Hey Folks-

I've been looking at car related business opportunities to start up in the Phoenix Metro area, and I've learned that there are a couple of alloy wheel companies out there.

I haven't been able to find a retail outlet that does this in the phone book or the Internet, as what's out there appears to only service dealerships.

I like the fact that they do a number of different businesses out of a single location:
* Wheel repair and resurfacing- cub rash and bent rims
* OEM Chroming
* Wheel color changing-repainting OEM or aftermarket rims
* Wheel and Tire sales

My questions for you are:
1. Would this be something that you would use once in a 12 month period?
2. Would you rather go to a location for the work, or would you rather have it come to you?
3. What type of resource do you use to find specialty work- Forums, Internet Search, Phone Book, Friends, ALL, Some, or None?
ANY feedback on this is appreciated as I want to make sure that I do something that adds value to our community and can pay the bills!

TIA!

 

C'mon lurkers. Help a brother out!

 

Hopefully, when you establish your business, you will become a Supporting Vendor on CamaroZ28.com

 

is this going to be a mobile franchise type of deal?


another thing you need to consider if you will be doing chrome work is who will get rid of your waste acid.....all of our local chrome shops have gone out of bis. b/c noone would take the used acid

 

That would be the first order of business!

 

It can be mobile, or free standing or both. I would like to do both to cater to whatever people need.

I don't have any specifics on any of the processes yet, as I want to make sure that it's worth pursuing before I jump. Thanks for the feedback, as I'll keep that on my "things to think about" list!

 

maybe you should open it up as a side bis/weekend thing first........

 

there is a couple of rim companies around me(mass)they do alot of dealership work includeing where i'm at but they also do side stuff,see them every day. doing companies give you more to do so you do want a part time thing or mega advertisement to get you name out there.I have to say it is much cheaper to have your rim fixed than it is to replace it so you should good

 

I see all sorts of problems with a mobile chroming business. You better look into the DOT regs for hazmat transport. This coming from someone who used to work in the haz waste industry.

As far as waste disposal, just drive over to Mexico and dump it. You could chrome the local cop's wheels, badges, night sticks and guns to keep them quiet.

 

didn't think about waste issue but straightening and refinishing would be alot to deal with and you could buy damaged rims fix and resell them and make good profit there too

 

I wouldn't worry so much about disposal. I'm pretty positive that there are several companies that deal with removing waste material in PHX. Check out a company called Thermo-fluids. I believe they are based out of Phoenix. Sounds like a great idea, I would just think you would have to stay a stationary operation because of the time involved in GOOD re-chroming. As I'm sure you know, it's a pretty involved process.

 

Ok, talked with the franchise rep today. Got some clarifications:

1. No mobile chroming. Only swaps through their vendor partner.
2. Their mobile unit is one of two in the business that does collect/clean the fumes from resurfacing and painting. EPA is soon to shut down anyone that doesn't capture the fumes.
3. I can have both mobile and free standing under the same franchise, so that the mobile unit can do dealer work, and the free standing caters to the consumer.
4. They allow co-branding at the free standing meaning that I can stock and install performance parts, aftermarket equiptment, etc too. This is pretty unusual, and really helps to round out the business model for the FS unit.

As I'm out of work right now, doing it part time isn't really an option for me. Managing this business would be my full time gig.

They are going to send me the info package and after I finish with that, I'll know what I'm going to do. THANKS to everyone that shared comments. Feel free to keep posting!

 

Sounds decent. Would you be able to powder coat also?

 

Collor change- Yes
Powder Coat- Don't know

I'll know more when I get the info!