need peoples views on self service garages!

bb1boy · Post by **bb1boy** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:33 pm

you could stick flyers on the windscreen of every car in your area that is over, say, 8 years old.. and anyone you see underneath their car, give them a flyer too, with maybe 10% discount to drum up business. Go to Halford's car park and/or local motor factors and flyer-shot everyone there. Find your local boy racers car park/meet spot and flyer-shot them too..

A1ex · Post by **A1ex** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:34 pm

From doing a start up business myself do absolutely everything you can to keep upfront costs down.

I did a startup with no return on the first few month but had out goings to pay and ran out of money in 6 months, I'm still paying £300 a month for the loan 3years down the line

I'd get used tools on lends & borrows etc. and try to knock up agreements on pay per use with the people supplying the tools, if you have a log book of what customers are using etc that could work

Just a suggestion obviously

judderod · Post by **judderod** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:41 pm

Sounds like a good opportunity. The ramp price is too high, I'd stagger it at much lower for the ramps to get people in. Then if they get stuck or need a tool they can hire it out and sign a waiver, even give a depost. Weekday daytimes will probably be very quiet. Evening sessions and weekends will probably be busier.

If you can diversify with it like doing 2nd hand tyres and AC gassing you could be onto a winner.

He who dares, doesn't always win. But he who does not dare has already lost.

Could you take a load of holiday from your part time job to reduce the risk? Or talk to them about unpaid leave?

Shiny · Post by **Shiny** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 3:58 pm

Insurance, especially Liability Insurance, could prove a nightmare. Might be worth checking this out as it could be a big chunk of overheads.

It also gets messy where liability for customer's vehicles are concerned. Whilst you may say they are left at the owner's risk, that doesn't mean that you are free from responsibility.

Could also be a nightmare with the ramps, whilst the statutory inspections wont be a problem, the Public Liability issues of renting them out could be another nightmare.

VT3C RUNN3R · Post by **VT3C RUNN3R** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:15 pm

I have acess to one of these types of garages! IMO theyre such a good idea, especially if there is one convieniently placed near you, the rates at the one I use though make yours look like extortion though

but to be fair the community mine is for are mainly military members.

just throwing this out there as well....maybe come up with some sort of membership card for people that are likely to return (discounted lift usuage as you know theyre capable of using lifts, compressor equipment etc) and for first timers make em pay a little bit more to be trained (nothing heavy just correct operational methods) on how to use the equipment to prevent any damage.

....the rates I pay are around a fiver an hour and they also offer rates on a bay for a week for the bigger jobs (also something to consider?)

just my 2p

good luck with whatever you choose bro

judderod · Post by **judderod** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:24 pm

£5-£10/h would interest me, anything more is too much for just the use of a ramp IMHO. Extra for training is a great idea. I did work experience at a garage and once was lifting up a van. I just kicked the jacking arms underneath like my mentor always did, except he'd been doing it for years and knew exactly where the sills where. The van lurched sideways halfway up and nearly fell off. I've never seen a fat Irishman move so fast.

bristol_bb4 · Post by **bristol_bb4** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 5:00 pm

The prices were just an example (actually taken from another self service garage's website)

Keep the posts coming though! Really interested in wht everyone thinks about it.

Shiny, insurnance doesn't work out much more expensive than what is already being paid to cover employees of his spraying company, although we haven't looked into insurance on damaged vehicles yet.

Supercharged 無限MUGEN BB1 Profile · Post by **nucleustylzlude** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 5:14 pm

I think Bristol would welcome a place like this bud. There is quite a scene of avid car enthusiasts from all walks of life around here, from Classics, to fully modified, to the average joe that knows how to use a spanner and just wants to service his car cheaper than a garage will charge.

If I ever get mine moving and out of the garage again, I'd use it.

Get clever with your pricing, what you offer, discounts for groups / club days, etc - anything that saves people money on your standard prices but draws in big numbers to fill the place is win / win for you and them. Loyalty cards is a good idea - say 10 visits and the next one free. That kind of thinking???

In terms of the tools side of things - a room to book tools out will be a pain, especially people paying by the hour as that will take up time. I think the tools & equipment are your biggest investment and issue to think about. You'll need a toolchest with usual stuff in for each bay at least, then maybe just keep specialist and large expensive bits in a room to book out? Buy an engraver or something to mark every tool, or colour code them with something to make sure things don't wander between bays or out the door. A pre and post visit check with the customer of the tools with a sign off by the customer for loss during their work??? Mmm...it's a tricky one, but I'm sure you can make it work.

As for the unit, be nice to see the place bud.

Smart, clean and light will be a winner as you want it as welcoming as possible. I've been in some garages and I wonder how people work in them, makes me sick. It's all about presentation because it's drawing customers in to work not for you to work in (albeit as many things as you can on the side).

Would you have any qualified mechanics on hand for various work?

If you need any help in terms of branding and web work, you know where I am.

I say go for it. It's always a gamble no matter what the 'financial climate', but be prepared to work hard and you'll be rewarded.

Just my 2p's worth for now. I have any bright ideas I'll add to the thread.

Cheers,

Rob

Supercharged 無限MUGEN BB1 Profile · Post by **nucleustylzlude** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 5:17 pm

Oh and one thing to think about is the times it would be in use, it's going to be more popular on evenings and weekends - what hours will you be willing to work to make the business work. That's a big one to consider. Great if you can find general mechanical work during the day to run as a general garage alongside any prospective day rental of bays. But most that will use it will have there own jobs to work around, with most being 9-5's, Mon-Fri.

Post by **rob quilter** » Mon Jun 18, 2012 5:41 pm

Do it! I wish there was one near Derby, I'd use it all the time. As shiny said, you need to look into liability insurance and also insurance on the building/ tools/ ramps.