Detail Shop National Chains?

[bert31]

In another thread, a poster asked if it would be possible for a detailer to make one million dollars (don't recall if he mean in sales or profit but doesn't matter in this discussion). Bob replied that to make one million a detailer would need several shops run super efficiently.

Saying that, with the way large chains are pushing mom and pops aside (Home Depot and Lowes putting local hardware stores out of business, Dick's putting the local Sporting Goods store out of business, Walmart putting the general store out of business) I wonder if we will see someone try to build a chain of detailing shops. I don't mean just a wash and wax car wash place. Full details where several stages of polishing are offered. You may have this to a lesser degree in some cities but I mean several shops per city in several cities across numerous states?

It would be difficult to pull off. Detailing requires such an attention to details (hence the name). I just can't see a large body of employees in numerous location doing qaulity work. In a small shop with 1-5 employee detailers, they are supervised by the owner whose income is dependent on the quaility of the work and reputation of the shop so quality can be controlled. In a large chain, the detailer employee would be supervised by a shop manager whose salary/wage is probably set and would not be dependent on quality work or reputation so many shop managers would not be as attentive to details as a shop owner would be. I don't know, I am surprised we haven't seen an attempt to chain detailing shop.

[Bob]

I doubt we would ever see a chain of detail shops where they would offer an OCDetails style of detail. You have to remember, and this is not to be mean or put anyone down, but 90% of the general public are ignorant when it comes to taking care of their vehicles. All they know is they get their oil changed at 3,000 miles and that is taking care of their vehicles. I think to be profitiable at it would would for one have to have HIGHLY trained and qualified employees which would cost a fortune over the high school drop out that is now using a high speed buffer on your car to apply wax at the local dealership. Then you have the price of such detailing and you have to remember that a majority of the public taking their cars to a detailer just want their vehciles to come out shiny and clean and they want it done cheap. They usually don't care if you get that result from just a wax or from a 3 step polish, just as long as they get it done for $99.95. Honestly, I would love to start a high end detailing franchise but I honestly don't think it would do to well.

[BlueZero]

I've put some thought into it before. But as Bob mentioned I just don't think it would do very well.

Here in town we have the headquarters of PDQ Vehicle Wash Systems. At there locations around the area they offer hand wax jobs for like $30. I would think you would have to team up with a already existing nation chain to make it work. Also as Bob mentioned getting skilled owners and employees would be hard. You would have to have some sort of a training program the the franchise owner would go through and a yearly follow up.

Plus what would you be able to offer to make someone want to buy a franchise. I'm not a pro but It seems like you can get great support and help now from vendors like Bob for free.

If anyone really wants to do it I'm in... lol The owner of PDQ comes in the office now and again, I've always wanted to talk shop with him.

Heck, for $229 most people can just run to Maaco and have their car repainted. :eek:

[Bob]

We should all get together with Anthony and start some sort of OCDetails detailing business! LOL Although with the economy the way it is in Michigan and other parts of the country I don't think now is a good time to start a new business...although a great time to buy some commercial buildings!

[bert31]

We should all get together with Anthony and start some sort of OCDetails detailing business! LOL Although with the economy the way it is in Michigan and other parts of the country I don't think now is a good time to start a new business...although a great time to buy some commercial buildings!

As long as it takes me to detail my car, I don't see how I could make a living detailing, I just go too slow.

[10bballer]

here in calofornia.There a franchise called pronto they set up shopping mall's.and offer details while customer do there shopping.actually its a good idea.:cool:

[Bob]

here in calofornia.There a franchise called pronto they set up shopping mall's.and offer details while customer do there shopping.actually its a good idea.:cool:

Yeah, I've heard of people doing that as well. I have a, what I think, good idea for a quicky detail and another business in one but I don't want to say it because you never know if I will go through with it or not. LOL

[10bballer]

Also people forget about boats,planes,RV'swhen we speak of detailing.doing those would make reaching that 1M in sales a lot easiser.

[Bob]

Also people forget about boats,planes,RV'swhen we speak of detailing.doing those would make reaching that 1M in sales a lot easiser.

I think planes, boats are RV's are a trade off for cars because they take so long to do. You might make a lot doing them but in the time it took you to do them you could of done like 5 cars and made the same. I guess I mean like a day of detailing a RV or a day of detailing 5 cars you would probably still make the same. Not sure I am making sense. LOL

[10bballer]

I was thinking if you.Set up a different division from your auto detailing business.and just had a crew for boat,,Rv's and planes.also the dealership work.I know its doesn't pay as well.But to me that goes down to the business owner pricing the accounts.I just belive that this can be a very good business.it just depends on how you go about it.I think you should try your idea Bob.just thing of this.One job could do 1000 a day.5000 a week.20k a month you follow that same model open up 5 shops boom 1m in sales not profit but I know its can be done and may be being done.i know did not include rent,utilits,ext...its was just a rough break down.I know some people wont agree with me and thats fine.I just think we can rise the level of detailing.

[Grimm]

I could see having a chain reaching a million in sales but it would have to be done in a specific way, and would probably take a lot of work. As we all know, education is the key obstacle here as most people think a $30 wax job is all they need. You would really have to target the high end customers that are willing to pay the high price of a detail and know what it entails. So of course this would require franchises in key high rent areas. The other obstacle would most likely be transportation. I would think you would need a shop that is set up to just crank the cars through quickly and effeciently. I would bet that most high end customers that would spring for a proper detail are more likely going to want the detailer to come to them since most rich people in the target market are also going to be very busy people. So really the only way I bet it would work is to have the perfect location in a high density area where there is the highest concentration of executives where they can drop off the car or have it picked up very close to the shop. And of course this type of area is probably going to cost mucho dinero.

[BlueZero]

One thing nice about mobile detailing is you don't need a good location for your shop. A van or truck is cheaper than good real estate.

On that subject... Anyone know where you can get those Mercedes Benz vans. Just wonder how they compare in price to the domestic ones. I've only seen a few around the state, they seem more popular in other countries (at least in the movies). I can't seem to find them on the internet.

Edit: Oh sure, now I found them right away. I've looked probably 5 or 6 times before. Looks like here they are under the Dodge brand. Here's a link...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_Sprinter

[DUBL0WS6]

On a large scale national level I don't think it would succeed. Profits drive a national business: that results in mediocre quality and fast turnover. Quality detailing is a niche market.

[Bob]

The Dodge Sprinter! I always said if I ever needed a van for business this would be the one I could get. :)

[Bob]

And I am pretty sure you can get them under the Dodge name still. They have 2008 Sprinters out and they are at Dodge dealers.

http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/sprinter/

[Fly bye]

Anyone know where you can get those Mercedes Benz vans. Just wonder how they compare in price to the domestic ones. I've only seen a few around the state, they seem more popular in other countries (at least in the movies). I can't seem to find them on the internet.

Edit: Oh sure, now I found them right away. I've looked probably 5 or 6 times before. Looks like here they are under the Dodge brand. Here's a link...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_Sprinter




They are no longer under the Dodge Division anymore. As of May 14th 2007, Daimler AG transfered their interest of Chrysler Corp to Cerberus Capital Management of New York.

They are sold under Mercedes-Benz South Africa http://www.mercedes-benz.co.za/

If you want one, you would have to purchase it from Mercedes Benz in South Africa and have it shipped http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/tongue.gif http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif

http://www.mercedes-benz.co.za/vans/Sprinter/sprinter_default_pv.asp

[Fly bye]

My post moved http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/thinker.gif

[Fly bye]

And I am pretty sure you can get them under the Dodge name still. They have 2008 Sprinters out and they are at Dodge dealers.

http://www.dodge.com/en/2008/sprinter/

Since Mercedes created the the sprinter, and Chrysler and Mercedes are no longer affiliated, how does that work http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/thinker.gif

I guess Chrysler inherited the rights to the Sprinter as part of the deal when Mercedes transfered their interest http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/thinker.gif

[BlueZero]

I've always liked the look of the Dodge Sprinters too. I see a few MB one's around here and there but never realized it was the same as the Dodge. Just thought it would be cool to pull up to a detail with a MB van, that big emblem in the front. Give it more of a high class look. If I have to get one from South Africa then that rules that out for sure.

[BlueZero]

I did notice in my search that they are sold under the Freightliner Sprinter name also. Not sure how that ties in with MB and Dodge.

[Fly bye]

Just thought it would be cool to pull up to a detail with a MB van, that big emblem in the front. Give it more of a high class look.


http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/iagree.gif

[Bob]

Since Mercedes created the the sprinter, and Chrysler and Mercedes are no longer affiliated, how does that work http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/thinker.gif

I guess Chrysler inherited the rights to the Sprinter as part of the deal when Mercedes transfered their interest http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/thinker.gif

I am guessing that just because they are not owned by Benz anymore doesn't mean they won't still share some things. But that is just a guess. I mean, if Diamler took everything there would be no Chrysler. LOL

[Fly bye]

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/lol.gif

[Pete]

Daimler began marketing the Freightliner Sprinter through Dodge dealerships a few years ago.

From what I understand, the reasons were two-fold:

1) Daimler could move more Freightliner products to the average consumer who may not shop at or even have a nearby Freightliner dealership.

2) This would help move Dodge deeper into the commercial vehicle market, giving Dodge a product to compete against GM and Ford. The Ram full size van sold so few in comparison to the others. If memory serves me correctly, the Ram Van was cancelled a year or two ago-please correct me if I'm mistaken

Remember how Mitsubishi used to sell components and full vehicles marketed through Chrysler? Same scenario-if Dodge can sell them, it helps both companies as well as the independent dealerships

[Pete]

I did notice in my search that they are sold under the Freightliner Sprinter name also. Not sure how that ties in with MB and Dodge.

Freightliner is one of the companies owned by Daimler. The Sprinter was theirs alone until Dodge became another outlet.

[BlueZero]

Thanks! It's interesting how everything is tied together one way or the other.