Windshield repair business value?

[Shepard]

So, I am curious, what is the word on the streets? What do existing mobile windshield repair businesses sell for? I bought my business last summer in a rural area with a population of about 17k. This year the business celebrates its 25-year anniversary... it has a great reputation, an 80% market share... I paid approximately 1-year's historical gross. How about everyone else?

If I wanted to get into the (oh, lets say Denver) business in another town, what might I expect to pay for an existing business (that has hard assets of less than $2500.)?

[wilz]

Maybe a few hundred bucks;)

[rescue]

I paid approximately 1-year's historical gross.

Wow. I started from scratch last year and spent about $3,000.

[OmNi]

$2,500? Wouldn't you rather start from scratch and make your own name?

[GlassStarz]

If they have a large client base that is loyal and you can step in and make a good living without prospecting why not? Of course if you dont provide as good a service asn the guy before you the customers will slowly fall by the wayside and you are left with nothing of value. Its the same as buying a store one with a good rep and proven sucess is worth more than one in a location that has a bad rep and proven failure.
That said you can buy a kit go out and slowly take away the other guys business but if he is regular,liked and good the only way you have of taking his work is price and you still have him out there competing with you so once again pay a price he goes away ,you get his customers and start working tomorrow?