Thread: 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.

Originally Posted by TheNoob23

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Chris BadAss

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.

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.

Originally Posted by hitman

"GPF: The Video Game"...let's do it!

that could work out. format a video game around car repairs. and street races to fund your build lol

Originally Posted by hitman

Where do you plan to open this business? Location is everything.

Originally Posted by scottydoggs

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.

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.

Tig welder

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Is it me or does the DIY garage seem like a live action Forum haha.

Originally Posted by Chris BadAss

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Chris BadAss

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.

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.

Originally Posted by marines542

Tig welder

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Mig and Tig welders will be available. thanks!

Originally Posted by SlowNA06

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.

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!!

So how much would you pay per hour to use a garage bay with the afore-mentioned equipment and tools?

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

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