Truckstops - How to

[MarkB]

Hi, I'm really new and really, really nervous about doing this and spending this much money for the system. I have a 2 truckstop within 4 miles of each other and I was thinking that maybe this might be a good place to get customers. Do any of you use truckstops? How much do you charge? How do you get customers? Anything to look out for? Best times? Ways to SCREW UP!!


Any help would be great

Thanks,

Mark

Nervous in Nevada

[Eco Steam]

First of all if you're going to do this work, you need to become confident, because you want your customers/clients to sense/see your confidence.

Go to a local Glass shop and pick up an old windshield, one that came out of a vehicle and they're gonna throw it away anyway.

Use this to practice, not just 1 time, if you have to, 100 times until you're at the minimum of 100% confident you can approach a potential customer and describe to him/her what it is that you can do for them. In this business, you're the service guy, the marketer, the salesman, the everything!

I've never gone to a Truckstop and repaired any vehicles, but I have setup a canopy on an abandoned lot with a lot of traffic passing by, and I averaged out at $300 a day in repairs. Not bad......to me anyways:-)....

Anyhow, I've been doing this for years, if you ever have any questions, let me know, I will try my best to answer your questions.

I know that the above doesn't answer all of your questions, but I tried to help with some of them, just a little input thats it.

JJH

[MarkB]

JJH, thank for your help, I guess what makes me so nervous is given what is happening in the economy and the cost of the Delta tools - I'd hate to waste my money. Did you noticed any drop off at the end of last year or how about now? Do you do a lot of insurance repairs?

Thanks

Mark

[screenman]

I do not do insurance work, seeing as we save companies money and we make sure they know that we have seen a pick up in work.

[Eco Steam]

Mark,

I would agree that there has been a drop in work. You can look at the situation from a couple different angles.

#1. You "INVEST" in a Kit from Delta and and you hit the pavement, knock on doors, talk to people, etc..... and you make this work. Lets say you spend $1,200.00 on a kit, you would have to repair approximately 25 full price repairs, and the kit is paid for....

#2. Don't invest in a kit and do something else......... I know it sucks,but it is what is.....

I will be honest with you, when I purchased my first kit I spent almost $2,000.00 at GTGlass, granted this wasn't just for the Repair kit, I also got a bright idea to purchase VIN Etching kit, and that was the BIGGEST waste of $$$......

I had my Repair kit for about 2 1/2 to 3 months before I even got serious and took advantage of what I had......I even put it up for sale here on the forums, and I had about 3 or 4 other members here tell me that I need to give it a try before I gave up. I did just that and I'm 100% greatful to those that told me to NOT give up!

The business is there, but you will have to work for it.....

I would suggest that you come up with a business name and get started with FREE advertising online, Yahoo, google, craigslist, etc......

These sources are FREE, and they will generate you some $$$$.......

JJH

[Nomad]

Think of your first date, bet you were nervous then but got over it soon enough.

I know a couple guys that just go around truck stops with the signs on their cars, drive around slow or stop for a while somewhere on the lot and see if you get any business. You can walk around and look for chips and if the driver is there, offer to do the work.

I don't remember exactly but this one guy gave the cashier in the truck stop $20.00 or so and told them the coffee was on him if she told them the windshield repair guy was paying for it. She also gave them a handout. I think he got quite a bit of business that way.

The thing that kills this business for most people that quit early, is not that they are not good at fixing chips. It is the fear factor of meeting people. Sales has always been the downfall of most businesses. Tell everyone you meet that you are in a the business, even when checking out of the grocery store. Give them a card, you never know if or when or how much business that can generate. If you don't want any business just don't tell anyone what you do.

It is natural to be nervous about this. But you're not in a war and nobody will shoot you for telling them you may be able to help them. You will run into some---ah--shall we say a__h_l_s. You just have to shrug it off. Nobody likes abuse but maybe the guy just had a fight with his wife that morning or maybe his boss just reamed him good. In any case it is his problem. You will rarely run into this. Just move on.

Hope this helps.

[Nomad]

Concerning the above post.
You also need to tip the cashier if he/she is cooperative.

[MarkB]

Does anyone that goes to Truckstop to do WSR use a CB radio? I wonder if that would be a good idea.

Thanks

Mark

[Nomad]

I know people that use them all the time. The guy that services the truck stop near me has great luck using this.

Great question, forgot all about that.

[mdhuckle]

but I have setup a canopy on an abandoned lot with a lot of traffic passing by, and I averaged out at $300 a day in repairs. Not bad......to me anyways:-)....

Can anyone tell me how to find the empty or abandoned lots with lots of traffic? I don't want to just set up if I locate a really good spot and then find out that I'm getting into some kind of trouble with the city, because of not having a permit or by some property owner I didn't know about, like some old man with a shot gun coming up to me and point it right between my crossed eyeballs...!

One other thing. I was going to call around anyway, to two or three cities within a 20-mile radius from where I live to find out if they allow for small roadside businesses to set up a professional looking site (new tent, signage, etc.), and fine out what kind of permit I need and how much it will cost. Has anybody had any luck doing the same thing?

Thanks!