Jeep shops

[XabuJr]

So those of you guys that don't do your own Jeep work, if you had a Jeep only shop in your area, would you be more likely to visit them first before you went to any other basic offroad store that serves every type of 4x4?

And those of you that do your own Jeep work, have you ever wanted to be able to rent a bay in a shop to do the work on a lift? Which would make it easier than working in your driveway?

 

[ScubaDude]

So those of you guys that don't do your own Jeep work, if you had a Jeep only shop in your area, would you be more likely to visit them first before you went to any other basic offroad store that serves every type of 4x4?

And those of you that do your own Jeep work, have you ever wanted to be able to rent a bay in a shop to do the work on a lift? Which would make it easier than working in your driveway?

If your considering opening this sort of store then you'll be a millionaire
It's all about marketing... So the most important factor is stickers .

But in all seriousness I was thrilled just to find a 4x4 shop... Before that I had to use Firestone and they effed up on everything... So YES. I would go to a shop for jeeps only just for the specializing and it would b cool if anyone could rent out a bay, BUT... That's not a huge market. Unless the town has hundreds of true Jeepers then a facility with enough lifts and tools to rent out a space would never pay for itself. I think this idea is golden but it should be open for all 4x4 vehicles (maybe even quads) and allow any one to rent out a bay area and just specialize in jeeps to draw a bigger crowd but still be attractive to jeep owners.


I like the way you think...

 

[ScubaDude]

Unless that would be to generic for you...

 

[XabuJr]

Well I'd talked to a guy in Florida that did that, Jeep's only. Specializing in JK/TJ/YJ/CJ/XJ's and such, and is busy enough for 3 employees. Plus some parts sales since he can.

I have no desire to work on Fords, Dodges (and I own one) or anything like that. Since there are very few offroad places in the Seattle area as a whole, one dedicated to Jeeps could be a huge deal. There are hundreds of Jeeps around the area.

I do agree that marketing is key. But I'm thinking 2 bays, one is the rental bay and one for normal repairs and upgrades. At least until it's busy enough that we would have to upgrade. Just thinking outloud to see how many people would visit one in their area while some buddies and I are putting together plans and research to see.

 

[ScubaDude]

It sounds like a good deal for you then! And it sounds like you have a business plan. If I lived near you then you would have my loyalty as a shopper. But don't just take it from me...

 

[xt master]

Would be nice but personally I cant afford to use a shop and do all my own work.If you do to make some extra money you should get into making some custom parts,such as tube fenders, tube doors,custom bumpers and such.

 

[XabuJr]

Would be nice but personally I cant afford to use a shop and do all my own work.If you do to make some extra money you should get into making some custom parts,such as tube fenders, tube doors,custom bumpers and such.

True. But that's why we were looking into letting people rent a bay by the hour or day, in order for those in the Jeep community that want to do their own work but need a lift or air compressor or whatever, can. We'd want it to be affordable to help the community in that way.

As for custom parts, that wouldn't be ruled out either.

 

[O_M_Jeep]

There is a place in Salt Lake that does this, the expensive part is the insurance, you have to have it and your allowing your customers to be under a vehicle on a lift. On top of that you'll have rent and you'll have to buy and install lifts, you also need a half dozen extended basic tool sets in roller cabnets to rent, people wont want to load up their tools, even if they had them, you'll also need a mechanic or three to rent out to people who discover they don't know how to fix unexpected problems. It's a lot to plan,

 

[XabuJr]

There is a place in Salt Lake that does this, the expensive part is the insurance, you have to have it and your allowing your customers to be under a vehicle on a lift. On top of that you'll have rent and you'll have to buy and install lifts, you also need a half dozen extended basic tool sets in roller cabnets to rent, people wont want to load up their tools, even if they had them, you'll also need a mechanic or three to rent out to people who discover they don't know how to fix unexpected problems. It's a lot to plan,

Most of that we've got on paper. Requests for insurance quotes, etc, are pending as we find a potential area. The biggest piece is doing a little research on if people would use it if it's available to them in their area. Granted this is a broad spectrum, and not the best for a localized survey of use, but it still helps to decide to pull the trigger with a bank..

 

[O_M_Jeep]

You have to look at your geographic area, how common are houses without garages, how many apartments in the area, the really big question is how many people with the ability but not the means. Its a good idea, and Seattle is a great place for it, the place in Salt Lake is usually busy. What they offer that draws the most people is not needing to lug all the tools and a rent-a-mechanic if they need help, and a parts store next door helps tremendously.