Job Offer...What to expect?

I

imported_dl9589

New member
I've been offered a job by a NEW detailing shop that will be opening in town here. I guess a couple of people I have detailed for in the past know the guy and said that he should get ahold of me.



From what I've gathered so far he's going to have 3 guys doing the washing and vacuuming type details and wants me to head up the "high end" details which invloves polishing, buffing, leveling, etc...



Other thing is, he wants to me to do all the ordering of products for him right off the bat. He wants me to get order all the wax, polish, compounds, etc...and the equipment he needs as far as his rotaries and other equipment.



He said it's "up to me" on what products I suggest. He said find the ones you like the best and talk to him about it.



What's a good professional type of product to use that is reputable? I know there is Meguiars, any others?



Also, when it comes to ordering the Rotaries, any certain brand? Pneumatic, electric? Should I suggest getting some PC's or Cyclo polishers?



So many decisions to make with so little amount of time to do it.



I haven't told him yes or no on the job yet, so I'm just trying to get a grip on what to expect on detailing. I'll be looking over 4 other guys to start out with from the sounds of things.
 
you may wanna look at the 1Z(einszett) line of products as well as Meguiar's and 3M. i would suggest a couple of rotaries to be on hand for those experienced enough to use'em and probably 3 or 4 pc's for those times when you're not around and a quality job just has to be done(trust me, it will happen).
 
sonnydaze1 said:
you may wanna look at the 1Z(einszett) line of products as well as Meguiar's and 3M. i would suggest a couple of rotaries to be on hand for those experienced enough to use'em and probably 3 or 4 pc's for those times when you're not around and a quality job just has to be done(trust me, it will happen).
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Agreed: you cant go far wrong with 3M and they should be easy to get hold of.
 
Hey DR427....if you are reading this, what is that sealant you were telling me about that you can buy by the gallon for $25 or something like that??

He told me that it is suppose to rock....I think I have the link at home, I will post if DR427 doesn't get this message.
 
Prowax has an awesome line of products that you can buy in bulk & save money! website is www.prowax.com ,however, I've found that my local distributor has better prices than the website so check for a local distributor first. I have a Dewalt Rotary and I love it, but can't compare because I've never used any other brand. I've found the best price on www.maxtools.com
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys! I can use as many as people can provide.



This guy doesn't have the first clue when it comes to detailing, basically he is putting the money up for the shop (3 bays). He wants me to get him a list of what he is going to need to start it up (i.e. equipment, products, software for accounts, etc...).



I know he will need a few rotaries, and probably some PC's or Cyclo's, extractor of some sort.



Is there a website out there that has a list of what someone might need to start up a detailing shop?



Also, any professionals use a software that would allow me to keep all the accounts seperate, or together. Meaning, I do a fleet for a car lot, any way for me to log all of their service together, then keep the other clients seperate?



I appreciate all the help I can get with this.:xyxthumbs
 
Ive used Pro, Carbrite, Valugard, Meguiars, 3m for years. Good stuff. Makita buffer. Harbor freight .com runs them for 149.95 every once in a while. Look on Ebay too. Talk to Bud Abrahms www.detailplus.com, Has a wealth of knowledge on setting up the most profitable layout for your shop. Has good products too.
 
Bumpers Plus said:
Ive used Pro, Carbrite, Valugard, Meguiars, 3m for years. Good stuff. Makita buffer. Harbor freight .com runs them for 149.95 every once in a while. Look on Ebay too. Talk to Bud Abrahms www.detailplus.com, Has a wealth of knowledge on setting up the most profitable layout for your shop. Has good products too.
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I'll have to look into the those products listed. You have a personal favorite of those listed? I've used 3M, and Meguiars.



I'll definitely get ahold of the guy listed and see what he thinks about everything.
 
Also, would you guys recommend pneumatic or electric rotaries? I know pneumatic won't get as hot, may not be as heavy so it will be easier to work with for long periods of time.



Is there a compressor that can run 3 or 4 compressors at a time that won't run out of juice. Last thing I want is to wait for the compresser to build pressure while a client is waiting.
 
i'd say if you could get overhead airhose supply, that would rule. All those advantages and never worry about the hose becoming an encumberance. .
 
Stick with electric rotarys. Air powered is nice, but they use a ton of cfm, requires you to run lines to each work area, and purchasing the compressors will get pricey. Electric is much easier.
 
ShowroomLincoln said:
Stick with electric rotarys. Air powered is nice, but they use a ton of cfm, requires you to run lines to each work area, and purchasing the compressors will get pricey. Electric is much easier.
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Sounds logical enough.



Does anybody know of any software for the computers that will let me log in each customer seperately. Or group a sing customers services altogether?



We will be working with a few car lots and we want to keep all of their invoices and what not together. While if someone walks in off the street and wants something done we want to be able to save it, just not together with everyone else.



We want something that will easily allow us to pull up each customers file.
 
My question is this? it sounds like this guy thats opening the business knows very little about the business correct? Well it also sounds like the guy he wants to run the professional detail shop knows very little as well. This is one of the biggest problems with this business. Lack of knowledge. You cannot run a professional business by asking questions on the internet on what products you should use. This really baffles me
 
Aurorav8 said:
Sounds logical enough.



Does anybody know of any software for the computers that will let me log in each customer seperately. Or group a sing customers services altogether?



We will be working with a few car lots and we want to keep all of their invoices and what not together. While if someone walks in off the street and wants something done we want to be able to save it, just not together with everyone else.



We want something that will easily allow us to pull up each customers file.
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Look into Quickbooks, it is a very easy to use piece of software that is to both me and my acountant worth the initial cost x 50.
 
Auto Care USA said:
My question is this? it sounds like this guy thats opening the business knows very little about the business correct? Well it also sounds like the guy he wants to run the professional detail shop knows very little as well. This is one of the biggest problems with this business. Lack of knowledge. You cannot run a professional business by asking questions on the internet on what products you should use. This really baffles me
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Well said... I totally agree! :up



If the owner doesn't know anything about running a detailing business and the future head detailer doesn't know what products/equipment he should be using, then I hate to think what sort of a business this is going to be. :(



Aurorav8, you've obviously been detailing for quite some time and been an Autopian for some while now... so why do you need so much advice on what products/equipment you should use?



Seems simple to me - keep on using the products that you've had success with in the past. Just try to source them in bigger sizes. Show the future boss your favourite rotary and/or PC and say "we need some more of these". Get in a nice stock of pads and MF's cloths from your favourite supplier etc... No need to try anything new or different. This owner has obviously heard of your good work in the past so carry on using the products/equipment that you're familiar with.



I wouldn't get involved with making the choice for the computers and accounting software if I was you, unless you're going to be a partner in the business. Those sort of decisions should be left to the owner - you're gonna be the head detailer, so concentrate on detailing.



I'm sorry if any of the above sounds like an attack on you Aurorav8 - it's not meant to be, honestly! I wish you all the luck in the world. I'd love to have the opportunity that you've got in front of you.



Good luck. :xyxthumbs
 
Quote: Is there a website out there that has a list of what someone might need to start up a detailing shop?



~One mans opinion / observation~



DavidB has an article on setting up a detailing business on Better Car Care



I wish you luck on your new venture if you decide to take up the offer.



~ Hope this helps ~



Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/



justadumbarchitect * so i question everything*
 
Originally posted by Auto Care USA

My question is this? it sounds like this guy thats opening the business knows very little about the business correct? Well it also sounds like the guy he wants to run the professional detail shop knows very little as well. This is one of the biggest problems with this business. Lack of knowledge. You cannot run a professional business by asking questions on the internet on what products you should use. This really baffles me.
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Well, you've got to start asking questions somewhere so why not here? :nixweiss Being an Autopian level detailer gives Aurorav8 enough experience to at least know that he needs more information about setting up and running a shop. Aurorav8 may not be a professional detailer, yet, but neither was anybody else when they started.
 
Auto Care USA said:
My question is this? it sounds like this guy thats opening the business knows very little about the business correct? Well it also sounds like the guy he wants to run the professional detail shop knows very little as well. This is one of the biggest problems with this business. Lack of knowledge. You cannot run a professional business by asking questions on the internet on what products you should use. This really baffles me
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The owner knows next to nothing about detailing. I had to explain to him what a clay bar was, and what some of the other products are and what they do.



I know alot about detailing from here and from hands on experience so it's not like I'm going into this blind. I simply came on here for suggestions on what to use at a professional level because I'm obviously not going to get into the "professional" level chemicals just detailing casually, other than Meguiars professional line.



He's simply fronting the money and garage bays to start the business. I can go into it with no risk and lose nothing if it doesn't work out.
 
pugoman said:
Well said... I totally agree! :up



If the owner doesn't know anything about running a detailing business and the future head detailer doesn't know what products/equipment he should be using, then I hate to think what sort of a business this is going to be. :(



Aurorav8, you've obviously been detailing for quite some time and been an Autopian for some while now... so why do you need so much advice on what products/equipment you should use?



Seems simple to me - keep on using the products that you've had success with in the past. Just try to source them in bigger sizes. Show the future boss your favourite rotary and/or PC and say "we need some more of these". Get in a nice stock of pads and MF's cloths from your favourite supplier etc... No need to try anything new or different. This owner has obviously heard of your good work in the past so carry on using the products/equipment that you're familiar with.



I wouldn't get involved with making the choice for the computers and accounting software if I was you, unless you're going to be a partner in the business. Those sort of decisions should be left to the owner - you're gonna be the head detailer, so concentrate on detailing.



I'm sorry if any of the above sounds like an attack on you Aurorav8 - it's not meant to be, honestly! I wish you all the luck in the world. I'd love to have the opportunity that you've got in front of you.



Good luck. :xyxthumbs
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I could simply go in and keep using the products and equipment that have been good for me, but they are in no way suitable for a professional business for detailing. How would you feel walking into a shop that is supposed to be a professional shop and they are using the Meguiars wax/polishes that you could pick up at Auto Zone?



I'm certainly not going to tell him to stock up on PC's because, quite frankly, they won't cut with anything deeper than a very light scratch. I've never owned a rotary so that's why I turned to a resource that has been reliable to me in the past (Autopia) for advice on what rotaries to use or look into.



I'd absolutely love to use nothing but MF towels at the shop but, how cost friendly is that option compared to cotton towels? MF need different care than your typical cotton towels.



As far as the software goes, he simply asked if I knew of a software that was available for the kind of thing, I said I would look into it. I'll be setting up and running all the computer equipment at the shop which is the reason he asked me, and I'll more than likely be the only one running the computer.



Like I said in my other post, I have no risk getting involved with this, I simply told him that I would certainly work there if he was to open the place. If it fails I'll continue to do what I have been doing all along.
 
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