A Small Idea - Would You Consider Using This Service?

BusterBloodvessel

Free Member
  • Jan 22, 2018
    897
    1
    590
    Hi Everyone, just looking for your collective thoughts and comments. First things first, I am not looking at something here that I envisage as a "huge" business, more something that could be done as a side hustle (eurghhhhh....I HATE that phrase and apologise for using it!) with a very low set up cost to trial it. You know, for someone looking for some additional income much like some people set up washing cars or cleaning etc.

    It came about as a real passing comment with a customer through work last week but gave me a real "hmm..." moment. I work in automotive parts, one product group I work with a lot is windscreen wipers. 10-15 years ago they were a really simple product - measure the ones on your car, go in a shop and buy the same length, and fit them. Then the technology changed - there are now 3 different styles/technologies of blade, with around 12 different fitment types used on the car, none of which are interchangeable. Different manufacturers then each have their own "versions" of these fitment types for aftermarket replacement, which all fit differently to the car and might mean that the blade you remove uninstalls completely differently and looks completely different to the new one that you're trying to fit - that's if you can work out which clip(s) you need out of the 6 or 8 that come out of the box. Hence more people see it as a nuisance product to replace and ask their mechanic to do it, or quite happily pay £5 for the guys at Halfords to fit them. Once you know what you're doing, it's an absolute piece of cake, but many people don't get that far particularly after one bad experience.

    One issue in the market is getting people to change their wipers - for a start, they only degrade very very slowly so over time people don't realise how bad they have become (unlike a bulb which works one day and is completely dead the next!). It becomes one of those products people say "I must nip and get some at the weekend" and then never get round to it.

    So, the idea (and don't laugh): a mobile wiper blade replacement service. Coming to the home or workplace and replacing your wipers for you. I am thinking really old school in terms of advertising - leaflet drop, local facebook group, adverts in the local magazines etc. Advertising as the local friendly guy, stick the leaflet on your fridge and when you're ready give him a bell. Plus targeting local offices "we will be visiting your offices on X day next week and can offer 10% discount for anyone booking that day" sort of thing,

    If you were to buy a pair of decent quality blades online, you will be looking at around £18 - £25. To buy them in a retail store perhaps £28 - £35, plus fitting charge so up to £40. I am envisaging a set of blades delivered & fitted along with a complimentary screen cleaning, and a screenwash top up, for around £30. Buying correctly, this could be a profit of £20+ per pair of blades, with a 10-15 minute job time. Excluding travel time and fuel, of course.

    Other than time, and leaflet/local advertising, the set up costs would be minimal. You need some form of transport, not a van, a car or even bike/scooter would do! I can't help but think if you could sell 10 pairs per week for 1 or at the most 2 days work it's a nice little side earner. Plus the main thing is you've a customer base that you can be on the phone to after 12 months reminding them that it's time to look at changing their blades again so hopefully prompting the sale.

    To give an idea of the size - an average Halfords store would be looking to sell 70-100 pairs of blades a week. A more local independent shop might be looking to sell 25 - 40 pairs per week. Motor Factors anywhere from 50 to 100 pairs per week BUT it's hard to determine how many of these are to the public rather than to their garage customers. The UK market is estimated to be in excess of 10m blades per year - but I'm not quite looking at UK domination! ?

    So, I really don't know. Nobody has ever done it - is it simply just TOO niche? Would it be something you'd almost laugh at as being odd if you got a leaflet through your doorstep, or potentially something you would use? I know that for many people replacing blades is a pain in the arse - but because it's something they do SO infrequently, I'm not sure if it's enough of a pain for them to consider an easier solution, if you know what I mean?

    As always, any thoughts/feedback would be welcome.
     

    fisicx

    Moderator
    Sep 12, 2006
    46,904
    8
    15,499
    Aldershot
    www.aerin.co.uk
    I’d pay for it! Halfords never have the right blades in stock.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Mattymoomoo
    Upvote 0

    Nico Albrecht

    Free Member
    Business Listing
    May 2, 2017
    1,622
    473
    Belfast
    data-forensics.co.uk
    Nobody has ever done it
    There is a reason why. You really have to understand the cycle of a wiper blade replacement and a need for it to call out somebody to do it.

    Just the stock issue would be a headache to start off with.

    You try to find a solution for a problem that doesn't exist yet.

    I'd recommend back to the drawing boards and find another niche.
     
    Upvote 0

    BusterBloodvessel

    Free Member
  • Jan 22, 2018
    897
    1
    590
    Or even set up in a supermarket car park like "Chips Away" often do here, a nice little gazebo sign written etc ...... just a thought
    Interesting idea (although I believe supermarkets ask a fortune for the pitch!) And most tend to sell wiper blades in store (albeit the cheapest of the cheap with quality to match).

    Bladerunner?
    Bravo!! ?
     
    • Like
    Reactions: Mattymoomoo
    Upvote 0

    BusterBloodvessel

    Free Member
  • Jan 22, 2018
    897
    1
    590
    There is a reason why. You really have to understand the cycle of a wiper blade replacement and a need for it to call out somebody to do it.

    Just the stock issue would be a headache to start off with.

    You try to find a solution for a problem that doesn't exist yet.

    I'd recommend back to the drawing boards and find another niche.

    With all due respect, believe me I have more knowledge of wiper blades and the market than you can begin to imagine. It's a sad side effect of my job ;) I understand fully what the existing replacement rates are and the problem in getting consumers to think about replacement and drive demand.

    Stock would not be a headache. I could start it with as little as a couple of hundred quids worth. In fact quite honestly I could start it with absolutely zero stock as I can get the correct blades in next day - envisaging booking people in in advance it would give time to get them if necessary.

    But I do agree with you, you've got to ask the question why something hasn't been done.
     
    Upvote 0

    Lucan Unlordly

    Free Member
    Feb 24, 2009
    3,998
    1,003
    I think the biggest problem for many is actually knowing when your wipers need replacing. Like having a new carpet fitted makes you realise how overused the old one was. A relatives car failed it's mot on wiper blades. He went away, cleaned them, stuck a bit of black trim polish on the arms and it passed.o_O

    You mention a complimentary screen clean. I think there's definitely a sales benefit to be had if that includes the inside which from experience are notoriously difficult to reach on some motors and nearly always end up with smears.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: BusterBloodvessel
    Upvote 0

    MOIC

    Free Member
  • Nov 16, 2011
    7,391
    1
    1,991
    UK
    myofficeinchina.com
    I think it's doable, and would add you don't have to be cheaper than Halfords.

    Convenience is a service people are willing to pay for (Uber Eats, Just Eat etc etc).

    The hurdle will be how you put your message out there and convince people they need their wipers replacing and at what point. Some will know when it starts smearing, most won't.

    Working in automotive parts may give you added sales/services to the same customer that uses your wiper blade replacement service.

    As you've mentioned, the start-up costs are low (depending on marketing).

    Time to prepare and execute that business plan me thinks!

    If you don't do it, you'll never know.

    Good luck.
     
    Upvote 0

    BubbaWY

    Free Member
    Aug 5, 2020
    370
    1
    112
    With all due respect, believe me I have more knowledge of wiper blades and the market than you can begin to imagine. It's a sad side effect of my job ;) I understand fully what the existing replacement rates are and the problem in getting consumers to think about replacement and drive demand.

    Stock would not be a headache. I could start it with as little as a couple of hundred quids worth. In fact quite honestly I could start it with absolutely zero stock as I can get the correct blades in next day - envisaging booking people in in advance it would give time to get them if necessary.

    But I do agree with you, you've got to ask the question why something hasn't been done.
    I like the idea in theory but I think it would be a very very slow burner. I think in 20+ years of driving, Ive only had to change my blades once but thats maybe because Ive been fortunate to generally have had a company car which changed every 3 years.

    Another problem is that (I think) worn wipers are flagged up on an MOT. So the chances are that the garage will change the wipers.

    So, I dont think you would have the volume to make it a viable business and for that reason, Im out.
     
    Upvote 0

    Financial-Modeller

    Free Member
    Jul 3, 2012
    1,523
    626
    London
    Interesting idea and has potential, given how many people pay for convenience regarding car washing, tyre replacement etc.

    One quick thought though; if you offer to top up screen wash, you have to carry screenwash with you, and you need the customer's car key to access their car, and then need to return the key, which - whilst it shouldn't - can add risk and complexity to the core task of changing wiper blades.

    How about also offering to change xenon bulbs and/or ballast units. I imagine there is significantly higher margin for you for basically the same customer acquisition cost and a visit to the customer's car.
     
    Upvote 0

    Nico Albrecht

    Free Member
    Business Listing
    May 2, 2017
    1,622
    473
    Belfast
    data-forensics.co.uk
    With all due respect, believe me I have more knowledge of wiper blades and the market than you can begin
    Cool you may understand that product but the cycle is more important.

    Let's say you do a business plan and run some numbers.

    Can you post the sales figures for bladrunnrers. Ideally the stats for sales by sales channels e.g online , distributers, retail store , repair shops and local car show rooms and so on to get a better idea where those blade runners actually go and who install them.

    Here is where I see problem with your business model

    1. There is no need to change right away compared to let's say a tire puncture.
    2. if no direct need I can order online much cheaper
    3. Most cars should get serviced once a year and wipers would be serviced at this stage
    4. MOT failures wipers / garage fix or online sales
    5. for any wiper replacement you can find a video online on YouTube
    6. Go an google search volume even if you only use the words " mobile + blade " search volume for the hole UK is under 100 / months.

    wiper replacement is more an add on business to existing services that make money.

    Next problem i see is people wanting it done today and have no clue what car they actual have. I reckon you will spend much time on the phone asking this question and the answer will be it's a blue or red one followed by I dont have my license place handy atm

    Your operational radios is very limited due to low margins on what you can do,

    Sales. If a customer can buy online a pair of blades for £10 he will not spend more than £10 to get them fitted. Why should he, Halfords does it for £5

    With your overhead and very limited radiuses of operation it is not possible to make a decent profit.

    Let's even assume I need wipers today I can just drive over to my local mercedes dealership and have them replaced on the spot. Most car brands do it quite cheap to be honest to get traffic into their show rooms. For my AMG they charged £35 for the Mercedes OEM blades including fitting. Done in 5 minutes and free coffee included.
     
    Upvote 0

    IanSuth

    Free Member
    Business Listing
    Apr 1, 2021
    3,441
    2
    1,499
    National
    www.simusuite.com
    I have to get a new left hand blade shortly (it has started to smear), unless blades have recently jumped in price your prices seem high to me.

    Last ones I got were from costco and were sub £15, they were michelin and from memory there were about 6 or 7 options and each one has a selection of adaptors to fit the different arm styles - you just looked it up on the flip chart on the shelf edge

    I may not be your customer (as I would never pay £5 for someone to fit something that just takes a minute or 2) but surely that means you actually only need stock of those 7 options

    Most people will either be of the "I have to get it done at a BMW dealer as I have a BMW" or "I want it cheap but reasonable quality", the second set I would suspect will see Michelin as a quality brand for anything rubber the first are not your customers.

    So an ex auto windscreen van with the pull out awning would be fine and easier to set up/store than a gazebo. Get it signwritten and tour the car boots and more importantly the local sports clubs - every sat and sunday morning they are full of parents who have to leave their car sat for 90-120 mins whilst little jonny/julie plays football/hockey/rugby to have their wipers changed when needed for the price of a couple of cups of coffee in a polystyrene cup might be a winner

    Give a £1 kick back to the club for each set done and you may also get a huge amount of free marketing

    4 football clubs (saturdays) 4 rugby clubs (sundays) would cover you doing once a month through the winter at each. Season runs Sep1 to May1 and i doubt people think about blades outside those months much
     
    Upvote 0

    BusterBloodvessel

    Free Member
  • Jan 22, 2018
    897
    1
    590
    I think the biggest problem for many is actually knowing when your wipers need replacing. Like having a new carpet fitted makes you realise how overused the old one was. A relatives car failed it's mot on wiper blades. He went away, cleaned them, stuck a bit of black trim polish on the arms and it passed.o_O

    You mention a complimentary screen clean. I think there's definitely a sales benefit to be had if that includes the inside which from experience are notoriously difficult to reach on some motors and nearly always end up with smears.

    Believe me that is THE biggest problem, the carpet analogy is actually a perfect one that I may steal for future use! Your relative was unlucky to fail on wiper blades to be honest as half the time the mechanics don't know/can't decide what actually constitutes a failure!

    Even when consumers realise they do need replacing, it's often then forgotten about. They are driving one day, the wipers are screeching and smearing and they think "I must get these bloody things changed at weekend". Weekend comes, it's dry, they don't use the wipers, and they forget about it until the next time there's a heavy downpour. And repeat. I was wondering whether having that prompt for "the wiper blade man" - either the air freshener hanging in front of them from the rear view mirror, the leaflet on the side of the fridge, the postings in their local town facebook group etc might just make them pick up the phone as the problem happens and get booked in for a change.

    I like the idea in theory but I think it would be a very very slow burner. I think in 20+ years of driving, Ive only had to change my blades once but thats maybe because Ive been fortunate to generally have had a company car which changed every 3 years.

    Another problem is that (I think) worn wipers are flagged up on an MOT. So the chances are that the garage will change the wipers.

    So, I dont think you would have the volume to make it a viable business and for that reason, Im out.

    Agreed, as I said I don't think this is going to make anyone a millionaire, in fact I don't even think it's a full time business for someone. But as a part time thing, or a bolt on to an existing shop/garage business....I'm wondering if it has some merit.

    There is already a patent for wiper replacement look it up on the Internet so that you don't need to change your wipers you just put a new sleeve over them

    There are countless patents and ideas for replacements, repairs, etc. None of them work or have any merit for a multitude of reasons.
     
    Upvote 0

    IanSuth

    Free Member
    Business Listing
    Apr 1, 2021
    3,441
    2
    1,499
    National
    www.simusuite.com
    Agreed, as I said I don't think this is going to make anyone a millionaire, in fact I don't even think it's a full time business for someone. But as a part time thing, or a bolt on to an existing shop/garage business....I'm wondering if it has some merit.
    Might work as way for a local small MOT station to market it's business - "Reading MOT BAY Bleaderunners", have a tablet at the van allowing people to enter their MOT date and phone number/email to receive a message 1 month before MOT date with the available options of when they could book in for a test.

    Use the wiper service (which pays enough to employ the person doing it) as a marketing driver for the main business
     
    • Like
    Reactions: BusterBloodvessel
    Upvote 0

    fisicx

    Moderator
    Sep 12, 2006
    46,904
    8
    15,499
    Aldershot
    www.aerin.co.uk
    I think this has got legs.

    Do the leaflet thing and offer a small service: check blades, tyres, lights and top up fluids. Call it a winter check or whatever. Collect details and send them an annual reminder. Nextdoor is brilliant for getting leads. We find just about all our local trades and services through the site.
     
    Upvote 0

    BusterBloodvessel

    Free Member
  • Jan 22, 2018
    897
    1
    590
    Cool you may understand that product but the cycle is more important.

    Let's say you do a business plan and run some numbers.

    Can you post the sales figures for bladrunnrers. Ideally the stats for sales by sales channels e.g online , distributers, retail store , repair shops and local car show rooms and so on to get a better idea where those blade runners actually go and who install them.

    Here is where I see problem with your business model

    1. There is no need to change right away compared to let's say a tire puncture.
    2. if no direct need I can order online much cheaper
    3. Most cars should get serviced once a year and wipers would be serviced at this stage
    4. MOT failures wipers / garage fix or online sales
    5. for any wiper replacement you can find a video online on YouTube
    6. Go an google search volume even if you only use the words " mobile + blade " search volume for the hole UK is under 100 / months.

    wiper replacement is more an add on business to existing services that make money.

    Next problem i see is people wanting it done today and have no clue what car they actual have. I reckon you will spend much time on the phone asking this question and the answer will be it's a blue or red one followed by I dont have my license place handy atm

    Your operational radios is very limited due to low margins on what you can do,

    Sales. If a customer can buy online a pair of blades for £10 he will not spend more than £10 to get them fitted. Why should he, Halfords does it for £5

    With your overhead and very limited radiuses of operation it is not possible to make a decent profit.

    Let's even assume I need wipers today I can just drive over to my local mercedes dealership and have them replaced on the spot. Most car brands do it quite cheap to be honest to get traffic into their show rooms. For my AMG they charged £35 for the Mercedes OEM blades including fitting. Done in 5 minutes and free coffee included.

    I don't want to be that guy who posts an idea then disagrees with anyone who doesn't agree with him. But......I've spent 16 years in the automotive industry, majoring specifically in this product range. I've worked in marketing, sales, and product development launching multiple wiper blade products into the European market. I currently work for one the worlds largest automotive groups and in fact one of the largest wiper blade manufacturers in the world, working in product development and marketing. Like I said, I understand the cycle. I do know the sales channel breakdown for the UK and European market, average replacement rates & more but I wouldn't be willing to share these on a public forum.

    Part of my daily challenge is working out how we can change the consumer perception of wiper blades and how we can prompt them to (a) realise they need replacing and (b) actually then get them replaced. Which makes one of your points totally correct, it's not like a puncture or a headlight which has an immediate and obvious point of failure. That's sort of how this discussion came about really and one of the reasons I'm asking.

    The online market is a separate beast. There is a significant market for retail sales at a premium price point (£25-£40). I suppose I could make my question more succinct if I went with;

    "If you usually buy windscreen wipers from a local high street store and have to fit them yourself or pay for installation, would you consider using a service that delivered and installed them directly to your home or workplace".

    I do know that changing wipers for people is a faff/hassle/inconvenience/"unnecessary" expense. What I don't know is if it is ENOUGH of any of those things to really make them change their habits. It's one thing people getting fed up with spending 2 or 3 hours doing a big shop every single saturday, so they sit on the couch and are happy to pay a fiver for Asda to deliver it instead. When that inconvenience is something that only occurs every few years and is relatively minor at best, is it something they care enough about to use an alternative?
     
    Upvote 0

    BusterBloodvessel

    Free Member
  • Jan 22, 2018
    897
    1
    590
    I have to get a new left hand blade shortly (it has started to smear), unless blades have recently jumped in price your prices seem high to me.

    Last ones I got were from costco and were sub £15, they were michelin and from memory there were about 6 or 7 options and each one has a selection of adaptors to fit the different arm styles - you just looked it up on the flip chart on the shelf edge

    I may not be your customer (as I would never pay £5 for someone to fit something that just takes a minute or 2) but surely that means you actually only need stock of those 7 options

    Most people will either be of the "I have to get it done at a BMW dealer as I have a BMW" or "I want it cheap but reasonable quality", the second set I would suspect will see Michelin as a quality brand for anything rubber the first are not your customers.

    So an ex auto windscreen van with the pull out awning would be fine and easier to set up/store than a gazebo. Get it signwritten and tour the car boots and more importantly the local sports clubs - every sat and sunday morning they are full of parents who have to leave their car sat for 90-120 mins whilst little jonny/julie plays football/hockey/rugby to have their wipers changed when needed for the price of a couple of cups of coffee in a polystyrene cup might be a winner

    Give a £1 kick back to the club for each set done and you may also get a huge amount of free marketing

    4 football clubs (saturdays) 4 rugby clubs (sundays) would cover you doing once a month through the winter at each. Season runs Sep1 to May1 and i doubt people think about blades outside those months much

    Firstly, you are our worst kind of customer only replacing one blade at a time :p:D

    In theory yes you could go with a multi-clip type solution, you would need around 15 SKU's to guarantee fitment to (almost) every car. The issue with these is that generally they don't give the original styling/fitments and can look odd on the vehicle and hence tend to be at a lower price point around the £15 - £25 mark (I mean, you can get some for under a tenner a pair delivered but you get what you pay for)..... the direct fit type market which would compete with the Halfords set you might get specifically for your vehicle or the Bosch set you might buy in Euro Car Parts generally has a higher retail price point but the product looks and performs more like the main dealer stuff.

    For something that people see as "just a wiper blade" you wouldn't believe the rabbit hole you can disappear down when it comes to different blade types, pricing levels, performance, fitments, packaging, lifespan, you name it.....!!
     
    Upvote 0

    MBE2017

    Free Member
  • Feb 16, 2017
    4,735
    1
    2,418
    Personally I wouldn’t use the service, I would just drop into my mechanic who would bang on a quality set within five minutes, and tell me to settle up when I saw him next.

    I’m more than capable of switching them myself, but it’s less hassle to let him do them, allows a quick catch up etc. There will be people happy to use such a service, there always is, but the big question is are there enough?

    Personally I think most would just get the local garage, halfrauds or motor shop to do the vast majority. Best of luck if you go ahead though.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: BusterBloodvessel
    Upvote 0

    Lucan Unlordly

    Free Member
    Feb 24, 2009
    3,998
    1,003
    For something that people see as "just a wiper blade" you wouldn't believe the rabbit hole you can disappear down when it comes to different blade types, pricing levels, performance, fitments, packaging, lifespan, you name it.....!!
    My feeling is that it would be easier to push a marshmallow up a hill with your nose than to get Joe Public to care about the vagaries of wiper blades.
     
    • Haha
    Reactions: BusterBloodvessel
    Upvote 0

    Nico Albrecht

    Free Member
    Business Listing
    May 2, 2017
    1,622
    473
    Belfast
    data-forensics.co.uk
    I've spent 16 years in the automotive industry, majoring specifically in this product range. I've worked in marketing, sales, and product development launching multiple wiper blade products into the European market. I currently work for one the worlds largest automotive groups and in fact one of the largest wiper blade manufacturers in the world, working in product development and marketing. Like I said, I understand the cycle.
    If wiper blades are your thing and you got all the jizz of the wiper biz why even catering to the bottom or be the last man in the supply and fit line.

    Let's even assume you got all the jizz of this bizz, contacts in the industry and so on.

    Also you have this urge to educate millions of people to change their wiper behaviour and be responsible blade runners why not monetising via a social media channel.

    Crazy idea, screw the £5 / fitting you get and start a blade runner channel on YouTube, tiktok whatever flavour you want, educate your audience and have referral / affiliate marketing going with your contacts. You can make professional wiper replacement videos too, educate and cross sales driving traffic to your blade hommies and get your share. Once you got your subscribers you can branch out to fitting on site etc...

    Just saying it's another idea how to make money with your passion for wiper blades.
     
    Upvote 0

    Ray272

    Free Member
    Jul 5, 2017
    477
    82
    I heard a brilliant story last week, a woman ordered food through Grab (food delivery app) had it sent to a house and messaged the guy once he arrived and said, Keep the food but can you send me a photo of the outside of that house ensuring you get any cars near the house in the picture. So, he did that, and this Lady then divorced her husband as that was his ex-mistress's house and he had agreed not to see her, the car belonged to him.

    In the surveillance industry they call that a Drive Past and advertise anywhere between £25-£50 for completion of above job, Cost the lady about £3 worth of noodles.

    I think there is a market for an App on call out for small jobs like these blades and the riders could be the fitters. Maybe...
     
    Upvote 0

    BusterBloodvessel

    Free Member
  • Jan 22, 2018
    897
    1
    590
    If wiper blades are your thing and you got all the jizz of the wiper biz why even catering to the bottom or be the last man in the supply and fit line.

    Unsure how it's "catering to the bottom". It's entering the segment of the market retailing to the consumer that generally makes the biggest % and £ margin (typically 65% - 80%, as oppose to around 30-40% at manufacturer to distributor level, and as low as 20% at distributor to factor/garage level).

    Let's even assume you got all the jizz of this bizz, contacts in the industry and so on.

    It's not an assumption.

    Also you have this urge to educate millions of people to change their wiper behaviour and be responsible blade runners why not monetising via a social media channel.

    I don't. I have an interest in myself or other people selling a small quantity of product in a relatively small "local" area. Not sure where the millions comes into it, in fact I've said more than once that that's not the intention or expectation.

    Crazy idea, screw the £5 / fitting you get and start a blade runner channel on YouTube, tiktok whatever flavour you want, educate your audience and have referral / affiliate marketing going with your contacts. You can make professional wiper replacement videos too, educate and cross sales driving traffic to your blade hommies and get your share. Once you got your subscribers you can branch out to fitting on site etc...

    Just saying it's another idea how to make money with your passion for wiper blades.

    Sounds a lot more long winded than printing a bunch of leaflets, posting in some local facebook groups and driving to install a few wipers for £20+ (not £5) profit a time. Thanks for the idea though.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: simon field
    Upvote 0

    simon field

    Free Member
    Feb 4, 2011
    6,854
    2,688
    Unsure how it's "catering to the bottom". It's entering the segment of the market retailing to the consumer that generally makes the biggest % and £ margin (typically 65% - 80%, as oppose to around 30-40% at manufacturer to distributor level, and as low as 20% at distributor to factor/garage level).



    It's not an assumption.



    I don't. I have an interest in myself or other people selling a small quantity of product in a relatively small "local" area. Not sure where the millions comes into it, in fact I've said more than once that that's not the intention or expectation.



    Sounds a lot more long winded than printing a bunch of leaflets, posting in some local facebook groups and driving to install a few wipers for £20+ (not £5) profit a time. Thanks for the idea though.
    I think he was having a bad day ?
     
    • Haha
    Reactions: BusterBloodvessel
    Upvote 0
    Say it works, what's stopping "tyres on the drive" just adding this as an upsell? I've used a driveway service for tyres before, mainly when I've been extremely busy and I have a big trip or an MOT coming up I know I'll need a new tyre for. Expensive though, as I'd usually shop around instead.

    My car actually does need new wipers and has done for a few weeks now. They are not completely bad but I know they are only getting worse now, especially as we're heading towards winter. It's one of those "I'll get round to it". My MOT is due on Monday so I just asked them to change the blades while they are at it. I don't think I'd personally ever bother calling someone up to change them and always just get it done during the next car-specific event/garage visit.

    On the flip side, tyres can die instantly and need replacing there and then so a call-out service will always be in demand.

    It's a nice idea but I don't think it's got enough legs needed. Just my two cents.
     
    Upvote 0

    BusterBloodvessel

    Free Member
  • Jan 22, 2018
    897
    1
    590
    Say it works, what's stopping "tyres on the drive" just adding this as an upsell? I've used a driveway service for tyres before, mainly when I've been extremely busy and I have a big trip or an MOT coming up I know I'll need a new tyre for. Expensive though, as I'd usually shop around instead.

    My car actually does need new wipers and has done for a few weeks now. They are not completely bad but I know they are only getting worse now, especially as we're heading towards winter. It's one of those "I'll get round to it". My MOT is due on Monday so I just asked them to change the blades while they are at it. I don't think I'd personally ever bother calling someone up to change them and always just get it done during the next car-specific event/garage visit.

    On the flip side, tyres can die instantly and need replacing there and then so a call-out service will always be in demand.

    It's a nice idea but I don't think it's got enough legs needed. Just my two cents.

    Thanks for the feedback, yes that's the concern I guess that it's still not enough to make people specifically change them - as you say it's potentially too easy to wait until the next service or until next passing Halfords etc.
     
    Upvote 0

    Latest Articles

    Join UK Business Forums for free business advice