how do you handle customers like this?

Hoytman said:
...and often times those cheap, picky, people have plenty of money.
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This is my first post here. I am 69 years young and work part time as a cart attendant at a public golf course, not up scale. I have noticed the cheap, picky golfers do not have cheap golf equipment or drive cheap cars. I guess people tend to be cheaper when they use a service business.
This is an interesting topic. I joined here to get clues on how to keep my car looking nice. Thank you to all here taking time to provide your expertise and advice to amateurs like me. Bill Bogey
 
Great job on the seats bro..

Honestly, just do the job your asked to do.

When you expect more, that's where the start of the end BEGINS. I totally understand the quick wash and tire dress, but build that into pricing.
 
Hmmmmm......

Quoted a price

Did the work requested

Did extra work on my own without renegotiating

Didn't have change

Expected a tip


Interesting Business Strategy

If it makes you feel any better....I got a 50% tip on a set if headlights Saturday morning
 
allenk4 said:
Hmmmmm......

Quoted a price

Did the work requested

Did extra work on my own without renegotiating

Didn't have change

Expected a tip


Interesting Business Strategy

If it makes you feel any better....I got a 50% tip on a set if headlights Saturday morning
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Just curious...do you just go through threads looking to find someone to pick a fight with? I see these kinds of posts kinda often from you and it's a little weird. It just seems odd to bring this up again almost two months later...like you're trying to rub salt in a wound...

Overall, this forum is great and positive, but I don't see the reasoning for stuff like this. Just my .02
 
jarred767 said:
Just curious...do you just go through threads looking to find someone to pick a fight with? I see these kinds of posts kinda often from you and it's a little weird. It just seems odd to bring this up again almost two months later...like you're trying to rub salt in a wound...

Overall, this forum is great and positive, but I don't see the reasoning for stuff like this. Just my .02
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Sometimes, it's like picking up the Encyclopedia; you find what you were looking for and on the adjacent page is something else interesting that leads you on a voyage

I saw a post my MIAD, found it interesting and unusually, so used the search function and looked at all the threads he had started

I responded affirmatively to some, had questions on others and disagreed on a few

Funny you mentioned salt
 
allenk4 said:
Sometimes, it's like picking up the Encyclopedia; you find what you were looking for and on the adjacent page is something else interesting that leads you on a voyage

I saw a post my MIAD, found it interesting and unusually, so used the search function and looked at all the threads he had started

I responded affirmatively to some, had questions on others and disagreed on a few

Funny you mentioned salt
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I see, interesting... I guess we just all go about things differently. Good to know; just piqued my interest :xyxthumbs:
 
miad said:
this makes sense. sometimes I let my personality get too involved in my decision making. I'm the person that always yields the right of way, the guy that always holds the door, the person that goes to an all inclusive resort and ends up spending $200 that week in tips when nobody else in line gives a penny. I have been known to buy complete strangers a drink at the bar just because, I constantly donate to causes that mean nothing to me, and I have given the person running the drive thru window an extra $20 to pay for the next few orders on multiple occasions. I have never done these to things to get paid back, but I have always believed in Karma. I have always believed that someday I would get treated the same way. I haven't, and its getting old. and then, customers like this.
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I had to chime in here.

First, OP, do NOT stop the practices you mention above. Just because YOU don't receive any bennies from your karmic efforts doesn't mean you aren't making a material impact on the lives of others. If everyone practiced even a little selfless kindness, all our lives would witness a geometric improvement over time (think compounding interest).

Others on here have counseled adjusting your pricing, and I agree. I'm not a detailer (just a car lover trying to learn how best to care for my own car), but I am in business, with an MBA.

I can't help but remember the business case of Busch beer. Once it was considered a "higher end" regular beer, with decent sales, until Anheiser Busch LOWERED the price hoping to increase sales, which subsequently plummeted (late 1980s).

Point being that which another made; set your pricing to attract those who would have the money to pay generously, they seek quality (and bragging rights on how much they spend) and include in those prices the level of tip you would otherwise expect for the quality/quantity of work you're offering; that way YOU will feel adequately compensated w/o depending on the fairness of others.

Let the quality if your work attract customers, not your prices.

Good luck, and please continue being a decent person.


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jarred767 said:
Just curious...do you just go through threads looking to find someone to pick a fight with? I see these kinds of posts kinda often from you and it's a little weird. It just seems odd to bring this up again almost two months later...like you're trying to rub salt in a wound...

Overall, this forum is great and positive, but I don't see the reasoning for stuff like this. Just my .02
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One of the funniest lines I've read on this forum was setec astronomy said to allen, I'm not in the mood for your sh#t today allen. Something along those lines. I thought that was hilarious
 
There are people like this my friend. Raise your prices considerably and 99% of them will go away :)
 
PaVaSteeler said:
I can't help but remember the business case of Busch beer. Once it was considered a "higher end" regular beer, with decent sales, until Anheiser Busch LOWERED the price hoping to increase sales, which subsequently plummeted (late 1980s).

Point being that which another made; set your pricing to attract those who would have the money to pay generously, they seek quality (and bragging rights on how much they spend) and include in those prices the level of tip you would otherwise expect for the quality/quantity of work you're offering; that way YOU will feel adequately compensated w/o depending on the fairness of others.

Let the quality if your work attract customers, not your prices.

Good luck, and please continue being a decent person.


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An even better Beer related example is when Anheuser Busch launched Natural Light

The product was too good and significantly cannibalized Budweiser and reduced the profit margin

If you add services to your Bronze Detail, to the point that it becomes a Silver Detail....that's a problem
 
frankprozzoly said:
One of the funniest lines I've read on this forum was setec astronomy said to allen, I'm not in the mood for your sh#t today allen. Something along those lines. I thought that was hilarious
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Aw Frank, have you never laughed at one of my posts

Have you ever had the same questions I have asked of others?

Do you believe that if you make a statement here that it is fair for another Forum Member to ask, where did you read that, it's the 1st time I have heard that stated as fact?

I only ask the question, no one is required to answer
 
No I get it allen. I just thought it was funny that setec astronomy was irritated
 
DO NOT WORK ON PEOPLES CARS WHO DON'T CARE!
$60 BUCKS?
I would have walked away from this over the phone!
DON'T ##### YOURSELF OUT! HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR YOUR SKILLS.
SEND THEM TO THE GAS STATION DETAILER!
 
Detailing by M said:
DO NOT WORK ON PEOPLES CARS WHO DON'T CARE!
$60 BUCKS?
I would have walked away from this over the phone!
DON'T ##### YOURSELF OUT! HAVE SOME RESPECT FOR YOUR SKILLS.
SEND THEM TO THE GAS STATION DETAILER!
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I guess that all depends on how bad you need the $60
 
allenk4 said:
I guess that all depends on how bad you need the $60
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Then your doing it wrong.

My washes start at $60. I would never work for a pig like this and do a great job. They don't care. They are bottom feeders.

You can find plenty of great customers.

This type of customer, piggie cars I call them. Will waste your time and leave you a bad review which in turn will cost you money in the long run.

If you need $60 bucks so bad the hustle for good customers and they will tip you $60.

The more money I charge the better clientele I work for and the tips are bigger then $60.
 
Detailing by M said:
Then your doing it wrong.

My washes start at $60. I would never work for a pig like this and do a great job. They don't care. They are bottom feeders.

You can find plenty of great customers.

This type of customer, piggie cars I call them. Will waste your time and leave you a bad review which in turn will cost you money in the long run.

If you need $60 bucks so bad the hustle for good customers and they will tip you $60.

The more money I charge the better clientele I work for and the tips are bigger then $60.
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Glad to hear it

Not all those in the Forum are in your league

$60 is not a small amount of money for some people
 
Seems alot like my story. Kid I went to high school with got a new jeep. He knew I did relatively good work--not some weekend warrior thing. I offered 75 dollars to do 100-110 dollars worth of work. Ie full decon on the outside, quick interior clean up, wheels clean and tires dressed. He agreed. I kept giving him plenty of opportunities to come and do about 5 hours worth of work. He agreed, then kept trying to low ball me until I was not able to get any work from him. I was happy and able to do it, but he just did not care, but wanted work done. I really just do not get people sometimes.
 
Don't give your services and talents away, PERIOD. And if you aren't happy with what you get paid for the work/time you put into a vehicle, then that indicates you aren't charging enough. I keep having to learn the lesson of don't give someone a really good price in hopes that they will appreciate it and tip you, and or be a return customer. Charge what you need/want to make, and show them the value of the service/quality you provide, and if they don't want to pay, tip, or return, then they aren't a client for you. Remember the golden rule can go both ways. And learn that there is a huge difference in being a detailer and being a successful business person.
 
I agree with this ^ in general

There are times when it may be a good business decision to give the Customer a little more than they pay for, as long as you get some mileage out of it. Make sure and tell them, "It's not part of the Basic Package, but I went ahead and polished up the exhaust (point to shiny exhaust tips)

I usually try to find one thing that will take maybe 10 minutes that I can point to as the "above & beyond" part of my detail service

Remember, like it or not, the $50 "detailer" down the street IS your competition on some level, with some Customers. That guy does nothing more and nothing less than the package that is being paid for. You have a chance to so every step a bit better and then do one little thing to stand out

But, you should never expect a tip or to be paid for additional work that wasn't agreed to prior
 
Why do you keep doing it the.


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