Idea/question

[Gast]

Welcome

At the beginning sorry for my poor English

I would like to present an idea and ask you whether it makes sense

I'm thinking about opening a self-service detailing studio.
The project is aimed to be a non-profit organization.
I will do that as a completely private person and using my private money.

In summary / outline (details will need to be further refined)
- I rent hall/garage 200-300m2 around Brussels (I already have an eye on a few objects)
- I assure basic amateur equipment: pressure washer, vacuum washer, compressor, foam lance, etc.
- Inside will be one/two wash stations and two/three stations for the further stages of work
- You use your own cosmetics and small tools
- There will be a common corner/cabinet, where you can leave the products or tools, and then everyone can use them
- Will be piggy bank for voluntary donations, together with a very accurate awarding of all the costs that are
incurred to maintain the studio and full settlement of the piggy bank
- Will be coffee, drinking water, toilets, light heating and maybe air conditioning, etc.

And of course lots of fun during the joint session detailing.

This place will NOT be a free car wash!

It will be only for detailing enthusiasts.
Will it need to be some simple rules such as:

- Do not smoke and do not drink alcohol (even beer)
- Maintain cleanliness, order and organization
- Do not use left personal equipment and cosmetics without the permission of the owner
(except for the common corner/cabinet)
- Do not make cars for customers (profit-making)
(this point we can discuss, but then you need to share with the studio == mandatory put the appropriate amount into the piggy bank)

and probably a few points that have not yet invented

What do you think?

Also please forward this email to your friends and on other forums with the subject of auto detailing in Belgium.

---
Best regards
Piotr Bogusławski
boguslawski.piotr@gmail.com

[obispoil]

interesting idea...

I'm sure this idea is viable!
I have some thoughts regarding the operational feasibility:

who will manage the finances? where will you get your money?
who will manage this place, make sure everybody sticks to the predetermined rules,...
how can you check/make sure if everybody puts in an equal amount of effort
if successfull, how do you determine who gets to detail his car, and when (basis planning)

I'm sure I can come up with 100 more questions but I just want to make sure if you taught things through...

[Gast]

Details are not exactly invented yet and should be formed during the first months of operation.
In general terms, as long as I finance it out of my pocket, I manage the place. I control finances and decide, on the basis of behavior and desire to participate the community of who can use it. Schedule will need to be determined jointly.

I seriously started process. For example: last saturaday I missed by two hours great place about 120m2 near Louven for about 920EUR (everything included except electricity and mazout). Tomorrow I'm going to see box about 150m2 with huge gate near Ittre for about 750EUR, and on Thursday big space about 500m2 for 2000EUR in Corbais (which if I will rent this one I will be using also as rock band rehersals place).

I have list with about 15 places but I have big problem (I did not think that it will be so large). I don't speak French/Dutch (i can a little read and write) and I get to the problem of ignoring my requests / phones (sometimes even hostility ) when I try to speak in English

Perhaps you'd like to join in and help me with this problem?

[Gast]

It seems that the project is likely to start

Today I found a place and I am willing rent it - I hope the owner will not change his mind, because I have some "non-standard" requirements .

We start frugally, but it is relatively inexpensive.

Box with internal dimensions 12mx14m, with a great gate.
It will be possible one wet station and two (and maybe squeeze three) dry stations.
The place is not very attractive in terms of visibility, driving directions, but it does not have to be business, so it's not that important. Approx. 30-35 minutes travel from south-west/east and south of Brussels in Ittre next to the canal between Brussels and Mons (very nice bike path from / to Brussels ).

Land closed (gate with code or/and the remote control), guarded (24h guardian), box gate without remote, a separate alarm inside, water, electricity and heating (such special indoor) on gas will be ready for the winter. It will be also toilet (the owner will do it at their own expense), a large sink and maybe shower .
It is possible to connect to the internet (via cable, ADSL, Belgacom).
Building entirely new. Owner feels very nice and reasonable guy.
The cost is 780 EUR + charges for water, electricity and gas.
Collect keys on May, 1.

studio0.jpgstudio1.jpgstudio2.jpg

[Gast]

I have prepared a preliminary studio arrangement.
I would be grateful for any comments.

[Gast]

Decisions have been taken, details of rent agreed, the contract prepared
I'm starting May 1st (I hope).

Hot water will be available. No rinsing cars, but to dilute the foam or shampoo, hand washing, showering, etc.
No additional costs. Owner itself proposed installation of the heater.

I changed the concept of wet station.
Instead of building bathtub will be used ready-made solution: http://www.chemicalguys.eu/car-wash-mat.html
Lower cost, portable solution - that is an investment not only in this place, etc.



I changed the concept of the availability of this place.
After many remarks and comments from several countries.
I'll be trying to create a small club with limited availability. So a few (up to 10-15) persons who jointly share the costs.

[Gast]

Welcome

Preparations are in the final phase.
Everything has been purchased and is in place or waiting for delivery.
Deposit and several months rent paid.

Two topics:
the final "touch" (final placement of furniture, tools and decorations, etc.)
and
name

With regard to the name I'm asking for voting (of course if you want ) on
already prepared a short list:

1) Abracadabra
Auto detailing enthusiasts club

2) Auto Glamour
Detailing enthusiasts club

3) New Look
Detailing enthusiasts club

4) Auto Spa
Detailing enthusiasts club

5) Afresh
Auto detailing enthusiasts club

6) Alive
Auto detailing enthusiasts club

7) Amazing Auto
Detailing enthusiasts club

Anew
Auto detailing enthusiasts club

9) Auto Attraction
Detailing enthusiasts club

10) Awesome Auto
Detailing enthusiasts club

Thanks in advance.

[nickotje]

I vote for 2

[obispoil]

same here

[Gast]

The name was selected (based on the 12 votes - 8 for Auto Spa, 3 for Auto Glamour, 1 for Abracadabra):

Auto Spa
Detailing Enthusiasts Club

Today I received the keys

Please visit: http://www.autospaclub.eu/
where I will be documenting the entire preparation, work, etc.

[Gast]

Welcome

A lot of work in the studio for the last two days (a few days earlier I was in London and works in the studio were suspended)
Please visit: http://www.autospaclub.eu/

[Gast]

Welcome

After a long break (unfortunately I was sick) Auto Spa has achieved operational capability.

Please visit the gallery at:

http://www.autospaclub.eu/

[Gast]

Last weekend Auto Spa visited the first car that is not mine
I invite you to a short report:

http://www.autospaclub.eu/

[Gast]

good luck with the project. went through the website and although u claim it's not a company in your eyes, i do respect your entrepreneurial mentality!

[Gast]

My club begins interest growing number of people
I hope that the whole idea going to work in the coming months.

After that, a lot of work on cars. Last week two
For relations please visit: http://www.autospaclub.eu

I also have prebooked every weekend to mid July

[Gast]

This weekend Auto Spa hosted a practical micro-van. The goal was a decent
refresh after the winter and poor spring. On http://www.autospaclub.eu/fiat-qubo-en.html you can find out whether the goal has been achieved.

Two evenings and early morning in the middle of week, I spent cleaning the interior of the stylish Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI. How it ended, you can read and watch at: http://www.autospaclub.eu/mercedes-c220-cdi-en.html

[Gast]

Last weekend a SUV - the Super Urban Vehicle came to the Auto Spa.
How did it end you can see on page:

http://www.autospaclub.eu/toyota-rav4-en.html

[Gast]

Last weekend was a little different because the most of Saturday I worked together with the owner of a few years old and very well cared Audi A4 Avant. The atmosphere during the work was excellent
What came out of it you can see on the page:

http://www.autospaclub.eu/audi-a4-avant-en.html

[Gast]

How a new car should look like when you receive it at a car showroom?
In my opinion the answer you will find at:

http://www.autospaclub.eu/skoda-superb-combi-en.html

[The Swede]

Sounds like a great idea.

For some of the "financing", why do you not rent a little bit of the space to the distributors of cleaning products?

Per definition, the users will need products. One of the classics when you are enthusiast is to suddenly

1. Figure out you have something difficult to clean... And then you need to buy some product somewhere, wait for it to ship, etc.

2. Learn about something new you want to try... and again, you need to order, wait, etc.

3. Need a product in general because your bottle is empty, your polishing pad desintegrated, etc... where do you get one?

As such, it might be that people like Wax-it are interested to have some products there on stock as a retail point.

At the same time, someone like that could also be interested to occasionally organise a clinic there, advising the enthusiasts.

I for instance regularly take advice from a professional detailer. Does that mean he loses income? Sure not, in contrary. I would anyway not go every 6 months for a full detail to him. Now he at least gets the income from the products and I occasionally still pop in for a specific issue I want him to sort out on the car.
And of course, since I get good service, I spread the word...

I am sure there will be other retailers who will be interested in advertising there, etc.

Keep up posted.