Black vans for under £3k

[Skeeter]

But the simple fact is, focusing on ONLY black vans is immediately limiting him to what, 5% of the vans on sale in the UK? If that? Surely there are more important things to think about when starting your own business than the colour of your first van?

Why not borrow one? Or use your car? At least that way you could see if your business is actually going to be successful. You don't want to spend 3 months finding the perfect black van, get it all sign written, and then find out nobody wants a car detailer and your business plan flops.

Get a successful business going first, then worry about the 'look'. It appears to be the approach Mike has taken with his web developing, and apparently that's going ok?

 

[-Ad-]

a seed he knew would grow into another one

 

[BinnsY]

Perhaps you understand the colour choice now - image is everything and a White van just doesn't do it.

I've been a bit of a lurker on these forums for some time, I've read a few of these MikeHiow threads and I have to admit they give me a bit of a giggle from time to time.

But in an attempt to keep this thread serious I think you are completley wrong on this point.

I'm quite in to my amateur detailing, not as far as rotary polishers like but I know my way around a clay bar, make sure I use the 2 bucket method and dont find sealing / waxing a taxing task. If I were to get someone to detail my car and they turned up in an old batterd black van I would wonder what I had let myself in for. No matter how much the black paint gleamed (lets be honest that transit you linked wont gleam without a respray). I would much rather you turn up in a professional, relatively new, white van with a classy logo.

This would give me a much more professional opinion of your company.

Having said that, the colour of your van is completley irrelevant, I would be basing my choice on the examples of work that will be on the website "your designer" is going to be knocking up for you. By the time I see your van it would be too late anyway, and even if the van does create an opinion you should have done your work by then and the opinion would be based on that.

As others have said, stop being daft and buy a white one fit for your needs.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I agree with Binnsy.

There are so many losers offering 'detailing servicez' because they think that because they can wash cars they can do it for an easy life that I'd want the confidence that the person I'd employed to do the job was more than just a hobbiest taking a chance. I'd want to think they were a proper professional who makes a proper living from a proper business.

And to me, that says a nearly new van, not a cheap 10 year old snotter from the bottom of the market.

 

[Joshy]

I can't possibly see what you'd need for a detailing business that wouldn't fit into a reasonably sized estate?

 

[Burned_Alive]

Are you franchising this business to the isle of wight?

http://www.bespokegroup.im/bvh/

 

[semi-pro waster]

I can't possibly see what you'd need for a detailing business that wouldn't fit into a reasonably sized estate?

Isn't this as much about the image of having a dedicated business tool which is the van as it is about physically being able to fit the equipment in? Knowing little about detailing you may well be right in terms of the space required but it is probably easier in a van as well as giving a more professional image - although as pointed out it may be irrelevant by the time the service is booked as it's too late then.

 

[BinnsY]

People raise a good point about the amount of space you would need. Would something like an Astra van not do the job?

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/price/3000/4999/stock-item-id/at8a647b6f2fc51d70012fec450ead4f9c/advert

Something like this is relatively new, the paint looks like it would polish up to portray the image you want and I think with the correct logo it could look quite smart. I accept its a bit over budget but I see no reason why you couldnt haggle a little off that and if you really want to portray a good image I feel your budget may be a little short.

 

[Joshy]

Isn't this as much about the image of having a dedicated business tool which is the van as it is about physically being able to fit the equipment in? Knowing little about detailing you may well be right in terms of the space required but it is probably easier in a van as well as giving a more professional image - although as pointed out it may be irrelevant by the time the service is booked as it's too late then.

I think Mike is reading too much into this 'Image' nonsense. He's trying to be a glorified car valeter, not a personal shopper and life coach on Knightsbridge. Previous referrals, loads of advertising and competitive prices will make this venture work (if it will work), not the colour of the transit you rock up in.

 

[Skeeter]

Hes gone through the typical teenage 'business idea' though process of thinking "I can do something. People pay money for me to do something. Wow, I could earn money doing that. I recon I could start a business doing that. Wow, how cool would that be. I could rock up in a nicely detailed van with a cool logo. Cool, what name shall I call the company? Better start designing some logos and get a cool looking van!"

Its a flawed thought process though, as you get hung up on the coolness of it, and completely miss the business side.

Mike, have you got a business plan down? Have you worked out how much you would charge for your services, the time this would take, and how often you would work? Figuring in material costs and running costs of the business have you worked out your profit per 'detail'? What about insurance? People wont let you loose on their nice cars without some reasurance you wont screw it up, or will atleast cover it if you do. Also, I assume the Inland Revenue are going to be aware of your plans so I asusme you have factored your taxes and unless your doing your finances yourself, an accountant. Have you done some market research into the amount of business you can expect? Will you be looking further afield than the IoW? Is that going to cost more to cover the ferry? How about advertising? Its going to be hard to get that phone to ring for the first few months or even a year, so whats your advertising budget? Your going to want some decent referrals too.

And after all this, are you sure you can drop £3k on a van straight from the off without working for a long time before you even make back your startup costs?

There are pleanty of self employed people on here, just ask them. I'm sure the successfull ones didnt start their business by thinking "first, I need a black van and a cool logo!"

 

[Lopéz]

So is this thing for a detailing "business" or what? You can't just pick a van on colour alone, what's it carrying, breeze blocks, feathers, pallets?

 

[semi-pro waster]

I think Mike is reading too much into this 'Image' nonsense. He's trying to be a glorified car valeter, not a personal shopper and life coach on Knightsbridge. Previous referrals, loads of advertising and competitive prices will make this venture work (if it will work), not the colour of the transit you rock up in.

Maybe and I'm not disagreeing about just having a colour as the main criteria for a van purchase seems a bit odd but I'd generally think a van of some description looks more business-like than an estate car. That's not necessarily got any reflection on the quality of work, just a first impression.

 

[[TW]Fox]

People wont let you loose on their nice cars without some reasurance you wont screw it up, or will atleast cover it if you do.

Apparently he already does - apparently all the customers agree beforehand that if he causes any damage to the car he isnt liable. He tried to explain this away by saying it was only close friends, but the sheer variety of cars he's claimed to have done - even a Conti GT - made it pretty obvious this wasn't the case.

 

[Participant]

Lopez, he's all but admitted that?

So, thought of a name for your detailing business Mike? Don't forget the public liability insurance this time

So anyway Mike, what are you going to call your detailing business?

Perhaps you understand the colour choice now

That coupled with the fact that he frequents the car washing thread = it's a detailing business. Good luck to him, I hope it works out.

Now he just needs to talk to his mechanic, his accountant, his architect, and his personal groomer.

 

[[TW]Fox]

And his public liability insurance broker.

 

[jon.bda]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/subaru-sumo-van-4x4-/220788457983?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item33680481ff

 

[jon.bda]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-ESCORT-V...3?pt=UK_Commercial_Trucks&hash=item2a10dc0113

 

[MikeHiow]

Hes gone through the typical teenage 'business idea' though process of thinking "I can do something. People pay money for me to do something. Wow, I could earn money doing that. I recon I could start a business doing that. Wow, how cool would that be. I could rock up in a nicely detailed van with a cool logo. Cool, what name shall I call the company? Better start designing some logos and get a cool looking van!"

Its a flawed thought process though, as you get hung up on the coolness of it, and completely miss the business side.

Mike, have you got a business plan down? Have you worked out how much you would charge for your services, the time this would take, and how often you would work? Figuring in material costs and running costs of the business have you worked out your profit per 'detail'? What about insurance? People wont let you loose on their nice cars without some reasurance you wont screw it up, or will atleast cover it if you do. Also, I assume the Inland Revenue are going to be aware of your plans so I asusme you have factored your taxes and unless your doing your finances yourself, an accountant. Have you done some market research into the amount of business you can expect? Will you be looking further afield than the IoW? Is that going to cost more to cover the ferry? How about advertising? Its going to be hard to get that phone to ring for the first few months or even a year, so whats your advertising budget? Your going to want some decent referrals too.

And after all this, are you sure you can drop £3k on a van straight from the off without working for a long time before you even make back your startup costs?

There are pleanty of self employed people on here, just ask them. I'm sure the successfull ones didnt start their business by thinking "first, I need a black van and a cool logo!"

You are unbelievably naive, and your attempt at being condescending is a failed one. (You should also work on your grammar/spelling in such attempts in future).

I have successfully run a business, I have contributed to running a business and have the backing of at least four immediate family members who also run their own business'.

I love the teenage reference, how old do you think I am?

It is amusing that you think for even a minute that you've thought of something I have not, much less tax.

FWIW, my business plan made good work of securing exclusivity on accreditation with a large global paint system supplier, leading them to turn down another local applicant.

Funnily enough though, I did not come here looking for business advice or even to be told what van I need, I came here asking if anyone made a significant number of black vans. That is all.

You know people have probably gone a bit OTT when there are people defending me of all people in a thread - remember how I mentioned how transparent you were being?

As for image and the need for a black van - this is a small Island and for a little more effort/expenditure I can have a black van that shines like hell which grabs people's attention and is essentially a rolling advert for very little outlay. Not forgetting the "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality around some areas - I want people to know instantly what's going on.

 

[peterattheboro]

If you're serious about this then get the TIDIEST van you can. And as above, get PLI!!!

Edit: Screw the black van. Just get a stickered up white van that looks clean and presentable.

 

[[TW]Fox]

As for image and the need for a black van - this is a small Island and for a little more effort/expenditure I can have a black van that shines like hell which grabs people's attention and is essentially a rolling advert for very little outlay. Not forgetting the "keeping up with the Jones'" mentality around some areas - I want people to know instantly what's going on.

This is unlikely to happen after buying a bottom of the market 10 year old black van though really, is it? There is only so much paintwork correction can fix.