Tent Location Business

[fixtheglass]

Hello all, thanks for all the great posts on this forum.

I have just opened up a tent location on a busy intersection with large signs stating Windshield repair. I also have a sign that states "Free 'business' gift card with Windshield repair!". I have teamed up with a local business to give people an incentive to stop. I have a canopy to help attract attention. I have only been at it for about 5 days or so. Here is my question:

Those of you who have tent locations, how long did it take before people were stopping consistently? 5 days is not very long, and I realize it will take people time to realize that I am there everyday. As of right now I am only doing 1 or 2 fixes a day. I am there for about 4 - 5 hours a day. Just wondering if anyone has any advice on how long their location took to start generating decent business. Thanks!

[screenman]

Although a busy intersection may be good for customer awareness, is it easy for them to stop and drive back out again. I would prefer to be in a shopping mall where customers have time to leave the vehicle with you whilst the do shopping. Busy seems to read rushing to me with little time to think about other things.

On the few occasions I did fixed site we seemed busier on the first few visits that we did for the next few, I put this down to clearing existing damage, much the same as on a first fleet visit. Try and have a look for another location and swap around, 1 or 2 in 4 hours does does not sound good.

[Frank EU]

Graham: have you ever seen that huge tent location that Autoglass operates at a parking lot near London? That sure looks very, very good, it is a well lubricated operation with aprox five employees and (if my memory serves me well) 8 service bays. It includes a managers' office. Yes, indeed, it is a tent, but big.
It's been there for some seven years now I believe. >>For our non-EU friends: Autoglass is Belron (like Safelite etc.).

[screenman]

Frank, no I have not seen it, however I feel the magic words are parking lot. It is a lot easier I feel to get someone to talk and discuss WSR once they are stopped, not when just driving past at speed. I will certainly look out for it next time I am down that way, any idea what area?

[Frank EU]

I have all the details you need, watch your email or pm one of these days. It is a long way from where you are, but London is the magical magnet for many and many folks like to go there -does that include you? Not me. I specifically went there to see Autoglass.

[screenman]

I was born a bought up there even had businesses there, moved out when I was 32 and in no rush to go back.

[tracy5963]

Hi Fixthe glass . i have been playing with tent locations for almost a year now. I have found that people are very hard to read .One week they are stopping and getting cards .doing a few repairs .then the next week no one stops . I have found without change that most of my buisness comes after 3:00 pm . it is like a switch comes on and people keep stopping till about 8:00 pm if you are willing to stay that long . I have tried everything I know to attract people and I have found that if you just put a price on a banner with windshield repair they will stop .No confusion about free or insurance or anything like that . Once they stop I inform them that insurance will pay for it Most people chose to pay for it them selves . I then tell them how they can submit it to their insurance co and get reemburced. 3-7or8 works best for me ..Now that time has changed I have to use lights after 5 or so . I get a lot of people stopping for other people and usually weeks down the road that person will call . so I think the most important things are be consistent about your spot or spots and 3-7 works best . after thet use your on judgement ....hope this helps even a little ...

[fixtheglass]

Thanks for the help. I am going to see it out for a while. Try a few different things. I am in a huge shopping complex that has 3 large busy stores, and many smaller ones in the area. 1000's of cars go through the intersection each hour, and I have a big sign. I figured there are about 600 cars pulling into the parking lot every hour. I have a sign right there, but my booth is off the main entrance. Maybe some big arrows would help? I think I might want to advertise that I am giving a $10 gift card (as opposed to "free gift card") to people if they have me fix their windshield. Maybe that will help convince them to stop. Any other ideas?

Those of you who have locations, how many repairs do you typically expect in a certain time frame?

[Mr Bill]

Perhaps your sign should say " Ask me how to get a free $10 gift card today."

[Windshieldtech]

Hello everyone, I don't post much, just read alot of posts. I have been doing repairs for 1 1/2 years now and I have been wanting to do the shopping center route. Can anyone tell me if they are getting permission from the Shopping Center Management to do business on their property.....and are they wanting a piece of the pie?