full- and self-service yards, we have a dynamic website, ctvga.com, active Facebook pages where we run promo- tional videos and advertise sale days, and use sponsored Facebook ads to promote CTV. We use email to keep in touch with customers, as well as send text messages for the self-serve to promote sales.”

Best Advice

When it comes to suggestions for success, these cut- ting-edge auto recyclers give wise advice. “Self-service needs a significant amount of land in close proximity to large population areas,” Herb Lieberman says. “This is for access to inventory and customers who can get to the location fast and easy. It also takes a quick turnover of inventory to maximize profits and to refresh inventory on a regular basis.”

“The old saying about real estate being all about ‘loca-

tion, location, location’ is doubly true for a self-service operation,” he says. “It is my personal long-term view of self-service that it is much like self-storage. It is the ware- housing of land until the value increases for more effec- tive purposes. In the meantime, the land can generate a very good income.” Wilbert and Petrie warn full-service operators who want to venture into self-service: “Don’t do it, as you will regret ever being in the full-service industry. All kidding aside, they suggest that the most important thing is to

CTV Pik-A-Part

find a location with a strong population density … and most importantly, a large parking lot.” Often, auto recyclers are perplexed as to how to set up the books for a self-service operation. The key is to see it as a stand-alone, not add-on, business. “For those who have full-service operations who want to open a self-service yard,” suggests Cox, “use the strength of full-service business to start it, but set up sepa- rate profit- and loss-driven financials. This will allow you to make decisions with accurate information … and hold you accountable. When you are making changes, you’ll want to know what affects it has on either business.

CTV Pik-A-Part curbside appeal is attractive and inviting for self- serve customers.

Automotive Recycling

March-April 2019 // 41