As the Founder of The Detail Guys and a retired business writer, I often find that my legacy prompts operators of successful automotive mobile detailing companies to contact me about their market strategies. I am happy to help out and give advice freely because it was not that long ago, I remember being in the thick of things. In fact, almost all the problems in the market today are nearly the same as a they were nearly a decade ago.
Recently, I was asked to intercede with a couple of Auto Detailing Entrepreneur Partners running a successful auto detailing operation in Chicagoland and they were questioning the price of an Express Wash and Wax for their customers. Immediately the days events were unveiled as they were having problems with generators on both of their current units. Well at 10 degrees in Chicagoland yesterday no wonder they might not work so well today? What do they say about Murphy Again?
One partner accused the other partner of selling services too cheaply on a new price menu flyer and asked how can you make money at $28.00 for a wash and wax? Well the fact is that you can easily make money on wax at $28.00 using a polymer solvent wax, and the cars will look better too, especially dark ones; think of an "Express Wax" marketing motif.
Now low price high-volume businesses are scary for most people and regarding Market Share and Price well perhaps you might like to know more about such theories; http://worldthinktank.net/art132.shtml
Think about the Market Winners;
Microsoft - gave software away FREE!Southwest Airlines - Low fairsMcDonalds - $.25 hamburgers, read grinding it outJapanese Auto Makers - Honda and Datsun VS, Chrysler, Ford and GMChrysler K-Car to recoup market share and dig out
If you charge too much, you drive too far between customers. Then you waste money in travel, labor and efficiency. If you stay busy all day, you will do better long run. Now if you are in Fat City, go for higher prices, but do not be surprised if someone else takes all the other market and then most of yours too. Everyone likes a good deal, even wealthier folks. How do you think one gets wealthy anyway; besides inheriting it? Please think on this in 2007 in your quest to be the best.
"Lance Winslow" - Online [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; [http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/]www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for [http://www.ourspokanemagazine.com/]Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
A small handful of "in-the-know" business owners are
watching their Yellow Pages Advertising response EXPLODE - to the tune of
300%... 500%... and more in a single year. They're putting their competition to
shame winning one new customer after another.
What do they know, that YOU don't?