A Thurso car valet business owner says that chancers have left him no choice but to consider the future of his business.
Jay Paterson, 47, the owner of Paterson Vehicle Detailing Limited, says he is “bleeding money” due to missed payments and no-shows.
He has ran the car valet business for almost two years from his address in Ormlie, but is now contemplating “shutting down for good.”
Over his time in business, he says he has loved his time serving loyal customers, working in his “dream job.”
But over the last 30 days, six clients have failed to turn up for appointments, while another three have enjoyed his services without paying.
The single dad-of-two is currently taking a month-long holiday – and is not sure that he will be able to continue once he is back.
Speaking to the Press and Journal he said: “I’ve not had any problems with this up to this point.
“Since I started it has been customer after customer, I have a loyal base of clients and the reviews are very good.
“But, I’ve been told repeatedly that I am too trustworthy – because a complete stranger can call from a withheld number to book their car in.
“But when it is time to transfer the cash over, you don’t hear from them again.
“It’s a £50 loss, and I have got kids to look after, so it’s not good at all. It is what it is.”
Jay considering future of Thurso business
Jay became self-employed in November 2022, when he started his own enterprise.
But he is now considering shutting it all down, after recent struggles with payments.
“I was meant to be working and I even cancelled everything myself today,” he continued.
“I told them forget it. I am genuinely just sick of it from this, I just want to have my holiday and reconsider what is happening after that.
“It really is a nonsense.
“I am working really hard on this business and I feel that I am getting nothing in return for it and that is the annoying thing.
“The loyal customers who always stick with me are the ones who suffer and pay the price for it.”
Struggle to keep car valet costs down
Jay also told of his struggle that battles daily to keep costs down.
He added that he tries to charge lower prices to help those “who are struggling in the community,” but unfortunately it means lower profits too.
“For a full cleaning package, I charge £50,” he continued.
“There are a lot of companies in this area that might charge double or even triple that price.
“But I charge these prices, because I know people these days are struggling. I don’t want to increase them.
“But, per car, I’m only walking away with around £10 profit. It’s not great.
“I’m going on holiday this week, and I deliberately filled this week with appointments completely so that I could have more spending money on this holiday.
“But, to be quite honest – I’ve been shafted.”
Conversation