Mobile Detailers And Their Image....

PresdntialDtail said:
Ok, gotta ask..how the hell did you get the truck that cheap!! haha! I have actually been going over the thought of an enclosed trailer as well..first to hold all my supplies and be more organized, security, to hold spotless water as I find 1 in a million people have a softener attached to the house hose. Not to mention, you can get a vinyl wrap on the trailer and REALLY grab some attention! I currently just throw everything in about 4 buckets and strap them against the back wall of my truck bed..
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My father owns a local dealership and we found my truck at the auction.. got a sweet deal on it.. planning on the vinyl wrap you mentioned. Just not quite in the budget right now. But yeah, get an enclosed trailer, even if its a smaller one. If you dont plan on hauling a tank as large as mine, then there is no need for a 14 foot v-nose..
 
Flawless Image said:
My father owns a local dealership and we found my truck at the auction.. got a sweet deal on it.. planning on the vinyl wrap you mentioned. Just not quite in the budget right now. But yeah, get an enclosed trailer, even if its a smaller one. If you dont plan on hauling a tank as large as mine, then there is no need for a 14 foot v-nose..
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Sweet deal man! I definitely dont plan on getting a trailer that large! I only have a 3.0L Ranger..haha! I just want something to store a decent sized water tank, pressure washer, and all my supplies. A vinyl wrap would be the first thing I did to it, if you want to talk looking professional a van or nice trailor with a wrap will definitely make you look like you got your stuff straight!
 
Can a V6 comfortaably pull the truck, water, equip, etc??



If so, that thing would be an ideal wrap candidate!! Mobile billboard!



Drew
 
Considering it's designed first and foremost as a cargo hauler I would only assume it would be powerful enough to pull around detailing equipment. Looks to be an old DHL truck to me. But yea I was thinking the same thing. How awesome would that look with a wrap??
 
Especially if you can work the yellow cab into your wrap, done deal!!!



Being able to stand up in your rig is huge!!! That would be a sweet setup, particulrly for that price!!



Drew
 
My two cents= Don't be on either end of the spectrum. If you pull up in a piece of crap the customer will worry. If you pull up in a 40 thousand dollar rig the customer will think you are making too much money and your prices are too high. The middle is good and humble but proper is the best. These are first impressions obvioulsy. If you do good work for a reasonable price they won't care. But what caught my eye with this thread was the initial post considering my company name is My Personal Auto Detailer.
 
Remember that image is the perception of others, so dont get caught up in your OWN limiting beliefs about your image - I actually think a lot is in people's own minds.



I believe that if you conduct yourself in a professional manner at all stages of the customer experience, from the initial marketing/contact, right through to the final handover of the vehicle, then they will develop an image of you as a 'professional' - given that your quality is up to standard as well.



It makes me laugh when I see 'professionals' putting up pictures where they have foamed a car, and half the building/carpark around it (does that look professional???) or are wearing 'fashion' clothing rather than smart or logo'd work outfits.
 
Yo fellas. Loose the excessive water and the reality is that so many vehicle options are available to you.



When you look at the cost, remember that the pick up truck is getting 12 gallons to the mile. Hauling a 350 gallon tank is literally over a ton of water, so you have higher maintenance costs.



Wrap a Chevy HHR if you want a Billboard.



Water $mart Eco Detailing is the most cost effective start up costs, and ongoing operating costs there is.



True Story ...



-jim
 
Jake,



Do a complete wrap. Only thing, don't make it look like a ful size garage door or some old lady may try to drive in!!:dance



Drew
 
When i first decided i was going to go mobile i bought everything i needed one piece at a time, i took a little bit to get there but i got there.. You would be suprised at the great deals you can get at harbor freight tools and big lots to get you started with some of the equipment you dont have. at harborfreight.com they have 4x8 trailers that you assemble youself that are very reliable and sturdy for about 250 buck or sumthing like that, they also have pressurewashers for an amazing price, and the great thing is that they sell warrantys if it breaks they replace it for 2 years.. you may not have one near you, but its harborfreight.com
 
As a novice, I appreciate the varied responses. To be honest, I'm surprised to find so many people working out of DD's and not full-size work vans. I've always been interested in detailing and although I'm limited to OTC waxes and no PC, I think it's a trade I'd love once I got enough experience under my belt. I was so worried about having to get insurance, license, work van, extractor, generator, vacuum, water tanks, etc., etc. Reading some of these responses, put a couple of those worries to rest and kept me more motivated to do it as a part- or full-time occupation in the near future.
 
i work from a sedan , the rear seats are down so i can fit my 12x12 canopy.

as equipment i fit a lot into , customers are like "is all going in your car" after they see them all around the vehicle. my answer is straight: if i arrange them will fit.

the only thing as image is: i get very often 600 miles trips to visit friends and is hard to keep clean a dark car.

i do plan for a van with water tank , pressure washer , gen and extractor to test some other fields of detailing. of course a wrap will be included.

:heelclick
 
This is recent personal experience talking...



I have a newer YELLOW Chevy Express Van with super nice, clean lettering (not a wrap yet). I emphasize yellow, because it sticks out like a sore thumb.



It has been at the shop getting a new GM transmission put in for the past month or so (long story).



I have been working out of my Gen 2 Prius (that many clients love).



I have not yet recieved or established a NEW customer while working in plain sight from neighbors/passerbys/dog walkers/etc. working out of the Prius.



A new client (that booked from my website and client feedback), almost sent me home after seeing that I was working out of a Prius.



What have I learned in the past month? Image matters! Although I own a "Green" company (hence the Prius), people love to see lots of foam, a big nice work truck/trailer, self containment, and professionalism.



IMAGE MATTERS!
 
I agree, that image is ALMOST everything. But, bear in mind, I also daily drive a 1977 Mercury Monarch that's basically a rat rod/kustom, with John Deere Blitz Black paint on it. The car, and the paint, are essentially indestructible, and I don't really have to maintain it.



30074_1437058256555_1535958037_1087842_718016_n.jpg




My validation for it: I can spend more time working on my clients' cars, than my own.



I wash it religiously, and the interior (and the "Fine Corinthian Leather" aka vinyl) is MINT. I *do* keep the car clean.





However, I've had more than a couple clients raise an eyebrow when they not only heard the car pulling up (dual 2 1/4" exhaust, h-pipe, and 31" long Cherry Bombs, dumped before rear axle), but saw a car that is instantly recognizable. I figure I'll probably end up getting a white or silver HHR-SS or similar in a few months, after I get re-located and established to Jacksonville, FL next month, and start making some money on yacht detailing again. As much as I love driving my car (I've put 23,000 miles on it since I bought it exactly a year ago)... no A/C + satin black paint + Florida sun, is gonna get real old, real quick.

Also, add in the fact I average about 15-18mpg, it's been a LOT of money spent on gas.
 
I passed through every single post so sorry if this was already said. :)





I think you are doing a fine job as long and your work can speak for its self. I used to be outta my pickup truck and never had one issue. But I will say that every time I would get to the persons location it was always make me feel as if I was not good enough to charge what I wanted cause there was someone behind me who would come better prepared. It was just something in my head. Then I would bang the job out and everything would work out great and I have never done a car and not get a call back. Your fine. good luck!
 
i was thinking about getting a chevy express van myself. I want to have a water tank and have a safe place to store all my goods. Living in a apartment makes things a bit tougher and would just be a ton better with a van.



Not looking to drop $10,000 on something silly. I would say a van is the way to go . . . . . trucks are nice and work but a van can be wrapped nicely to become a driving billboard and there is nothing better then a driving advertisement. Right now we are using a Ford Truck but it isn't my truck as it is my fathers since he works for me but when he has to head to his other night job that can sometimes create issues . . . . . so a van sounds good.
 
Scottwax:
At this point, my business is about 94% referral or repeat so when I get a referral, they already have been sold on my abilities and are ready to set an appointment. It took me a few years to get to that point....I think when I had done about 1000 total vehicles...
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It took many years - of practice/refinement - to get myself at this point. If you're truly into your craft, and not just for the sake of profit, they will come.
 
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