Detailing - Poll
Discussion
Ok, it was meant to be a poll but as i have no idea how to create one i'll just ask the question!
A friend of mine is looking to open a store selling car detailing products to the public from a retail unit just outside a city centre.
He's asked me to post this on a few forums to help him out.
It would be much appreciated if you could respond to the below and reply with any questions or points you'd like to add.
Would you prefer to buy your detailing products face-to-face as opposed to online?
Thanks in advance!
A friend of mine is looking to open a store selling car detailing products to the public from a retail unit just outside a city centre.
He's asked me to post this on a few forums to help him out.
It would be much appreciated if you could respond to the below and reply with any questions or points you'd like to add.
Would you prefer to buy your detailing products face-to-face as opposed to online?
Thanks in advance!
Wrong question, but yes would be the answer for most people, assuming they were in the area already or parking wasn't an issue.
Irrespective of the poll, he'd never meet the required turnover to trade profitably from just those local who know what the term "detailing" means.
He needs passing trade from the public - wives/girlfriends/sisters/mums popping in and buying something for no reason or a celebratory occasion.
Even then, with the plethora of what's available, they might not buy anything since they won't know if he needs shampoo, snow foam, wax, sealant, tyre dressing, quick detailer, etc, etc, etc.
If the shop doesn't do essentials - engine oil, etc - then there's likely to be a lack of pull, other than curiosity, and "customers" coming in to discuss products not stocked which they've always used and swear by.
If detailing needed retail outlets of any type, anywhere, it'd have been done already - that it operates by mail order and from shared/subsidised commercial units says it all really.
Irrespective of the poll, he'd never meet the required turnover to trade profitably from just those local who know what the term "detailing" means.
He needs passing trade from the public - wives/girlfriends/sisters/mums popping in and buying something for no reason or a celebratory occasion.
Even then, with the plethora of what's available, they might not buy anything since they won't know if he needs shampoo, snow foam, wax, sealant, tyre dressing, quick detailer, etc, etc, etc.
If the shop doesn't do essentials - engine oil, etc - then there's likely to be a lack of pull, other than curiosity, and "customers" coming in to discuss products not stocked which they've always used and swear by.
If detailing needed retail outlets of any type, anywhere, it'd have been done already - that it operates by mail order and from shared/subsidised commercial units says it all really.
I think LordGrover makes a good point.
Online is just massively convenient once you know what you want.
But it's a bit like going to your butchers for some meat. You ask what's good for a particular job and you discuss prices, quality and so on. He gives his view and you make your mind up and walk away with something because you trust him and, frankly, you don't want the hassle of going elsewhere.
But he has to be local and easily accessible. Or so damned good that you take time out. But I think that's rare these days. Once you find a particular product you like, it's all down to price at the end of the day.
The online detailing forums are so good that it's almost like being in a shop trying the stuff out. Almost.
But there's no doubt that if I had a really good local place selling quality detailing products, I'd spend more time and money than I do online.
Your man has to balance the ease of online selling (but price-led) with the cost of premises and the trade that generates above merely storing it and shipping it.
Online is just massively convenient once you know what you want.
But it's a bit like going to your butchers for some meat. You ask what's good for a particular job and you discuss prices, quality and so on. He gives his view and you make your mind up and walk away with something because you trust him and, frankly, you don't want the hassle of going elsewhere.
But he has to be local and easily accessible. Or so damned good that you take time out. But I think that's rare these days. Once you find a particular product you like, it's all down to price at the end of the day.
The online detailing forums are so good that it's almost like being in a shop trying the stuff out. Almost.
But there's no doubt that if I had a really good local place selling quality detailing products, I'd spend more time and money than I do online.
Your man has to balance the ease of online selling (but price-led) with the cost of premises and the trade that generates above merely storing it and shipping it.
Online is easier from a busy consumers point of view though im a tradionalist and do like the personal touch hence why I like to visit a prospective client and meet face to face. The advantage of being a walk in store is you can actually speak to a savvy human and get real advise to whats best for your needs also ensuring that the buyer can buy product that is in stock. Ive been let down quite a number of times ordering things that were supposedly in stock ( online store front ) to be then told its out of stock. Not all online stores are like this of course but the personal touch sounds appealing imo.
PJ S said:
Wrong question, but yes would be the answer for most people, assuming they were in the area already or parking wasn't an issue.
Irrespective of the poll, he'd never meet the required turnover to trade profitably from just those local who know what the term "detailing" means.
He needs passing trade from the public - wives/girlfriends/sisters/mums popping in and buying something for no reason or a celebratory occasion.
Even then, with the plethora of what's available, they might not buy anything since they won't know if he needs shampoo, snow foam, wax, sealant, tyre dressing, quick detailer, etc, etc, etc.
If the shop doesn't do essentials - engine oil, etc - then there's likely to be a lack of pull, other than curiosity, and "customers" coming in to discuss products not stocked which they've always used and swear by.
If detailing needed retail outlets of any type, anywhere, it'd have been done already - that it operates by mail order and from shared/subsidised commercial units says it all really.
Perhaps a hybrid version might work? Great detailing is an art. Experience and unbiased expert opinion/advice is everything. He should run a website where enthusiasts can post questions directly and he can offer one to one advice. He can then supply bespoke product/orders accordingly to order. Kind of best of both worlds. If he abuses trust he'll be found out fast. Opposite is true.Irrespective of the poll, he'd never meet the required turnover to trade profitably from just those local who know what the term "detailing" means.
He needs passing trade from the public - wives/girlfriends/sisters/mums popping in and buying something for no reason or a celebratory occasion.
Even then, with the plethora of what's available, they might not buy anything since they won't know if he needs shampoo, snow foam, wax, sealant, tyre dressing, quick detailer, etc, etc, etc.
If the shop doesn't do essentials - engine oil, etc - then there's likely to be a lack of pull, other than curiosity, and "customers" coming in to discuss products not stocked which they've always used and swear by.
If detailing needed retail outlets of any type, anywhere, it'd have been done already - that it operates by mail order and from shared/subsidised commercial units says it all really.
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