Texas...the new mecca?

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imported_ajbarnes

New member
Is it just me, or is Texas becoming the new mecca for mobile detailing. :D



I thought California had a lot, but through out the boards, internet, etc., I'm noticing majority of mobile detailers are out of Texas. I guess the weather plays a large part and/or the economy? :nixweiss



I don't know, but what I do know is I hope PA doesn't become the new mecca in the future! :nervous: :laugh:
 
Interesting observation when you consider the 2004 US Department of Commerce figures. Based on that information, Texas was ranked 28th and had a per capita personal income of $32,462. Somewhat below the national average of $33,050.



Pennsylvania, ranked 18th, was just about the same as the national average at $33,312.

While New Jersey, ranked 3rd, was well above the national average at $41,626.



Maybe it is the weather?
 
well its 78 degree and clear here in Austin. BTW it is Jan 5. :nana: LOL On a serious note, the weather i'm sure does play a part. Lets not forget about Texas summers though.... :tumblewee We can pretty much detail year round.





Walter

Co-owner
 
I think temperature is the majority of the reason along with population growth . Same goes for Florida there's a ton of mobile guys down there. If we contiune to have weather like we've been having look for a spike in mobile guys here too. God knows the population around here is going up .
 
Its also strange that the bottom 2 towns with lowest valued real estate are in TX also.



What does this say about the economy in TX?



No jobs?

Few white collar jobs?

Family money?



I have 3 guys out in Houston right now working for JPMorgan. They tell me that if I drop the contract with JP, it will be a long time before they find IT work again. I had 4, but I just left to go to work in Chicago.



It seems there is extreme polarity.
 
I would say the suburban nature of the state. Check out the statistics for how many familes or how many vehicles there are per person in Texas.
 
I live in a college town, and I would guess that there are at least 75 mobile wash/detail rigs running around that are operated by college students. Unfortunately, 99% of them don't have a clue about proper paint care. They're just making some money.
 
ZaneO said:
I live in a college town, and I would guess that there are at least 75 mobile wash/detail rigs running around that are operated by college students. Unfortunately, 99% of them don't have a clue about proper paint care. They're just making some money.
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I agree. I always see a truck loaded with "hired help" with a bunch of detailing logo's and products plastered on the sides and I wonder if they are serious detailers or simple car washers........
 
To put that in perspective, there is almost no mobile detailing done here (per capita), probably because of the poor winter weather. There are a ton of hack shops though.
 
hahaha,



There were none here when I started. Well, at least none that I knew of. There was one, but sold out due to moving out of state. There may be one or 2 fixed location shops that have a water tank on a trailer, but that's about it.



Now, I seen 2 or 3 running around. Mainly in POS vehicles......

More of a wash job scheme.......

But I don't care. I know where my market is and where the hot spots are.....

It's all about presenting yourself and word of mouth......

Due a good job and get more lined up....do a bad job and the word spreads 5 times as fast.....

The weak will be weeded out soon.....
 
The Texas economy, or at least the Dallas area economy has been very strong. I was able to raise prices enough this year that even though I did only 20 more cars than in 2005 (926 vs 906), I increased my gross more than $10,000 over 2005!



The weather helps, 3-4 cars per family helps (try taking them down to be washed one at a time), both husband and wife work, so weekend is play time, not clean the car time, etc.
 
Here in So. Cal mobile detailers ar eall over the place. The price wars are bring prices down and making it tough to make a good living. Most guys don't last more than a year and a new group of guys are quickly replacing them for the whole cycle to start over again.



I am seeing mobile detailers doing car washes for $15, wash and wax for $35-$45 and complete details for $80-$150.



NUTZ! I am surviving but it sure is tough.
 
Picus said:
To put that in perspective, there is almost no mobile detailing done here (per capita), probably because of the poor winter weather. There are a ton of hack shops though.
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Wow I'd think with Toronto's wide range of Income there would be quite a few Mobile Detailers. There really seems to be alot of fixed locations. Few are actually good though.
 
Texas economy seems to be pretty strong, housing here in S.A. hasn't seemed to die down either.



There are a good number of mobile guys but I only see one or two a month maybe....and usually the same guys.



About 99% of them are hacks, fly-by-night operations.



It ain't much fun detailing in 100 degree heat with 100% humidity....might be why many guys don't last.:faint:



Anthony
 
Its funny, I'm here in Houston and there are a lot of MD's.(not doctors, well lots of them too). I found myself twice rolling next to a mobile rig and just stare them down like they're invading territory. lol i get a kick out of it. yes down here detailing is pretty much able to happen year round BUT we do have a saying in Houston "if you don't like the weather....wait 5 minutes" and let me tell you, its on the money. It will be sunny one day or the same day and rain later on or the next, then it will be sunny again. In a way its good cause rain=dirty vehicles to clean, at the same time rain=no work. My biggest account is on thur and it never fails atleast 1 thur out of the month it rains, or will rain fri or the weekend so no work on thurs. the entire week will be great but towards the end it will rain. I have a weather program on my phone and I'm constantly looking at it to see whats going to happen.
 
Anthony Orosco said:
Texas economy seems to be pretty strong, housing here in S.A. hasn't seemed to die down either.



There are a good number of mobile guys but I only see one or two a month maybe....and usually the same guys.



About 99% of them are hacks, fly-by-night operations.



It ain't much fun detailing in 100 degree heat with 100% humidity....might be why many guys don't last.:faint:



Anthony
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Thanks for the complment buddy:bat
 
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