Getting New Business

B

Bluedog

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it wasnt till not too long ago that i found out here that sheepskin mitts tend to scratch. but ive been using my sheepskin mitt for the longest time (almost a year) and i LOVE it. its smooth, glides on the paint effortlessly, sucks lots of water, and is just wonderful to use. i have the one they sell at walmart... so far i dont notice it scratching anything.



can someone explain technically or somthing why sheepskins tend to scratch? im about to buy a new mitt. i dunno if i should get the viking one alot of people here use or keep using my sheepkin one. thanks!
 
It's not they scratch (i don't know I haven't cd tested them ;)) but that they don't pull the dirt in readily and tend to let the dirt smear and scratch.



But since you have good washing technique (and you're car stays cleaner than most) then the sheepskin work for you. Hey before this whole thing, I used to used sponges. And not that they scratched, but it was that my car is usually very clean, and I rinse after every pass and pickout all the visible dirt on the sponge.



HTH - Steve
 
:) i think before the last flurry of posts about wash mitts...the biggest complaint of the sheepskin was the longevity....about 2-3 mths before it started lokking raggedy....not that they scratched,....steves'spoint is good but i have 2 viking sheepskins for the past 3 mths...1 for the lower and 1 upper....and they do a kik ass job....no scratches that ive seen ...yet...:) i assume...i mean i know that you do the 2 bucket na dclean the suckers really good like i do...i wash the mitts by hand and let them air dry....and of course the backflush...before and after each wash.....i got the chenille mitts too....i cant decide which i like better...but like steve said if you dont have any probs then use them...the way we all inspect our cars u would notice the scratches no matter how fine...then you cn switch before it got too bad.....im not saying ....no...dont prevent scratches...becase the whole detailing thing is about prevention.....im just saying i like the sheepskin too and say if they are still in good shape use them............as for the cd test....i did a search and came up with thios old thread by neo...its a great read dood...

http://autopia-carport.com/forum/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=177&highlight=sheepskin+mitts+scratches..

according to the test...the sheepskin did as well as the original miracle towel but not as good as a chenille...
 
I don't know why it scratches, but if you use it very carefully, it doesn't scratch. I use it to wash pretty clean cars, and chenile to wash cars covered in mud.
 
I've been using a genuine sheepskin mitt for 4 months now. Absolutely no problems. But Steve's point has much to do with this. As far as the longevity of these mitts go, mine is in excellent shape. It doesn't look old or worn at all. I must admit thought that I simply store mine in my wash bucket wet! I don't wring it completely out and even after I wash it in the washer (delicate) I make sure to remove it before it goes through a complete rinse cycle. I'm beginning to believe that you should keep these puppies wet to maximize their longevity. Since doing this, mine is ultra soft. Laters
 
hmm... i dunno about that. from my experience of leaving it a bit wet and in a bucket actually caused mold of some kind to start growing on it. i keep my bucket in a closet in the garage. if its damp and shaddy, it becomes a breading ground for them...:(
 
I would not beleive the mitt would scratch but the dirt trapped in it. Heck if a wool scratches paint then I think new piant stinks and should be improved or is it the paint manufacturers want your car to swirl up so you will get a rotary buffer and then burn through so you then have to go get it painted at a body shop who then buys their paint?



Hmmmmmmmm. A viscious cycle I am trying to avoid so I clean and touch ever so softly with a caring and loving wash mitt made of MF.
 
Don, of course it's supersoft, cause it's wet! haha acutally same thing with razorblades, if you store it in oil, they stay sharper longer. This is because the metal doesn't have to go through a wet and drying process, keeping them sharper longer. But for the mitt thats very interesting indeed.
 
Yeah guys, I just leave my sheepskin mitt in the wash bucket. I simply throw out the water in the bucket and keep the mitt wet in it. I don't ring it out much or at all. The only reason I do this is to see if it will help in the longevity department. I'm beginning to believe that it does. Anyway, I keep the mitt and wash bucket stored in my bedroom! Yeah I really do. This helps to keep it in a good temperature. No smell, rot, etc.. noticed at all. Works for me. Laters
 
Hi all.

I have recently been laid off from my sales job, and I figured this would be a good time to start making money doing what I love most (detailing).

I was wondering how all of you go out and get new business? As a start up, I don't really have any referrals to get me new business, so I wanted to know how the experts did it.

Thanks in advance guys!!!
 
Hey Barry !

I was able to place a free ad in a neighborhood on-line newspaper, and that helped some. I now have people from my neighborhood of about 400 homes, stopping by all the time, wanting to see about getting details.

Also built a Website, which helped more, for people searching for detailers in Bellevue, WA.

I had a Vinyl Graphics company put together a design I made on the side of my black Grand Cherokee, and I park this in my driveway facing the street every day.

I had business cards made that feature the same design as what is on my Jeep.

Then I went out and sold myself to a couple of high end BMW and Porsche Independent Repair Shops out here, talked them into letting me do their "shop" vehicles, etc., so they could see what I do, even went down there and did a very nasty, dirty vehicle, on-site, and now, I almost have non-stop work from them. I have also scheduled the Owner's and most of the employee's "babies" to detail sometime this summer..

All this work and exposure, has created even more referrals from these customer's relatives, friends, etc., it continues to go farther out almost every day.

For example, one of the many Landscaper guys who regularly works our neighborhood stopped by and asked me if I would detail his black Tahoe, and a Painting Contractor who has a couple of vehicles asked me if I could work him into the schedule.

People need to see your business signage (the graphics, etc..) and you working, and then ultimately, your work. And if they like what they see, they will stop by and ask you about your business and you then sell them details..

Barry, you will be so good at this ! Just work out your plan, get alot of ideas from the great bunch of people who contribute here, and go for it.

Feel free to call or email me and we can talk further, ok ??

Dan F
 
Stokdgs said:
Hey Barry !

I was able to place a free ad in a neighborhood on-line newspaper, and that helped some. I now have people from my neighborhood of about 400 homes, stopping by all the time, wanting to see about getting details.

Also built a Website, which helped more, for people searching for detailers in Bellevue, WA.

I had a Vinyl Graphics company put together a design I made on the side of my black Grand Cherokee, and I park this in my driveway facing the street every day.

I had business cards made that feature the same design as what is on my Jeep.

Then I went out and sold myself to a couple of high end BMW and Porsche Independent Repair Shops out here, talked them into letting me do their "shop" vehicles, etc., so they could see what I do, even went down there and did a very nasty, dirty vehicle, on-site, and now, I almost have non-stop work from them. I have also scheduled the Owner's and most of the employee's "babies" to detail sometime this summer..

All this work and exposure, has created even more referrals from these customer's relatives, friends, etc., it continues to go farther out almost every day.

For example, one of the many Landscaper guys who regularly works our neighborhood stopped by and asked me if I would detail his black Tahoe, and a Painting Contractor who has a couple of vehicles asked me if I could work him into the schedule.

People need to see your business (the graphics, etc..) and you working, and then ultimately, your work. And if they like what they see, they will stop by and ask you about your business and you then sell them details..

Barry, you will be so good at this ! Just work out your plan, get alot of ideas from the great bunch of people who contribute here, and go for it.

Feel free to call or email me and we can talk further, ok ??

Dan F
Click to expand...

Thanks Dan.

I appreciate the advice. If I have any questions, I will contact you.
 
It took me a little over a year to build a decent client base. In another two to four years I think I will be in better shape.

This may seem obvious, but just doing great work can really take you places. I did a really nice job maintaining a client's car for about six months, and then he hired me to detail all of his employees cars (15).
 
I try and make it to alot of high end car meets or events and make an effort to start a rapport on a personal level with the owners, learn a bit about the car and the client and then offer to detail their car. I've become an established entity at these meets and people know I offer good work.

I did some cold calling today for local businesses, the owner of a local Midas shop fixes up cheap used cars and is sending me a couple of cars a week, just quick details to prep them for sale.

I also spoke to the shop foreman of Kelly Moss Racing, they are in the process of moving a larger shop and opening a street department (they primarily do repair work on high end vehicles and race cars) and will be starting a detail department, which I was offered a good job working for them. I just walked in the door expecting to be blown off or a best case scenario of working on some of the employees private vehicles, and I ended up with a full time job offer. Shows what some good footwork can do.

No matter what, I present myself as professionally as possible and take the time to explain what exactly I offer and why its better than what else is available. I have my own custom designed business cards with my website and contact info on them, this gives potential client's a reminder to give me a call and a way for them to check out some of the work I've done.
 
bmw5541 said:
Hi all.

I have recently been laid off from my sales job, and I figured this would be a good time to start making money doing what I love most (detailing).

I was wondering how all of you go out and get new business? As a start up, I don't really have any referrals to get me new business, so I wanted to know how the experts did it.

Thanks in advance guys!!!
Click to expand...



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe working for yourself ain't for you. The sales gig didn't work. It takes a lot to go out everyday and sell yourself. Maybe you should hook with another detailer till you figure it out.
 
Chubby Davis said:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe working for yourself ain't for you. The sales gig didn't work. It takes a lot to go out everyday and sell yourself. Maybe you should hook with another detailer till you figure it out.
Click to expand...

It's not that the "sales gig didn't work". I have been in sales for about 25 years, and have been pretty sucessful at it. The company that I was working for is about to go bankrupt due to the down econemy and was forced to let me go.

I am just trying to get some detailing business to help support my family. If it works out, and I do well, then I can think about making it my full time gig. I have also spoken to other detailers about doing some work for them.
 
Chubby Davis said:
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe working for yourself ain't for you. The sales gig didn't work. It takes a lot to go out everyday and sell yourself. Maybe you should hook with another detailer till you figure it out.
Click to expand...

What would make you say something like this chubs. This was totally inappropriate :sarge

Chubby Davis said:
Good Luck Barry. Your wife works, right?
Click to expand...

I am ashamed of you. Go crawl back under your rock chubs ;)
 
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