Any thoughts to an air conditioning biz?

[Tanimaga]

Thought about starting an auto A/C business. Picking up vehicles, (on base mostly) servicing them, and returning them in the same day. Any thoughts on this?

Kind of a door-to-door a/c guy.

[P_chan]

Not bad, but you can get an AC purge and recharge at the auto hobby shop on kadena. They also check your AC system for any leaks. I had mine serviced last summer and it only took about 30 minutes and my AC was 10x colder. It only set me back 50 bucks too.

[Tanimaga]

I know.. I've worked there 13 years. It's $70 now too.

[kombu_kid]

I don't know if it's like here in CA, but do you need a license for the freon recovery procedures, and the machine that goes with it? But probably most of the time you'd just be throwin' the gauges on and topping off the system. Do they already do A/C on the base gas stations or base garage......or is there such a thing?

[Tanimaga]

Yes..if you have a recovery/recycling machine, it has to have a registration tag by EPA standards.
I have three liscenses in the US (two from ASE, one from MACS)..and one international one.
There are plenty of places to do A/C, but none to come pick up your car that I know of.

[kombu_kid]

There's a guy in our city here (I actually live 80 miles from L.A. out in the country) who drives an old pickup truck pulling a flatbed trailer.....and he does mobile oil changes. He goes to people's houses, drives their car up on his trailer (he cut out a center part of the floor for access) and goes to town on it. He's been around for a long time. So, as a one-man operation, you might do all right. People like convenience, especially if dropping off their car and getting back home is a drag.

[Tanimaga]

When I was the sole A/C guy, I brought in $8000-$10,000 per month in labor. That is after parts and materials. All this cash went into my shop when I was scraping by at $16/hr. Why not grab a piece of that? I figure I could pull in $1000/mo extra without even getting winded. Double or triple if I really pushed during summertime.

[LandCru72]

Its a real good idea if you ask me ! You'll only have to under bid the local servicing prices(HobbySHops ect)... I've known many ppl to do various odd jobs on the base ...but watch out when MCCS get wind of it... They'll snatch it out from under ya ... Kindda like a Gunny that was cleaning quarters for ppl that where moving ... Making good money to, until MCCS got into the action... Maybe you could get a DUNS number and do contracting for the bases ...Giving AEC a run for their money... I did for about three years until I found something else to make money at... It was easy ! And now its all done by computer...There are even jobs like Fire Suppresser Units that need to be updated or replaced that pay a killing...Easy work ! AEC had their Supervisors doing it in their to and from sites time... And if that doesnt float ya boat... I made $5000 cleaning the rust off of where the door rollers roll on the F15 stalls ... And lubing the side hatch and door machine... Took 15 minutes trying to take our time... My buddy and I , usually did about three of these ... Not a bad days work - and the Supervisor watching (*Restricted Area) us was a bang'in beauty !!! There's money to be made - you just gotta know where to look ... :thumbup:

[DoctorP]

It's a good idea Tami...but how would you dispose of the freon...you won't be able to on base, and doing it off base may mean new licenses. Have you looked into that?

Also, A/C checks are free off base, you only pay if you need servicing.

Either way, if you limit yourself to base, you will most likely do great. Good Luck!

[Tanimaga]

It's a good idea Tami...but how would you dispose of the freon...you won't be able to on base, and doing it off base may mean new licenses. Have you looked into that?

Also, A/C checks are free off base, you only pay if you need servicing.

Either way, if you limit yourself to base, you will most likely do great. Good Luck!

Reclaiming machines run about $1200 minus the tank. I could always makeshift a 30lb. holding tank to remove a 2-4lb. freon charge, and get it recycled later..that is until I save up for the reclaimer.

I thought the key was to pick up the vehicle. Convience is key for military folks. Plus, knowing what the heck is going on in a malfunctioning system is a plus. Most gas stations just throw in a charge, and have little idea what is wrong if it doesn't work.

[Asshat]

I thought the key was to pick up the vehicle. Convience is key for military folks. Plus, knowing what the heck is going on in a malfunctioning system is a plus. Most gas stations just throw in a charge, and have little idea what is wrong if it doesn't work.

Are you SOFA? If not, someone else has to pick it up unless you will tow it. (looking for ways in which you get screwed)

Also, there are a lot of people who are extremely miserly. They want everything, but will pay nothing. Cars here are not that old-in comparison to the US for instance, hence the AirCon's are still going good when the body rusts out.

My two cents...

[DoctorP]

Tami... Don't misread me. I like your idea, and I'm sure it would work for you. I was merely pointing out pitfalls. Most gas stations that I know of here in Oki, don't service A/C's...there are other places like Makeman, Tabata, Autobacs, and A/C specialty shops that do. Tabata, and most of the specialty shops I know of will check it for free and only charge you if you have a service performed. Are you going to offer that?

Even if you don't, you will get customers that are not all that well informed, and don't have the time or will to work with AAFES. AAFES is not user friendly as you can not make appointments, and everything is 1st come, 1st served here. The hobby shops aren't much better in that respect, but they are cheaper.

I think that once you get started, you will be fine...that type of business works best off of referrals. "I know this guy that services a/c's and will come pick up your car for you." That type of thing.

Also, are you willing to swap vehicles for people who are busy and need their car? That is something to think about as well. That would win you a lot of customers right there, and you could charge more too!

[Takako]

I think its a great idea. Obviously it would be seasonal, but hell there's a huge influx of new service members during the summer anyway. Your initial investment would be low and if it doesn't work, your not out much $. I'm sure most people would pay just to have their Freon re-charged and would like to avoid having to take it into the shop. I know I HATE taking my car to get the oil changed and would like if someone would pick it up or just do it in the parking lot. Good luck and great idea.

[Tanimaga]

I appreciate the input from all.

I am SOFA, and have considered swapping vehicles if need be, OR fitting my pickup with a box in the back to do checkups/servicing on the spot in their own driveway. Weather would be the determining factor in that case.
If I go to the customer's house, I would require at least $20 down for a check, and start pricing from there. With that in mind, I could hit 2-3 vehicles per night provided I have the customer base.

By uminchu:

"Also, there are a lot of people who are extremely miserly. They want everything, but will pay nothing. Cars here are not that old-in comparison to the US for instance, hence the AirCon's are still going good when the body rusts out."

I have to disagree with you, at least on the "Y" plate scene. Most have one tire in the junkyard, and the other on a banana peel. The average vehicle we do is around a '94, and most require $200-$700 worth of maintanence to get up to par. New o-ring, expansion valve(s), reciever/driers, and evaps/condensors. This is just due to the "It's only got to last 2 more years" attitude.
I will entirely agree on the miserly portion though. If they don't pay up front, the work doesn't get done.

[okisteve]

I appreciate the input from all.

They want everything, but will pay nothing. Cars here are not that old-in comparison to the US for instance, hence the AirCon's are still going good when the body rusts out."

I have to disagree with you, at least on the "Y" plate scene. Most have one tire in the junkyard, and the other on a banana peel. The average vehicle we do is around a '94, and most require $200-$700 worth of maintanence to get up to par. New o-ring, expansion valve(s), reciever/driers, and evaps/condensors. This is just due to the "It's only got to last 2 more years" attitude.
I will entirely agree on the miserly portion though. If they don't pay up front, the work doesn't get done.


I was going to say that too. I usually keep older cars going, and at least half the time the a/c has quit it is something way more expensive than new Freon that is needed. I think you'll be facing that when making house calls, so you'll need to get the $20 up front.

[Tanimaga]

I should say..$20 up front just to hook up the guages. Then charge for the freon..then if a component is leaking, or faulty..order the part, and bring the car to the shop.

[devine]

Yes..if you have a recovery/recycling machine, it has to have a registration tag by EPA standards.
I have three liscenses in the US (two from ASE, one from MACS)..and one international one.
There are plenty of places to do A/C, but none to come pick up your car that I know of.


I do think it could be beneficial to some of the service members, but of course some of the wives too. But I know as a wife when I was not working I would go do those things on my own. The convience is what will sell you more than anything else. Just have a good booking system so you don't get over booked and not keep appointments.

[Go-Shay]

Thought about starting an auto A/C business. Picking up vehicles, (on base mostly) servicing them, and returning them in the same day. Any thoughts on this?

Kind of a door-to-door a/c guy.
I think it's a great idea. Anytime you can customize a service (door to door) you will build a loyal customer base. Good Luck :thumbup::thumbup:

[The_Zach2681]

Someone broke into my car once, but it was so filthy that it repulsed the vandals/burglars, and they left the vehicle unmolested.

[macker]

Tanimaga...

Thanks for the Biz Idea.....:)

<runs off to learn about A/C stuff>


Seriously, good idea, an even better spin is get a Japanese employee or two, and advertise out in town and center you biz around locals. A MUCH bigger customer base there. Throw in some car cleaning detailing also, you may be on to a winner. I'd pay for you to come to my house to clean my car. Sorry my AC is fine (touch wood)!.

[Tanimaga]

Gotta start off small first..a little under the radar. My Japanese is decent enough to "tech talk" and make appointments over the phone, so no problems.