As temperatures rise in the United States, so do business prospects for window film dealers. After navigating through the slower Winter months, dealers are now evaluating the strategies and services that sustained them and preparing for the upcoming surge in demand.
Amidst fluctuating market conditions and economic uncertainty, Joe DelGiorno, Owner of Tint Shop NC in Denver, N.C., says he’s found year-round success by “Being truthful and nice to people. Even when they’re not nice to you.”
“Treat Them Like They’re Family.”
“Talk to your customers,” adds DelGiorno, who entered the window film industry in 1985. “Don’t just take the car in; talk to them while you’re working. Learn about what they like. You might have something in common with them. Treat them like they’re family. Treat them the way you want to be treated. You’ll be surprised by how many of those customers come back to you.”
DelGiorno says a memorable customer experience is what keeps customers coming back.
“If people don’t like you, they’re not calling you a second time,” shared DelGiorno, who had just finished a day’s worth of three residential flat glass projects. “So many people lie to customers, and that’s not a good way to start a relationship.”
Tint Shop NC specializes in commercial, residential, and automotive window film installations. The company’s offerings include ceramic coatings and detailing services, too.
“Typically, from March to November, we’re extremely busy,” DelGiorno says. “And then it slows down until mid February, picking up again in March. During the winter, we do a lot of smaller jobs. But little jobs turn into big jobs.”
DelGiorno says he learned that on a chilly Fall Saturday in the early 2000s.
Turning $129 to $50,000
“I was closing up shop on a Saturday,” DelGiorno says. “A guy pulled up in a Range Rover while I was locking my doors. He wanted his two front windows tinted as I was closing up at 7:30 p.m. on a weekend. I said, ‘No problem,’ and I opened the door. The job took me 20 minutes.”
That 1,200-second, slow season job only generated $129. But its impact carried over into the busy season.
“A residential/commercial window film poster on the wall sparked a conversation,” DelGiorno says. “He told me that his office becomes hot, and glare makes it difficult for him to see his computer screen clearly. On Monday morning, I measured the windows in his office building and got a $50,000 flat glass job.”
The Importance of Relationships
This Spring, DelGiorno and his team are set to tackle a substantial six-figure flat glass project in the Southeastern United States. He credits the inception of this project to a valuable connection established during a prior project.
“We have a good relationship with everyone,” DelGiorno says. “We focus on doing nice work and making people happy. That’s what it’s about.”
The Little Things
“The number one factor is customer relationships,” shares Billy and Kristina Ellis, Co-Owners of Tintology in Melbourne, Fla. “Customers aren’t just customers to us.”
Tintology excels in automotive window film and paint protection film (PPF) services. Over a span of just six years, the company has evolved from a 750 square-foot space to a thriving operation spanning 6,500 square feet. When it comes to year-round success, Billy and Kristina emphasize the little things.
“Depending on the size of the job, we give customers a box of chocolates,” the couple shares. “We write handwritten thank-you notes to all of our customers, too. If you do a job, and it’s the most amazing experience someone has had, they’re going to tell every single person they know. Our customers are treated like royalty during the entire process.”
Billy adds, “I leave the shop super late every night. I’m usually on the computer sending emails to our customers saying thanks with a set of professional pictures of their car.”