Mobile Tyre Fitting
Discussion
Hello!
I am new to posting on this forum but have been lurking for quite a few years now! I am just after peoples opinions on mobile tyre fitting?
A bit about me - I am 24 and live just outside of Brighton. Fully trained vehicle technician through a main dealer program and worked in the trade for 5 years. Left the trade in February due to young family and being very unhappy at my dealership with such a negative atmosphere. Have been working as a school caretaker/handyman but I am constantly trying to think of ways I can work for myself.
I have been running the numbers to start a mobile tyre fitting business in my area. There are a couple of firms that do it round here but they are static garages that offer mobile fitting - I feel this means they need to charge more due to their increased need for profit, If I am a sole trader then I only need enough to earn my wage and cover the outgoings.
The other companies offering this service look dated and I feel are run by stereotypical 'grease monkeys'!
I studied business at school and while in the main dealer I was trained as warranty advisor as well as spending time in the parts department and on the service desk. I am very conscious of company image and feel using new equipment in a clean sign written van would be used with good quality website and advertising. The use of social media would be key to interact with the people in my area and also to offer discounts for recommending a friend etc. The machines would allow fitting and balancing on tyres up to 24" including run flats.
I would be starting the business myself (circa £20k) using financial family help rather than a franchise. That being said i have been in talks for working alongside a market leading website to become a premium fitter for them - this would hopefully generate a lot of business on top of leaflet dropping all local industrial estates and businesses.
£20 to fit first tyre - £10 per tyre after. £30 puncture repair
Has anyone got any thoughts or advise on this sort of business set up?
would you use a mobile fitter? If no why not?
Other services you would like to see? (could offer brake fitting at discretion)
Any input you have would be great
Thanks for your help, Sorry for the essay!
I am new to posting on this forum but have been lurking for quite a few years now! I am just after peoples opinions on mobile tyre fitting?
A bit about me - I am 24 and live just outside of Brighton. Fully trained vehicle technician through a main dealer program and worked in the trade for 5 years. Left the trade in February due to young family and being very unhappy at my dealership with such a negative atmosphere. Have been working as a school caretaker/handyman but I am constantly trying to think of ways I can work for myself.
I have been running the numbers to start a mobile tyre fitting business in my area. There are a couple of firms that do it round here but they are static garages that offer mobile fitting - I feel this means they need to charge more due to their increased need for profit, If I am a sole trader then I only need enough to earn my wage and cover the outgoings.
The other companies offering this service look dated and I feel are run by stereotypical 'grease monkeys'!
I studied business at school and while in the main dealer I was trained as warranty advisor as well as spending time in the parts department and on the service desk. I am very conscious of company image and feel using new equipment in a clean sign written van would be used with good quality website and advertising. The use of social media would be key to interact with the people in my area and also to offer discounts for recommending a friend etc. The machines would allow fitting and balancing on tyres up to 24" including run flats.
I would be starting the business myself (circa £20k) using financial family help rather than a franchise. That being said i have been in talks for working alongside a market leading website to become a premium fitter for them - this would hopefully generate a lot of business on top of leaflet dropping all local industrial estates and businesses.
£20 to fit first tyre - £10 per tyre after. £30 puncture repair
Has anyone got any thoughts or advise on this sort of business set up?
would you use a mobile fitter? If no why not?
Other services you would like to see? (could offer brake fitting at discretion)
Any input you have would be great
Thanks for your help, Sorry for the essay!
I use a mobile guy.
He's reasonable, but not always the cheapest. Sometimes cheaper to get the tyres and get him to fit (I can't remember his charge per wheel as it's a while since I did this).
What he is is very good at what he does. Always tourqes up, and unlike dodgy fit I never have trouble with badly balanced wheels.
Add in the convenience of not wasting my life in a scrappy tyre shop I'm happy.
Plus he's a decent chap
Got his details from one of the franchises, but gone direct since.
He's reasonable, but not always the cheapest. Sometimes cheaper to get the tyres and get him to fit (I can't remember his charge per wheel as it's a while since I did this).
What he is is very good at what he does. Always tourqes up, and unlike dodgy fit I never have trouble with badly balanced wheels.
Add in the convenience of not wasting my life in a scrappy tyre shop I'm happy.
Plus he's a decent chap
Got his details from one of the franchises, but gone direct since.
I use them and am willing to pay a little more as well as it saves me the effort of having to travel to somewhere and wait an hour. If you can get close to internet pricing then you would do well IMHO.
There is a company around here that also offers to do the tyres in the station car park whilst you are at work. This is a great thing IMHO, perhaps something you could consider too?
There is a company around here that also offers to do the tyres in the station car park whilst you are at work. This is a great thing IMHO, perhaps something you could consider too?
Do you actually have much tyre fitting experience.
No offence intended but would your skills not be better put to use as a mobile mechanic.
Fitting various different tyres isn't as easy as most folk think. Usually in the motor trade and people that think they are in the know believe anybody can do it.
Far more technical than people think.
I may get flamed for the above but unfortunately I do know what I'm talking about.
Any questions that I can help with feel free to ask as i am in the tyre trade
No offence intended but would your skills not be better put to use as a mobile mechanic.
Fitting various different tyres isn't as easy as most folk think. Usually in the motor trade and people that think they are in the know believe anybody can do it.
Far more technical than people think.
I may get flamed for the above but unfortunately I do know what I'm talking about.
Any questions that I can help with feel free to ask as i am in the tyre trade
I think you will have two main challenges, firstly the fact that you will be paying substantially more for products than your high volume rivals, secondly as a one man band no matter how good your social media and other marketing channels you will struggle for search engine awareness.
If I were you I would sound out one of the franchisors in this market, you would have nothing to lose from talking to them, it would improve your knowledge if you are still set on going alone or you might be find that a franchise model is a better fit. (Excuse pun.)
If I were you I would sound out one of the franchisors in this market, you would have nothing to lose from talking to them, it would improve your knowledge if you are still set on going alone or you might be find that a franchise model is a better fit. (Excuse pun.)
Keep it stiff said:
I think you will have two main challenges, firstly the fact that you will be paying substantially more for products than your high volume rivals, secondly as a one man band no matter how good your social media and other marketing channels you will struggle for search engine awareness.
If I were you I would sound out one of the franchisors in this market, you would have nothing to lose from talking to them, it would improve your knowledge if you are still set on going alone or you might be find that a franchise model is a better fit. (Excuse pun.)
Pretty much spot on, I've been running my mobile mechanic business for 3 years now and it's bloody hard work, I know tyre guys well and I think your prices are bit out, they never get paid £30 for a puncture most people will expect an new tyre fitted for £30!If I were you I would sound out one of the franchisors in this market, you would have nothing to lose from talking to them, it would improve your knowledge if you are still set on going alone or you might be find that a franchise model is a better fit. (Excuse pun.)
Tyre sales is pretty cut throat with very slim margins due to massive competition.
Like a mobile mechanic you will be travelling which take up a lot of time, you won't be fitting expensive premium tyres all day mostly budgets with small margins.
I'd think very wisely before sinking money into it, chat with tyre suppliers for prices, vikings,stapletons etc and then price up tyres fitted with competition but take into consideration they will be getting tyres cheaper than you.
Plus waste tyre disposal and stock? do you have a large warehouse to store �10k worth of stock? or d0 you plan on driving to a supplier every time you need a tyre? = more lost time and fuel.
It's the most price sensitive business around, for 99% of people it's a necessary evil not an enjoyable transaction. The Eastern Europeans are taking over a lot of the static sites, one near me does puncture repair for £7.50, and wheel balancing for £4.50 per wheel, not much profit there.
Thanks for your input guys.
I have been talking to an area manager for an online tyre firm. They get over 5 million hits on their website each quarter so i would hope the majority of my work would come via them. They would deliver the tyres to a storage unit before the fitting appointment so no need for large amount of stock using personal expense. Would have a trade account with a number of different garages in the area i would operate in so I am never more than 3-4 miles from a tyre supplier.
I have checked the websites of all fitters in my area and going by their online quotes on websites I can comfortably compete with them.
When I was in the dealer network we were responsible for fitting the tyres on all our own jobs and did not have a dedicated tyre fitter so I would feel very competent in fitting on the road.
I'm not really in it for the money in the sense of earning a massive range. £20k+ after expenses would keep me happy.
Thanks again for the help, I will keep looking into it and make sure all avenues are exhausted before i make the jump!
All the best
I have been talking to an area manager for an online tyre firm. They get over 5 million hits on their website each quarter so i would hope the majority of my work would come via them. They would deliver the tyres to a storage unit before the fitting appointment so no need for large amount of stock using personal expense. Would have a trade account with a number of different garages in the area i would operate in so I am never more than 3-4 miles from a tyre supplier.
I have checked the websites of all fitters in my area and going by their online quotes on websites I can comfortably compete with them.
When I was in the dealer network we were responsible for fitting the tyres on all our own jobs and did not have a dedicated tyre fitter so I would feel very competent in fitting on the road.
I'm not really in it for the money in the sense of earning a massive range. £20k+ after expenses would keep me happy.
Thanks again for the help, I will keep looking into it and make sure all avenues are exhausted before i make the jump!
All the best
Know nothing about your industry but I would take franchise PR with a pinch of salt.
IF you can set your own up then it, IMHO, is a better way forward in general.
You just need that customer base.... Could you still work another job while building up your rep?
Do you know lots of people in the trade? Go speak to them and offer them a good deal?
You sound like you have your customer services head screwed on which is good, but also you need a business head. How are you with things like book keeping, tax, insurance, VAT (if applies) and invoicing.
Also, running your own business needs a bit of an attitude at times - as bad as it sounds you are going to get chancers and messers. You need to be smart and recognise these people. At 24 I suspect they might walk all over you to start with. Customers and competitors.
Its a hard world out there..
Good luck!
IF you can set your own up then it, IMHO, is a better way forward in general.
You just need that customer base.... Could you still work another job while building up your rep?
Do you know lots of people in the trade? Go speak to them and offer them a good deal?
You sound like you have your customer services head screwed on which is good, but also you need a business head. How are you with things like book keeping, tax, insurance, VAT (if applies) and invoicing.
Also, running your own business needs a bit of an attitude at times - as bad as it sounds you are going to get chancers and messers. You need to be smart and recognise these people. At 24 I suspect they might walk all over you to start with. Customers and competitors.
Its a hard world out there..
Good luck!
I've been using Event Tyres for years now, I'm not entirely sure what's gone on there buy they're driving AA vans now, I think they've either gone in to partnership, been bought out or have won a big AA contract, anyway the point is there is obviously a big market there and as an indy would you have the purchasing and stock holding ability to get close to being competitive? Maybe the support a franchise could offer would be better, would help with the website side and marketing too I presume.
I much prefer to use a mobile service, suits me and although price is a factor I'd pay a bit extra to not have to drive into town and hang around for an hour.
I much prefer to use a mobile service, suits me and although price is a factor I'd pay a bit extra to not have to drive into town and hang around for an hour.
A friend of mine does it, he has made decent money in the past but at times he struggles to make anything. He's big in the car scene so makes ends meet by fitting tyres and dealing in wheels with those on forums etc. He charges £10-£20 a corner to fit supplied tyres or will order/fit sets and is also a fitted through Black Circles etc.
He says his margins on the tyres are tiny, he can usually buy them cheaper online than from his own suppliers
He says his margins on the tyres are tiny, he can usually buy them cheaper online than from his own suppliers
To go off on a slight tangent. What happened to Hometune?
I would think there is definitely a market for car servicing and repairs at peoples houses, place of work etc.
I know you'd have issues such as oil disposal, and access but all can be overcome, that is a market worth looking at.
I would think there is definitely a market for car servicing and repairs at peoples houses, place of work etc.
I know you'd have issues such as oil disposal, and access but all can be overcome, that is a market worth looking at.
I'd go for mobile mechanic to peoples houses.
Having a car serviced is a ballache, having to get the car booked in, then you have the option of sitting around for 2-3hrs whilst its done, or having to get back home again, having someone service it on the driveway whilst you're sat in the house sounds appealing. Same for minor mechanical issues, I'm sure a lot of people would prefer to sit on the sofa than in the 'reception' area of the local backstreet place
Having a car serviced is a ballache, having to get the car booked in, then you have the option of sitting around for 2-3hrs whilst its done, or having to get back home again, having someone service it on the driveway whilst you're sat in the house sounds appealing. Same for minor mechanical issues, I'm sure a lot of people would prefer to sit on the sofa than in the 'reception' area of the local backstreet place
I am a mobile mechanic, but I also fit tyres. I only fit tyres to my regular customers cars because the money is so crap! So I take it on the chin so they don't have to go elsewhere.
In Swindon we are flooded with mobile tyre fitters (I could probable name 10 easily).
Because I don't stock tyres, I don't get a great deal. I can get premium tyres delivered by the afternoon if ordered in the morning, or I have local suppliers for budget and Avons. I work on no mark up on the tyre, £12.50 per tyre to cover everything else (fuel, insurance, maintanence, equipment, consumables, disposal).
You can make money on that, fitting 12 tyres a day 5 days a week will see you earn about £20-22k. But also remember it's bloody boring job! And firing something like a 265/35/19 on a polished AMG alloy is not fun!
Now, becoming a mobile mechanic is much more fun! Every job is different and the money is great. I'm always booked up a week in advance so I don't deal with breakdowns as such, but you'd be surprised how long regular customers will wait for you to fix their car!
In Swindon we are flooded with mobile tyre fitters (I could probable name 10 easily).
Because I don't stock tyres, I don't get a great deal. I can get premium tyres delivered by the afternoon if ordered in the morning, or I have local suppliers for budget and Avons. I work on no mark up on the tyre, £12.50 per tyre to cover everything else (fuel, insurance, maintanence, equipment, consumables, disposal).
You can make money on that, fitting 12 tyres a day 5 days a week will see you earn about £20-22k. But also remember it's bloody boring job! And firing something like a 265/35/19 on a polished AMG alloy is not fun!
Now, becoming a mobile mechanic is much more fun! Every job is different and the money is great. I'm always booked up a week in advance so I don't deal with breakdowns as such, but you'd be surprised how long regular customers will wait for you to fix their car!
Thankyou4calling said:
To go off on a slight tangent. What happened to Hometune?
I would think there is definitely a market for car servicing and repairs at peoples houses, place of work etc.
I know you'd have issues such as oil disposal, and access but all can be overcome, that is a market worth looking at.
I just spotted this.I would think there is definitely a market for car servicing and repairs at peoples houses, place of work etc.
I know you'd have issues such as oil disposal, and access but all can be overcome, that is a market worth looking at.
Hometune was taken over by KwikFit in the late 90s, they kept the franchised side going but didn't expand it and started running their own company vans mostly doing servicing, clutches, cam belts etc in the KF centres. KF were sold to CVC in the early 00s and they closed Hometune down at the end of 03. I was a franchisee with them and I still trade under the name now but I mostly just do diagnostics - very little general repair.
There is mobile work out there for general mechanics but the economics of running a van and covering the traveling time etc are pretty tight compared to running a small unit and you will always be compromised with what can be done on the driveway. Some make it work OK but a lot end up in a unit and feeling much happier.
I got a really good price for a pair of tyres from ALS Tyres who operate mostly in Berkshire, and they came to work to fit them for the same price!
The bonus was the mobile fitter used bags to jack it instead of ramming a trolley jack somewhere random under the car! (Mind you when I came to fit the winters they were way over-tightened, as usual)!
Given how many people buy online from people like Black Circles, etc. there ought to be a market for fitting only!
FWIW I think you would need to do a lot in a day as margins seem tight - I got a run-flat repaired locally for £10 a couple of years ago!
But if you do go for it I hope it works out!
The bonus was the mobile fitter used bags to jack it instead of ramming a trolley jack somewhere random under the car! (Mind you when I came to fit the winters they were way over-tightened, as usual)!
Given how many people buy online from people like Black Circles, etc. there ought to be a market for fitting only!
FWIW I think you would need to do a lot in a day as margins seem tight - I got a run-flat repaired locally for £10 a couple of years ago!
But if you do go for it I hope it works out!
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