New auto detailing shop brings 27 years of experience

November 22, 2017
Charlea Estes-Jones 
               While the doors have only been open for about four months, don’t let that fool you. New business Auto Pro Detailing offers up 27 years of experience to customers. Leon Short opened up shop in Cassville on Highway 76.
               Short shared that he had been detailing cars for a number of years before he opened up Auto Pro Detailing. He shared, “Darren Jacobs, of Les Jacobs Ford, was the person that gave me the confidence to open my business in Cassville.”
               He continued, “I started Auto Pro Detailing on the dream of owning a main street business location where people could get professional work done at an affordable price.”
               Short had an interest in auto work from an early age. “When I was in auto body and tech in school, I had a teacher tell me that I’d never make it in body work. I was upset and asked why, and he told me I was a perfectionist and you can’t make money that way. He told me to get into old car restorations instead,” he said.
               When he had the opportunity, he learned how to detail. “When I started in 1988, I was looking for a trade to do. I was taught by one of the best detailers I’ve ever known. After I learned, I ran with it. If you’ve going to do something, you do your best at it. I put my pride and my name into everything I do.”
               This isn’t the first detailing shop Short has operated. He said he has worked for several dealerships and also had his own shops when he lived in Oklahoma.
               Short said, “I’ve done show cars, vintage cars. I’ve done it all. It’s been a wild ride.”
               He added, “I’ve done jobs that most everyone else wouldn’t, It’s never too hard.”
               Taking pride in what he does and offering services and a fair and reasonable price is what has kept customers coming back over the years.
               So, once Short was ready to open his shop, then it came down to financial concerns. “I was ready to open my shop, but I couldn’t afford it. Brian Kirk (of B&K Auto Body) said he’d give me two months rent so I could open and then I could work it off at his shop,” he said.
               When asked what he finds rewarding about his work, he said, “The smile on customers’ faces. Satisfaction of knowing the customer is happy and that I’ve done something visibly gratifying. It’s a lot of work, but I put my name on every job I do.”
               Services offered at Auto Pro Detailing include focus on full auto detailing. Short said they also just opened a full upholstery shop. Detailing services can be complete with inside and outside work or they can be solely interior or exterior cleaning. Short said prices for a complete detail on a car starts at around $150. Trucks and SUVs are usually between $175 and $250. All estimates are free.
               Each detail includes vacuuming, shampooing upholstery and carpet, vinyl dusting and windows. The full trunk, door jambs, tires and wheels are all included. He also does a buff wax that takes out small scratches.
The turnaround for detailing is between four and six hours. While the shop opens at 9 a.m., there is a slot in the door for earlier drop off of keys.
               “I get them back by 5 o’clock or sooner.”
               Regardless of how long it takes Short to finish a vehicle, he doesn’t up charge if the job takes longer than he estimates. He said, “If I tell you a price, that’s what you pay. You won’t come back in and have a different price. If I quote it wrong, that’s on me. My time with your vehicle doing a good job is more important to me than money.”
               Short operates the shop with co-worker Johnny Flowers, who specializes in upholstery.
               Auto Pro Detailing offers gift certificates, including a bulk discount if you buy multiple details at once. Bulk gift certificates are great gift ideas. Veterans receive $10 off. Short recommends people give a couple days’ notice on when they want a detail done.
               Auto Pro Detailing is located at 476 Highway 76 in Cassville in the old Lowe’s Glass location. They are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays by appointment only. To reach them, call (417) 489-5231. You can also find them on Facebook under “Auto Pro Detailing” or www.fb.me/www.autoprodetailing.

Pictured above, Leon Short stands with one of his customer’s cars. He details vintage, new and used vehicles at his location as well as boats.

Auto Pro Detailing is located at 476 Highway 76, the old Lowe’s Glass building.