Going after fleets and truckers

[goodfellas]

I have tried to talk to some of the people of certain fleet of cars or trucks like retro techs or geek squad but its hard to get pass the secretary (FOR SOME REASON THEY THINK THEY ARE THE BOSS) wanted to know whats the best way to go about doing a fleet for a company. Also me and my business partner go out to the semi-trucks stop trying to get business that way but that hasnt been working much either. Is there a way to approach them or not to approach them????

 

[north coast]

Stay out of truck stops, its not the place to wash trucks there are environmental issues that they do not want, most of the drivers are company drivers that are not going to pay for it anyway and an owner op probably would not let Joe Blow from Idaho at a truck stop wash his truck. I think your heads and business plans are bigger than your knowledge. Just two weeks ago you asked the question of what is water recovery. I think with not knowing that you need to stay away from washing fleets till you learn the biz. If you have a quality product or service it will start to sell its self.

 

[grasshawg]

It's the same old saying: "How can I get the experience if nobody gives me a chance?"
OK, assuming you've got enough marbles to not wash trucks in the truck stop parking lot, get yourself a suitable place to do it. Permission from a nearby property owner maybe. Now get yourself a CB radio, put it on channel 19, and start advertising.
As a former driver myself of 11 years, I can tell you. Most drivers welcome something different. Tired of the same old Blue Beacon (Streakin' Beacon we used to call it). And the same old Truck-o-Mat. Drivers know that a privately owned outfit will take the time to do a better job. But don't take too much time. Drivers don't have a lot of patience.<(sp?)
If you don't have a CB, or can't get one, go to the truck stops and get permission to leave your business card at the fuel desk and/or restaraunt counter.
Fleets: Can't get past the seceretary/receptionist? As soon as they answer the phone, ask to speak to the "Fleet Manager", or ask who the Fleet manager is, and what his/her extension # is, and write it down and call back.
If you use this advice, it may get you NOWHERE, but it just may get you a job. Go for it, and good luck! That's the little world I live in.
Randy

 

[grasshawg]

Goodfellas, I just notice you're in Atlanta. If you're talking about the Petro and the Pilot on Loop I-285, ain't gonna happen! There's a Blue Beacon at the Petro, and I believe another truck wash at the Pilot. Try to move in on their territory, and they'll rip you a new one. Not physically, of course, but I'm talking about doing business within a certain distance. There's probably a conract with the truck stop that say something to the effest that they can't allow any washing to go on within "X" number of feet to the facility.
I don't know if you're in town, or out in a suburb or what, but if this is what you want to try, go out to a truck stop in a rural area, and GET PERMISSION from the truck stop to do this.
Above all, check with the local Board/Commission on Environmental Quality to see if it's permissible. Yeah, I know, bunch of tight-a$$ beaurocrats that presume to have the key to the universe right in their hands. But we gotta deal with 'em.

 

[S.L.Alt]

My advice would be to start small. there are lots of small businesses in every town just like yours. Most of them are consetrating on making a dollar not keeping thier vehicles spotless. Try Tree trimming companies, excavating companies and construction companies but small ones. Offer your service on weekends and evenings when there vehicles are parked. Start small then grow. Make shore you have the correct equipment and know the laws so you will be sucessful.

S.L.Alt
Valley Pressure Washing
&
Exterior Wood Restoration

 

[Larry L.]

Sometimes business will frown on "me and my business partner",they rather deal with just one owner.

Sometimes the appearance of ones self and rig setup is a turn off to business owners.

Sometimes a low price will turn off customers.

Sometimes its best to do a little bookwork on a fleet account,do not walk in blind as to not know nothing about the fleet.

Sometimes businesses isn't so easy gotten,sometimes it takes several trips to win a account.

Maybe you need to STOP and regroup as to your business plan(s) not working to your liking.

And not last sometimes is always sometimes for all of us,sometimes it doesn't work and sometimes it works,sometime.

 

[goodfellas]

thanks everyone for your help.

 

[Dan S]

gezzzzzzzzz

I remember back in the day 13some years ago

I went to this trk. company ask to talk to the "dude" and told him That I had a trk. washing business and wanted to bid on their fleet.He asked me a ton of questions ,And I answered them as honestly as I could......... I didn't know nothing about washing a trk. .............didn't know nothing about h20 capture.
As a matter of fact, I didn't even have a p/wer or anything to put the p/wer in.
But I landed the account and I told him to give me 2weeks to get everything in order.
And today I still do the same account, They have grown since then, built a bigger terminal about 1000yards from where they were. Now they are talking about either adding on or buying 25 acres close by to build a bigger Terminal.

goodfellas: You can do it everybody has an opinion and everybody thinks you have to know everything there is to know about washing before you start washing. That is not always true. Have confidence in yourself and don't give -up .

I didn't know a single thing about business, nor did I know where to buy a good washer I also didn't have a clue on how to wash a trk. But I learned and I learned fast. I also did it without the WWW. This BB was not around when I got started.

Sure Sure Sure>> It was rough and tough..............But if I can make a successful business from scratch you can to. I'm no different then you .......except you have a partner>> (which I disagree on, and is another story all together ). Other then that the other difference is ...........WE ARE CHAMPS ...............FALCONS SUCKS.........

So, Keep hammering away and don't get discouraged, If this is what you really wanna do . keep sharp in your homework and "learn" yourself how to be good at it.

Remember almost everybody on here had to start from the bottom............They didn't come outa the womb with a pressure washer in their hands.

some of us came out with a big wand .....But I don't think anybody came out with all the knowledge of landing contracts and such.

If you have any questions just type `em.........and don't worry if you don't know the answer ............ it does not mean that it's a dumb question..........................B/C if `ya dont know .............~ya dont know!!

 

[grasshawg]

Right on, Dan! The only dumb questions are ones that DON'T get asked. But in Atlanta, he's got soooo much competition, even on this BB, he can't afford to get off on the wrong foot (no knowledge). He's got to get himself educated on how things work or those guys out there will rip him a new one!
Granted, I'm a newbie myself, and my opinion may not mean much, but thinking practically will a lot of times get you alot farther than any book can.
I do agree on this: There's no better way to learn than getting out there and making your mistakes and learning from them. I'd just hate for him to make such a costly mistake as to do something dumb without first learning all he can. That mistake could be his last.

 

[Dan S]

I agree .........

and for the record Randy............just b/c you are a "newbie" does not mean your opinion is not sound !

washing anything does not mean you need to be a rocket scientist............. Heck Im dumb as a box of rags........but still mananaged to put (putting) 2 kids thru college and paying there books,phone, and apartment....................

As in any business you need to learn something everyday.................When you think you know it all and stop learning or never wanting to try anything new ........then you are in trouble.

of course................my opinion is only worth about a half of a box of used rags!!

 

[grasshawg]

You always get a chuckle out of me, Dan. By the way, DITTO!! I drove a truck for 11 years, and I always heard from old timers, (told newbies the same thing as I got experience), "When you drive for a day, and don't learn or see something new, park that thing and go home. You're getting ready to screw up." That is applicable to anything in this ol' sh---y world.

 

[Dan S]

I dont think I will ever understand.............why some folks wanna spend all kinds of money to join a "group" and then pay for classes to learn how to wash.

Are they slow learners or have too much time on their hands that they need to be taught how to wash.

It's kinda sorta like taking a shower........you know how to do it but it would be nice if your wife'y did it for U every time.

Heck I got an invite in the mail yesterday.....to "join" this elite club....for 195.00 dollars I could become a member..............and if I want to go to school it's gonna cost me more $$

And also If I want to get in on the fun !! I will have to pay $25.00 to show everybody I can roll up a pressure washer hose faster than them. They should pay me so they can learn something !!

Told `ya Im about as good as a 1/2 a box of used rags!!

 

[Larry L.]

You have to learn sometime but a truckstop isn't the place to learn,the OTR driver already knows where his wash job is at.The only thing you'll get is someone local with a rig that hasn't been washed in years.Even the professionals knows trucks like that takes all their weapons plus everything in the chemical tanks to clean.Find a driver that lives out of site from all the eyeballs looking at ya.Wash it free,take your time,when done take your time and do a walk around.Look for the hidden spots you missed,it may take you several hours to clean your first rig.You will not learn all you need to know on the first rig,it'll take several rigs before you learn what chemicals work best for you and how to handle the wand.All rigs are not alike,some takes different chemicals as to not damage the shinne chrome and polished metals.Take your time and learn it will and the business will come to you,charge the same as the local contractors.Its hard to raise a set low price and that is what puts out alot of newbee's,they set the price low to learn and think they go up after they become professionals.They do not realize that is the next stepup in their way to better and bigger companys to wash for.If you'll notice in your area several trucks running around nasty nasty unless a newbee is in town they will stay nasty nasty.Look for those trucks and after you learn how to clean the nasty rigs stepup to the next level with the professionals.

 

[goodfellas]

Thanks Dan For The Words Of Encoragement

 

[Dan S]

10-4 ~Goodfellas ~10-4

 

[liebre651]

Hi boys here is another new boy from Oregon.

 

[liebre651]

[hello] Dan I am staring my own biss, nex month I work solo and I have my powerwashers pay off. I am triying to get a fleet, I know how to do tha job,
But I dont know howmuch to charge.

 

[grasshawg]

There's a lot variables that figure into a bid. You should do a little more research in this bbs. Use the search function at the top for your keyword search.
How many units in the fleet? How dirty do they get? How often so they want them washed? How far do you have to travel to get to them? How long will it take you per truck? Will you have to reclaim your wastewater? Are these over-the-road trucks w/sleepers, or local daycabs? Are the trailers flatbeds, vans, reefers, tankers? Are the trucks log trucks, oilfield, or OTR?
See? Variables!

 

[Dan S]

sleeper NO sleeper
weekly - bi-weekly

big ass spoiler NO spoiler

capture NO capture (h20)

figure dat out and post back

I guess same as Randy just posted........................>>

 

[Larry B]

Liebre, drop me an e-mail I happen to know the market around here.