Test Spot for Upsale- Where?

[DogRescuer]

Lets say, I'm doing a quick wash for a customer and I want to show them with a spot what a light polish can do, where on the car would you recommend doing this? Or do you NOT recommend doing this at all?
Im looking for ways to upsell a client, any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[VR8]

It's a very convincing tool Steve, if used on the right customer. I usually pick an area of the car that has the most defects. Sometimes it's along a fender or door where all of the road debris has scratched the paint, sometimes it's the oxidized hood or roof where the largest benefit can be seen.

Personally, in this area (which I see is your same area!), I haven't been able to charge what a full correction is really worth. Or even just a cleaner wax. I can make the same money on a typical detail which includes clay and a sealant, much quicker/easier. Full corrections are time consuming! My per hour rate drops.

 

[Mantilgh]

I seen Mike P and others recommend doing it were it will be very visible to the customer like the upper drivers side of the hood or front fender. This way they will they will have to look this pretty spot almost every time they get into or out of the vehicle.

I believe Mike calls it the cruel test spot or something to that affect.

Edit: Here it is from Mike P from when he was with Meguiars.

The Cruel Test Spot - This or that? - Reverse Bait & Switch

 

[bill walsh]

i do drivers side door so that they see it every time opening door

 

[mwoolfso]

Rear deck lid

 

[RTexasF]

I seen Mike P and others recommend doing it were it will be very visible to the customer like the upper drivers side of the hood or front fender. This way they will they will have to look this pretty spot almost every time they get into or out of the vehicle.

This is always the spot I used. It worked every time either immediately or shortly thereafter.

 

[DogRescuer]

ALL great ideas thanks as always.

 

[Klasse Act]

I did a test spot on a customers 2007 black Jeep and did a 6" strip on her hood, from the cowl down to the curve where the headlight is. I went from the edge between the fender and inwards, about 6". She couldn't believe the difference but ended up wrapping a large section of her hood recently in pink vinyl, she works at a graphics shop, LOL.

 

[jrs1418]

First, make sure you have the customers permission to do something like that. Nowadays, with all these whiney people you never know who's going to throw a fit and for what reason.

And when a customer asks me for a test spot, I do it on the hood, or decklid.

 

[irvsmith]

I'm a bit more conservative and would do the right rear quarter panel so if the spot does not finish out well they would be less likely to say now you got to fix this.

 

[DogRescuer]

First, make sure you have the customers permission to do something like that. Nowadays, with all these whiney people you never know who's going to throw a fit and for what reason.

And when a customer asks me for a test spot, I do it on the hood, or decklid.

I was thinking about the same thing, what if a customer doesnt want that?

 

[Scott@IncrediblyDetailed]

I was thinking about the same thing, what if a customer doesnt want that?

Make it clear what is going to happen before hand and that is it not instantly reversible. All you can do is inform the customer and let them make the decision. It's not your responsibly once they give you the okay IF you educate them on what is going to happen.

Very few people will have you go through the trouble of doing it and not have the service completed. I've had 2 people turn down a correction of some sort after doing the test spot. Both people also never scheduled or canceled shortly after scheduling.

 

[GSKR]

i do drivers side door so that they see it every time opening door

Agree on the door,customers are not going to inspect the hood or trunk they are lazy.The whole idea is to approach the driver door so there eyes will see it effortlessly.

 

[DogRescuer]

Agree on the door,customers are not going to inspect the hood or trunk they are lazy.The whole idea is to approach the driver door so there eyes will see it effortlessly.

Yes but should we be forwarning them?

 

[VR8]

Yes but should we be forwarning them?

Absolutely!

If you're planning to surprise the customer with a test spot they didn't agree to, your percentage of upselling will be pretty small. Unless you're doing the polish incredibly cheap, in which case it's not worth your time.

 

[Rockeey]

I am a detailing hobbyist who does family, friends, and neighbors cars. Many vehicles have scratches (mostly fingernail induced) around one or more of the door handles which can look dirty and dull. Even if there are minimal scratches, that area of the vehicle is typically worn and dirty to some extent. Take a small MF pad with a good finishing compound and knock those off. Usually takes 15-20 seconds and I've noticed that doing this seems to get a very intrigued response from folks along the lines of: "wow, that's amazing." As a demo spot, I would think this is additionally beneficial from the standpoint that it is a point of eye contact just about anytime the car door is opened...whether the scratches are above, below, or next to the door handle. This also provides an opportunity to throw on a little tape around the handle and trim to demonstrate that care and professionalism are being employed.

 

[JSFM35x]

Center of hood. Lol

 

[cardaddy]

First, make sure you have the customers permission to do something like that. Nowadays, with all these whiney people you never know who's going to throw a fit and for what reason.

And when a customer asks me for a test spot, I do it on the hood, or decklid.

Yes but should we be forwarning them?

Best place to keep them from complaining about it.... on the back where they can't see it.

Best place to keep them from missing it EVERY SINGLE TIME they get in the vehicle. Do one about a foot square right in front of the left windshield wiper, another on top of the roof where they get in, and a third at the front of the rear quarter panel beside the drivers door handle!

Thing is... if you don't make it ABSOLUTELY clear that the 'test spot' IS going to change the look of their swirled out, RIDDED OUT, totally neglected and ignored paint so much that it looks like it's been repainted, then once you do the spot on the hood.....

You're likely to end up doing the entire hood to get them to shut up about it. (FOR FREE)

But it they ASK ABOUT IT, and you've made it clear (in writing on your inspection sheet) then you want to do it where it'll get the most attention. That'll hands down be a horizontal surface, and the hood is where you'll get the most benefit. :dblthumb2:

I just don't do them though unless it's in writing that I'll not do the rest of the vehicle.
The owner needs to understand just how much work goes into a paint correction, and unfortunately hardly ANY do. :dunno:

 

[DogRescuer]

Bump

 

[craigdt]

I did one for a guy once right behind the drivers side headlight. Surprised even me!
I was trying out the Victory Polish stuff I got in one of those deals that lasted 24 hrs.
Products were average at best, but on his single stage red paint, the transformation was amazing.