Car valeting

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G

getsetgonline

Free Member
Oct 10, 2006
381
17
Newcastle
  • #1
    I have been looking at car valeting for some time as a possible business venture alongside our other enterprises. I don't have the time to dedicate to physically carry out the work so was looking at employing from day one.
    We have been speaking with some local supermarkets about setting up a car valeting service in the car parks, and we have so far received quite positive feedback.
    I am at the point now where we need to return to the supermarkets with a detailed plan. What would you say are the greatest selling points from the supermarkets perspective?

    Also, we have been speaking with a few suppliers but I am yet to source one whom can supply the entire start up kit for the trade - has anyone got any reputable contacts?

    Thks
     
    A

    Alice3537

  • #2
    IMO, if you have recieved feedback, it's more to do with what they want than what you will deliver at this stage.

    Ask them what they want financially from you in terms of a cut of profit (%) or 'rental' of the car park space.
     
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    T

    Trulli

  • #3
    Going off on a tangent, I was on a course the other week with a guy who owns a car valeting business. He was saying that there is new enviromental legislation coming out where you have to re-use the water/can't use a public drain.

    He said he had had to buy some new piece of kit that cars drive onto that holds the water. Don't know anything more about it than that but maybe you or someone else does?
     
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    S

    saracen

    Free Member
    Oct 7, 2007
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  • #4
    Trulli said:
    Going off on a tangent, I was on a course the other week with a guy who owns a car valeting business. He was saying that there is new enviromental legislation coming out where you have to re-use the water/can't use a public drain.

    He said he had had to buy some new piece of kit that cars drive onto that holds the water. Don't know anything more about it than that but maybe you or someone else does?
    Click to expand...

    That is very true, i recently looked into this a month back, the following link may be of help to the OP.

    click here
     
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    R

    richardmk

  • #5
    I have a guy that comes to my house and cleans my cars without using water. This is apparently very popular in America and is very environmentally friendly.

    He uses a product from a company called Dri Wash and Guard.

    See: www dwgint com

    The finish is excellent and much better than water.
     
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    S

    saracen

    Free Member
    Oct 7, 2007
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  • #6
    richardmk said:
    The finish is excellent and much better than water.
    Click to expand...


    Im afraid i disagree, i ran a small part time car valeting business outside my house and used Dri Wash N Guard in addition. Yes the results are very good, it leaves a deep shine on the paintwork also with a barrier against the elements.......

    However, try using Dri Wash N Guard on a "dirty" car, i mean a vehicle with mud on the sills, Dri Wash N Guard is just hassle, it really doesnt cut thru mud, its only designed for very light dirt, i,e, dust. Plus you need to use a "lot" of cloths.

    There are a few companies carrying out valets in Edinburgh area using D.W.N.G, or there were as they are dwindling away.

    Foam wash is the product to use, it dissolves any thickness of mud then its washed of with water, it also leaves a barrier against the elements.

    For home use washing your own car, the best product i would say is - Meguiars. It does everything D.W.N.G and foam wash does - but better.
     
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    getsetgonline

    Free Member
    Oct 10, 2006
    381
    17
    Newcastle
  • #7
    Thanks guys for the reply.

    I was aware of the new legislation and this is something I have been considering. The DWNG product would not be too effective on very dirty cars but would be perfect for our trade clients whom cars have been sitting on the forecourt.
    It looks like we will be required to re-use the water to comply but this is a definite marketing plus - an environmentally friendly valet.

    Saracen - I am looking for advice on the valet side, would you mind if I PM'd you a few questions?

    Thanks
     
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    lockie

    lockie

    Free Member
    May 4, 2007
    1,357
    313
  • #8
    Also you need to make sure there is a demand for valeting services. A close friend of mine has been doing it for 10 years and this last year there has been a noticeable drop in business.Other people he knows in the trade are experiencing the same thing.Hes putting it down to the fact it is a luxury that people trim back on in times of financial hardship. Even his contract work for big companies is getting cut back.
    Also many have started it up as a part time income and this also waters down how much work is available.
    He saw this coming though and has a big portfolio of property that is bringing in money each month so he will survive in the longterm,many wont.
     
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    garyk

    Free Member
    Jun 14, 2006
    5,992
    1,019
    Bedfordshire
  • #11
    Surely its very hard to compete now with the vast number of drive-in car valet places that have taken over ex-petrol stations and those that have a deal with a major outlet, im thinking the ones in homebase car parks. They charge £5 a time and do an excellent job, certainly wouldnt want to compete with that!
     
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    C

    Chippie

  • #12
    Saracen, using DWNG on an extremely muddy car does (as you point out) fall outside the advised parameters for it's use. It is an excellent product when used correctly. It's a bit like leaving your dinner plates overnight for all the food to dry onto them and then putting them in the dish washer without rinsing them. They won't come clean but it doesn't mean that dish washers don't work! Every product or process has it's limitations, you just need to appreciate what they are.

    saracen said:
    Im afraid i disagree, i ran a small part time car valeting business outside my house and used Dri Wash N Guard in addition. Yes the results are very good, it leaves a deep shine on the paintwork also with a barrier against the elements.......

    However, try using Dri Wash N Guard on a "dirty" car, i mean a vehicle with mud on the sills, Dri Wash N Guard is just hassle, it really doesnt cut thru mud, its only designed for very light dirt, i,e, dust. Plus you need to use a "lot" of cloths.

    There are a few companies carrying out valets in Edinburgh area using D.W.N.G, or there were as they are dwindling away.

    Foam wash is the product to use, it dissolves any thickness of mud then its washed of with water, it also leaves a barrier against the elements.

    For home use washing your own car, the best product i would say is - Meguiars. It does everything D.W.N.G and foam wash does - but better.
    Click to expand...
     
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    C

    Chippie

  • #13
    garyk said:
    Surely its very hard to compete now with the vast number of drive-in car valet places that have taken over ex-petrol stations and those that have a deal with a major outlet, im thinking the ones in homebase car parks. They charge £5 a time and do an excellent job, certainly wouldnt want to compete with that!
    Click to expand...

    Gary, I agree it's difficult to compete with these guys "on price". However you get what you pay for and £5 in the vast majority of cases gets you a pretty average wash and Chamois. Very few of these operators are insured so if they damage your car it's just tough, and believe me if you look at your car carefully they damage it in some way (fine scratches etc) very time. The accumulated damage on your car by using them long term is horrendous.

    We offer valeting as a sideline to our main business. We charge between £55 and £120 for a full valet dependant upon state of car, size of car etc. We compete only on service and quality, NEVER price. If people want a quick wash they are advised to go elsewhere. However, we are full every day and often booked up for days ahead. We have several company fleet contracts for pool cars although the majority of our work is general retail with lots of repeat business. There is a place for all levels of car valeting, we have at least 3 of these £3-£5 operations within half a mile of us!
     
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    C

    Chippie

  • #14
    ifonly said:
    I have been looking at car valeting for some time as a possible business venture alongside our other enterprises. I don't have the time to dedicate to physically carry out the work so was looking at employing from day one.
    We have been speaking with some local supermarkets about setting up a car valeting service in the car parks, and we have so far received quite positive feedback.
    I am at the point now where we need to return to the supermarkets with a detailed plan. What would you say are the greatest selling points from the supermarkets perspective?

    Also, we have been speaking with a few suppliers but I am yet to source one whom can supply the entire start up kit for the trade - has anyone got any reputable contacts?

    Thks
    Click to expand...

    Take a look at H2O car valeting (double ewe double ewe double ewe h2ocarvaleting dot com - what a faff, must get to 15 posts!) who operate in the Mailbox and the Bullring in Birmingham and Touchwood in Solihull. They're an Irish based company who have been doing what you are trying to do for years and very successfully. They have a good model and make a lot of money from it but their secret is to get exclusivity in centres where people have plenty of disposable income. Their website says that they offer valets from £10. Believe me thats just to get people in! They have a whole range of valets going up to well over £100 and they up-sell most customers. ie. "if you want your door shutts cleaning madam you'll need to go for the £45 valet" or "if you need your interior glass or boot cleaning you're going to need the £60 valet" etc etc.

    I would say that at least 70% of the cars they valet are worth more than £30,000 and they are rarely quiet, employing 5-10 valetors per site all day every day. You wouldn't get that sort of clientelle at your average supermarket, so clearly location is key. They are also indoor operations which means that even on a bad weather day they remain busy. Paople will not pay to have their cars cleaned outside on a wet day!

    Good luck!
     
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    E

    Empire1

  • #15
    I own a mobile valeting detailing company and i was going to go into the static site side of it, But in supermarkets the valets are only £2.99 so your volume as to be really high for any return and the supermarkets are not letting you be there for nothing, And then you have to think about say min eight washers, So i went into mobile, and it is true waterless valets are mostly for cars that have be valeted already, and can say one tell me about this legislation that we have to reuse the water? Thanks
     
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    E

    Empire1

  • #19
    garyk said:
    Surely its very hard to compete now with the vast number of drive-in car valet places that have taken over ex-petrol stations and those that have a deal with a major outlet, im thinking the ones in homebase car parks. They charge £5 a time and do an excellent job, certainly wouldnt want to compete with that!
    Click to expand...

    The saying goes you get what you pay for. The prices that these drive in places reflect the level of service that you receive. They also can do damage to your paintwork as unless you are the first car in every subsequent car wash is contaiminated by the previous one. I do not know anyone who would trust their £70000 motor to them. A valeting and detailing service works on one car at a time and takes time and care with each vehicle.
     
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    M

    morganturner447

  • #26
    Hi. Car valeting is a new type of business. If you try to establish the business near a super market, it will be a good idea. Many people come to the super markets in their car. So, they will require valeting service for their car. But i dont know from where will you get the valeting equipments. But i am sure that you may get them from the same super markets.
     
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