be able to pick another up again just as easily. If I were you, I would definately wait until business picks up to make a decision. I hope that this detail is the start of better things for you.
 
CONGRATS CHRIS!! I cant wait to see the pics, and hope you get alot of business in the future!

Greg
 
First off....Does your place of employment know of your detailing business?

Could the employer be talked into coming in at noon and working late after a morning detail? Let's say six hours instead of eight hours on a detail day. Am not sure what your relationship is to the employer but one would need to explore options as far as hours worked and time on the job.

Good luck on the detail. I am sure that you will do stellar work. Look forwartd to seeing the process thru pic's and your post.
 
cwcad said:
First off....Does your place of employment know of your detailing business?

Could the employer be talked into coming in at noon and working late after a morning detail? Let's say six hours instead of eight hours on a detail day. Am not sure what your relationship is to the employer but one would need to explore options as far as hours worked and time on the job.

Good luck on the detail. I am sure that you will do stellar work. Look forwartd to seeing the process thru pic's and your post.
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Yea, the owner knows of my business. He was informed at the time I was interviewed. I told him business was slow and I need something to get me through the slow times. He has also seen my trailer and my work, which he liked, but said he could not afford...LOL. I know I can make up the day on the weekend, but that is up to him. I know I went in last Saturday to work since I took off half a day to take my wife to a Dr. Appt.

At the car lot, I have not cleaned a vehicle all week...not one. It has been that slow there. I have to find things to do and look busy. That is kind of hard to do every day when all my work, plus some, is already done.
 
I would think that if work is slow it would not be a problem to have you in reserve for the tough stuff. Yet still come in on a regular basis.

Remember that my advice is worth what it cost here. I am not one that gets along with emplyers but at the same time most of the employers that I have been involved with over the years have been reasonable as long as they feel that they are getting what they pay for.

It sound s to me like you do have opportunities and options before you.
 
You should turn the situation around yourself.

When your business is slow you should go to him for work. He should also know that keeping you there for 8hrs a day is a total waste of time.

Once things pick up slightly, propose to him that you come in on call to clean up cars for him. He will save money and you will have the opportunity to go out and sell your business. Calculate a day rate or a higher per hour rate that takes effect only when he needs you.

Figure: (use your own numbers)

He needs you 2 days per week for clean ups. You want $100 per day. = $200.00 (use his materials and chemicals, let him load the day with cars)

He is now paying you for 40h @ $8 = $320.00 (and cant keep you busy)

He saves $120 on the work for the week and you get 3 days to go out and sell. Both parties are happy.

Dont waste time sitting at a job collecting hourly pay. Be the businessman that you are and sell this company a service that fits both of your needs.
 
Way to go Chris! I'm sure you'll be swimming in work before you know it. Maybe you could get a different job that is part time to get you through the slow times? This way it's easier to schedule details around your job.
 
Chris the idea is to make it in the "Margins". Take care of home first and make as much as possible on the side. I read your last post and I understand your situation. The goal is to stay out of that position. Stay in a position where you can advance not decrease and move forward. Where I'm from they call that "Hustling Backwards".

Whatever you do, do it properly! Meaning respect your employer and have your employer respect you and your goal set.

When you do things on the up and up people become your cheerleaders and they will help you accomplish the mission.
 
jdoria said:
You should turn the situation around yourself.

When your business is slow you should go to him for work. He should also know that keeping you there for 8hrs a day is a total waste of time.

Once things pick up slightly, propose to him that you come in on call to clean up cars for him. He will save money and you will have the opportunity to go out and sell your business. Calculate a day rate or a higher per hour rate that takes effect only when he needs you.

Figure: (use your own numbers)

He needs you 2 days per week for clean ups. You want $100 per day. = $200.00 (use his materials and chemicals, let him load the day with cars)

He is now paying you for 40h @ $8 = $320.00 (and cant keep you busy)

He saves $120 on the work for the week and you get 3 days to go out and sell. Both parties are happy.

Dont waste time sitting at a job collecting hourly pay. Be the businessman that you are and sell this company a service that fits both of your needs.
Click to expand...

Jdoria,
I like your way of thinking.\
I have to come up with a few things....meaning, I do more than clean cars....Dumb stuff though..Nothing major. Take out trash, sweep/mop offices, line cars up, wash cars on lot, take cars to get gas/oil change/inspections. These things, I know, the salesmen can do, since the gas station and lube shop is across the street.

I'm not sure he will go for it, but I imagine I have a few weeks to work on the details before business picks back up for me. He is wasting money having me stand around 'looking' busy, But I will not tell him that until I had details lined up! LOL
Thanks for the advice!
 
TexasTB said:
Jdoria,
I like your way of thinking.\
I have to come up with a few things....meaning, I do more than clean cars....Dumb stuff though..Nothing major. Take out trash, sweep/mop offices, line cars up, wash cars on lot, take cars to get gas/oil change/inspections. These things, I know, the salesmen can do, since the gas station and lube shop is across the street.

I'm not sure he will go for it, but I imagine I have a few weeks to work on the details before business picks back up for me. He is wasting money having me stand around 'looking' busy, But I will not tell him that until I had details lined up! LOL
Thanks for the advice!
Click to expand...

Its all a big sale, sell yourself. You told me your plan for the salesman to take out the trash and line up cars, hell I had salesmen making $120,000 per year that I made line up the cars and take cars back to serivce. Its a reality.
 
jdoria said:
Its all a big sale, sell yourself. You told me your plan for the salesman to take out the trash and line up cars, hell I had salesmen making $120,000 per year that I made line up the cars and take cars back to serivce. Its a reality.
Click to expand...


Yea, no doubt. One salesman told me he sold 13 cars in May and brought home just over $10k......Like I really wanted to hear that crap. There I was taking out the trash from under his desk.........
 
TexasTB said:
Yea, no doubt. One salesman told me he sold 13 cars in May and brought home just over $10k......Like I really wanted to hear that crap. There I was taking out the trash from under his desk.........
Click to expand...

OUCH! At first that would probably get to me. Then, I would use that as motivation to take my business to the next level.
 
hahahahahha......this is funny because i sell cars and i detail them, just not for the dealership.........i sell cars parttime and detail parttime... but i dont make 10g a month
 
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