Non-refundable deposits - mobile detailing

[Nth Degree]

I thought of 2 things I'm going to start doing to drum up some business and potential clients for days I'm "losing" money.



1. Ask clients when they book, if a spot opens up sooner, would they be able to move it to another day. A simple notation on their detail like, "Su, M, T, W, Th, F, Sa" won't take much of your time or effort.

2. Keep a sign in my car where I can drive to a location with heavy traffic and stand outside waving it. Something like:



"Express Wash $xx

+ Interior $xx

+ Hand Wax $xx"



Not what I'd like to charge, but if I can make any money that day over no money that day, it's worth it. And, that's 1 more person that see's me. I have a street just 500 feet behind my house that gets packed at rush hour (main street in neighborhood). I figure an easy 1000 cars pass the intersection. For only 2 hours of my time I can "reach" 1000 people. Standing on the corner costs me nothing. Not even a AdWords campaign can "reach" that many people without costing me something.







Just move to a city with almost 4 million people, you'll never be short of clientele or ever have to drive 2 hours.

Your first idea is good, and a bit of common sense. I think many detailers do this on some level.



For waiving the sign; you can reach 1000+ cars in 2 hours... the first time. After that you are essentially reaching the same cars. If they didn't take notice the first time, subsequent times becomes less effective. It does get your name out there though, and since detailing isn't really an impulse buy, you definitely want your name to be the first one that comes to mind when they think "I need to get my car detailed". Check local regulations on signage and make sure all permits are in order before doing this or you might attract the wrong attention.





Not to be argumentative, but you live in a city with over 3 million people. Talking about waving a sign to attract business then following with your last statement is counter-intuitive.

 

[tssdetailing]

When they cancel, let them know there will be a cancelation fee appended to their bill upon the day they reschedule. If they really want YOU to work on their car, they'll understand and accept the fee. Recently a customer called me "greedy" and refused to schedule with me again. I let him know that there is unrecoverable expenses when cancelations happen short notice and that he has no respect for my time or business.