scheduling cars

I'm just starting up my business, and I'm doing it part time. I'm trying to make appointments for customers so that it works out to my schedule. I'm wondering if it's normal practice for customers to leave thier cars overnight? or should i only schedule if I can finish it that day?

When you say "just starting up your business" do you mean your just starting auto tinting...and learning on your own and have started a business doing it ? How many cars under your belt? This will determine the advice you get for how long..

all of the above, I'm learning as I go, I have only completed about 10 cars or so. I have the basic skills down. I can tint a car in about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I'm learning to tint without thinking about each step i have to do. I can dry shrink back windows in one piece. I still could use some improvement on roll down windows. But at this point people like my work. My problem is getting people into my shop. I'm only avaliable after 5pm during the week and on Saturdays and Sundays. I feel like I've learned a new trick and want to run out and show everyone.............

2.5-3hrs..that's good in my books(that's how long I STILL take

To each his/her own..some tinters can do a car in 30 minutes

Take as long or as little time as you need ... give yourself a little extra time for when a car comes by that'll stump you ( and it WILL happen)

I statrted out the same way i tinted for a shop in nm , i by myself could get a car out in about two hours but the guy i worked for was @nal about the jobs going out so it was about 6 months before he would let me start tinting side windows which was good for me because i am now @nal about the jobs going out word of mouth is everything here in az. I now have my own shop but i work from 5pm to 10pm week days and 8-7 sat 8-1 pm. i average 12 cars weekdays 6 on weekends. but you will have to figure out your own pace i like working alone. one more thing have you tinted a vw bug yet? good luck keep your head up

Thanks for the advice, I was wondering if customer had a problem with leaving thier cars overnight. I guess if they trust the location and me I's not a problem.

thats it its a trust factor but also where you goin to store it,remember it becomes your responsability i would rather have them pick it up at 10pm then take responsability

Half a day is perfect because it gives enough time to let the installation dry naturally or enough time to leave it out in the sun and rotate the vehicle to the heat.
When the customer comes back, he can then be told to use the windows immediately.
Works for me.
Devil

We have cars coming in every 1.5 hours.

8.30

10.00

12.00

1.30

3.00

seems to work our real well that way for us.

all of the above, I'm learning as I go, I have only completed about 10 cars or so. I have the basic skills down. I can tint a car in about 2 1/2 to 3 hours. I'm learning to tint without thinking about each step i have to do. I can dry shrink back windows in one piece. I still could use some improvement on roll down windows. But at this point people like my work. My problem is getting people into my shop. I'm only avaliable after 5pm during the week and on Saturdays and Sundays. I feel like I've learned a new trick and want to run out and show everyone.............

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Here is your problem bro, and I am not trying to be rude just bieng honest. You are trying to start a tint business as your learning how to tint. That is the biggest mistake you can possible make. You are riuning your name as your trying to build it. Sure your customers right now may seem to be happy, But I seen your prices pretty cheap. The customers your gettting right now. Are the cheap bastards who will sacrifice quality for cost. The problem is people who would rather have quality. Will see thier car and ask who did it, and they will think damn he sucks. No offence but with only ten cars under your belt I am sure you do still suck. It takes alot of experience to get any good. So now that guy who thinks your work sucks. Will tell people not to use you because you suck,

I am not saying dont learn how to tint. If your realy that serious about becoming a tinter, and opening your own shop. You need to learn how to tint then open your shop. A tinting business came be very profitable if done correctly, but they also fail very easily.

Do your self a favor, and stop worrying about opening your business just yet, and concentrate on learninghow to tint on a professional level

Well said

I agree with pierce also.

Thanks to my day job I have a very similar schedule. I schedule them about 30 minutes after I get home. This way I have enough time to shower (get all the dust off), wash out the garage floor (less dust), fill my bottles, etc.

I get them out the door at 8:30 to 10 depending on how bad of a day I've had. No one leaves their car overnight here. Even though I'm insured, I don't want the hassle. I leave for work at 7 am the next day and there'd be no way for them to get their car back.

But most people like the convience of dropping it off at my place after work and picking it up before they go to bed. It fits their schedule too if they have a day job. The night job people.....weekends.

Tell em to drop it off and you will call them when its done.

As long as people know you are just starting you should be cool