what do you guys think of this type of package with all producst needed?

thecarguy said:
I'll be doing it as a business.
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That should be more than enough. What I would do is test out a few different brands first and then decide what you want to use. Rarely do I find a person that uses only one brand of products. But if you like them go for them. :xyxthumbs
 
Is your clientelle established? Thats a lot of product for just starting out. I would say you could "get started" for less then 1/3 of that price.......
 
thecarguy said:
how do I know what I need before starting? I realize that's probably a loaded question (first thing I need is great training)
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It really all depends on the services you want to offer your customers.
 
thecarguy said:
how do I know what I need before starting? I realize that's probably a loaded question (first thing I need is great training)
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Loaded indeed. And thats what you need to figure out, just what do you need?

Clients for one, polishes, polishing towels, PC (Not necessarily "needed"), buckets, wash soaps, drying towels, washing implements, brushes, sealants, dressings of all kinds, glazes?, Nubas?,...and probably a whole lot more...

Theres enough knowlege here to provide your training, but read the e-book David has spent so much of his time on......Then we can customize that for you, with seek and search, or question/answer.......

Whats your short term goal with detailing? 3-6 months from now?
 
IMO - too many products to store and lots that you may never use....for 700 bucks I have a wide variety and a lot of products that will last me about 2 years....buy in bulk and buy the products you really need...save your money....if all that was included with a trailer, generator, water tank, pressure washer, etc, then go for it...but I just think its too much
 
Give us an idea of what you hope to do.



Fixed or mobile?



Fulltime or other?



That package is mammoth, but lacking in some areas, despite its volume of products!



Once you decide upon your direction, consider spending a week (or more) working with a seasoned pro in your area of interest...



I have a young man working now in my shop as an 'apprentice'. After six months, he is just beginning to buff...



This stuff is not as easy as one might think.



Spend your time and money wisely...



Jim
 
I agree with the the last post. Too much too soon IMHO.

I am starting out myself doing mobile. What I did, was think of situations I could get into. Then find what product I would need, then look for the product.



Though, if you will be doing it professional, do you already have a location or vehicle for mobile?

Do you know what you need to start a business?

Liscense, insurance, business materials, etc......

I'm not busting your chops, just trying to let you know things that I HAD TO DO/GET.

It adds up FAST.........
 
Actually, that's a good amount of stuff for that package. You do save a little getting packaged deals, but I'd shop around.



My deal with rightlook, is I found them on the more expensive side. So I shopped at other places. The other thing is you are getting a lot of "Rightlook" brand product. Again since I don't shop there I've never experienced how effective their products are.



Like some say, try the wealth of awesome products out there. I used to think Meguiar's was the only 'professional' product out their. Now it's probably the least used 'professional' product I use.



I looked at a lot of packages before starting, but settled on purchasing over a period of time. This gave me some time to get to know my stuff one at a time. Anyway here are some other places to look besides Rightlook, better too IMO.



http://www.detailsupplyoutlet.com/starting-an-auto-detailing-business-50.htm

http://www.topoftheline.com/auto-detail-packages.html

http://www.detailking.com/business_pack1.html



I think I might've come across more. But that's all I have from my links. My favorite is the TOL one though, cause you get the best equipment, and some Hi-Temp products (One of my personal faves). Includes:

-Metabo Rotary

-Sensei Extractor

-Cyclo Orbital



all best in class in my opinion.
 
Jimmy Buffit said:
Give us an idea of what you hope to do.

Fixed or mobile?

Fulltime or other?

That package is mammoth, but lacking in some areas, despite its volume of products!

Once you decide upon your direction, consider spending a week (or more) working with a seasoned pro in your area of interest...

I have a young man working now in my shop as an 'apprentice'. After six months, he is just beginning to buff...

This stuff is not as easy as one might think.
Click to expand...

Here's where I am:

- early 40's college grad career changer with a technical desk job where contract employment opportunities vary wildly

- have always enjoyed detailing my own and making others look great

- enjoys knowing the "why" behind something - this is why I want top notch training with a strong basis on paint science

- wants to strive for the perfect appearance

- wants to eventually build this into an employee driven small business with well compensated reliable professional employees

- have started a software company that fell flat on its face

- is a little timid about venturing out again but have always had the entrepreneurial spirit



Phew - how cathartic!
 
I never like pre-select packages and this one is no exception. Stuff you'll never need, missing stuff you will need, redundant in some areas and insufficient in others.



Kits are based on what the seller thinks he can make money on while still coming close enough to what you'll need to maintain credibility in the marketplace.



IMO you'd do *MUCH* better to put together exactly what you know you'll need. And (oh man, hope this doesn't sound harsh, I don't mean it as a flame :o ) until you know what you'll need you're not ready to start buying supplies.



I'd first figure out what services you'll offer and what kind of stuff you'll need in order to provide them (consider the target market- for instance, nearly new exotics in AZ take different approaches than daily drivers in MD). Base your purchases on that.



You might look into the courses offered by AutoInt. There really is a need for *hands-on experience* that cannot be avoided. Getting that experience in a controlled/training environment is about the only shortcut (poor choice of words) that will work.
 
here's my 2cents:

I started a business a few years back. dropped 30k into gear and collateral with no clientelle or idea of what people were going to want.-- just what I wanted to provide. I shut the doors this year. :rolleyes:



Last year, I started detailing. I lined up 5 clients first (including myself and my wife) and figured out what I needed to get those done. Ordered my supplies and paid them off. With those supplies I did 3 more details and I still have a lot left over. I then sunk the money I made into more gear. Now I am going into this season ready to blaze and I only think I'll spend a few hundred to keep everything stocked up and maybe a few hundred in new gear. I am really happy that i did it this way and so is my wife. :bigups The nicest part is that I have a bunch of different products and various brands. I feel it gives me greater range with my new clients on what I can offer as far as a more customized detail approach.



My goal is to pull in about 900 per month (only part time) this year and see where everything goes.



Best of luck. My vote: Spend your 3K slowly and build up a stockpile of products that are as varied as your clients vehicles are. I was buying stuff like everyweek between August and December and spent only like 1300 and i have like a lot of stuff in my opinion.
 
Fortunately, I started the software business on a shoe string - I built the software (I'm a software developer). But I did it full-time so we went hrough some savings waiting for it to take off, and waited, waited.... and now I am here. I could get another developer job, I think, but this excites me.



Candidly, and I can be because it is somewhat anonymous, I am a little scared about this. What if someone comes with a paint problem I have no idea how to fix? WHat are the paint differences because factory-painted cars and repainted cars? I'd prefer a fixed location because of the level of work I think it allows but it also costs MANY MANY times more than a mobile set up.



I'm not asking you to answer these, just these are the types of questions I am CERTAIN to face if/when I start and I'm a little timid since I have absolutely NO experience working for someone else in the industry. I have to assume that a detailer down the road is not going to give me the time of day once he learns I might be a competitor in several months, much less allow me to work for him for free to learn the business.



Your candid thoughts are most appreciated!
 
I had some similar questions. Here's what I did: I run the show from my house. I redid my garage and went with a pro look. White walls, tons of lights, shelving, etc. I also made some friends with guys that were specialists in things like paintless dent removal, interior uphostery, tint, wheel refinishng, and paint. if a client comes to me with a problem i can't handle...I pass the buck. I tell the client that I can't do it but I have a person that I work with that is reputable in that specialty and they will be doing the work. I hae never had a client complain. I then pay my associate for the work he did and he shoots me 15% plus referrals. Ultimately, we should all work together and start a detailing shop, but I don't have the ballz right now. I'm still huntin down the remainder of my first venture.



I don't think I would start a mobile only gig. Personally, I like working at home and don't like travelling to locations. Too many variables. WHen I am not detailing I am web designing and doing other media work for businesses in my area, so having a car to work on gets me out of the house. I know, it's sad, but if not, I spend a lot of time in front of my LCD.
 
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