Is the headlight restoration business for me?

[dnkies]

Hello,

I am considering staring up my own headlight restortion business. I am not aware of any businesses in my area curently operating, although, I am sure they are here or on their way.

I am a single dad of three kids so my work schedule has to revolve around my kids and their activities, thus being self employed helps make it easier for me to be there or my kids.

My biggest concern is whether or not, i will be able to make enough income doing this business. So I am reching out to all of you who are in thie business and who can either say yay or nay to me.

I am a very motivated and healthy individual who is not affraid of hard work, but I just get a little nervous because i dont know how many people actually want this service performed and better yet, how many are willing to pay for it in this down economy.

All of your thoughts and advice are greatly appreciated.
Thank You.

Danny

[pickmaster60]

Headlight restoration is a simple process and an easy sell but it depends on your location. Where are you located? My company does a good job at educating people on the benefits of headlight restoration and offering the service at a fair price. We average about 6 headlight restoration jobs a day but only you know how much income you need to bring in.

[t4k]

I work alone because I do not want employees and the hassles associated with them. I combine several different services to my customers, which HLR is one of them. I personally would not want to do only HLR because there some days that HLR would not allow me to reach my personal daily earning goals. The varied services also help you to not get bored with providing only one service.

[dnkies]

Hello all once again,

I am located in Central CA. I feel that I am a very good salesman and very charismatic so I am confident that customers will feel comfortable with me perfroming the HRS . I am just not sure enough people will actually want the service performed, and Im pretty sure that most dealerships probably perfrom this service themselves, but maybe I'm wrong.

Has anyone out there tried TV and radio commercials to try and jumpstart their business?

[dnkies]

Also,

Besides windshield repair, what would be some other add on services that I could offer to my customers. I almost feel that I would do better if I concentrated soley on the HRS. All thoughts and comments are appreciated.

Danny

[just chippen away]

You figure if you are going to do TV or Radio, that is a ballon payment going out even before you start off the day or week. Not worth that to me if I was a one person service...
As one other said, you may want to consider doing another service as you will not get HL work every day no matter how good of a sales person you are....
Cal. is full of operaters that do not even have shop. Before getting into this line you better spend the time and check around, ask the dealers and body shops to start off with....
I would really recomend doing HL's and WS repair as your service. both low start up and good income. Just GET TRAINED properly.

[t4k]

Has anyone out there tried TV and radio commercials to try and jumpstart their business?

Read posts by Candyman.

[t4k]

I almost feel that I would do better if I concentrated soley on the HRS. All thoughts and comments are appreciated.

Danny

Go for it.You won't know the answer until you try. We sure can't tell you the outcome.

[candyman]

I was just in San Diego a few weeks ago. My son's Mustang needs the HL restored. I called and visited several places around Chula Vista, and found no one that could do the headlights. Some walmarts are doing headlights, but the one I visited did not. The dealer offered replacement only. If I had known that, I would have sent my kit to my son's prior to my visit. I am sure I could make a living doing HLR and WSR in that area. I did find a car wash near Spring Valley, Ca that buffs headlights but no UV coating. I know there must be people somewhere in that area that does this, but I could not locate them. Donkin post stated he needed to work around his kids schedule. I work according to my customer's time schedule when possible. I normally say to the customer, how soon can I get your vehicle. If I make an appointment by phone, I follow up prior to my visit. If its a WSR and the temp is 90 plus, I try to schedule it for early morning. Here, when the temp is above the 90's, a WS is about 120-140 degrees. Most of the time when I get a call, I respond then, unless Iam on a call. I have my business phone in my home. However I have since changed most of my ads to my cell # and I program my home # to foward calls to my cell, so that I don't loose a call. My wife answers some of my calls and takes messages. No matter how much she knows, she still dont understand what questions needs to be asked. If a person gets my answering machine, they normally hang up and call the next person on the list, if they are in a hurry for WSR. If central Calf is like the San Diego area, he should be able to make money. I recommend both WSR & HLR. If money is tight go with the HLR then the WSR . Visit the local Detail shops, and car wshes. Stay away from TV and Radio. Get a banner and find a spot on a busy street cornor. I saw many little convience stores that were busy enough to support this type of business. I saw many vehicles driven by people that can afford the service fee. You get back what you put into it. I boughht a man a burger and a cup of coffee the other day at Hardee's. He said he was down on his luck. I wouldn't give him money because I felt he would buy alcohol with it. I got my order and sat down at the table with him while he ate his meal. When I left Hardies I found a $5 bill on the ground someone had dropped. Sow the right seeds and the return may surprise you.