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View Full Version : Rookie running into start up issues


OTGAGR
01-16-2007, 10:57 PM
Hello everyone. Thank you in advance for your help. I just got into the business around the holiday. I trained on the video, a practice windshield from a junk yard, and a few friends windshield repaired. Ready to hit the streets. Looking for some advice though. I'm having trouble finding a location to set up a canopy for drive up business. I see others that have canopies. Do you recommend this or stay strictly mobile? If you do a canopy set up, how much is reasonable for rent. Other thing is tried to register with Safelite, they kind of discouraged me by saying I got into something way to competive and I would have to stay in their system 1 year before get any of there referal business. Any recommendations to get started quick for business. Especially if other car lots and fleets have been hit up by other repair techs. How about types of advertising? I have business cards in route and a website already. I like the thought of a canopy to showcase banners and signs I have and to have some traffic visibility. Sorry long winded here, but I need to make money fast here, I know it takes time, but looking for best route to suceed from your experiences. Any help is appreciated and thanks for your help.

GlassStarz
01-23-2007, 10:04 PM
cold calling will bring imeadiate results as far a locations to set up in a drive thru car wash with lots of traffic would be ideal or a truck stop parking lot would work as well

autoglassforum
01-23-2007, 10:17 PM
Good ideas. I think you should get some static stickers made up. Great first of all for customer retention and new customers that are ready for a repair or dont have a repair for you to fix. Fleets are the best way to start. You will maximize your efforts by developing a fleet loop. Expand your thinking on fleets....any business that has 10 or more vehicles in their business is a considered fleet. Most techs only go after the big fleets to start....start small and work your way into those larger fleets.

With about one in four vehicles having windshield repair damage their is a lot of work out there.