Finding Good Help is real hard

L

LDPaul

New member
Business is still picking up all through referrals. I good not be happier except for the lack of finding some good help. I have gone through four employees with all except one saying it that the work was too hard. I am not a young pup and at late 40's I am working circles around these young kids. So if anyone knows the secret of finding good help, please let me know.



My nine year old daughter trys and gets the job done sometimes better than my employees.



I would think in the DWF area it would not be to hard to find some help. It seems they (employees) just want the money and the heck with the quality work.



I am now in the process of buying another trailer so I can run two crews in the spring since I detail a lot of boats. I just need a crew leader and some people that want to work.



Any takers?



rlspringer
 
We hired a guy that I knew from church who is in community college and he's been great. He only works weekends now but we have hired other people that were referrals from him.



So basically find someone that you know and go by referrals, we tried putting an ad in the local paper and we got a crack dealer (literally) and a bs artist.
 
I've had very good luck, but I realize that it is luck. I have two pt girls on call, and they do interiors better than I do (did I say that?). Plus, I use them for "Final Inspection" b4 the client arrives for pickup. They really see everything.



I'm lucky. BTW, with a recent cold snap , bookings have really plummeted...



Jim
 
My wife is the same way Jim, she can detail an interior and bring it back to like new condition. There sure are alot of detailing companies falling to the way side in the DFW area. Wish I could find a clone of my wife to help, but cloning is illegal!
 
It's symptomatic of the workforce these days. Everyone wants the big bucks but no one wants to have to do anything to earn it. I have been in need of at least one full timer and a couple of part timers since September 1st and have found no one yet. I mean we aren't even getting resumes or applications despite my efforts. Anyone getting into this business should know that this is a serious problem and doesn't seem to be getting any better. My best luck has been hiring people with no experience and training them to do what I want. I also have people in for a brief interview and training session as part of their interview process. If they are right for the job and are interested in detailing as a job then I hire them. If they don't like detailing or feel they don't like the work then they just leave. Saves a lot of hassle with people who work one day and then bail leaving you with a boatload of paperwork putting them on payroll and filing tax returns etc...
 
Jimmy Buffit said:
I've had very good luck, but I realize that it is luck. I have two pt girls on call, and they do interiors better than I do (did I say that?). Plus, I use them for "Final Inspection" b4 the client arrives for pickup. They really see everything.



I'm lucky. BTW, with a recent cold snap , bookings have really plummeted...



Jim
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Don't sweat the bookings Jim. It comes with the cold weather and will soon even out once people realize it is going to be cold for a while. Same thing every year. Also, I love the quote under your signature.
 
My kids both do very good work but they are only out here in the summer. I had a girl working for me a few years ago who did great work, but once she finished her masters, she quit detailing.



I know what you mean. Everyone wants a paycheck but don't seem to want to work very hard to get it. My brother went through about 15 guys before he found one worth hanging on to and my brother has a lawnmowing business.
 
To bad your far from houston, rlspringer...Ive started doing mobile detailing and quality work is my main goal before anythin. sure its nice to get the fat paycheck but if your doing half *** work you wont be getting another fat check from that person. In my oppinion its all about word of mouth(and good advertising) that gets you the work. For instance...I never really considered doing this as a sourc of income just a hobby. But neighbors and friends started noticing how well maintained my car was and wanted me to do ther vehicles...then there friends started wanting quality work and now im considering making a living out of it. Its not to often you are able to be payed to do something you love. Wether its detailing or picking your nose you should do it with pride and provide quality work.
 
Quality detailer=grave digger, i'm sure they have the same turnover rate. Around here about the only kids that what to work are farm kids. They know what work is. Over the years i have went through this problem and settled on being a one man show.
 
It sounds like we may be part of the problem. After all, there must be people out there who really enjoy cleaning, polishing and waxing a car and would like to have an opportunity to do it on a daily basis. What positive things might we be able to do to actually find these people? Maybe we can do a little brainstorming here and come up with a few ideas that can help everyone.
 
try to get a hold of the metal shop/automotive teacher at your local high school. They would know of kids who love cars and want to work on them. many times detailing is the first step towards working in the automotive field.
 
spongtimlowpant said:
try to get a hold of the metal shop/automotive teacher at your local high school. They would know of kids who love cars and want to work on them. many times detailing is the first step towards working in the automotive field.
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Thanks for a very good suggestion!
 
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