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Opening new tint shop...need all the advice that I can get.

G Lo
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G Lo

G Lo

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I want to open a new auto tint shop in southern Indiana. I don't have a background in the business but would like advice on getting started. My family member has a car lot and I will be getting started there with the hopes/dreams of opening more shops in the future. I need advice on what is the best for a beginner on a budget starting a new business from nothing. Don't get me wrong, I will spend extra money if need be to benefit the company in the future. I wouldn't want to buy equipment twice just because I'm on a budget. I need recommendations and suggestions on plotter, software, tint brand, etc. I'm basically the type of guy who typically buys something that will give me the most bang for the buck. I don't buy junk but if something that I want can give me 80% of what I need and another option cost double then I'll probably go with the cheaper option that will fulfill 80% of my needs. However on the other end, if something I want for business is 30% higher in price but can do a lot more for me then I'll spend the extra money. Please fill this thread with the best advice that you can and thank you for adding your input because I will be using it to get started.

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Tint Slayer

Tint Slayer

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You should work for someone or get some training. Call Xpel and ask for training and guidance, you can learn tint and more from them and i've heard the classes are good and they'll offer you guidance in the hopes you'll use their product which is a good thing. 

You should know what your doing before opening a shop, would you go to mechanic with no experience? It's not fair to the customer to be your guinea pig.

If you are going to open a place anyway, hire someone who can show you what to do, because from what i just read you don't, and all the comments in the world won't make you do a clean a job from the get go.

My 2 cents bro, good luck in your endeavor.

 

 

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G Lo

G Lo

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38 minutes ago, Tint Slayer said:

You should work for someone or get some training. Call Xpel and ask for training and guidance, you can learn tint and more from them and i've heard the classes are good and they'll offer you guidance in the hopes you'll use their product which is a good thing. 

You should know what your doing before opening a shop, would you go to mechanic with no experience? It's not fair to the customer to be your guinea pig.

If you are going to open a place anyway, hire someone who can show you what to do, because from what i just read you don't, and all the comments in the world won't make you do a clean a job from the get go.

My 2 cents bro, good luck in your endeavor.

 

 

 

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G Lo

G Lo

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Thank you for your input. When I mentioned that I didn't have any experience, what I meant was as a business owner.  Nor do I have recent experience tinting. 25 years ago a friend and I bought tint from a guy who closed his business and tinted cars just to see how it would go. We mainly tinted coworkers, friends and family member's cars. We probably tinted 30 or so cars with the direction from the guy that sold us the tint. It didn't go terrible but, it go well enough to quit our day jobs. I didn't mention this because that's not professional experience and I don't want to portray like I can do it now without learning how to first.

The family member who owns the dealership wants a tint shop in the building and is letting me use the building without paying any rent with the understanding that I have 6 months to start making money sustaining the business. After that I pay 25% of gross revenue for rent or leave the building. I know that I need to learn and I'm willing and eager to pay in order to have someone train me. The problem is that most unemployed tint guys in this area are unreliable and irresponsible hence is what they're unemployed. Most get paid daily in this area then don't show for work the next day.

Most tint shops in this area are booked 4-6 weeks out solid and some only work 4-5 hrs a day. I have strong work ethic, am willing to learn the business and want a reputable business to make money and also help my community through donations and support. Thanks again for replying and giving me your opinion. Could you help me out with some input on the above initial post with recommendations on plotters, software and tint manufacturer or distributors? Thanks for your help! 

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Tint Slayer

Tint Slayer

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@G Lo contact Xpel, they can help you with everything from training (they have tint and ppf training) to products including film, plotters, software etc. They have some very helpful people working there and i personally think it would be a "one stop" thing for you with them and they'd help you grow and they have some very competent people working there. Again, that's my advice, you would be given direction and advice from them and i think it'd be your best bet for success. My advice is call Xpel and tell them your needs like you did here and they'll direct you and they have everything you'll need. Let us know how it goes.

@XPEL 

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Cooltimes

Cooltimes

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Xpel may not sell you film even though you paid for the training. This happened to a friend.

Llumar maybe the same way, not absolutely sure, this is what I was told .

Make sure they put it in writing that they will sell you their film after training.

Also some companys charge 2000k plus for a 3-4 day school. In my opinion these types of classes should never be sold because their is no way to be a productive and ready to go window tinter in a few days. Even though they give you a cert.

Work for a tint shop for at least 6 months to a year and then go out on your own. I wish some one would offer at least a 30 day school. This is more in touch with reality. Good luck and start off slow and easy. Their is also a lot of good youtube channels to learn from.

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G Lo

G Lo

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On 3/15/2022 at 11:38 PM, Ryker said:

Where in southern Indiana? 

 

I'm an hour from Evansville in Illinois.  The pricing for Evansville and even up to terre Haute is cheaper than I am.  

Sellersburg. It's near Louisville, KY

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