New Business Venture

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I'm perfectly happy that a good, durable, finish can be achieved, so can't agree with your last comment. The thread was primarily about seeking advice about starting a new venture :).


Well good luck then - I think you'll need lots of it and heaps of talent to change the way most people think about mobile paint repairs.
 
I wouldn't say most - it's by far the most common method of repair. Obviously we forum members are a particular lot but really only represent the minority. That said the previous replies to yours go against what you're saying.

Your kind words appreciated nonetheless!
 
I think we all know how fussy (in the best sense) Stats is....so I for one will accept his opinion on this matter......

Remember to post the tenner Andrew.....:) :D
 
I thought 60 owners had integrity, Ian ;):D.

Any thoughts on the best way to start a limited company, accounting, printing etc? Seem to be plenty of companies that offer packages including web hosting.
 
I thought 60 owners had integrity, Ian ;):D..

You're right...make it twenty, integrity don't come cheap:D

Any thoughts on the best way to start a limited company, accounting, printing etc? Seem to be plenty of companies that offer packages including web hosting.

I can let you have the number of my accountant, very experienced and reasonable, he would set your company up and do all our tax stuff. Indeed he would advise whither you need to or not, might be better operating as a sole trader, running a co is expensive theses days.

Have a look at Mr Site, http://www.mrsite.com/ probably the best for the price around £100 iirc.....would get you up and running.
 
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Well i go through a lot of wheel refurbing guys.

There is a company that i use a lot called Perfection Alloys... They circulate around the midlands and do a lot of the dealers.

However they only like easy work, scuffs and marks... Show them a milky lacquered W203 wheel and they turn their noses up..
Really annoys me.

I used to use the local Wicked Wheels agent but he packed in the job. He used to do a fantastic job.. He would be here a whole day doing a set and he charged me £200+vat but his work was superb.

Others are cheaper but like i say, they wont touch corroded wheels on site... and most MB wheels suffer from corrosion or lacquer peel.

fancy working in the midlands?
 
I'd go with Ltd. rather than sole trader - keeps your money and importantly liability separate - we swapped from Partnership to Company about 2 years ago when we finally took a mortgage for precisely this reason and the running costs were not significantly higher (following a relatively cheap set up) - the tax situation is also better for a company.

We initially had a medium sized firm of accountants who were impressive in meetings (with the founder partners) but when we were told that our account manager had failed his exams again, we were less than impressed, especially as our tax bill had rocketed and they were charging us too much. We were a bit too small an outfit for them so we switched to a one man band semi retired AIMS accountant who has so far (last 3 years) been excellent as he has loads of small company experience and is also very cheap. His sorting out of the mess made by the previous mob resulted in a nice tax repayment, part of which funded the CE purchase. :)

Re websites and printing, we went by personal recommendation as everyone and his mate offers the service. Its when you want to change things later on that real service shows - I always prefer smaller outfits as you talk to the boss and not a minion. Also if you want to present a high quality service, you might want to consider spending a bit more on the design rather than using a stock template to distinguish you from competition. (but I would say that ;))

We had a content management system built in to our website which lets us update our site ourselves (its pretty much a picture based portfolio) which cost a bit more to set up but has meant our site running costs are virtually nil.

Best of luck

Ade
 
you should offer the service to dealers selling second hand luxury cars.

I think nothing brings up the car than stunning wheels.
I have no idea what the prices for this sort of work would be,
but if you could work a deal with a few local dealerships could
be a good earner?


Brad
 
Just wondering....


Do you think that with the somewhat gloomy economic climate & apparent drop in disposable due to higher food, petrol, utility, transport, mortgage & other everyday living costs now might not be the best time to embark upon a venture that relies on people willing to spend money for what is, for most private individuals, a non essential vanity purchase?

Dealers are different but dealers are going to demand a trade price & be able to drive a harder & harder bargain as wheel guys, valeters & paintless dent guys get slower & slower as private punter business diminishes.

Any alternative businesses available that will go from strength to stregth in a poor economy?
 
Having recently been made redundant I have decided that it's time for a change and to leave my industry behind and start my own business. With that in mind I'm thinking of starting a mobile alloy wheel refurbishment company in Surrey :eek: . A bit of a change, I know, but I'm tired of London and the commuting and want something hands-on for a change.

The business will be mainly for smart repairs - i.e cosmetic refinishing to the face of the wheel for simple kerbing and scuffs, though I plan to offer a 4-day service for full refurbs and specialist wheels that are heavily corroded or damaged.

I've researched franchises and looked into what's viable with a mobile service, however wondered if anyone has any comments or experience that may be of use?

Obviously if it gets off the ground then MBClub members will be offered a suitable discount!

Aren't there already stacks of mobile alloy wheel men floating around anyway?

With a recession looming prices charged may start to fall as competitors all have finance and franchise payments to find every month.

A mail order service specialising in Mercedes polished/diamond cut wheels might prove more succesful, as you could draw in nationwide work that many refurb places are not keen to do, and almost every late model Merc has polished/diamond cut wheels...
 
Good luck Andy....
 
by the way if you want the number of my old alloy wheel refurb guy it might be worth a chat... i think he was finding not enough money in the business... and this guy was really good..
 
Have you run a realistic business plan spreadsheet? Monies in monies out etc allowing for a slow start and poor times..then see if it really is viable..

If you do decided to proceed may I wish you all the best and good luck with your venture..
 
Thanks for all the opinions.

I've checked out the area and am confident that there is a market for it.

My redundancy money is essentially covering the costs and two months without income. Maybe a business loan is in order so I have at least 6 months to make a go of it?
 
Thanks for all the opinions.

I've checked out the area and am confident that there is a market for it.

My redundancy money is essentially covering the costs and two months without income. Maybe a business loan is in order so I have at least 6 months to make a go of it?

You may need a year to 18 months before word gets around and business really kicks off.
 
Hey Stats, Wish you all the best in your new venture. I'm sure it will take off with your attitude towards business and results.

As far as Ltd Co goes - Personally I'd go Ltd rather than sole trader. It's all about liability and far better off to be ltd these days.

As far as webs go - I'd follow Ade's advice. go to a small company for prof site build. these "off the shelf" or "do it yourself" web builders always look "do it yourself".. This is not a plug for my company but it's what I do. If you need any help in this area I'd be glad to help you out. I am currently writing a site for just this thing. Company is called Carsmart uk in Essex. A wheel refurb and smart repair firm..!!

Hope all goes well for you... ps...will you travel to Essex.. I have a couple of AMG's that need a refurb..:D
 
comports said:
As far as webs go - I'd follow Ade's advice. go to a small company for prof site build. these "off the shelf" or "do it yourself" web builders always look "do it yourself"

If you have any HTML skills at all, then check out http://www.elated.com/ for free and low-cost web templates.

Many businesses feel they only need a website for credibility's sake, and not to drive business. If that's the case for you, then this is the cheapest route to take.
 
As far as Ltd Co goes - Personally I'd go Ltd rather than sole trader. It's all about liability and far better off to be ltd these days.

That may or may not be the case, the best option can only be ascertained by a suitably qualified professional with access to all the information. Horses for course and all that. There are distinct advantages in both formations, depending on the business and many other factors.

As far as webs go....these "off the shelf" or "do it yourself" web builders always look "do it yourself"

I thought so to till I looked at Mr Site. Have you seen it? It looks a lot better than some not so cheap "professional" jobs.
 

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