Managing a tent location

[splitpit]

Hello to any cave dwellers in West Virginia! Hope you are having a good day!

[StarQuest]

Great post Blind Squirrel and nice follow up information Maxrde!

I've never set up a stationary location in my repair career but after experiencing some of the the ill effects of our depressed ecomomy here in Michigan over the last few years with used car, fleet, rentals and decreases in insurance referral work, I'm considering testing the waters and give it a try this spring.

My starting target locations will probably include local churches, fund raising events, flea market and trade centers. I've already spoke with many car wash, small strip malls and gas stations owners but they're all asking way to much for daily property rent. Unfortunately, this is how things work when your in a large Metro area like mine, everybody wants top dollar.

Not sure I would pop out a "Free Windshield Repair" banner but would definately have a banner that said " Professional Windshield Repair and Free Mobile Services Available" This way I might attract those many people that needed a repair but found it difficult to spend the 30 minutes of their personal time getting it done on site.

From other tent repair setups I've seen so far in this area, I've noticed one important thing......none of them look very professional and have relied soley on that "Free Windshield Repair" banner. Their vehicles have no company graphics and when asked, seldom will provide you with a business card when a cash job is quoted, however they will provide with a phone # on a scrap peice of paper. Not difficult to figure that one out!

I'll give it a try this spring with a decked out signaged truck and have a hot college girl by my side to work the phone calls and hopefully find time to train her technically.

[Brent Deines]

Well Mr. Bill your currently signed up on the networks via act as "ACT/Mr. Bill" or whatever. You can be signed up as Mr. Bills windshield repair also, for the purpose of direct billing certain ins Co's. We do it on a few limited companies as they are more user friendly than some others. For the most part we use the ACT program but pre-qualify for the reduced amount for the purpose of maximizing our take from the repairs. I hope that answers your question. Scott

Mr. Bill, maxryde is exactly right. Currently all of the repairs you bill through ACT are being billed under the ACT parent/shop ID. You need your own shop ID if you want to bill insurance companies or TPAs directly. Give ACT a call and ask them if they will help you do that. I think they will, but if not let me know and I'll try to help you get through the process.

[maxryde]

Great post Blind Squirrel and nice follow up information Maxrde!

I've never set up a stationary location in my repair career but after experiencing some of the the ill effects of our depressed ecomomy here in Michigan over the last few years with used car, fleet, rentals and decreases in insurance referral work, I'm considering testing the waters and give it a try this spring.

My starting target locations will probably include local churches, fund raising events, flea market and trade centers. I've already spoke with many car wash, small strip malls and gas stations owners but they're all asking way to much for daily property rent. Unfortunately, this is how things work when your in a large Metro area like mine, everybody wants top dollar.

Not sure I would pop out a "Free Windshield Repair" banner but would definately have a banner that said " Professional Windshield Repair and Free Mobile Services Available" This way I might attract those many people that needed a repair but found it difficult to spend the 30 minutes of their personal time getting it done on site.

From other tent repair setups I've seen so far in this area, I've noticed one important thing......none of them look very professional and have relied soley on that "Free Windshield Repair" banner. Their vehicles have no company graphics and when asked, seldom will provide you with a business card when a cash job is quoted, however they will provide with a phone # on a scrap peice of paper. Not difficult to figure that one out!

I'll give it a try this spring with a decked out signaged truck and have a hot college girl by my side to work the phone calls and hopefully find time to train her technically.

Go for it Starquest, I too have professional lettering and a costco popup (plain except we lettered it with flexable paint) Top quality cards, yellow pages, e-mail, etc. We warrantee all work for life. It is thru these things that we have built a good reputation and have folks say I've been looking for you when we don't set up for a bit. It's funny cause I tell all of our customers to put the card with their insurance card for their convienence. Some do but others loose it and I also tell them we're in the book. They still wait to come see us at a pop-up location. Go figure, heh. Anyway give it a shot and best to you. Scott

[splitpit]

Question for you tent guys. What do you do to occupy your down time between customers?

A few years back I decided to stop and introduce myself to a roadside wsr tech. Not a tent guy. He had a sign on his truck bed and was sitting in his truck. I was surprised to find that he was ASLEEP when I pulled up! Rather than disturb him, I went on my way. lol

[jayjacque]

I'm also flirting with the idea of setting up a tent on Saturdays and perhaps another day of the week. Might not happen for another year down the road, but still am interested in the do's and don'ts of what works the best. Thanks maxryde and Starquest for your good input. I've seen a set-up or two that looked "cheap". Then I remember one that was set up very nice and that made an impression. Of course word of mouth good work will be the best advertisement I imagine.

[GlassStarz]

I know what you mean about the boring thing I dont do the tent thing but recently struck a deal with a local Carwash to place a guy there at a percentage 3 days training him in sales drove me nuts I dont know how they guys do it. about 5 or 6 hrs of a 8 hr day are spent doing nothing sure there is some good money there but its not for me.

[Bois]

I operate a tent location on weekends, weather permitting. There are days when I don't have a single customer. And, there are days when I'm swamped. I've been at my location for 3 years and people know that I'm there - just as if it were brick & mortar. I have a small sign with my name & phone number so customers can call for an appointment when I'm not set up. I've found that if I set up every other weekend I lessen the risk of having no customers. (So far I haven't found another good location for the alternate weekends.) I pay $50 a week rent whether I set up for 1 day or 7 days. Winter is not good for me. Although I will do repairs in bad weather by appointment, I just don't want to sit outside or in my truck if it's below 50 degrees or 20+ mph wind - typical for northeast TX Dec - Feb. If I'm uncomfortable, I may hurry and not do a good repair job.

I have a busy location at a traffic light on a state route with easy access to my site. There's been a lot of continuing road contruction within a 10 mile radius for 3 years which helps. A mechanic/tire shop next to me gives me referrals - free. I do their employees w/s for free.

[maxryde]

I operate a tent location on weekends, weather permitting. There are days when I don't have a single customer. And, there are days when I'm swamped. I've been at my location for 3 years and people know that I'm there - just as if it were brick & mortar. I have a small sign with my name & phone number so customers can call for an appointment when I'm not set up. I've found that if I set up every other weekend I lessen the risk of having no customers. (So far I haven't found another good location for the alternate weekends.) I pay $50 a week rent whether I set up for 1 day or 7 days. Winter is not good for me. Although I will do repairs in bad weather by appointment, I just don't want to sit outside or in my truck if it's below 50 degrees or 20+ mph wind - typical for northeast TX Dec - Feb. If I'm uncomfortable, I may hurry and not do a good repair job.

I have a busy location at a traffic light on a state route with easy access to my site. There's been a lot of continuing road construction within a 10 mile radius for 3 years which helps. A mechanic/tire shop next to me gives me referrals - free. I do their employees w/s for free.

Good job,
IMO, you may find a better location in time but if your doing the right thing then continue!!! It will come!! Best to ya, Scott

[splitpit]

Bois.....there are days that you sit the entire day without a single customer?

How do you fight the boredom? It would drive me crazy to sit in one place with the intent of earning $$ and end up with nothing. Just think of all of the productive ways you could be increasing your income instead of wasting entire days.