I got my own branded flashlight

[Jay Huh]

Got my own branded flashlight, ordered 500 of them from Alibaba.com - talked to a bunch of suppliers and bought 500 for a good deal.

I got my own branded long double box end wrenches as well being manufactured right now. Also ordered magnetic phone holders (1000 of them) and 200 OBDII wifi code readers. Spent about $10k, trying to get my name out there and earn some extra money on the side.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carmedix-Super-Bright-Rechargeable-LED-Water-Resistant-Flashlight-for-Mechanics-/272713331814?epid=16002924438&hash=item3f7efb3466:g:JzIAAOSwrfVZPg0r

https://www.amazon.com/Carmedix-Rechargeable-Resistant-Flashlight-Mechanics/dp/B072MPMQ5P/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501210798&sr=8-1&keywords=carmedix

I am new to listing products and advertising, what do you guys think? I took all the pictures myself. 

Thinking about giving away the magnetic phone holders with oil changes. Has a nice big logo on it and customers will see it when phone is removed.

I like the idea of arming my loyal customers with code readers. I know it's controversial but for my loyal customers, it'll be good. When making a appointment, they can tell me the code in which I can tell them it's a emergency or schedule them my next available. I will also know if I need to schedule for a smoke test or diagnosing a misfire.

 

[Wheelingauto]

I think you're nuts!!

I think if I looked up ADD ADHD in the dictionary your picture would be there.....please.....don't take that the wrong way. I can appreciate your youthful enthusiasm but as I follow your posts your going off half cocked all the time. It's like you cant focus on one thing and you allow every thought that crosses your mind to become a reality. In one post you go from one shop to three, then back down to two, next your thinking about a tow truck.....discussing how to get proper gp and now selling trinkets....I get tired just reading your posts.....(they are interesting)

I suppose one day when you're on the cover of fortune magazine I will be able to say I interacted with him on a message board for a while....good luck.

 

[Jay Huh]

Haha, yes I think I do have ADD but never been correctly diagnosed  

I am surprised you remembered all my posts, but yea I have been through a lot these past 2.5 years. I love and I hate it lol

[gandgautorepair]

The service advisor in a busy shop already has too much on their plate, and it's a challenge to stay focused on the important, productive tasks. To me, you're adding more stuff to distract from what will actually make you money and develop loyal customers, like consistent inspections and routine maintenance. You're creating more things to have to discuss with the customers. You'd see much more ROI if you spent that $10k on Google Adwords or a retention and follow up system like Myshopmanager.com. JMHO

 

[xrac]

3 hours ago, Wheelingauto said:

I think you're nuts!!

I think if I looked up ADD ADHD in the dictionary your picture would be there.....please.....don't take that the wrong way. I can appreciate your youthful enthusiasm but as I follow your posts your going off half cocked all the time. It's like you cant focus on one thing and you allow every thought that crosses your mind to become a reality. In one post you go from one shop to three, then back down to two, next your thinking about a tow truck.....discussing how to get proper gp and now selling trinkets....I get tired just reading your posts.....(they are interesting)

I suppose one day when you're on the cover of fortune magazine I will be able to say I interacted with him on a message board for a while....good luck.

 

I agree. Thanks for making me smile. 

[JustTheBest]

Nice stuff! Who doesn't need a "High Quality Aluminum Alloy Super Bright CREE LED BULB" flashlight! Honestly... not picking on you - I promise. Strictly from a "business" point of view, the problem I have with all that stuff (typically referred to as specialty advertising - stuff with your name on it) is that you can't track any type of ROI. One of the things I constantly reminder shop owners of is that "if you can't track it - don't do it"

So what would have happened if you purchased $10k in postage stamps - and turned each postage stamp into a 10x return? Again - I am not here to pick on you - but when I can take a postage stamp, a well crafted direct response letter - send out a few hundred and turn that one mailing into thousands... I can't get excited about a flash light that will do... uh... well... nothing - but maybe light up your bank account when it's empty!

Again - not trying to p*** you off - and value is ALWAYS in the eyes of the beholder... but I would have stopped long before the 10K mark

Hope this helps!

Matthew Lee
"The Car Count Fixer"

Get "The Official Guide to Auto Service Marketing"

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[Jay Huh]

Yesterday I gave away our own branded magnetic cell phone holders. I have 1000 of them and get cost me about $1.20 each. I have them in all my cars and there's a big logo staring back at me everytime I get in my car before slapping my cell phone on it. Customers LOVE it bc those things work really really well.  I saw a while back someone was giving away air freshners with oil changes and I thought that was a great idea. For some reason small things make customers happy. 

On a side note, bulk of the $10k is from long double ended box wrenches that are awesome