Forced into being a pro? Thoughts?

X

XRL

New member
So, for those of you who may or may not know, I work for Best Buy doing car installs. The pay isn't great, but it's a decent PT job while I'm in school. So today the GM comes in and is talking about how he wants to try having us do details, because there's another store that does details somewhere up north. Mind you, I'm the only one who knows anything at all about detailing in our install bay, and I'm not even that good IMO. The GM has no idea what he's getting into, they've got a BS price sheet from a different store, and he has no idea the actual skill or work that goes into a proper detail. He's not wanting to sink more than about $600 into the project to start it up.



I'm not really feeling this idea. I do some small amount of side detailing to have extra play money(though I rarely get to play with it - but that's another story entirely). My concern is that they have no idea what they're getting in to, and that frankly they don't pay me enough to detail cars in the hot florida sun, or even to buff a car in the install bay. Quite frankly, $12.50 wasn't even enough to make me want to install cars, but I needed a job. That and they have no idea of the intricacies involved with detailing. I've heard them say numerous times so far about how we could just "wash, dry, vaccuum, spray some wax and armor all on a car and be good".



So what do you guys think? How should i approach this situation? I feel like it's going to turn out horribly for me if I don't step in and guide them (they were going to buy all the stuff to start up at discount auto parts before i told them that was stupid), and that the idea will fail miserably without some guidance. Should I try to guide them into getting a halfway decent kit (they won't want to go all out high end, but hopefully they'll at least go with a decent setup of Meg's or Mother's products, if not something from Pinnacle or Adams...)



I dunno, I'm really frustrated with this situation. Between the bay senior not understanding how things like this work (he was talking about going in to autogeek.net to look at the stuff they had and i had to explain to him several times that they have no storefront, its just a warehouse and you can't walk around and look at displays, its not like Best Buy), them having no plan at what sort of market they want to do, me not getting paid enough to really *detail* cars, or even wash cars, and all the other stuff... Just makes mewant to let loose a few expletives.



So what should I do?
 
i would tell them straight up that there is no way you would be able to detail cars and there is no chance in hell you would do it for that pay. honestly i dont see that big of a market for detailing at a best buy.
 
Sounds to me like they are wanting an express detialing station there. However I fail to see where in the best buy business plan detailing would be any part of it at all. And then to really sqaush the idea in his tiny little head give him some hard numbers. First he's going to have to check with local ordinaces about waste water (considering they are a national chain they had well better adhere to any laws to the "T") I'm sure that set up alone would be well over the $600 mark. Then a Commecial grade Power washer is well over $600 alone as well. Polishers Supplies and products easily will add up. I think at the very minimum he's looking at least at a $10,000 investment and that would barely get it off the ground. (of course you can get set up cheaper but why tell him that.... Make him think he needs all commercial grade equipment otherwise it's just not worth the bother) Also note to him skilled detailers are going to cost him $40/hr minimum. And if he dosen't get the skilled guys in there he had better carry a LOT of insurence because he will be using them quite often. Basically just lay it out to him that his thought process is completly unreasonable.
 
First off, I would consider your postion in this company. It sounds to me you need this job. There gonna do it not based on your opionion, but theres. There is actually alot of money to be made just washing and waxing cars. There is a niche in every market and if they think they have a chance so be it. Im looking at this from both perspective's. Me personally Would not go to an electronics store for car detailing. I think some would though. It all comes into the fact of properly educating them. If I were you do what you feel is right, but remember your an employee not the GM. If it were me and I needed this job I would shut up and do what I'm paid to do. good luck on this. IM not tryoing to come down on you at all. IM looking at it as a businesss and not as an employee.
 
You were hired as an installer. End of story. Tell him to pound salt and you can just continue on with your installs. I would start looking for another job in the meantime.



Plus 1 for the above mentioned city ordinances and regulations that will make his head spin. All in all he is the one that is going to either make or break. In the meantime you get paid to practice on other peoples cars with little to no liability on your part. I would also maybe ask for a raise or promotion to head this new department. It`s all in how you want to look at this. What do you have to lose?
 
I brought up the pay, water ordinances, and insurance things up already. He said that the store would pay for any damages that could happen. He also said that they were going to "take care of any water regulations and stuff" and not to worry about that. So most likely they won't do a damn thing and will just be fly by night. I told him that most detailers bill out at $50 to $75 an hour, and so his pricing structure wasn't going to be realistic to get anyone halfway qualified.



There is no business plan for this. It's just some idea our GM came up with to bring in more money possibly. And it could work, but I don't think that they're willing to fork over the cash to do it. But on the other hand, I should advise them to get products i want, like a FLEX and stuff, then once it fails and they've given up I can get it all on the cheap or free.



EDIT: Good points. They're not going to make a new department, they would just have us do details and installs. I think my best bet is to offer to do the detailing myself and teach the other guys how to, for a decent raise. Be sort of the "detail specialist". The full time installer doesn't seem to want anything to do with this idea at all, but I'm not really too sure. I'll have to talk to him about it tomorrow. And consult with some of the other managers that I trust and know are "on my side" so to speak and would give me good advice, as well as know how this store operates a little more. Maybe they try all sorts of crazy ideas all the time and fail. I know we are supposed to offer trailer security installs, lol.
 
Fortunately or unfortunately there are two kinds of detailing out there..autopia style where perfection is key, and the other 98% of detailing out there which is wash and wax and interior. If you think about detailing in the other 98% then yeah its a feasible idea what they want to do, blue corral, some towels, and a wash mit and some spray wax and armorall is good. Unfortunately for you they will proceed with their plan and they may even do decent, whether your a part of it or not. I'd say go with it if you need the money, if not then do some research and become your own mobile detailer
 
XRL said:
I brought up the pay, water ordinances, and insurance things up already. He said that the store would pay for any damages that could happen. He also said that they were going to "take care of any water regulations and stuff" and not to worry about that. So most likely they won't do a damn thing and will just be fly by night. I told him that most detailers bill out at $50 to $75 an hour, and so his pricing structure wasn't going to be realistic to get anyone halfway qualified.



There is no business plan for this. It's just some idea our GM came up with to bring in more money possibly. And it could work, but I don't think that they're willing to fork over the cash to do it. But on the other hand, I should advise them to get products i want, like a FLEX and stuff, then once it fails and they've given up I can get it all on the cheap or free.



EDIT: Good points. They're not going to make a new department, they would just have us do details and installs. I think my best bet is to offer to do the detailing myself and teach the other guys how to, for a decent raise. Be sort of the "detail specialist". The full time installer doesn't seem to want anything to do with this idea at all, but I'm not really too sure. I'll have to talk to him about it tomorrow. And consult with some of the other managers that I trust and know are "on my side" so to speak and would give me good advice, as well as know how this store operates a little more. Maybe they try all sorts of crazy ideas all the time and fail. I know we are supposed to offer trailer security installs, lol.
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With people losing their jobs left and right , you still have yours and get to improve on a hobby and get paid at the same time. Keep it positive and you`ll be better off in the long run!:bigups
 
Yeah, I'm pretty sure they're gonna be in the other 98%.



I think I'm going to insist they get a FLEX, at first we're going to start off just washing/waxing, but a FLEX would be good to have to move up to if we start doing paint correction. Plus if it fails I get to pick up a FLEX on the cheap or free. i told them we should run two tiers of products and services, one for the more basic cars that come through and one for more high end. I was thinking of using Mother's for the basic,(cuz I like Mother's and they sell it in a bundle) and something like Pinnacle or Wolfgang for the premium tier.



You're very right Dean, I'm still going to be getting paid to do what I love, and maybe I can get a raise out of this if I explain that I can do some paint correction and whatnot, and sorta take this project as my own. Maybe be the one in charge of ordering the supplies for it and whatnot.
 
what would you rather be doing? detailing or installs? having done both, I would rather do some detailing!!!



and it will work, and it will get you a pay raise promoted, and it will create more of a reason for a potential customer to come into your store and create more revenue! Its kind of like a one step shop place where you can get your car cleaned up and a stereo installed at the same time without more downtime!



You are not going to be doing extensive polishing or compounding on these cars, just a wash and wax with megs nxt and an ONR wash, which can be done in about an hour with just one person on the car = extra profits for the store.



I tried setting this up with a circuit city having them outsource the work to me and I just give them a cut for letting me use their bay. The DM liked the idea and wanted it to work, but that was about 3 months prior to doors shutting down, so there wasnt much thought put into it. I know of an A&E that uses an outside detailer to clean up the cars for the higher dollar installs, and they also offer it up as an option to the customers. A&E takes their cut, the detailer comes over and does the car, and gets paid his rates minus the A&E "referral cut"



You need to look at this as a volume type operation, not an autopian standard

(not going to spend 2 days on one car)
 
I'm still not getting how detailing fits into best buy at all though. I don't go to Pizza Hut for a steak or swing through McDonalds for their fresh sushi... And I wouldn't go to Best Buy for a car wash. It's like apples and oranges.. They just don't belong together. Maybe with some very creative marketing the GM can pull a few customers in. But I don't see it being a profit maker. I just don't think enough people would bite at it for it to make sense.
 
Jakerooni said:
I'm still not getting how detailing fits into best buy at all though. I don't go to Pizza Hut for a steak or swing through McDonalds for their fresh sushi... And I wouldn't go to Best Buy for a car wash. It's like apples and oranges.. They just don't belong together. Maybe with some very creative marketing the GM can pull a few customers in. But I don't see it being a profit maker. I just don't think enough people would bite at it for it to make sense.
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don't think of it as going to best buy to get your car wash. Think about it like this: I am getting the sweet alpine headunit installed wait whats this for 20 bucks more i can get the car washed and waxed? hmmm yeah i havent washed it in a while and since its going on my best buy card why not lets do it.



It's more of a way for Best Buy to provide value to customers.
 
My local Best Buy does this detailing gig. They have thier sales reps as detailers and the prices ridiculous for such work. They don't get much business .
 
black03mach said:
don't think of it as going to best buy to get your car wash. Think about it like this: I am getting the sweet alpine headunit installed wait whats this for 20 bucks more i can get the car washed and waxed? hmmm yeah i havent washed it in a while and since its going on my best buy card why not lets do it.



It's more of a way for Best Buy to provide value to customers.
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reverse the situation and see if it still makes any sense... "Man I'm paying this guy $800 to detail my car and oh wait for another $20 he'll install my alipne unit into my $100,000 car".... Umm no thanks. If it dosen't make sense for the one it shouldn't for the other.
 
this all sounds very volatile.

I'd make sure that with added service, you are getting additional pay. and quite honestly, I think this new service shouldn't go beyond an interior detail.
 
"Forced into being a pro"??? I think the obvious reply to your employer would be, "Just because you want me to do this does not make me qualified!" You stated yourself that you haven't much experience. That should be end of conversation.



Andy
 
Jakerooni said:
reverse the situation and see if it still makes any sense... "Man I'm paying this guy $800 to detail my car and oh wait for another $20 he'll install my alipne unit into my $100,000 car".... Umm no thanks. If it dosen't make sense for the one it shouldn't for the other.
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First off @ $800 most, if not atleast half of that, is just the head unit, not labor. The wash/ wax is mostly labor and if they charge right they can capitalize on the impulse buy/ up sale. If customers dont go for it, well you already got paid for providing one service and who knows, they might come back. If you and your guys can rival or one up the local drive thru wash down the street then you got it. Remember its all in the customer service and being able to sell your service. The customer is already standing there with their car in your bay and wallet out. It`s up to you at that point.
 
Got More Wax said:
"Forced into being a pro"??? I think the obvious reply to your employer would be, "Just because you want me to do this does not make me qualified!" You stated yourself that you haven't much experience. That should be end of conversation.



Andy
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Then you tell your boss , " How about a couple of bucks for some detailing training videos that me and the crew can watch to get some pointers?"

This way your coworkers will all (hopefully) be on the same page as far as what a detail means and they don`t have to just take your word on it.
 
Got More Wax said:
"Forced into being a pro"??? I think the obvious reply to your employer would be, "Just because you want me to do this does not make me qualified!" You stated yourself that you haven't much experience. That should be end of conversation.



Andy
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Before you say something like this, just remember where you work and your position in the company. You ARE replaceable. With the jobmarket the way it is, there's a hundred people right behind you ready to take your position, and your employers know this.



Go along with it. If it fails, its no loss to you.



Use it as an oppurtunity to get some customers for yourself on the side. You can explain to them paint correction and all that after you get done with their car.
 
Make it happen...push for it to happen...good things will come I swear it! if not, outsource it to a detailing company so BB still gets a cut like I mentioned above!
 
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