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YOUR DREAM GARAGE would have...

The Auto shop makes us also go through a 30 minute safety class (Thurs. & Sat. Only). They give us a safety card (signed) that we show every time we use the shop. They also log everything.
 


TheNoob23 said:
I see problems if it will be a DIY garage. Most DIY guys save the work for the weekend and the car may be down for the entire weekend or longer if problems occur. If you allow people to keep their cars there for that long you would run into capacity issues. Also the population and the socioeconomic status of the people in the area would have a big effect on need/want for this as well as profitability of such an establishment. You have to look at this from a business perspective. Have you talked to friends (locals) about the idea, besides gpf. Hypothetically, yes its a good/cool idea to throw around, but will people utilize this to the point where it becomes profitable in the foreseeable future? Think about all of the overhead and startup capital that would come before this place is actually up and running and bringing in business. With that and you saying $4m+ for startup, I say go big or go home, atleast double the spots in the garage and have them being used on a consistent basis.
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Our goal is to be a working garage, and not a storage area. With that in mind, I wouldn't have a problem with a car sitting in a bay for a week, as long as the customer is willing to pay the fee. Excellent points made about the feasibility of this business. Rest assured, we are working on projected business through market inquiries. I realize that the concept is useless if people are unwilling/unable to use our service. Our investor/s won't give us a dime unless we can prove to him/them that this is gonna make money.
 
Chris BadAss said:
Our goal is to be a working garage, and not a storage area. With that in mind, I wouldn't have a problem with a car sitting in a bay for a week, as long as the customer is willing to pay the fee. Excellent points made about the feasibility of this business. Rest assured, we are working on projected business through market inquiries. I realize that the concept is useless if people are unwilling/unable to use our service. Our investor/s won't give us a dime unless we can prove to him/them that this is gonna make money.
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i bet this concept could of have had some big wings in the late 70's and 80's. when HS still had auto shop. sadly most kids cant change a tire today. its kinda sad how all mechanical ability all went to a game controller.
 


scottydoggs said:
that could work out. format a video game around car repairs. and street races to fund your build lol
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Except if it's based around GP's, we'll be losing to a Ford Focus and just about every other car built since 2007. LOL Unless you're Snowflake...then you're beating everything from built F-bodies to Lambos. LOL J/K Flake...I know you're lurking. :)
 
hitman said:
Where do you plan to open this business? Location is everything.
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scottydoggs said:
i bet this concept could of have had some big wings in the late 70's and 80's. when HS still had auto shop. sadly most kids cant change a tire today. its kinda sad how all mechanical ability all went to a game controller.
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The location will be between Harrisburg & Hershey along RT.22 (hopefully close to an exit from I-81). Vo-tech auto shop classes are still very popular in this area. Part of the plan is to take advatage of these resources by striking deals with the local vo-tech schools, parts stores, rental car agencies, etc.
 
The only problem that I can see is the amount of people. Going from small amount (soldiers) to large amount (general public) there are just to many liability issues. The on Post shops are very controlled. You would have to have a good amount of personnel willing to be patient enough to deal with the less mechanical people that have never used a shop or tools and not get burned out or ahole like after answering the same noob questions day in and day out.
 


Chris BadAss said:
The location will be between Harrisburg & Hershey along RT.22 (hopefully close to an exit from I-81). Vo-tech auto shop classes are still very popular in this area.
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I spend a lot of time in Harrisburg and can vouch for this. There's an enormous amount of ricers in apartment complexes here, too, basically begging for this sort of thing.
Chris BadAss said:
Part of the plan is to take advatage of these resources by striking deals with the local vo-tech schools, parts stores, rental car agencies, etc.
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I was actually just thinking that you can increase customers by having someone perform DIY maintenance classes... how to change oil, filters, brakes, that sort of thing. Keep 'em coming back by teaching them more things to use your garage for... same thing hardware stores and gyms do.

As a thought, good marketing might be the key difference between starting in the red or black. Even something like giving business cards or coupons to all the local parts stores employees, taping cards/brochures to apartment buildings (this is how I know where to order my fast food here), managing your google info, facebook, web site, etc. At least, laying out a plan for that might be part of getting investor support.
 
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SlowNA06 said:
I spend a lot of time in Harrisburg and can vouch for this. There's an enormous amount of ricers in apartment complexes here, too, basically begging for this sort of thing.

I was actually just thinking that you can increase customers by having someone perform DIY maintenance classes... how to change oil, filters, brakes, that sort of thing. Keep 'em coming back by teaching them more things to use your garage for... same thing hardware stores and gyms do.

As a thought, good marketing might be the key difference between starting in the red or black. Even something like giving business cards or coupons to all the local parts stores employees, taping cards/brochures to apartment buildings (this is how I know where to order my fast food here), managing your google info, facebook, web site, etc. At least, laying out a plan for that might be part of getting investor support.
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How-to classes are a possibility. just have to be sure about the liability of them. Someone screws up their car and claims "that's what he told me to do!" etc. Our marketing scheme will start two months b4 our grand opening, including radio spots, local business meet and geet, and such. The first week(maybe two) will be at half price to draw in potential customers and "hook" them. If budget allows, local commercial advertising will be used as well. Not to mention a "GPF" event!! :)
 


Well I pay 2 bucks an hour for one with more than that :D but in reality id pay a good amount if I needed it...like 10 and hour or so

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I would have begged for this when i was in high school. I even tried to rent a storage unit since my parents wouldnt let me start any major projects at home. It would be great for those ricers in your area if you had a large parking area people could store cars for longer periods of time for a smaller fee for larger projects. Just roll your car out when your not working on it to free up shop space then back in when you ready to work. Most diy'rs are doing it to save money and will make it work in any situation outside. If your talking 4 million start up you would take years to make money it should not have to cost that much. Put it in the hood
 
Wish I had a decent compressor and wire feed welder.. Also a lift would be awesome.. But pretty much already have it like I need it to be..

My drills on my homemade bench..
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My yak hangin on opposite side..
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When I had my 2011 5.0L in it :(
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With my scoobie in it now and gone tacoma..
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Last Christmas.. :)
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Doing this in there right now..
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to this..
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But it has a little air conditioner, I have a stacked drum wood stove, a 50" big screen with dish network, wi fi, and pretty much all your basic tools..
 
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