AUTO DETAILING FOR PROFIT

[dodgeboy]

MY GM HAS "REQUESTED" THAT I START AN AUTOMOTIVE DETAIL SHOP IN A SEPERATE FACILITY THAT WE OWN. WE ARE LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH THAT ALSO OFFERS HAND WASH/WAX ETC.. A NEW, AND LARGER, FULL SERVICE CAR WASH IS BEING BUILT WITHIN A MILE FROM MY STORE. I HAVE THE ROOM TO DO THIS, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN DO THIS AND MAKE A PROFIT. I THINK MY GM GOT THIS IDEA AT A 20 GROUP MEETING. ANOTHER DEALER IN ANOTHER STATE IS IN HIS 20 GROUP AND HE IS MAKING THIS WORK AT HIS PLACE. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK I CAN DO IT TOO. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS HIRING A DETAIL PERSON AND THEN NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOR HIM TO DO. ANYBODY HAVE ANY IDEAS ABOUT GETTING THIS UP AND RUNNING? ANY ADVERTISING IDEAS? ANY REPLY WOULD BE A HELP.

[This message has been edited by dodgeboy (edited 02-02-2004).]

[Michael White]

Several things to consider. To start, you need to exactly understand what the other poeple are doing and how much they chrage. You can offer the same low end services, but make a menu plan that offers more than the others and understand how to justify it. 2 other things you can do: You can have detailers learn to put on the wrap film for impact protection on bumpers/hoods, mirrors, etc. there are some products out there for rock chip touchups which is reasonable to do. Will involve some equipment and training. How about pins striping while you wait?? It is so easy my kids could do this. Promote a product called Aquapel. Can get it through Krex products. Aquapel is like RainX on sterriods. Will last a complete winter season. Its great stuff. There is equipment you can get at NADA that has carpet dying without the "paint over" feel. Its more of a dye than a paint. Sell custom floor mats or cheap mats. Offer a premium service for pickup and delivery. Who does the detailing for you new and used cars?? Just some ideas

[Doug]

Easiest money you'll ever make. Charge $150-$175 per car, pay your guy $50 per car. Unless you get loaded with a whole slew of real pigged out cars, he'll do 2 cars per day. Your main customer will be your own used car department.....no advertsing needed...and, of course, they are obligated to use *your* guy to keep the money in the store. Get yourself two guys and have the advisors sell for them. Keep a close eye on your supplies account, though.

You'll need to invest in a pressure washer and a high quality carpet extractor plus usual small supplies.

Finding experienced help is usually not a problem.

Cheers
Doug