<HTML>If you have an extra ticket that you can spare I would appreciate it if you could send one to me at the following address: Scott Perkin, Scotty's Shine Shop Inc., 210 York Street, London, Ontario, N6A1B5. Thanks either way Bud. I look forward to seeing you there if possible.</HTML>by S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Do you have a list of the seminars that will be presented Bud? I have not been able to get anything off the website. If there will be anything interesting or valuable to me I would make the trip if you had a ticket left. Let me know if you have any information on the seminars. Thanks.</HTML>by S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Good points about cutting costs in particular. Too many people look at the numbers without looking at the consequences of changes they try and make to save a few bucks. For instance: I deal with a dealership that buys all their chemicals from a cheap-o bathtubber supplier because they are cheap. I spoke with the service manager because he was having problems with his clean ups and heby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>The bumpers are going along okay. I have not pushed it too hard as of now as I want to grow that part of the business the right way and not sacrifice quality to do quantity. The work will come and has been lately since we are slower with the dealers with the detailing I have had more time to pursue the more lucrative bumper work. Since the slowdown though my touch up business has almoby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Wouldn't that be a thought. Bring together the 5 or 10 top detailers out there and set them loose on a city's cars. I have actually somewhat merged my paintless dent removal business with a competitors and it works out really well for me. I bring my retail business and storefront to the table and he brings the dealer side.</HTML>by S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Been there, done that Brian. Used to post on the old MDC forum and then everything went all to hell over there due to a few ignorant morons who brought the whole forum crashing to a halt. That's what has been holding me back the last while, having to wade through all the crap posted by inexperienced do it yourselfers on what is supposed to be a forum for professionals. I'm nby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I used to post on all the forums but now mostly just lurk and post here and there when I have time. The problem with most of the forums is there is such a large volume of BS to wade through to actually get to any really useful information that it almost defeats the purpose. Take Autopia for instance: look at some of the posts in the "Professional Detailing" section of the foby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Washing cars weekly for dealers is high volume, low priced work and you won't make jack squat doing it. The guys who do it around here get anywhere from $1.50-$2.50 per car which isn't much. The only reason they make any money doing it is they are all most likely illegals and paying themselves far below the mandated minimum wage. These particular individuals have also now opby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>We have done well with gift certificates in the past and are really pushing them this year in conjunction with a radio advertising blitz we are doing starting Monday on 2 local stations. If there was a way to post the ads a I would and if anyone wants to hear them let me know and I'll forward them to you.</HTML>by S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>We all already know the answer. Lack of enforcement and most mobile detailers try and operate "on the cheap". From what I understand, these containment mats cost at least $1000 and need to be set up and put away every time a wash is done. Add the time and expense to collect and dispose of the waste water and 99% of these guys will take the easy way out and not do it. Beforeby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>Start off by getting educated in business. It won't matter how great a detailer you are if you can't manage and run a business properly. Secondly, get some real, professional training before "experimenting" on actual customers cars. Believe it or not, my new employees are not allowed to do anything else until they can wash a vehicle to my standards and that can takby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>If the spiderweb swirls are just that (very fine scratches from washing etc.) they could easily be removed by a qualified detailer and a high speed polishing. However, IMHO under normal wear and tear (from driving, washing, weather) they will return very quickly no matter what you do from. If there is no major scratching then I would suggest that you first clean the paint well and claby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I have a good example of how to handle a difficult customer service situation I had recently. The car - black 1998 ford taurus The problem - badly scratched/fallout/tar/minor etching from mayflies. We removed all fallout and tar, washed vehicle thoroughly, 3 step polish and coat of our best paint sealant. Customer looked over the car when they picked it up and proclaimed "it looby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I was using my full name with another login but for some reason I couldn't get it to work so I just re-registered but couldn't register with the same name as my old registration. That's why I now have just the S. Perkin. For the record, my name is Scott Perkin and I own Scotty's Shine Shop in London, Ontario, Canada (www.shineshop.ca).</HTML>by S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I have used nothing but sheepskin pads for over 6 years and have never found anything that can match their effectiveness and ease of use in polishing. I use foam only for swirl removal or extra fine polihing and wax application on the pc.</HTML>by S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>We have successfully used PR to promote our business in the past and I am actively pursuing new PR promotions right now. We were able to secure a cover photo and a full paqe write up about our detail shop in our city's business magazine simply by e-mailing the editor and offering a simple press release regarding who we are, what do and a little bit of human interest related inforby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>You make an excellent point Bud and I commend you for some of the thought provoking topics you have brought up recently. The major problem I see in the detailing trade is most operators get lost in the work and don't ever develop any sales or business skills dooming them to eventual failure. My head detailer is a perfect example of this. While he is an adequate technician and a cby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>I honestly don't know why anyone even debates this after all the information readily available surrounding solvent based dressings. It just takes common sense - you wouldn't put mineral spirits on your tires would you? How does the addition of silicones change the fact that solvents will deteriorate the rubber? It doesn't. It's the lazy mans way of dressing tires bby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts
<HTML>If I may offer you a small piece of advcie as a fellow detailer who only wishes to see you succeed. I want you to do the math for your $39.95 maintainence package with me and see if it still makes sense to you (please keep an open mind here). From what you posted I see that you: 1. pick up and deliver the vehicle est. time for 2 round trips 15-30 min 2. wash, wax, shampoo, windows esby S. Perkin - Auto Detailing: Secrets of the Experts