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I was visiting one of my advertising clients this morn (a big Used Car Lot) when I saw a familiar van pull up.

I saw the sign on the side of the van and I remembered I had met this guy a few years ago. I finished my biz with the lot owner and went over and re-introduced myself and asked "How it going?" He said, "Great....still seeing 8 lots a day, 4 days a week.....still doin' 10 to 12 cars a day. Lookin' for a buyer for my biz. Know anyone lookin' for a biz to start?"

I asked him to give me some details and I'd pass the word.

Turns out he's still doing the same as when I first met him on another lot a few yrs ago.

He started a Mobile Auto Detailing biz a few yrs ago, going around to Car Lots.....restoring the black plastic on door handles, rear view
mirrors and bumpers and cleaning headlights. He also did Paint Chips.

A guy in an auto parts store introduced him to "BIG D ODOR FOGGER"!
.....for removing foul odors from interiors. He buys the cans for $36 for
a case of 12 and found he can charge $35 per vehicle....to DE-odorize.

He told me the "Fogger" makes for a Great Demonstration because when he sets the can on the floor and pops the top....the interior fills with a fog and when it dissipates...the foul odor is gone.

Since he was getting older, he decided to give up all the other stuff and just do the Odor Removal. He organized 8 lots in 4 different areas. He
does 8 lots a day.... days a week.....doing 10 to 12 cars a day...40 to 50 cars a week for a nice weekly Gross of $1,400 to $1,800 a week.

So....give this some serious thought.

Don Alm

Easy to do, and good money as well! Thanks Don!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Alm (Post 33928)

A guy in an auto parts store introduced him to "BIG D ODOR FOGGER"!
.....for removing foul odors from interiors. He buys the cans for $36 for
a case of 12 and found he can charge $35 per vehicle....to DE-odorize.

He told me the "Fogger" makes for a Great Demonstration because when he sets the can on the floor and pops the top....the interior fills with a fog and when it dissipates...the foul odor is gone.

Since he was getting older, he decided to give up all the other stuff and just do the Odor Removal. He organized 8 lots in 4 different areas. He
does 8 lots a day.... days a week.....doing 10 to 12 cars a day...40 to 50 cars a week for a nice weekly Gross of $1,400 to $1,800 a week.

So....give this some serious thought.

Don Alm

Hi Don,

Wow, that sounds like a fantastic money-maker! And easy to do!

I'm going to share this idea with someone I know... She works as a cleaner, but is having trouble as it's physical work, and she's not as young as she used to be. This could be just the ticket, possibly...

Easy to do, and good money as well!

Thanks Don, you're incredible at spotting these kinds of opportunities... Thank you for sharing it!

Best wishes,

Dien

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Alm (Post 33928)

Don,

In helping a neighbor kid start a detailing business, I discovered a niche that's not being exploited.

There are a gazillion people out there with leased vehicles. They have to maintain those vehicles or pay a penalty when they turn them in. The penalty can be substantial if there are stains, or smells in the vehicle. Some of those folks also have dogs or cats that they cart around in their vehicle. Especially to the vets office.

These folks have money to spend.

The neighbor kid told me about a detailing job he'd landed. The women had been hauling a couple of Great Danes around in her SUV. The odor in the SUV was so bad, that the dealer told her "no way" when she tried to turn it in, at the end of the lease.

I told the neighbor to try the Big D odor stuff, as I'd read about it in one of your reports. It worked...at least well enough that the women could turn in her leased vehicle without penalty.

I had the kid make up a flyer specifically offering to remove pet odor out of vehicles and to place it on the counter at pet stores and veteranarians around town.

It worked. The kid started getting calls for deodorizing vehicles. He did this for a bit and then lost interest. Too bad, as the referrals from the vet offices and others was just starting to kick in.

There's a real business here for anyone who wants to give it a go. I would charge the retail market (non-dealers) $70 - $80 just to perform the deodorizing service. You could also offer or an interior detail package, including deodorizing for $150 - $200, depending on the condition of the vehicle.

I've probably just typed Martin's Buckley's next "money makin' report" on the WF, but what the hey.

Ron,

Your closing comment is pretty funny but probably so true. Anyway, glad to read you are helping a youngster become an entrooponeer (Sorry Don).

Tom

Re: Tom, I helped the neighbor cause...

It's not much fun if you don't pass it around a little and help others, too. These days I'm about as happy to help someone else take action and make a success of something, as I am to do my own thing.

Us old farts have to keep busy in order to stay sane.

Off the topic, you're doing a great job with Senior Moments. Liked the free book links and will be checking those out.

The Caregivers Manual you offer is just a fantastic idea. I'm going to get into that one a little to see if I can offer anything to add to it, based on some years of experience with my wife's care.

One thing I can say is, if you are faced with taking on the caregiver's role, DO NOT try and take it on by yourself. It didn't work for me and it won't work for you either.

We (men in particular) have a problem letting others help and sharing responsibility. Going through the caregiver experience is NOT a time to "circle the wagons". Especially if the illness is terminal.

It's not fair to the patient or to you.

One more rant.

Where are the women at? C'mon ladies. I know you're lurking here. We need you posting, too. We need your input...your side of things...your ideas

Ok, rant off.

Ron

Ron,

Thanks for the kind words:

Off the topic, you're doing a great job with Senior Moments. Liked the free book links and will be checking those out.

Glad you liked them. I thought they'd help some folks. I know a few of my subscribers are house bound so why not give them a free source of reading.

The Caregivers Manual you offer is just a fantastic idea. I'm going to get into that one a little to see if I can offer anything to add to it, based on some years of experience with my wife's care.

I've had several offers from people who are like you and I - they've been there done that. I don't know about you but I'm 69 and I don't intend to quit learning and doing till the banana peel slips out from under my foot.

Good luck to you.

Tom

Where do you buy this stuff- checked all the big box website- not listed- I just need a can or 2 for personal use

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeycoachdoug (Post 33960)

Where do you buy this stuff- checked all the big box website- not listed- I just need a can or 2 for personal use

I don't know if this is what you are looking for but all I did was copy and paste the name of the product BIG D ODOR FOGGER into google and the big g said I had 21K results.

Hope that helps. By the way I also went to some of those AS SEEN ON TV sites. They didn't have this specific odor eater product but they did have others.

Walmart and CVS both have as seen on tv counters. I've bought some ASOTV stuff from CVS and Walmart so that's how I know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockeycoachdoug (Post 33960)

Where do you buy this stuff- checked all the big box website- not listed- I just need a can or 2 for personal use

Doug,

You may want to check with a local non-chain auto parts place. That's how I found it. They had a couple of cans on the shelf which I bought. I ordered a case of it and gave it to the kid doing the detailing.

Now I wish I'd kept a couple of cans for myself.

I see it's available at Grainger's. Don't know if you have one near you.

Amazon has it, if all else fails.

Ron

thanks for the help. I found lots of listings by the case, but I just wanted a couple cans. I appreciate you all helping me out all the same.

Hi Don Alm,

First of all, I would like to thank you for sharing your great ideas. I am in a bad financial position at this time and would like to take action on your Vehicle Odor Removal idea. I was hoping that you would take a little bit of time to provide additional information and advice on the best way to go about doing this. Thank you again for all your time.

Jovany

Jovany......NO add'l info needed. Just call around to some of the stores in your area. I think some Wal-Marts handle BIG D Odor Removal.

There're only about 3 bux per can. Go to an Independent Used Car Lot.... find the owner (they're always around).....tell the owner you'd like to show him how to sell his cars for MORE MONEY....FASTER!

Offer to give him a FREE DEMO. Go to the vehicle.....open the top and put the can on floor of the back seat....let vehicle fill with Fog. (Makes a good display) Open door and tell him to smell interior.

We started out charging $35 per vehicle. My guys are now getting $49 per.

Don Alm

PS.....also consider doing "HeadLight Renewal" for $35 per pair.

Hi Don,

Sorry it took me a while to respond. I believe that I can get the Big D Odor Removal from amazon, so I got that covered :) When I go to the used car lots and do the free demo, would I use a whole can per car? Does the vehicle's A/C unit need to be on for better results? Do I need to vacuum the car first or just use the Big D Odor can as the vehicle is? Is this a one time service per vehicle? after the process is done, Do I need to recommend the owner to let it sit for a few hours?. Any tips on the selling strategy? for example how to negotiate or ask for more business? and also, any selling points to focus on?

Don, I apologize as I may sound a little paranoid but like I said earlier I am in a tight situation right now and I really need to make this work. Thank you again for being very generous with your help and time. God Bless.

Jovany

Quote:

Originally Posted by jovanyhdez (Post 34394)

Hi Don,

Sorry it took me a while to respond. I believe that I can get the Big D Odor Removal from amazon, so I got that covered :) When I go to the used car lots and do the free demo, would I use a whole can per car?
(1) Whole can!

Does the vehicle's A/C unit need to be on for better results?
(2) For the DEMO....I like to make the "Fogging Effect" as dramatic as it can be, so I don't want anything "filtering out the fog". For the "regular" service, Yes....the AC could get into more crevices.

Do I need to vacuum the car first or just use the Big D Odor can as the vehicle is?
(3) We charge an extra $20 for vacuuming....however, we will drop it to $10 per vehicle IF....he let's us do his vehicles TODAY! I call this a "closing tool". And....we like to do the vacuuming first.

Is this a one time service per vehicle?
(4) Yes! Unless someone has smoked when going for a "test drive"!

after the process is done, Do I need to recommend the owner to let it sit for a few hours?.
(5) No! When the fog clears it's ready to go!

Any tips on the selling strategy? for example how to negotiate or ask for more business? and also, any selling points to focus on?
(6) Some of my '"students" just want to do the Big D while others will bring
(a) Headlight Cleaner and clean ONE headlight (IF it needs cleaning)...then ask if he'd like you to do Headlights too for an extra $X. If not, clean the other Headlight and forget this guy for headlights.
(b) If the door handles, mirror backs or bumpers are not bright black....do 1 or part of 1....and ask if you can brighten these too.

Don, I apologize as I may sound a little paranoid but like I said earlier I am in a tight situation right now and I really need to make this work. Thank you again for being very generous with your help and time. God Bless.

Jovany

BEST OF SUCCESS TO YOU! Just "put your head down and charge ahead"! You WILL get objections, nothing is 100% however....when you get your first job MAKE SURE YOU TELL THE NEXT PROSPECT YOU HAVE WORKED WITH X LOT/s OVER ON X STREET/s. This is "Self-Testimonials" and builds Trust so the prospect feels you're a "Pro-Fessional".