To tent or not to tent

[Mr. Chips]

Hello all.
As I've read these posts, it seems to me that many of you are doing either cold-call retail or fleet accounts? I'm just curious to see how many of you are doing purely a tent setup for insurance work, and if this is profitable for you? Also, I would really appreciate some feedback as to how much you guys are paying for a location (if any). I talked to a guy today who is paying $300/mo. to use 6 or 7 spaces in a supermarket parking lot.

Thanks for the feedback
Chip

[GlassStarz]

From what I can tell thats the old retired guy approach sit there all day read a book watch a little tv and hope someone pulls in. Im sure it works for them but Man I would be bored stiff!!

[gold star wsr]

Some of those venues can be quite lucrative. I have a place I went most saturdays during the summer, and have done quite well with it. Now the pueblo gas station has a deal called 'manic mondays' where the gasoline is sold at a reduced price, everyone in the valley waits until Monday to fill up, and the governor allows outside vendors to come in for $15 for the day. It's okay to *work the crowd*, so I plan to go but not just sit there... I will be handing out cards and talking about wsr, doing repairs and setting up appointments, and putting 'repair me' stickers on all the rock chips, even when the owners say they arent interested in having them repaired just now ... the constant reminder might turn them around. We have a small motor home that we purchased to be able to do things like this, so I have all the 'comforts of home'. The key is to not just sit and wait, but to be actively there (not in a pesky way, but because you are sincerely interested in the health of their windshield)... greeting people, introducing yourself, giving them information and especially putting those stickers on the chips ... it's nothing short of amazing how that impresses people ... and they remember you for it! Project professionalism and you will get work. (IMHO)Too many 'tenters' do just sit there, practically *hiding* behind a newspaper, instead of creating some excitement about what they are doing. Also, whenever you are doing a repair, it draws interest. I try to schedule some appointments to meet me where I am going to be ... seeing someone else getting repaired is an endorsement I couldnt have gotten any other way. Try it!

[Mr. Chips]

Hey, thanks for the input.
What first intrigued me about this business was observing a guy who had about 4 spaces in a Texaco parking lot this past summer. He pretty much had all 4 spaces filled at any one time, with more cars lined up. What really fascinated me is that this guy was not particularly fast, and incredibly inefficient. He was doing more running around like a chicken with his head cut off than anything productive it seemed. In fact, so inefficient was this guy, he was having people leave or was turning them down. I got to thinking about it, and I thought "holy crap!". If this guy can do this kind of business being as unorganized as he was, how much more could someone do if they were well organized. It really seems to be about the location with good traffic flow and exposure. This guy was not having to drum up business, it was driving right up to him.

As a means of being more efficient, I thought about maybe having my wife help out with the insurance calls while I did the repairs. Seems like it would be a great husband/wife business (assuming you love your wife enough to spend 24/7, which I do). Anyhow, I know setting up a tent isn't necessarily the best, most productive way to operate this business, but it seems like it may be a reasonably good place to start. Somewhat non-threatening while I get my feet wet.

p.s. - I still don't know how much I should be paying for a location. Any thoughts?

Thanks guys

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

My suggestion is to come to the Delta Kits training seminars. We talk extensively about all aspects of setting up a tent location. Including how much to pay .. what kinds of spots to look for and what to say when a customer does come to you or you to them. For the small sum you pay to get certified by Delta Kits and also the sales seminar portion you should be able to make that up in short order with finding the proper location and getting a head start in the business.

[Mr. Chips]

Brian Jeremiah I presume.
Yeah thanks for that input. I understand you are going to be speaking at the Las Vegas training? Seeing as today is the 5th and the seminar is the 7th, not sure I can make that one. I was told by Delta that marketing is not covered in the other seminars, which is why the Vegas seminar is a good one. Will you be speaking at any of the other seminars coming up? Or do you know if marketing will be covered in the other seminars?

Thanks

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

Marketing will be covered at all the other seminars in the future. If you talk to Jeff or Matt about scheduling a seminar just make sure you mention the marketing portion as we are deciding whether to put this part into the Eugene trainings or not. I think it would be fantastic to speak at all the small ones not only the big ones like Vegas and Texas and Florida. I will definitely be speaking at Florida (Lord willing).

[Mr. Chips]

Brian,
Thanks for your help. Yes I definitely will be attending one of the seminars. I hope to come to Vegas, but short time constraints make it pretty tough. Jeff is the guy I spoke with at Delta. He seemed pretty helpful. I will most definitely let him know that I'm seeking a marketing aspect to the training. I think it's a "must have" since I'm sure many guys attending are brand new at this and need all the info. they can sink their teeth into. Hope to see (and listen to) you soon.

C. Holton

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

I look forward to meeting you

[Almost-New WSR]

Glad to see this being discussed again. I see too many negative posts, comments and otherwise about this type of setup.

Just wondering how your dealings with "zoning" are going. I have had little luck for any duration, but have heard of others setting up and going to town (with or without permission). I am a 'by-the-book' kind of person and would not operate without, but am having difficulty getting permits. Sometimes I think that some areas/cities/jurisdictions are more tolerant than mine, but am still confident that there are ways to sell their agreement better. We have two locations wating to open (WITH QUALITY REPAIRS!!!) and just need the proper permitting.

Any suggestions?