Anyone on here operating out of a roadside location?

[dnkies]

Hello Everyone,

I got into ws repair about a year ago with the hopes of being able to support my family and make a living. I was able to get signed up with the usual insurance brokers and did get several referrals from them. Problem was that I only received about 1 or 2 insurance referrals a week. To make a long story short, I had a difficult time making enough money to support my family so i gave up on the business and went back to a job that I THOROUGHLY despise...lol.

I have been kicking around the idea of opening one or two roadside locations in my home town. There are ZERO roadside locations currently in my town and Im just wondering if any of you on this forum have or currently are, operating out of a roadside location. Just wondering if you can share your experiences, the of volume/ number of repairs you do a day/ week, how much do you charge, and any other info you can spare.

I dont need much to survive but I make about $200 a day at my current job....what keeps going through my head is that's just about 3.5 insurance jobs a day...I cant help but think if I opened a roadside location in my city of approx 120k that doesn't have any other roadside locations... I should do at least that many jobs (3.5/ day) 5 days a week...Anyways any info or thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Dan

[screenman]

First why did you not get any jobs last time? Second you need more than 3.5 jobs a day to match your $200 a day, your business overheads will take a chunk of your turnover.

On the roadside front, make it look good and proffesional, be in a good high traffic area where people have to stop like a shopping mall and be totally motivated and I can see it being quite good on nice days. I certainly know of quite a few guys doing well with that idea.

I must add that I do not like waiting for customers to come to me, I would much rather go and get them.

[Coitster]

Make sure your city will allow a road side location. Most cities will not.

[universal tech.]

7DAYS is a must at least 3 weeks of the month. Your working for yourself 5days wont do much more than your current job. plus 2 extra days if your only wanting 3.5 jobs a day is 7 more jobs a week that will pay your overhead and rest of the week will be profit. also never let rain stop you from working thats when you go to all the insurance company's in your area and say hello let them know who you are and what you do offer them a few free repairs only do that for insurances company's bring cookies lol call on fleet accounts car dealers trucking company's and pass out business cards. never try to talk anyone out of their money only offer them service and never bring up a price till they see your work carry a piece of windshield with you and show fleet managers what you can do for them. a chip shouldn't cost you more than $1.50 , i have 18 yrs in WSR and ive worked very hard at making sure my customer comes first ever time. I have had in the past 10 roadside locations down to 3 now 1 was doing 1800 a week last week so their is a ton of money to be made but your attitude will make you or brake you. Smile smile smile all the time even at the store when not working never know who your next customer will be. Well i hope i wrote this where you can understand what im saying i have bad grammar anyway good luck i say go for it

[bill lambeth]

7DAYS is a must at least 3 weeks of the month. Your working for yourself 5days wont do much more than your current job. plus 2 extra days if your only wanting 3.5 jobs a day is 7 more jobs a week that will pay your overhead and rest of the week will be profit. also never let rain stop you from working thats when you go to all the insurance company's in your area and say hello let them know who you are and what you do offer them a few free repairs only do that for insurances company's bring cookies lol call on fleet accounts car dealers trucking company's and pass out business cards. never try to talk anyone out of their money only offer them service and never bring up a price till they see your work carry a piece of windshield with you and show fleet managers what you can do for them. a chip shouldn't cost you more than $1.50 , i have 18 yrs in WSR and ive worked very hard at making sure my customer comes first ever time. I have had in the past 10 roadside locations down to 3 now 1 was doing 1800 a week last week so their is a ton of money to be made but your attitude will make you or brake you. Smile smile smile all the time even at the store when not working never know who your next customer will be. Well i hope i wrote this where you can understand what im saying i have bad grammar anyway good luck i say go for it

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[dnkies]

Thank you all for your responses. I feel like it would be a good move because of the lack of competition as far as other roadside locations. I feel like if I can get my location along a busy street I should be able to get at least 4 to 6 repairs a day weather permitting of course. I plan on buying one of those nice metal carports and professional signage to make the location look as professional and permanent as possible. My plan is to see how it goes with one location and then look for a second one...I'm just scared to quit my job and take that plunge.

Thanks again.

Dan

[Mr Bill]

Why not try out your business plan on weekends first; before you quit your job?

[candyman]

When you go from a tent to a metal carport, that could be tricky. In my area you would need all sorts of permits and approvals from code enforcement, city council. building inspector etc... Also that may require additional approval form property (mall) owners. Just be prepared if you live in a area that has strick code enforcement. I looked at a closed service station that had 2 bays for bad weather. The rent was great, however the local code stated I could only sell gas or operate as a vehicle inspection station. It would cost me a lot to get a special use permit and months for an approval. Good luck.