15 Questions for Truck Bed Service Centers
Do you price out your truck beds including the install?
McLean: Our truck beds are priced with the install as a separate
line item.
Allen: No, that is a separate line item charge.
Lewis: Not normally, but it’s something I’ve been thinking of doing. What is the hardest thing to learn or teach about
installing truck beds?
Lewis: Fuel fill hoses. Getting the drop correct and keeping it from
“burbing” back up. They are hard to figure out and testing it requires
driving to a fuel station.
Do you install more C&C beds or takeoff/dually bed
removal beds?
Allen: It’s about equal.
Lewis: About half and half. I started by doing almost 75% take off
beds. Now I’m growing my new dealership sales and doing more
C&C beds. Do your customers look for custom beds or standard
cookie cutter beds?
McLean: Most customers are looking for a custom-made bed.
Lewis: Customers like the custom beds, but the cookie-cutter
beds sell and get installed the most.
Do you charge differently based on brand or truck
frame design?
Allen: Install is billed as an hourly labor rate, plus any parts. It is what
it is.
Lewis: No, I do not. New takeoff beds cost me more to install
because of the frame design and fuel fills that need caps added.
Do you have an outside salesman to visit potential
customers?
Allen: No, sir.
Lewis: I do not, but I can see it being helpful in gaining and
maintaining your presence with the dealerships.
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When looking for a truck bed supplier, what are
the most important? Lead time/available stock /
Construction / Variety of Models / Warranty / Overall
Finish / Features
McLean: Lead time is the most important.
Allen: Someone that builds a bed close to what we build here in our
shop.
Lewis: In order – construction, lead time, overall finish, features,
variety of models and warranty.
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