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  1. #1
    Super Member Wills.WindowsAndWheels's Avatar
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    How to approach dealerships & what to offer??

    Ive got a few used car dealerships around me....I know some have in house 'detail shops' *snickers*...but im sure some of them dont. I'm just wondering, first how would you guys recommend approaching one of these dealerships....second what would you offer (i DOUBT they want to spend the money it would take to have a full 3 step process done...or would they??)

    Third, how much cheaper of a price would you offer compaired to what you usually charge a customer?

    Lastly, do you draw up a contract with them or just work with them as you are needed.

    Its not the type of work i want to get drug into 100%....but to make some extra money for now i wouldnt mind doing it and then maybe have my cards out there so if a person does buy a car and wants a full 3 step process...or a weekly wash or whatever. I'd really like to hear your guy's ideas...just really trying to build up a stronger clientel since im going to be doing this as more of a full time thing than before and want to really make some money and once i get my foot in the door, have my name get spread around enough to where i can start getting some show car jobs...but for now...help with dealerships would be nice for some constant income

  2. #2
    Regular Member Bullitt AK's Avatar
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    Re: How to approach dealerships & what to offer??

    i actually know someone who has a roll n wash van who has some contracts with car dealerships...just bid as low as you possibly can i would say and if thats still too much for them then oh well because thers no money in it..

    just keep it real basic with a wash and dry vacuum interior wipe down

    legit dealerships will draw a contract up...however some mom and pop types will just let you know when they need it or w/e

    i also know people who work for places like enterprise and they pay a hired company employee to wash cars i think its like 9/hr here

    like i said your best bet is smaller used car lots and mom and pop types because any big or really legit dealership is going to have contracts and employees hired on to do it..also they will want to see mad credentials im guessing

  3. #3
    Junior Member j994k's Avatar
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    Re: How to approach dealerships & what to offer??

    Do you have an established shop, or are you moble? We targeted dealers right off in our shop. 3 years ago when we firs started we were hungry, and had our prices way too low. As we progressed, we raised prices, and quality of products. With the big dealers around town (we have 3 of the 5) we went in and offered to take any recon overflow they had. This helped keep us busy in the begining.

    Once the dealers saw our work, they started sending all their customers wanting details done to us. We did a better job than their recon departments, and they didnt have to train their employees for detailing. Just recon.

    The little dealerships around town want cheap. When we talked to them they balked at our price. So we offered to do one car per lot (when we were slow) for 50% so they could see our work. In every case they gave us the worst car on the lot. All 4 dealers we did this for sold the cars within a week. After you have them hooked then you negotiate.

    Sometimes they want just a basic cleanup of a vehicle, other times they want the full meal deal. Just be carefull, if you take on too many dealers, you wil have to sacrafice time to them and might have to turn down off the street clients. For us dealers help pay the bills, but clients grow our shop, and return time after time. Just let your work speak for its self, and word will get out.

  4. #4
    Super Member Wills.WindowsAndWheels's Avatar
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    Re: How to approach dealerships & what to offer??

    Quote Originally Posted by j994k View Post
    Do you have an established shop, or are you moble? We targeted dealers right off in our shop. 3 years ago when we firs started we were hungry, and had our prices way too low. As we progressed, we raised prices, and quality of products. With the big dealers around town (we have 3 of the 5) we went in and offered to take any recon overflow they had. This helped keep us busy in the begining.

    Once the dealers saw our work, they started sending all their customers wanting details done to us. We did a better job than their recon departments, and they didnt have to train their employees for detailing. Just recon.

    The little dealerships around town want cheap. When we talked to them they balked at our price. So we offered to do one car per lot (when we were slow) for 50% so they could see our work. In every case they gave us the worst car on the lot. All 4 dealers we did this for sold the cars within a week. After you have them hooked then you negotiate.

    Sometimes they want just a basic cleanup of a vehicle, other times they want the full meal deal. Just be carefull, if you take on too many dealers, you wil have to sacrafice time to them and might have to turn down off the street clients. For us dealers help pay the bills, but clients grow our shop, and return time after time. Just let your work speak for its self, and word will get out.

    We're mobile right now. And we still require access to water and electricity (do you guys bring your own or do you just use the dealerships'?)

    When you say recon. cars you're talking about trade in's correct? I was thinking of the same idea about offering to do one car for 1/2 price just to show them our work (if they wern't cool with our prices right off the bat) and then see what they say.

    So what do you offer (as far as service and price) for a full detail for dealerships? I wouldnt think there would be a lot of money in just a 'basic clean up'...what would that include...a wash/tires/rims/and quick interior with some dressing on everything to make it 'shiney' ...maybe a wax?

    Sorry dont mean to keep pressing for 'details' but i just want to make sure ive got all my ducks in a row when i walk in the door to one of these guys...after all...they are used car salesmen

  5. #5
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    Re: How to approach dealerships & what to offer??

    i recently received a call from a mom&pop dealership b/c their in-house detailer had family emergency. i've done 3 cars and they were impressed and have called me back. i charge $85 for a exterior wash/dry, interior vacuum, inside/outside window cleaning, tire clean/dres, interior dress. from what i see they pretty much want "make-ready". i just make sure i fully clean all surfaces i can reach on the interior. their in-house guy does have all the products for full paint correction, but for my price im not doing that and I dont know how much they pay their guy. as a consumer/detailer, i just feel you have to go all out on the interior. they are still clients so it's a must. potential buyers kinda figure on a few exterior defects here and there, but there's no excuse for halfway done interior. most have their own water and electricity, as do i. my first day there i used my own h20/power and products. they told me i could use their products. i only used some int dressing they had. the next day they told me i could use their pressure washer/electric so i did, but just felt more comfortable using my products. not to mention it rained that day, so i was able to wash/rinse cars in rain. good luck to u

  6. #6
    Super Member Flash Gordon's Avatar
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    Re: How to approach dealerships & what to offer??

    Quote Originally Posted by Bullitt AK View Post
    i actually know someone who has a roll n wash van who has some contracts with car dealerships...just bid as low as you possibly can i would say and if thats still too much for them then oh well because thers no money in it..

    just keep it real basic with a wash and dry vacuum interior wipe down

    legit dealerships will draw a contract up...however some mom and pop types will just let you know when they need it or w/e

    i also know people who work for places like enterprise and they pay a hired company employee to wash cars i think its like 9/hr here

    like i said your best bet is smaller used car lots and mom and pop types because any big or really legit dealership is going to have contracts and employees hired on to do it..also they will want to see mad credentials im guessing
    “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”

  7. #7
    Super Member Midnight1700's Avatar
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    Re: How to approach dealerships & what to offer??

    Dealers around here are very pushy! They want a full interior detail including vaccuum, shampoo, full interior wipe down and dress, door jams, and complete exterior detail including engine compartment, minor scratch removal and complete dressings. They only want to pay $95.00 for this. I ended up telling them where they can put it and just walked away. You have to choose your jobs carefully and know when to walk. It's your reputation at stake here, not theirs. Choose Wisely!

  8. #8
    Super Member Shade Tree's Avatar
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    Re: How to approach dealerships & what to offer??

    With both of my previous shops I had also taken on work from a couple of large dealerships in the area. At the time I had a few employees and more time allowances for fleet/volume type work.

    The deal I had worked out with the dealers was to do a "quick" wash & shine job on vehicles that were either being sent to auction or trade-ins going on the lot. With 2 employees working on a car I was able to spend up to an hour per vehicle not including pick up & delivery.

    These cars fetched $45 - $60 per vehicle & as stated above; this became my bread & butter for the quieter days. Dealers want the cars prepped even with the rain which is always nice ........

    Now, I'm taking work in from a local body shop as well as starting to accept Fleet Services type work. The volume stuff will keep you alive & if business picks up enough you could always have a dedicated person for dealership detailing or whatever ......
    Shade Tree Auto Detailing
    Austin, Texas & surrounding areas

  9. #9
    Junior Member touring's Avatar
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    Re: How to approach dealerships & what to offer??

    Quote Originally Posted by Midnight1700 View Post
    Dealers around here are very pushy! They want a full interior detail including vaccuum, shampoo, full interior wipe down and dress, door jams, and complete exterior detail including engine compartment, minor scratch removal and complete dressings. They only want to pay $95.00 for this. I ended up telling them where they can put it and just walked away. You have to choose your jobs carefully and know when to walk. It's your reputation at stake here, not theirs. Choose Wisely!
    Wow, I do all of that regularly for 80$. That's 15 more than what I usually make!!! Pass that contact this way if in north Florida
    Detailing in the Crestview FL. Area

  10. #10
    Super Member Flash Gordon's Avatar
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    Re: How to approach dealerships & what to offer??

    Quote Originally Posted by touring View Post
    Wow, I do all of that regularly for 80$. That's 15 more than what I usually make!!! Pass that contact this way if in north Florida

    Please tell me you are joking
    “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.”

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