But if a certain percentage knows what detail shops are, then does it not make sense that if a person is looking for someone to clean his car; wax his car; shampoo the interior they would ask around?

If they ask around that someone is going to say, "Go to a detail shop."

We looked at this issue in 1980 when the retail boom in detailing began and we discussed a number of different names and decided that since so many people, the entire automotive industry, knew the term detailing we needed to stay with it.

To try and re-educate those who already knew the term was idiotic.

Regards
Bud Abraham

Bud-
I didn't suggest dropping the term "detailing" from use. My idea was to have the best of both worlds, a company name that everyone would understand and the word "detailing" in smaller letters. Example #1 :

CAR-CLEEN & SHINE
automobile wash, wax, carpet cleaning and complete detail service

Compare that to the sign below, Example #2 :

JOE'S DETAILING
Finest Automotive Detailing Service Anywhere-Trucks Too !

I think it is clear that more people would understand example #1, especially the people I've surveyed.
Doug

Personally I disagree with you. What you want to sell in a sign and in your advertising is NOT YOUR NAME, but what you do.

Keep in mind the customers who buy detailing know what AUTO DETAILING means and these are the ones you want to chase after. NOT the ones that don't know what detailing is. A small detail business simply does not have the money to educate the public about what you do. They car barely afford to go after the target market.

buda

My name says it all, pro mobile details.
It clearly states what i do.
Bud is right on the money here .....

Pro Mobile :
As Martin Agronsky used to say, " You got the last word. "
Doug

No Doug, as usual you got the last word. But then you could say I got it.

Bud Abraham

LOL....“My limited market research indicates that many people don't know what the word " detailing "

Ah, I can see you have been “lurking” reading my post on Mobileworks again!

The issue was brought up to distinguish Pro’s, who own detailing businesses, from Virtual part timers like yourself. I’m glad you recognize the industry needs to differentiate between the two.

Doug Delmont Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Gentlemen-
> My limited market research indicates that many
> people don't know what the word " detailing "
> means. Some confuse it with customizing,
> pinstriping, painting, graphics etc.
> Instead of trying to educate the population,
> consider naming your business something like "
> Car-Clean " or " Auto Wash and Wax ". Put the
> word "detailing " in smaller letters on the sign.
>
> Doug

Simone-
If I saw your post, I don't remember reading it and, at any rate, did not conciously steal your ideas or discussion. If I did so unconciously, I apologize.
Doug

Simone :
If your post, referenced above, appeared in the Mobileworks forum for pros that requires registration to access, I never saw it because I never regstered to read that forum. I am unable to locate the thread in question on the other forums at Mobileworks.
BTW- I prefer to say I "visit" forums rather than "lurk". I read and look for ideas we can discuss here. There's nothing sinister about it. I will never intentionally lift an idea, using it without proper credit given.
Doug

Hello,
I own a mobile detailing company as well. When I first started my company I did what Doug said I called everyone I knew, got flyers and business cards made up and flyered every car I seen. Buy flyering every car I mean putting a flyer on everyone’s windshield. People are either going to call and say you can't flyer here or they are going to set up an appointment. flyering also helps with getting your name out there. Some other things that I have done was stopping in every office, lawyer, hospital office handing out my card and offing on the spot car washes. Those are some of the simple and cost effective things that I have done. Hope it helps

Doug, tell us: Do you own a detailing business?

Regards
Bud Abraham

Bud-
As I explained to Simone awhile back in the "problems for the pros " thread, I tried to get started on the cheap but have since decided that opening a legitimate shop would be a bad risk for me, in my area and climate.
Some of the aches and pains that come with age and motorcycle accident knees, have relegated me to enthusiast status. So, no, I don't detail for money now in any way.
I'm glad I'm able to help everyone here on the forum by compiling the advice of others and by constantly experimenting and thinking. I'm proudest of the big quote post ( 5 pages if you print it out ) on the " glass cleaning thread ".
Have any of my efforts been helpful to you yourself, Bud ?
Doug



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/21/2007 05:10AM by Doug Delmont.

Doug

If you do not own a detail business how then can you give advise to detailers in the busines or especially newbee's who need proven information.

A lot of people fail in business because they listen to "conventional wisdom" rather than experienced wisdom.

Case in point. I have been in the car wash business for nearly 40 years. Selling equipment, developing car washes for others, consulting etc.

My best friend is one of the best operators in the country and I talk with him 2 to 3 times a week about the business.

HOWEVER, with all this background and "experience" it was not until I developed and built and now operate my own conveyorized automatic car wash that I learned how much I did not know.

Point, I thought I knew a lot, but it was not until I was a "true operator" myself that I gained the real life information.

And, today I do not believe that any car wash equipment sales person who has not developed, built and operated their own car wash has any right to sell equipment to a newbee in the industry.

Conversely unless you have owned and operated your own detail business I do not think you have a clue what to tell an existing operator or a new to the business operator.

Just my opinion.

Regards
Bud Abraham

Bud-
You are entitled to your opinion but it doesn't tally with the personal thanks I receive from both pros and enthusiasts who say I've helped them. They know that I
provide not only my ideas but also the compiled wisdom of others and that I do not comment on things I don't know about. Not one person has complained that my work here did him a disservice or misled him. I hope to continue helping to make this the best detailing forum there is.
Doug