Know of a source for custom paper floor mats?

IMO, you might be better off saving some money by picking up some generic ones. I would drop that cash into a promotional item that lasts longer than when the carpets dry.
 
MichaelM said:
They'll be thrown out rather quickly and are alot to ship (boxes are heavy).
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There's a reason dealerships and higher end shops use them. Wanna be a big boy? Act like a big boy. If you're going to be buying them anyway, why not spend a few extra cents and put your logo on them.



I sell tons (literally) of candy every year with logos on the wrapping. I also use gum for my own promotion. And I'm getting ready to order bags of pretzels with my logo on them.



Just because something gets thrown out doesn't mean it's not effective. Look past how long the product lasts. Custom imprinted mats shown that (a) you care about the person's car, (b) you are successful enough to be able to use custom items like the car dealers with million dollar service bays, and (c) that you are proud of the work you do. It's all about the image.
 
This is a great idea.When I take my car in for service I always notice the paper mats. It would be nice to find a place that had a minimum order less than 3000.
 
kompressornsc said:
Wanna be a big boy? Act like a big boy.
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There is a difference to actually being a big boy and acting like one and it's usually your budget. Advertising is an investment that must see a return of some sort. Big boy's know where their money is best spent. You have to ask yourself, Is this the best place for me to put my advertising dollars? You have to take into account lifespan and value them next to every other promotional/advertising item out there also keeping in mind how this item fits into your overall marketing program.



If you've got the money to spend then by all means custom imprint everything you can. In my opinion a custom mat would be one of the very last pieces in my promotional program after pens, sticky pads, business card magnets, calenders even imprinted golf balls & tees. Generic mats will accomplish 90% of what you're trying to do.
 
Maybe I didn't phrase that right:

Detailers suffer from an image problem-the public can't differentiate between a $29.99 full detail and a $200 one. The more professional of an image you convey, the easier it is to charge the high dollar. Image involves everything you do. From your vehicle / shop, the way you dress, and how neat you keep your work area. The little things (like 39 cent custom mats) are what set you apart from the guy down the street using blank mats.



There was a post on here recently that showed a nice trailer with a full wrap. Very nice & professional looking. Then, there are the guys that detail out of their trunk. I don't care if the guy with the fancy trailer does an '8' job, and the guy working from the back of his car can do a '10', the guy with the fancy trailer can charge more becasue of the image he conveys.
 
kompressornsc said:
There was a post on here recently that showed a nice trailer with a full wrap. Very nice & professional looking. Then, there are the guys that detail out of their trunk. I don't care if the guy with the fancy trailer does an '8' job, and the guy working from the back of his car can do a '10', the guy with the fancy trailer can charge more becasue of the image he conveys.
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Maybe once, maybe twice but not for long. What matters most and what dictates the price is the level of service that you provide and the quality of your product. When both of the guys in your example leave the job what will the customer remember? Above all else it will be the way they were treated throughout the process and the quality of the work. Someone who does 10 work will get more referrals and repeat business then another who does 8 work.



I AGREE, image is important, but ultimately other factors will determine long term success and you better hope that more then custom throw away floor mats seperate yourself from the guy down the street.



I also AGREE that custom mats would be a nice touch but IMO you should have a multitude of other bases covered before you go spending money on throw away items. Remember it isn't about what you make, it's about what you keep...spend wisely.
 
Well, if you're putting a floor mat in someone's car, you've obviously already made a good enough impression on the customer for him to hire you. If you did good work I think that would speak better about you than what it says on the floor mats he's stepping on.



As others have said, its a really nice touch, but IMO there are other things I'd like to cover first.
 
I'm not going to drop mats into retail customers cars unless they're selling the car. In those situations, I'll put the shampoo'd mats in the trunk and my paper mats on the floor. The new owner, if impressed with my detail work, will know where to reach me when it's due for its next cleaning.



All dealer accounts will get mats in the trunk and my paper mats on the floor. The new owner will know where to contact me for a quality detail when it's due for one.



I'd never waste paper mats on retail non-for-sale cars.



The dominant detailing chemical supplier in Oregon--Car Brite--has had big success and built much name recognition with the paper mats they sell to detailers. Shouldn't the shop doing the work get the credit?!
 
kompressornsc said:
Maybe I didn't phrase that right:

Detailers suffer from an image problem-the public can't differentiate between a $29.99 full detail and a $200 one. The more professional of an image you convey, the easier it is to charge the high dollar.
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Amen. I believe the quality of your work rests on the eyes & feel of your customer as well.
 
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