Thinking about a shop.

[DonC]

Been doing mobile detailing for several years now with great success. I have a very good customer base which much of it is repeat business.

I am thinking about purchasing a Office/Garage location which would allow me to bring in 3-vehicles at a time, and also have a office / retail area.

The real estate purchase is not only an investment in the shop but a financial investment as well as I am sure the value will rebound up. I also understand the added expenses with mortgage, utilities, insurance, etc, etc.

My question is this. There are presently 4-5 mobile detailers in my area, none of us have a shop. How would you expect customers to react to a actual shop? How do you think my present customers would react to having to bring their vehicles to the shop vs me at their home or business? How would you go about advertisement? I will already have missed the 07 telephone books although my mobile ads are in place.

The location I am looking at is not a high traffic area so I would have to bring customers to me.

I would plan on working by myself, maybe have a p/t assistant when the demand is there.

I am certain I could provide a much better service in temp controlled building this would be one market item I would advertise.

[Princeslik]

Re: Thinking about a shop.

I have had a shop for about a year now and I really think you will love it. The community I am in has never experienced mobile detailing so they don't know the difference, but it has never been a problem for a customer to drop their car off for the day and occassion 2 days. From time to time I will need to pick up a vehicle but I will just leave my vehicle either in their driveway or at their work and take theirs. Depending on the customer I may charge them 15.00 if I have to drive more than 10-15 minutes.

As far as the mortgage, insurance, utilities, etc etc. Try picking up a dealer account. I have one employee and I give all the dealer work to him plus he does retail as well, and just having one dealer pays for a huge chunk of expenses.

Another suggestion is if you have enough land and depending on your market and pocket book, you could also consider having a few storage bays to collect rental income.

[Black Diamond]

Re: Thinking about a shop.

I have thought about this many, many times myself and I am still considering opening up a shop. BUT, keep in mind that some customers like the fact that you come to them at "their" convience. It's like shopping on the internet. You may pay a little more for shipping on the net but you don't have to go out of your home to get what you want. I don't detail full time, I have a full time job I carry. I detail on my days off when I can. Many customers like for me to come to them or they like the fact that I will pick up their car and return it to them. So don't rule out the "mobile" aspect of the business. Not all of your customers want to be inconvienced to drop off a car and pick it up later.
Just "food for thought".

[Murr1525]

Re: Thinking about a shop.

You could just ask them.... either with a questionaire or in person...

Dont bias it though, kind of keep the questions open ended. Dont mention you are thinking of chaning anything, just what kind of service they would be happiest with, ie: mobile to them, drop off at a shop, pick up from their house/business, etc, and maybe list a pro/con for each below each choice.

[Superior Shine]

Re: Thinking about a shop.

Do both!

Maintain a client base for the mobile part of your business for washing and maintenance detailing.

Do all the full recon work in the shop.

Click here for the The Great Debate

[Dragpakmach]

Re: Thinking about a shop.

I have a shop and im mobile.This way you cater to everybody.The new problem is customers show up at the shop when your at a house.I tried detailing for dealerships and they want fast and cheaper and they want it now.I gave up on dealers and bodyshops that dont do their own details.This may work for you,but for me its smarter not harder.