Saturday, July 31, 2010

Buying a Mobile Car Wash Business That Services Auto Dealership Lots

The mobile car wash industry is one that can be started for a very low cost, and if you work your butt off you could build it up and make it into something really good. I know this because for 10 or 15 years I ran my own mobile car washing rig, built up my business, and eventually franchised around the country. "Thank God for dirt," I would always say, as we washed cars on car lots all day.

Not long ago a gentleman asked me if I thought he should purchase a mobile car washing business which specializes in the cleaning of cars on automobile dealership lots. In describing the business here's what he had to say;

"I recently looked into a mobile washing business for sale that has [a huge number] of accounts for car dealerships split 50/50 for large and small accounts."

This is a good mix because, car dealerships can be done in the early mornings, and the fleets can be done after hours. The commercial side of the business is nice, much better than the persnickety consumer markets, especially as consumer cash flow gets tight. Also it seems that the consumer market is somewhat saturated with office building "detailers" almost to the point of being a nuisance for property owners and companies with all the solicitation.

Personally, although the auto-dealership can be good, it is very aggressively priced. The only reason I enjoyed that market segment was because it usually led to more business on the auto-detailing side of things, i.e. new car preps, car washes for customers spending money on maintenance, and used car detailing on-site - usually using one of the car dealership's bays at first, eventually a local shop very nearby.

A five-star dealership of any of the major brands moves a good number of cars each month and takes in a lot of cars in trade, most are peddled at the auto-auctions, but the ones they keep to re-sale turn out to need a good bit of extra detailing to bring them up to speed for the new car dealership's pre-owned sales lot, see that point?

The question isn't it is this type of the business the right business for you? You must know that it is very hard work. It takes a lot of labor, and most car dealerships are fairly slow to pay on their invoices, especially when the auto sales market is so slow, for instance after this recession. Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this.

Give Your Club Car Body That Personal Touch

If you have a Club Car golf cart, there are a number of different things that you can do in order to enhance it. This can be done with aftermarket parts or perhaps even accessories that are available directly from the company. If the cart body that you own is in good shape, you can really change the looks of it in a number of different ways. Here are some ways that you can do so and really trick out the golf cart that you own.

One thing that you can do to your Club Car body is to make it more user-friendly for the weather. Different enclosures are available as accessories for your Club Car in order to make it waterproof when it is raining. Although this is not typically going to be an issue when you are using the standard golf cart on the golf course, if you use a Club Car for any other purpose you may want to have one of these rain guards included. Typically, you can get a three sided enclosure that is made of vinyl for most models.

Another way that you can change the Club Car body is to change out the windshield. Instead of the standard windshield, you can get a hinged windshield which will allow you to open it out of the way and allow additional airflow to travel through. This can really make a difference in your comfort, particularly when you are using the golf cart in a hot weather climates. Do not underestimate exactly how much of a difference this is going to make. You have several different options that are available to you, such as a standard hinged windshield or a winged hinged windshield.

If you are using one of the people carrier utility carts, there are also a number of different ways that you can change the body in order to make it more convenient and comfortable. For example, some of the accessories that are available on the Club Car website includes such things as a one piece tinted windshield, a set of outside mirrors, west coast mirrors and even a strobe light that will help to ensure that you are safe whenever you are traveling through your property. Make sure that you look at the various accessories that they have available, as there are sure to be some that you will want to include on your utility cart.

As far as the Club Car Carryall models are concerned you also have a number of different ways in which you can enhance and improve the body that is included. For example, a cab fan and defogger is something that many people enjoy having, as is a rear view mirror. These can not only enhance your comfort, they can also increase safety for the occupants and anyone around it. There are fewer options available for the carryall models, but they are still well worth looking at as you are sure to find some improvements that you will enjoy.

Mobile Car Washing - Hire Athletes to Work, Especially in Arizona!

If you run a mobile car wash business and you will be working in the heat of the summer, it's best to Hire Athletes, and I cringe when people tell me that they will hire a whole bunch of illegal immigrants to do the washing. Number one, it is against the law to hire undocumented workers, or illegal immigrants, and you really need star athletes that can keep up with the pace of work, without getting tired. It's much better to pay them 12 or $15 an hour, than to pay a group of individuals that isn't even legally in the country.

There are couple of reasons for this, one is you need to go fast to complete all the work, and it is such hard work you need people that are in shape. Secondly, the fines for hiring illegal immigrants can put you in jail, on the first offense with a big fine, and multiple offenses can land your butt in prison. In fact, if I might be so polite, I'd say that's where you belong if you illegally hire people that are illegally in the country.

Not long ago, a gentleman and an acquaintance out of Arizona was discussing with me the mobile car wash business, specifically the market segment of auto car dealerships, and lot washing. He was interested in what type of labor he might hire, and he was concerned that other mobile car wash companies hire illegal immigrants and undocumented workers. And he asked me; "I have read a number of your articles, and it appears you recommend obtaining young individuals in good shape for the workers."

Absolutely, it's crucial. This is a labor intensive business, and it's hotter than heck in AZ in the summer time, you are liable to kill your car wash crews if they can't handle it, you have to start at zero-dark-thirty, and drink 2-gallons of water during a work day, anything less than that and it all sweats out, you need not take a bathroom break. You need soccer players, athletes, runners, wrestlers, boxers, folks that can hang tough.

When cleaning car lots especially, the black top is hot, the reflection of light in your eyes, coming off all the glass and mirrors. If someone is out of shape and still trying to hustle, they will be throwing up by 10AM. Of course, I can't think of a better way to lose weight, but don't take advantage of your crews expecting them to be the biggest losers. They are liable to strike.

You see, even if you wash in the middle of the night, sometimes in Arizona in the summer time it is 100 degrees all night long too, for weeks on end the temperature doesn't get under 100-degrees even in the middle of the night. Indeed, hope you will please consider this.

Be Careful When Purchasing a Mobile Car Wash That Claims to Have Independent Contractors

Are you thinking of buying an existing mobile car washing business? Well if so you better make sure that the company is legitimate, paying its taxes, booking in the cash receipts, and covering worker's compensation. Otherwise you'd be buying an illegal business operation. Not long ago, someone interested in purchasing an existing mobile car wash business said that all his workers were paid as independent contractors.

No go on that, no way. If these guys (workers) are using the company trucks, which they don't own, and being told the Time, Mode, and Manner of the process, it ain't going to fly, no way in heck is that legitimate! I've seen these games before, dodging the rules. Even if they do issue 1099's calling these workers "independent contractors" that's just BS. Now, I'm not an attorney, thank god, and I am not giving anyone any legal advice here, but "come on" you and I both know they are playing the system here.

Obviously they have a washing schedule and tell the workers when and where to show up to wash (TIME) and they use a company vehicle, company pressure washer and have a way they require the vehicles to be washed (MODE), and have them hook up to the customers water outlets, string garden hoses to pressure washers, and lay all that out across the parking lot and wash (MANNER), so they've basically meet all the disqualifying points for independent contractor status - they are therefore employees!

Plus, the workers have "NO RISK" financially involved, so it's not their own business, they are not independent contractors. Now then, if you were to buy this business you could fix this to be legitimate. Have only workers who owned their own pick-up trucks do the washing, have them slap on the magnetic sign, which said contractor with your company logo on top - they would sign a rental agreement for a week or month and pay you for the use of the equipment (Honda pressure washers, magnetic sign, T-shirts with company name + contractor), and you would pay them per unit cleaned.

They would work out the schedule with the car lot manager, and they would hire their own crews. But, I would warn against this, because you will find these independent contractors going to your accounts and making deals and cutting you out of the pattern, even if you had a non-compete clause with them.

There is another issue on those non-competes do hold because of "right to work laws" in some states, often those non-competes are not worth the paper they are written on. Think on that too. And you'd have to make sure they carried their own insurance, had a business license, and tax ID number too. Please consider all this.

Earn a Monthly Salary From Car Advertising - How to Get Paid Just For Driving Your Car!

I'm sure you know that many people make money while driving a car. Race-car drivers, taxi drivers, delivery people and driving instructors are just a few people who make money behind the wheel. But, did you know that there are other ways you can earn cash, just by driving your vehicle as you would normally do?

There are some companies that will pay for ad space on your car. You will simply place advertisements on your car and continue to drive as always. Of course, you won't be able to remove the advertisement until the contract expires and your vehicle will be marked with the ad no matter where you go, which may be a disadvantage for some people. These companies will pay you every month to let them wrap your vehicle with a magnetic or vinyl advertisement, which will not damage or affect your car. There is a great variety of ad sizes available. For example, you can choose an ad that covers 1/4, 1/2 or 3/4 of your car. The larger the ad, the bigger the salary.

The salary could be up to $3,200 per month, but the truth is that this happens only in rare cases. For this to happen you will have to own a truck, which means that you will be able to offer huge ad space for the company's product or service. What is more, trucks are visible by many more people, which means more exposure for the company. In case you own a regular sized vehicle, the salary will be about $500-$800. The companies pay you a standard fee for regular use of your vehicle, but they may also pay you an hourly rate if you agree to drive specific routes.

If you don't own a car, you may be able to drive one of the cars owned by the company, which will be yours until the contract expires. The great thing about this option is that you will be able to own a vehicle for free, without making any payments, or paying for maintenance. Your only expenses will be gas and insurance!

So, how do you apply for such a job?

The problem is that there are far too many companies that offer brand new free cars and get-paid-to-drive programs and it would be difficult to find the highest paying ones all by yourself. The best thing you can do is to join a directory that contains the best ad companies in the world that offer these kind of programs, along with complete contact information and direct access to their applications.

Working on a Car's Faded Paint

Original factory painted vehicles are thinly coated because it is economical. This is the possible cause that the leads to the paint being faded after some years of getting exposed to atmospheric and various other elements. The vehicles which are lift out in the open weather will eventually fade with time especially on the roof, hood and truck.

Besides this, the oxidation process also causes the paint to deteriorate and ultraviolet light, pollution and even the bird droppings worsen the process. The faded spots on a vehicle give it an old and worn out look. Whether the vehicle has a modern clear coat finish or a traditional single stage paint, the reasons that cause it to fade or discolor are the same.

Old vehicles fade quickly because they do not have coats that are meant for protection of their base paint. If you have faded car, then you have an option to learn to restore faded car paint and make it look shiny and new again. Follow the simple directions.

Materials Needed
- Car soap
- Sponge
- Rag
- Orbital buffer
- Buffing pad
- Polishing pad
- Liquid rubbing compound
- Car polish

Directions

Step 1:
First of all, the car has to be washed with car wash soap and a sponge. Clean it so that all the grime, mud, dirt any type of buildup is removed. Use water and rinse the car, then give it some time to dry completely before proceeding.

Step 2:
Now, apply the liquid rubbing compound to the buffing on the buffer. Start working form the bonnet slowly moving towards the bonnet's back and then to the top of the car then finally to the car's trunk. Afterwards, begin from the front fender and move down to the side of the car finally concluding at the back bumper. Repeat this process for the other side of the car. Don't push down very hard and don't hard on the buffer because it can burn the car's paint.

Step 3:
Now, wipe off the whole surplus rubbing compound using a soft and clean rag. Change the buffing pad on the buffer to a polishing pad. Apply the car polish directly to the polishing pad. Start polishing the car's surface in the same way in which the rubbing compound was applied. Wipe off the surplus polish with a clean and dry rag.

Tips and Warnings

- The vehicle should be parked in a shady area and buff it away from direct sunlight. Sunlight heats the surface of the paint causing the buffer to burn through the paint.
- Don't use dish soap for washing the vehicle. This soap eats up the protective layers of the paint.
- The best protection against the harmful effects of the sun is the application of a high quality wax after every few months.

Jobs in Car Advertising - This is How to Earn a Monthly Salary For Driving Your Car!

Want to make some extra cash for doing nothing? Then car advertising is the ideal option for you. All you need to do is to allow some ad companies to place advertising messages on your car. Imagine getting paid just for driving your vehicle as you would do anyway!

There are some very well-known companies that are actually willing to pay people money in exchange for exposure. If you live in a big city and drive around a lot, your car can be seen by thousands of people every day, and all these people can potentially become consumers of the company's product or service.

What is more if you are lucky enough to own a truck or a van, then you can earn up to $3,000 per month. But, even if you own a regular-sized vehicle, you can still earn up to $900 per month for doing relatively nothing!

To make sure that your application will get accepted, you must first answer these questions:

  • Are you 18 years old or above?
  • Do you currently live in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Spain or France?
  • Do you have a valid drivers license?
  • Are you a resident of a big city?
  • Do you drive more than 500 miles every month?
  • Is your driving record clean, with no serious violations in the last year?

If you answered yes to these questions, then congratulations! Your chances of getting accepted to get-paid-to-drive programs are extremely high.

Here are a few more facts about get-paid-to-drive programs that you need to be aware of:

  1. Keep in mind that these companies will make you sign a contract, because they generally prefer long-term commitments.
  2. You need to make sure that the ad is not going to damage your car exterior. Fortunately, you have a lot of options to choose from, like magnetic signs, vinyl bumper stickers, graphic panels, or a complete car wrap.
  3. Find out if there is a minimum distance you will need to drive every month. Most companies will just ask you to drive 400-500 miles, but a few of them may require you to drive at least 1000 miles per month or even ask you to drive to certain locations on a regular basis.
  4. Some programs would want to install GPS location system in your car to make sure that you follow all the rules in your contract, so you will need to avoid these programs, if you feel that they might invade your privacy.