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Ok...here's the deal.....this guy and I are thinking bout going in as partner's in opening a detailing shop / performance parts.......u know...start out with the simple bolt-on mod's to get something started for ourselves.........give wholesale price's and a good labor rate.........it's hard finding a good reliable shop around here in NJ for me..and a lot of others............do you think something like that would take off??? i'm actually just looking for some input maybe, just trying to get some feedback to make me realize if it's a good idea or not.......we're both very mechanically inclined....we do all the work ourselves at all times......just lemme know wut u guys think...i'm about 20 minutes out of philly.......

~~~~mike~~~~

 
Rep Power: 396

Coming from me...Yeah I think it is a good idea. You might also want to get into stereos and window tinting. I am a car detailer and I have been doing it since 1988. I would love to open a shop, but living in NY I wont do it. During the winter I have no business, so if it was my only job I would want to have something else that would be bringing in the money, like fixing cars, or installing stereos. Also make sure you look into demographics. It is always important to make sure you have enough parking on the street for customers, make sure that they business that was in the shop before you wasnt the same type of business, and if it was make sure that it was there for a long period of time. if it wasnt then you will not want to have your shop there because it will not survive. Most people that open businesses do not check the demographics of the area. There is sooo much to look into...including location...Make sure that the shop you open is on a busy street...so you get alot of customers. Maybe a place where kids cruise. They always need to have there cars in running condition and looking great. You might want to sell detailing products too. There is so many ideas...you can search over the internet for information too. I would also reccomend taking a small business class.

 
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hey i think its a great idea too... i'm from philly and don't really know of any good place for that stuff. if you build it, i will come! (and also my friends if you do a good job and if prices are reasonable.)

 
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I think it is a good idea. With low prices on the net your prices will have to be pretty low, but not so low that you do not make any money! Good Luck w/ your venture!

 
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How much money do you have in the bank and how is your credit? Remember, new businesses usually don't turn a profit in the first year or the 2nd year. YOu would need enough money or the ability to borrow enough to pay all the bills, including your personal notes, for at least a year from opening. You would have to looking into getting a business license and any permits that would apply in your state, county, and city. Contact distributors and find out the minimum quantity you have to purchase to get the wholesale price. They also usually replace restrictions on what competitors parts they will allow you sell along side their product, and the amount of your store that has to be devoted to that particular brand. Then, you need an accountant to take care of your paperwork and taxes. What is the profit margin on performance parts for imports? How much volume are you going to have to turn just to break even every month.

Anyhow, it's a lot of work and is a lot harder than working for someone else but if you survive it will be much better than making someone else money. As civicdude suggested, I would at least go to your local college and take a few courses in small business management before going at it. Small business management is an actual major for a 4-year degree. I almost majored in it but went general management instead.

Remember, it all starts with a dream. Is it a good idea, yes, most definately. The question is, are you willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen?

 
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thnx for the response civicdude......and yes..i agree that location is the #1 thing that I would have to worry about.......i'm currently looking for a location now...and have soo far got some good leads........i know of a lot of place's around that really need a service like this.........i have like 2 or 3 different area's that I would open up around here...and all of them are on major highways........the selling of the detailing product's is a good idea too man...very good...didn't really think of that too much......Eventually, like if I am going to get this to take off, I would not only like to sell and install the bolt-on parts....I would like to offer them at wholesale price on the web as well....We need to start getting more places on the east coast to get part's from.....u know what i'm saying? hehehhe

 
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<< How much money do you have in the bank and how is your credit? Remember, new businesses usually don't turn a profit in the first year or the 2nd year. YOu would need enough money or the ability to borrow enough to pay all the bills, including your personal notes, for at least a year from opening. You would have to looking into getting a business license and any permits that would apply in your state, county, and city. Contact distributors and find out the minimum quantity you have to purchase to get the wholesale price. They also usually replace restrictions on what competitors parts they will allow you sell along side their product, and the amount of your store that has to be devoted to that particular brand. Then, you need an accountant to take care of your paperwork and taxes. What is the profit margin on performance parts for imports? How much volume are you going to have to turn just to break even every month.

Anyhow, it's a lot of work and is a lot harder than working for someone else but if you survive it will be much better than making someone else money. As civicdude suggested, I would at least go to your local college and take a few courses in small business management before going at it. Small business management is an actual major for a 4-year degree. I almost majored in it but went general management instead.

Remember, it all starts with a dream. Is it a good idea, yes, most definately. The question is, are you willing to put in the time and effort to make it happen? >>




hey there Mbow....all very good points....and i'm currently doing all the research.....credit is not too bad...nor is the partner that I would do this with....but your right..I would need a nice little cushion in the bank in order to go about doing this....I just figured i'd try to get some info...and i'm happy for all the response that you guys are givin....=D