<HTML>Don't get me wrong... I agree that a small business owner needs to recognize his limitations and delegate tasks to other people and/or outsource to a professional when necessary. My point is that if you're starting out like most mobile detailing business start out, you don't have the money to spend on CPAs, advertising agencies, etc. You can save a lot of money by doby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks Frank, Rod.</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>You make a very good point, Frank. I once ate lunch at a "greasy spoon" roadside cafe. There was a sign that said: "This ain't Burger King. You get it MY way, or you DON'T GET THE DAMN THING!" It may seem amusing to some, but the sign accurately reflected the attitude of the people working there and I guarantee I will not be back there ever again. It iby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>That's really good stuff. What is your background in business besides running yours?</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Here's a draft of a direct mail letter I've been working on. I designed it to be sent to high income professionals. The purpose of the letter is to get them interested in my services and get them to call me so I can sell them on the value of my services and hopefully close the deal by setting an appointment for a full detail. I think this letter will appeal to my target marby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I went to SCORE counseling, and these old geezers had about as much business sense as a monkey. Their idea of marketing my services was for me to go house to house with my truck, knock on the door, and ask if they wanted to get their car detailed! However, don’t let my bad experience discourage you… I think it’s a great idea if you can get someone who can understand the concept of thby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Frankly, I don't have the room to store 5 gallon pails or 55 gallon drums. Gallons are much more convenient for me and easier to handle. If my supply costs were over 6% I would be looking for extra storage room and some drum pumps.</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud, I am not just a professional detailer, I am also a business owner and entrepreneur. You seem to think that all detailers are dummies that need to read the "E-Myth" over and over until they realize that they are too stupid to run their own businesses. Running a detailing business is not rocket science. You don't need to outsource everything to a professional. Youby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Buying products by the 5-gallon does not always lower your supplies cost, especially if you have a very small one-man operation. I tried it for a while and I had a few products go bad on me and had to dump them. Besides that, the "savings" were only a few pennies per gallon. My supplies cost actually went up the year I did that. If I had a shop, I would buy 5-gallons and druby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I have learned a lot about writing ad copy, but virtually nothing about structure so I got a 55 on your test. Where can I learn more about ad structure?</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Acording to the 2001 cost of doing business report put out by the International Carwash association, the average supplies cost for the professional detail shops that participated in the survey is 6% of gross sales. If you're using more than that, I think you need to look closely to see why it's costing you so much per car. I average 6% of gross, and I don't even buy anby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>$8.40 per full detail or 6% of gross sales is my average. That includes the purchases of chemicals, towels, wash mitts, appllicator pads, and brushes over a long period of time divided by gross sales for that same period.</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I market my services to high income people with high end vehicles. I believe they ask about price because they don't know what else to ask. Detailing is not a popular service in this area, especially "high end" detailing. In an area with 100,000 total population and an average household income of 89,000, we have only 4 detail shops and 2 mobile detailers with an averaby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Frank- That's very interesting. Most of the people who call me ask about price before they ask about anything else. That includes callers from the yellow pages, referrals, direct mail advertising, even family and friends. My biggest concern about using that strategy would be scaring people off with the high prices, especially my existing customers. I have always thought the beby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Bud, You are absolutely right. The challenge is realizing this and being willing to let a customer go. The basic instinct of most self-employed people is to go out of your way to keep customers happy no matter what it takes. Sometime you have to force yourself to look at the bigger picture and do what's in the best interest of the bottom line. I used to do work for a local bodyby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Frank, How long have you used this pricing strategy and how well has it worked for your business? Do you put your list prices on any of your literature or web page? Do you mention the possibility of a discount when quoting the list price over the phone?</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I just found out about a new wet/dry vac made by Ridgid that might be a perfect fit for mobile guys. It's called the Portable Pro Vac. I've always said that I wanted a small vacuum that had the power of a big vacuum. That way it would take up less space without sacraficing power. Well this looks it may be just what I've been looking for... 4 gallon capacity, 9 AMP 5 HPby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Step 1: Cleaning... Try using the end to a paperclip to get the vomit out of the holes. Be carefull not to pierce the leather. Scrub the seat with a mild detergent like woolite or something similar and a soft brush. Dry with a towel. Step 2: Deodorizing... Go to an auto parts store or the Wal-Mart automotive department and look by the carwash chemicals for a spray deodorizer (NOTby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>This is the first I've ever heard of the Porter Cable 7428. They make an excellent dual action buffer, so I would have no reason to believe their high speed would be of any lesser quality. I've used a Makita and a Dewalt and liked them both. The Dewalt is a little heavier and therefore more tiring to use, but it has more torque and gets up to speed faster than the Makita. Thby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I suggest you read IRS Publication 463, ... It will explain everything you need to know.</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I just wax them as I'm waxing the rest of the car. If they are dull, I polish them with a wool pad on the high speed buffer and some cleaner/polish.</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Any oily residue in the towels such as wax, silicone, grease, etc. will cause streaks on windows. They must be kept seperate from other towels and washed seperate with just a pinch of detergent, if any at all. It helps to throw in a cup of vinegar every few times you wash them to help remove any built up soap or cleaner residues. All this may seem excessive, but car windows are very eby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>First, I would hire an accountant and an attorney to help me handle the money. Then I would close my business down for good and pay off everybody I owe. Then I would go on a vacation with my family for a few months. We would go wherever we want and do whatever we want. When we had our fill, we would find a beautiful house and buy some really nice cars. Then I would start looking at hoby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Phil is right. I've heard other detailers on other forums groan and complain about detailing RV's. Some have charged upwards of $25 per foot because they think it's takes DAYS of hard work... bull! One person can do a 40 foot RV in a single 8-hour day and make at least $400. You do need the right tools... A pressure washer, buffers, and a scaffold. I use a temporary scby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks everybody for all the great advise!</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>All I can say is WOW!</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>That's EXACTLY what I do, except I use Auto Magic's Motor Degreaser and Super Dress-It. I also start the engine just BEFORE I rinse. I've heard that running the engine while you rinse reduces the chances of water getting into where it shouldn't be. However, make sure you turn it off before spraying the dressing on... Or else you'lll have dressing everywhere BUby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>We've all seen the wheels that expose the inner "core" of the wheel, like on some Jaguars, Porsches, BMWs, etc. Most people don't even bother to clean that part of the wheel, yet it collects the most brake dust. I've heard of removing the wheel to clean it. I've done that on show cars, but it's not practical for the everyday jobs. Besides using acid,by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>ValuGard puts out their "ETR Kit" (Exterior Trim Repair). It's a two-part system. Part one is the black recoloring agent. A white toner is also provided that can be mixed with the black to make shades of gray. Part two is a clear UV protective coating, kind of like a liquid plastic, that makes the repair more durable. The kit comes in a zippered case and includes mixingby Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Thanks for the time you invested here. I've learned a lot!</HTML>by Gary Giffin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts