[Blind Squirrel]

I would like to start a new thread on the subject of tent locations because Maxryde brought up some interesting points that I would like to see discussed. I should mention that I tried this method a few years ago and frankly, my main reason for not liking it is the hours of sitting and waiting. You can only read so many magazines and newspapers and nary a cent ever fell out of one of those.

BUT, if you have a busy location and this, by talking to some of the guys at tents around Denver, is a strange animal, one guy had a very high traffic location in front of a strip center, but he didn't do a lot of business because, it seemed that most of that traffic was "passing through".

Next you have to have a reasonable rent and this can be all over the board. I discussed setting up with the owner of a new car wash in my area who really wanted the service but he wanted 2500.00 a month flat rent. I told him the only way it would work for me would be on a percentage basis and he said he didn't have time to fool with that. End of conversation. This guy wasn't interested in a win-win, he only wanted his. It's been over a year and he still doesn't have anyone doing windshield repair.

So as not to go on and on with anecdotes, here are the points.

Location
gas stations, malls, vacant lots, car washes, fund raisers
Local codes, licenses, ordinances
Rural or Urban
Rental rate
employees
handling the insurance calls when 5 people show up at once.

What I have to say about employees goes to what is really my axe to grind with most of the tents out there now. Most of these guys have had more training in doing the paperwork than they've had on the technical side.
There are some who are experienced techs doing good service but they are the minority.
As this thread goes on, I'll have more to say as I'm sure others will about the ins and outs of having employees in general.

I have a couple of ideas on handling the insurance calls that involve having extra cell phones and using A.C.T.