Wow... I'm amazed what you've done with this business...
 

Hi Boz and Gordon,

Just getting caught up on all the posts (I was a little bit sick last week, and also busy, but feeling great now)...

Sounds like you've turned a great money-maker, into an AMAZING money-maker!

Made it quicker, and easier too... Which means more money per hour...

That "business in a bag" concept makes it seem pretty easy too. Just bring the bag along, and drum up business. (Though in this case you were going to a used car dealer, I guess you'd still need the old sign if you were drumming up "new" business from drivers...)

Anyway, great concept. Hope it makes you even more bucks... :)

Thanks for posting the "heads up" here, I think the kit (when it's ready) is a "no-brainer"... :)

Best wishes,

Dien

Re: Un-employment
 

Anything that can help someone get out of unemployment is a life saver and this seems to be easily doable with some minor gumption,

Eva

and don't forget UNDERemployment!
 

don't forget UNDERemployment.

working part-time or stuck in less than desirable job due to job market or insurance situation.

or as I call it "slow motion unemployment" since you suffer the same effects just takes longer.

looking at the "headlight biz" to replace my SECOND job!

(thanks for trying to make it even easier to start)

Minor Gumption
 

I have minor gumption.:p

Saturday I got to my spot at noon, and had $100 in my pocket by 2:30. Stayed there until 6pm and left with $161.82 to the good...one debit card transaction screwed the total cash in my pocket. Money vs time = $26.97/hour, which beats the $7.50/hr they advertise for clerks over at the convenience store.

That's not the hundreds or thousands from selling ads on mirrors or menus, but then I don't think I would enjoy selling ads. I spend my down time messing around on my laptop, either writing or reading Kindle books, or playing games. It suits me. My only complaint about my present spot at the muffler shop is that it's too noisy for good napping.

Re: Minor Gumption
 

Big B,

Why are you accepting debit (or credit) cards? Or is the merchant at your location accepting them and giving you the proceeds after fees? I'm suspecting you are paying some sort of "rent" to be at a car wash or muffler shop or other retail location. If I am incorrect, oh well, you'll straighten me out. :)

Tom

Those Getting into the {BOZ BIZ} Use PayPal Offline email payment System(s)...
 

Besides Good ol' Cash!

Even... Offline, Mobile relationships and connections...

For Collecting those All important $$$'s and Endless Revenues...

Fairly Simply and Cheap to Build into Your business models & Concepts these Days! ... ;)
http://www.google.com/search?q=use+p...ient=firefox-a

Phil

Re: Those Getting into the {BOZ BIZ} Use PayPal Offline email payment System(s)...
 

PayPal has added in some services, or maybe I'm just now noticing them. You can have people send money to your mobile phone number and it's deposited into your PayPal account. That plus the invoicing that Phil linked.

Re: Minor Gumption
 

I did start out by relying on the merchant to accept credit cards for me, but that meant I had to split my take with the merchant. Then I discovered the wonders of a smart phone, and all that one can do with them, including accepting credit/debit cards.

I am accepting credit/debit cards with Square on my phone. I also have PayAnywhere, but have come to prefer Square. I've never asked anybody if they could pay with PayPal, as most everybody now has at least a debit card.

Since I got the ability to take cards myself, I haven't paid rent to anybody. If a merchant won't let me use his lot for free, I move on and find one that will. All you have to do is ask the right way.

Here's how it worked at Brother Mims's veggie, flower, and houseplant stand. When I got there Brother Mims was in an extended conversation with another man. I hung back outside the door as I didn't want to interrupt them since my business wasn't pressing. Brother Mims noticed me and motioned me inside. I went in and introduced myself to both of them, and joined in their conversation. They were discussing the economy, politics, the wars, and talking about old times. They were a couple of old guys that enjoy chewing the rag and teasing one another. As far as they knew, from my conversation, I was just another guy like them and didn't really want anything. Finally the other guy left and I continued the conversation with Brother Mims. This went on for about 25 minutes total. Finally the conversation turned from Brother Mims over to me. Who am I, what do I do, what can I do for you, and so forth. I told him I'd like to park in his lot for a spell. No problem, he says. How could he say otherwise at that point?

He can't remember my first name, so he calls me Brother Riggs. I call him Brother Mims, to stay even. Alabama is a different kind of place.

At the muffler shop, back here at home, I just asked permission straight out. I took the trouble to find out the owner's name, and found out that everybody thinks the world of him. "Felix is a good guy." they all said. So I just asked him. Introduced myself and asked him what it would take for me to park there. He didn't know, so I said "Well if you don't care, I'll just park on the corner out of the way." Go ahead, he said, I don't care. To this day he doesn't even know my name. He buys me a cold drink from the store across the street sometimes when it's been really hot.

If you offer to pay rent, they will accept. If you ask nicely, you may get it for nothing. If you don't ask, you won't get.

Re: How to turn 85 cents into a TWENTY DOLLAR bill in less than 3 minutes.
 

So Square is good. Glad to hear that. I found something on Yahoo this a.m. that you may be able to use to promote your biz.

It is an article titled:

5 money-saving DIY tips for car owners

and is on page:

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/5-money-...ar-owners.html

The number one tip is:

1) Treating hazy headlight lenses

part of the write up says to "use a restoration kit..." The paragraph implies you have to buy it. Why not attempt to contact the author or yahoo and see if they'll give your .85 kit some exposure?

The number two tip is:

2) Windshield wipers. - I wonder if your magic elixir can osmose itself to windshield wipers. If it can, you just hit the jackpot. This paragraph says all you can expect from even the best blades is a six month life span.

Just thought I'd post this FYI. As Phil says in almost all of his posts, there's opportunity everywhere.

:D :D :D

Tom

Re: How to turn 85 cents into a TWENTY DOLLAR bill in less than 3 minutes.
 

Not to turn an easy opportunity into something complicated, but there is something more you can add to the OUTSIDE auto detailing business. Skip Rosell shared this a few years back, and I believe Jason H. and his wife had a lot to do with it: Detailing black plastic handles/mirrors and bumpers. There is a product out there that shines black plastic to a tee.

Between Headlights/Handles/Mirrors/Bumpers and perhaps wiper blades....Hmmm...that just might add up to a good sum in detailing the outside of used autos.

Marketing? This can be accomplished anywhere, and if you find used car dealerships AND Bus fleet services anywhere....the world could be your oyster. Just go out and demonstrate on any vehicle/bus for free and let them decide. No hard selling.