Pro touring shop looking for customers

[edakota]

deleted

[garickman]

Where is this shop located?

[JLM]

If you can afford it, I'd build a car and showcase it thoroughly all over the net. Sometimes it takes money to make money.

Look at outfits like Prodigy. Most of their cars are documented online, so people can see the craftsmanship and detail they put into their work. Naturally, this lures customers to them regardless of their location.

I would do the same. Do a high profile car, document it's progress on the net, take it to shows, SEMA, track events etc.

Of course I'm not in this business either, so I could be way off, but building notoriety should be high on your to do list for a successful shop.

[fordsbyjay]

If you can afford it, I'd build a car and showcase it thoroughly all over the net. Sometimes it takes money to make money.

Look at outfits like Prodigy. Most of their cars are documented online, so people can see the craftsmanship and detail they put into their work. Naturally, this lures customers to them regardless of their location.

I would do the same. Do a high profile car, document it's progress on the net, take it to shows, SEMA, track events etc.

Of course I'm not in this business either, so I could be way off, but building notoriety should be high on your to do list for a successful shop.

I have to agree. You could be the best fabricator on the planet but until people see your work it doesn't matter. It all comes down to advertising and that cost money.

1. You have to have a decent website showcasing your past builds and talent. I can't believe how many companies refuse to step into the current century when it comes to technology. I buy almost all of my parts online and if I can't see them and find information on them then I can't buy them.

2. Build a killer car and take it to events. You need to get it in magazines for exposure.

[nowukno]

Yes,customers have to be earned.They need to see something and hear good reviews.

[buddyleerc512001]

how about some info on the shop? where in tiverton?
i live in rhode island, could i swing by to check things out?
thanks

[Larry Callahan]

Advertising here is a start

[John Wright]

Yes,customers have to be earned.They need to see something and hear good reviews.TRUST....it's required before someone will drop off their baby for you to work on. There are so many horror stories floating around about shops that take hard earned money and not deliver what was expected. People looking for a good shop will do their homework before they let anyone have their baby.
A good rep is tough to build and very easy to tear down. It only takes one unsatisfied customer to ruin you if you don't have years of outstanding work already out there.

Best wishes.

[PROTREE]

were in Tiverton are you my shop is on fall river Tiverton line ,like mentioned above you need to build a car and show it off at car shows swap meets ect.

[PT Sportwagon]

John, hit on the head. trust is a big thing.
I have an unwritten rule for myself concerning those working on my vehicles, especially my audio systems. I have been burned by a supposed reputable and certified shop, who installed an alarm system in my competition vehicle. They wrapped and taped the whole system, even the starter kill. Ever since I found that. no one touches my vehicles unless I know and trust their work. In car audio it is about people in the whole country. I do my own work.

Tim

[BulldawgMusclecars]

It may sound a little crazy, but I started from scratch (with 25 years of car building experience, as a hobby) at the first of the year, and most of my customers have come from Craigslist! You will have to write a good ad (good grammar, no misspellings), and you must be able to talk to the customers and win their trust. Underpromise and overdeliver. It helps if you have a website, where they can see some of your work.

You don't need to build your own car necessarily (unless you haven't done it before, in which case you shouldn't be going into the business); honestly I think that the money is better spent on equipment, training (if needed), and shop space. If you take care of your customers, the repeat business and referrals can keep you going. I'm planning to build my own Corvette as a 'shop car", but I have too much work to squeeze it in right now.

I'm not doing any paid advertisement right now, but when I do it will be on this site.

[Scott Parkhurst]

Agreed- Build something to showcase your skills and your expertise.

If you build a great track car, you'll attract people who want them.

If you build a great show car, you'll attract folks who want those.

What are you good at? Build something to prove it, and you'll generate business.