advice needed on Franchising

audiboy

HI Guys

I'm looking for a career change and was looking into purchasing a franchise something to do with the motor trade i got some onfo on one called Car Medic has anyone heard of them. They are a mobile car care firm which deal with stone chips and scuffs, alloy wheel damage and interior damage such as cig burns etc. Is there much need for this service in ireland.
Also would the banks be more likely to put up the start up costs seeing as though its a franchise.
All replies welcome

Thanks

Dolph Starbeam

audiboy wrote: »

HI Guys

I'm looking for a career change and was looking into purchasing a franchise something to do with the motor trade i got some onfo on one called Car Medic has anyone heard of them. They are a mobile car care firm which deal with stone chips and scuffs, alloy wheel damage and interior damage such as cig burns etc. Is there much need for this service in ireland.
Also would the banks be more likely to put up the start up costs seeing as though its a franchise.
All replies welcome

Thanks

Hi, i've actually bought the Car Medic franchise for Offaly, I've been at it since about April/May and things are going pretty good. The training was very good and very intensive. There is a need for the service you just need to find the customers, i've handed out thousands of the leaflets and business cards i got and in time the customers come, the prices we can offer and the convenience of doing it mobile means people definatley do like the idea. I got a loan from my local credit union to start the business, Paul sent me the business plan that he used so i modified that to suit me and it worked. Anyways if you have any more questions just ask.

RATM

I remember seeing on here recently a similar thread about franchising a McDonalds. There was some useful general franchising info on it, whats involved, etc.
There is also a franchising fair taking place at the RDS sometime later this month, you should really get to it if you're thinking of doing this and talk to as many of the stalls there as you can. They all want to sell you a part of their business so be wary and use your head.

There's also a similar service www.noh20.ie which does waterless car washes. Could be a good runner if you got a pitch in Dublin where there is a density of apartments who aren't allowed to wash cars in the car park. Problem is getting into the apartment buildings to deliver flyers to let them know you exist. But could be a good one man business if you can that part of it.

bigneacy

There's a Car Medic in Dundalk, but I don't know how well he's doing i'm afraid... I only ever see the van on my way home....

audiboy

Thanks a million people thats really helpful and encouraging

Im defo gonna check out that franchise fair

Thanks again

audiboy

MOG7 wrote: »

Hi, i've actually bought the Car Medic franchise for Offaly, I've been at it since about April/May and things are going pretty good. The training was very good and very intensive. There is a need for the service you just need to find the customers, i've handed out thousands of the leaflets and business cards i got and in time the customers come, the prices we can offer and the convenience of doing it mobile means people definatley do like the idea. I got a loan from my local credit union to start the business, Paul sent me the business plan that he used so i modified that to suit me and it worked. Anyways if you have any more questions just ask.

Hi Mog7
Firstly thanks for your info it was helpful and encouraging.
i just wanted to know whether its advisable to keep my current job until i become well established or will it need my full attention. I know starting up is the most difficult time and it takes hard work to get established but i have quite a few financial commitments and the income from my current job will still be needed during the initial stages. I currently work shifts and will be doing this on my days off until i feel i will be busy enough that i can make enough money so that i can leave my current job.
How did you go about this.
Thanks for your help
Audi boy

Dolph Starbeam

audiboy wrote: »

Hi Mog7
Firstly thanks for your info it was helpful and encouraging.
i just wanted to know whether its advisable to keep my current job until i become well established or will it need my full attention. I know starting up is the most difficult time and it takes hard work to get established but i have quite a few financial commitments and the income from my current job will still be needed during the initial stages. I currently work shifts and will be doing this on my days off until i feel i will be busy enough that i can make enough money so that i can leave my current job.
How did you go about this.
Thanks for your help
Audi boy

I'm not really sure about this, maybe if you are going to the Franchise show you could ask Paul because i believe he will be there. I bought the franchise and got booked in for my training course in England, i left my job the week before the training started. Starting up is quiet tough and takes up a lot of time but if you were able to do your shift work around it to start with that would be helpful.

audiboy

Thanks for all your help, i'll ask paul when i go to the fair
Cheers again
Audiboy