I have an opportunity to open up my own performace store, do I go for it???

[Kevin R.]

Ya you know how to run a business and count numbers, but can you promise excellent installation and service on every part you install? Are you a certified mechanic or will you be hiring some? If so those guys don't come cheap.

I know a good businessman won't bring me to buy things from him, it's the quality and craftsmanship that bring me to a business.

Just my 2 cents, not flaming you.

EDIT: Prokiller pretty much said the same thing before me.

 

[MysteryMachine]

I don't get you guys with the whole installing stuff thing. How many of us here actually go and get stuff installed? Most of us do it ourselves cause we're car people. We either buy stuff online (no installer) or we go to a parts store (no intaller) and we buy the parts and install them ourselves so whats that really have to do with a business? BBK, Edelbrock and people like that don't ship installers with every part they sell.

I'm not trying to flame anybody either but it just don't make any sense to me

 

[Kevin R.]

Yes, WE install parts ourselves, but his business can't be limited to millions of mustang owners, 90% being not near him at all.

He has to rely on the other people, the Honda owners, etc, where he will get a lot of money. Sure, it might not be where his passion is, but a business can't limit himself to just Ford Mustang installations.

So, that is where he must have quality installation, etc.

Also, even mustang owners get things installed and want a QUALITY job done. How many threads have we seen on here about bad gear installations?

Not flamin' ya Mystery Machine, just my 2 cents.

 

[94-302-vert]

The $$ in a speed shop is usually not in parts sales it is in installations... The place by me never has anyone at the counter when you walk in the door they are out back working, then they come to the counter once they hear the door chime.

At $75 an hour labor is where it is at....

 

[95Vert]

You guys brought up a good point about the installers. Trust me, I've thought of that as well. To start off I won't have any mechanics in my shop. What I was planning is giving away free installation of small stuff with purchase. Have something to catch their attention. I do however have a couple of buddies who have their own shop and one of them is a professional in FORD and the other in GM. I'll be speaking to them to work out a deal where I can send them my customers and I get a cut. I even know the owners of a muffler shop. If the business kicks off, then I can hire a master mechanic or even take the courses myself. No matter what, I've always said that the best way to learn is hands on. I really want to go and speak to the FORD guy and see if he'll let me "work" at his shop, even if he doesn't pay me. Just to get a little more experience. My cousin also know some import guys which will probably take care of us. Our main goal is to diversify, sell from nitrous to body kits and everything in between. Maybe later, we could even install everything we sell, including the body kit. Time will tell though. How does that sound?

X, Canadian Performance, . I was thinking more like Untamed Performance Stop. Likey?

 

[Kevin R.]

Yea, if you do it right more power to you. Just from a customer stand point I don't want to buy a product, want it installed, but you can't offer it.

Sending them to another shop is a good idea but they would then need to build the trust of
A. Your shop
B. The installer

If people care for their car all you have to do is build their trust with customer service and quality installation and being there all the time if they have questions.

Good luck!

 

[95Vert]

OH trust me, I'v been in customer service since I was 17 and know how important it is to keep your customers happy. As a customer, I do want excellent CS anywhere I go and that had already been discussed as well. Thanks a lot. We still need to study the market, I need to know what sells the most in a speed shop, but don't know how to get that info. I'm pretty sure the local guys just won't give up that info to competitors.

 

[Kevin R.]

Finding out what sells the most is simple.
Ask the people who buy parts the most.

Go to car clubs, shows, meets, dealers, the track, etc.

Ask around.

 

[1994Vib.RedGT]

you will need someone to install parts, sure a lot of us up here install our own stuff, but thats why we are on here, because we are a select group of mustang owners, others that are not as serious, like other people to do it for them, there have been a few times where i wish i would have taken my car to someone to do it for me. also the ricers, at least the ones that are not like 100% drag race serious about it WILL NOT install their own stuff, i promise you, i come across enough of them to know. so you will definetly need someone to hold the hand of the ricers.