Learning from the demise of others

[scratchy]

I have come across two mobile businesses which have gone belly up recently one of which is a WSR biz. The WSR guy gave a measly attempt at flyers for his sole source of marketing while the other guy spent all his marketing dollars during the holiday season with poor results and then called it quits before spring arrived.

[CGlenn]

Although most people on this forum agree that flyers do not work, I decided to try them in my neighborhood. I had absolutely zero replies. A little frustrating but I should have listened. However, I have set up rack cards in over 40 local businesses and the results have been incredible. It cost me about $90 for approximately 6000 cards and $70 for 50 acrylic brochure holders. $160 investment and easily $1000 return plus all of the referrals and jobs I got from theses customers. I get at least a call a day after only a couple of weeks of having these in the shops. As a full time firefighter, this keeps money coming in on my days off with very little effort on my part...I love this business! By the way, not one shop told me NO when I asked if I could put these in their shops.

[GlassStarz]

Most people fail because of being unable to sell unfortunate but true

[code3wsr]

Thats great CGLENN,
I was wondering how those worked out for you. That sounds like an easy way to get one or two jobs a day. :eusa_clap I think as soon as I make a little more money I will try that in my area also.

[dingmedic]

CGLENN,
Glad to hear a fellow FF found something that works. We do have a perfect schedule and it is nice when I have jobs waiting for me when I get off shift. We are in the development stages of designing a postcard sized flyer to place at business. We also have two car washes in our area currently handing out business cards when they come across damage.....working well so far.

[CPR]

My business failed because of economic reasons, where I live in Florida there are just not many chipped windshields. Determined to do wsr for a living I started thinking outside of the box, how can I make this work ??? First made sure my repairs were excellent, second went out and got 9-10 car dealerships so I had a route to do every week. This prouduced only about 300$ a week in income.

Then drove by one of the two large truck stops in my area, went in there and made a good living doing 18 wheelers. Then landed an account at the Walmart distribution center, I was pumped and real proud of myself. Then diesel fuel hit 1.75 a gallon and the truckers closed thier wallets, they could barely afford thier truck payments and could live with a chipped windshield. So far Walmart produces maybe 2-3 repairs a week, which is suprising considering all the trucks they have there. Well enough about me, just be aware out there, things can change quick..........

[scratchy]

Man that hurts. I hope you can ride it out. Maybe its time to supplement with an add on. I did a trucker's window yesterday and cut him a deal of 50% off to hopefully keep the DOT off his back. Some of those guys are hurting and this fuel price situation is going to rise up and bite our whole nation in the behind baaaad.

[magicogar]

Sorry to hear that CPR. Hope things turn out good for you in the future.

[a1repair]

Greetings CPR

A tech who worked for me for seven years, recently moved to the "Ocala" region of Florida. He started his own business @ the end of 2004. According to him, he's doing well. He's doing windshield repair, vinyl, leather & cloth seat repair.

Perhaps add-on services could help.

[CPR]

Thanks for the support guys, I still do wsr part time and install hurricane shutters full time. We have enough work right now to keep busy for 2 years.