<HTML>Joe: Here one for you: This happened the day that fuel prices went from $2.50 to over $3.25 in a couple of hours and I lost a few a customers that day... I went into a local business to talk to a worker that called me about a detail. I walked in asked a gentleman if this person was in and I was there to discuss getting his car detailed. Well he start shouting in the middle of theby Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Again I agree with you!!! I to go through those phases when I would like to scream too!!! Now again, think if you were me (A one man Mobile show) it is about 90 degrees and the job is taking for ever because your phone keeps ringing with the people you dealt with today.. Anymore I rarely answer the phone when I am doing a detail... I know that is not the correct way to do it. Butby Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>concoursgarage: I agrea with you too!!! You would see it more often if you were mobile!! That is why I wish I had a shop. That is alway why I would prefer to do someones vehicle at there house.. I could tell you a thousand stories but this was the latest one: I was doing a wash and wax at large business buildings top level of the parking garage the other day. There were three othby Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ron: Let me check the number I have against the Find A Detailer numbers. If they are not the same I wil email them to you for your records.</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ron: I was just thinking of Gary the other day. The phone numbers I have for Gary are from 2001. If you want them I can email them to you. That is a great thing you guys are doing for them..</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Rob: Tell your customer that the matts are there to take the abuse and they can replace the matts. Much cheaper to replace matt then carpet.. Looks like Selling new matts could be a add on to your business. There was a company at the 05 expo that had nice matts for like $20 for a set of two. Or tell the customer that you will look into getting new matts, do some shopping and marby Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks to Steves post I used his idea today. Had a job this morning and called the customer and explained that due to the raising fuel cost I will start charging a "fuel adjustment surcharge". He was about 7 miles away and I charged him $5.... He understood and paid it without batting an eye.</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I agree with Rons times. That is how long it takes me.... You need a written procedure to get really fast at detailing. There should NEVER be ANY idle time... While you are waiting for wax to dry, do something else. While you are waiting during dwell time, do something else. Take the time to write down every step to take, I mean every step. then that night go over your list, yby Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I have been in a daze all day today. Went out last night and topped off the tank in my work van 15 gallon for $46. Our Gov here in NC said we might run out.. I like the idea of the "fuel adjustment surcharge"... I am really wondering if it is more profitable to to Mobile or a small fix location. I am talking about a basic no thrills equiped shop.. There are places thatby Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>dave rosh: WOW!!! Yet another huge expense on top of this ever rising fuel cost!!!!!!</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Rob: That a hard one to answer. Much Advertising is a hit or miss thing. You said 'Make or break you' Are you saying the cost of this ad is that expensive that if you don't get business from it, you will be out of business? If that is true then don't do it.. Don't forget that major fast food chains have been around for over 40 years and they still have tvby Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Brian: Are you sure that's not a current picture?? LOL!!!!</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I agree with Ron, Stay away from that stuff. If the wheels are that bad, just tell your client (Before you do them) "I wll do the best I can with the safest chemicals". Sometimes you just can't get a wheel back that has caked on brake dust... Just my two cents...</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I knew it was you Brian!!!!! I have a great memory for the silly things. Sounds like a great idea using your head instead of your body.. At 45 mine hurts now and then. I am doing the detailing to bring in the money righ now, but I soon hope to be doing more of the less labor intensive work. I left my job in June 2004, not making the money I was, but feels great being out of the Coby Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>ProShine: Prove your Mother in law wrong.. Think we chatted earlier about this. Again I'll say this from someone that was doing it Part time for 4 years and left a high paying computer programming job in 06-2004. Make sure you have your wifes FULL SUPPORT about this business!!! It was my Wifes idea that I left my job (With two kids and bills to pay).. Make up flyers, cardsby Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>SHWTM: Is that you Brian?????? The talk about the chevelle gave you away!!!!!</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Guys: We drive nothing as fancy as you guys do. My daily driver is a 1994 Ford Tuarus 165,000 miles, looks ok. My wife daily driver is a 1999 Toyota Sennia 68,000 miles, Looks great. My work van is a 1988 Ford Aerostar 170,000 Mile, looks great THere old and reliable, but hell there paid for!!!! Too old for cars payments!!!! LOL!!!</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I use Automotive internationals (ValuGard) Exterior Trim Repair. It is a dye and uv gaurd which last for years. Here is a link to the product: ;by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Dan: I was LLC years ago, but really did not know what I was doing and should of INC'ed my company. SO a few years ago I INC 'ed my company. I did it for Personnal protection and it also seperates you from the hackers and Fily by night guys. When every I answer my phone I always make sure I say my full company name of Auto Appearances Inc. Also do a internet search onby Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Pro Mobile Details : Thanks for the info... I am currently working with some high end repair shops. Giving them 15% of earnings. That is working out great. Many of these shops have a/c. If theres room in the shop they let me do it in there. I use their water/power. I will check out truck places</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Keith: I also have a part time IT Contract that keeps things going.. I seem to remember reading an article several years ago in PCW&D Mag. Addressing this issue. I am a Pack Rat and I need to look for it among all my stuff...</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Like any group, don't spend the money if you don't plan on attending every meeting and CC event. I am not a member of the CC, but I know lot of people that are. That's what they told me. I am a member of some other groups and I attend every meeting they have.</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Mobile Detailers: Been thinking about this for a awhile now, there has to be a way for us to earn money during bad weather. How do you earn money when the weather is bad (Rain, Snow)??????</HTML>by Auto Appearances Inc - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Our prices for a wash and a wash and a wax and way too low.. Gas is 2.29 here in Raleigh NC. I start at $35 for a small car. If I were you I would give away a few car washes and upsell them once you get onsite. I am going to start phasing out washes shortly.. Too much to setup and tear down for $35 to $45. Just my two cents.</HTML>by Paul Apollonia - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ron: Yes, you know who it was...</HTML>by Paul Apollonia - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>You guys bring up some good points here. Back in April I did some work for one of these nataional co. Just go in the mornign and clean up 4 cars for a three day show. The work was easy and the money was great!!!</HTML>by Paul Apollonia - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Ron: I was laughing when I saw your post over and over again. Thinking Damn dude! I get the point !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love it when it does that.....</HTML>by Paul Apollonia - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML> I use Automotive International ValuGard products. www.autoint.com</HTML>by Paul Apollonia - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Rob: Subing work. Works out great for me. I am mobile too. I sub out PDR and get 15% of the job for doing nothing but make a phone call. I also offer my service to the PDR guy with the same 15% to him. Now you said: 'Just wondering who offers the best tools for the cheapest price' You get what you pay for. If you are going to invest the time to learn this stuff, why notby Paul Apollonia - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Gina If I had a fix location that is how I would do it. But being Mobile, that is why I said to go meet the person, check them out and make sure they will do good work for you.</HTML>by Paul Apollonia - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts