Sales vehicles

T

treeeguy

Location
Ocean County, NJ
Just wondering what you guys are using? I've been thinking about a Honda Fit for sales and personal use. Do you think not showing up in the stereotypical pickup would matter in a clients eyes? Should i have the website and slogan on it or no lettering? Possibly get it wrapped. My current vehicle is an S10 pickup with no lettering that is getting too beat up to give a good first impression.
 
I drove a Honda Odyssey for a while. It never seemed to hurt me, but I have heard of people that say "I won't hire anyone that doesn't show up in a big, new, red truck." Personally, I don't want to work for them anyway. Most of our clients like the light-footed approach, anyway.
 
Your first impression works best. If you drive a car without any company info people here will not trust you as much as when you park in front of the house with lettering.

I had some different cars lately and noticed a big difference. When I drove my transporter van without any lettering they weren't really impressed. Before I drove a landrover defender with lettering and the right looks and they sure were impressed a lot more.

Now driving a landcruiser 100 with lettering and it works just as good as the old defender ;-)

So it makes a difference over here, and sure will make a difference over there cause people expect you to look talk and drive like a pro ! as stupid this may be ;-)


climb safe
wouter
 
When diesel was approaching $5 a gallon, I decided to switch to VW diesel Golfs. Nicely lettered. In a years time, a dozen potential clients have said something along the lines of it is more ecologically smart to consume less fuel.

1. 1/3 fuel cost per mile. In a months time, it saves about $500 - the car payment.

2. The investment is 1/2 of what a F-350 pick up is. Because our estimate vehicle is basically shot in 3 years, this is significant. I average about 45,000 miles a year.

So far, I don't notice anything negative. There is no doubt I am invested in business when we drive up with the heavy duty stuff.
 
The very first thing that flashed into my head on seeing the title of this post was a vehicle I saw just once, in traffic, well over two months ago.

Nissan Cube. Full vinyl wrap. DAVEY TREE in big big lettering in the Davey forest green and chrome yellow corporate colours.

Now the Cube is an ugly enough vehicle all on its own, with the full wrap it was so brain-searingly hideous that I just can't forget it.

Now that is brand identification advertising at its peak.

-------------------------------------

I've gone on several estimates on my motorcycle, red sportbike, NO loud pipes. That also meant I was wearing my riding gear, also a little on the flashy side, with my estimate tools in my backpack.

Customer reaction, when I could determine them, were (unsurprisingly) split right down the age demographic.

Over 50, polite but negative, under 40, positive, with a couple people making a point to remark on their appreciation of my making a small footprint.

Northwind
 
I drive a prius and people definitely remember me. I love it. I used to drive a diesel around and spent about $600 a month on fuel. Now I spend about $150 a month on fuel. They are great cars. It also takes some of the sting out of going to estimates and having people waste my time. I know I only spent $3 for fuel getting there and back.

Its lettered and it definitely conveys that I'm a professional. The collared shirt and khakis don't hurt either.

Good luck!
 
This is a topic i have been wrestling with for quite a while. I presently drive a ford f250 gas engine truck. I fill it about 5/6 times per month at around 100.oo /fill. I was looking at the honda fit or the Ford Fiesta both of which get 40+ mpg..I was also going to go with a full wrap for advertising. I Think it is THE way to go . Just make sure you have enough room in your new vehicle to do the work you need ,or carry any diagnostic tools you may need while estimating. I think this with out a doubt becomes a plus as a selling point. Go for it!
 
I think too often the use of a p/u for sales is a crutch. The notion that you may need it's capacity to assist the crew in some way only detracts from the role you are playing, i.e., sales person.

Imagine you hire a salesperson to generate business. Would you want them stopping in the middle of their day to pick up something or move a piece of equipment vs. generate another sale?

Keep it small with enough space, as mentioned by Paul, for the tools of the estimator's trade. Brand it so it is serving double duty as a rolling billboard. And, as a branding tool, the type of car also needs to align with your brand. Myself, its currently a Subaru Forrester which gives me lots of flexibility and fuel economy.
 
Yeah I'm rolling in a Subaru as well Humper. Unmarked so far.
I would like something a little better on fuel. civic or corola?
The cube is pretty wacky looking but maybe thats a good thing.
More memorable.

I'd Like to get a full vinyl wrap of pine needles on a porcupine shaped
car like a fit or something. Or is that going too far?
 
I've had a fit for three years now and have no complaints about te car. Our logo is large and obvious which I find makes life easier on sales calls. Most people are impressed that I'm not in a big truck. I think it makes us look smart an thrifty.

The fit is a great choice, I wish I had more juice but then I'd just drive more like a madman pissing off people in traffic while my name and phone number is on the side and the back.

Even if I were a I e man show small operation I would spend the extra to drive a small car in addition to the big truck.

Next season after the s is is gone I plan to do many estimates by bike. I need the exercise mostly but I'm curious as to clients' impressions. By bike I mean bicycle. With pedals.


Anyone had any success lining up sales calls for a bicycle?


Vince.
 
I say go for it. I've done that before, but I knew the clients, so I can't gauge the impression factor. The next step is to get the jobs on which all the materials stay, and ride your bike to work. Perhaps an extra-cycle or trailer.
 
I used to drive a bright red f350 diesel to all my estimates, to and from home and towing for work. I was filling up at least once a week $100 every time. I would get complements on having a nice shiny truck though.

This year my girlfriend and I bought her a new fusion. I got her 2001 ford focus with 130k miles on it. I put about 10k miles on it and have to fill it up once every 2 weeks or so for $35-$40. The 350 sits in the shop and is only used on jobs, we have to fill it up every 2 weeks or so. Not only a fuel savings but now I should have my 7.3 for a long time to come since its not my daily driver.

The focus is rusty and kinda beat up looking. I don't think I have ever lost a job because of it. As soon as this old one dies I will up grade to a new small car, bright red and lettered up really nice. I think the best estimate vehicle is the one that costs you the least amount of money!
 
Been using a Honda Fit since June of 08,when gas got really high.It now has 110,000 miles and still going.We use to div a chevy 2500 to do bids but the fit payed for itself in gas saved.
 
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I tend to agree; My operations manager just told me about a new vw diesel that gets like 700 mile per tankful...Anyone seen this?

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We have a TDI Golf we use for our estimator vehicle. We average 40MPG or so... The miles per tank would be dependent of what type of driving you are doing...
 
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