Consultation Fee?

[Becciasm]

Has anyone ever taken or received $$ for just the consultation?

I just had a client cancel a detail for this weekend, last minute... now this sucks, yes. But the strange thing is that he offered me a few $$ for the 'consultation fee' - I never ask or request one ever - basically for looking over the car, setting up a recommended process (interior/exterior detailing only, no paint correction), and fitting him into my schedule.

I took the $$, but am conflicted somewhat - he's a coworker, and he really felt horribly about rescheduling, yet, i don't want to take "advantage"... we are looking to reschedule the detail some later date in the spring.. maybe to clear any 'guilt' i could save it and put it towards the cost of the future appointment?

Thoughts?

 

[StephenK]

He obviously felt bad about the cancellation and it shows by him offering the money for the consultation. I would just aplly it to the job when you reschedule

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Sounds to me like he got cold feet on the detail and felt guilty so he threw you the consult fee to make up for it. I bet dollars to donuts he never comes back for it in the spring...and is it winter already? It's not here in NJ so it can't be in VA Beach.

 

[octane]

depends on how much he gave you... if he's the one that brought it up, and he wanted to pay, I would of accepted the money. Some people actually might be offended if you refused.

I would put at least part of the money toward a future appointment

 

[Becciasm]

Sounds to me like he got cold feet on the detail and felt guilty so he threw you the consult fee to make up for it. I bet dollars to donuts he never comes back for it in the spring...and is it winter already? It's not here in NJ so it can't be in VA Beach.

Haha i'm leaning towards your opinion. I'm not one to take money for 'nothing' though, i work for a living...

No, it sure is not winter yet here.

And i'll split the donuts with you if we do reschedule. :hungry:

Yeah, he bailed on the job and offered the scratch, so i'll hold onto it in the event of a future appointment.

 

[mackey]

to clear any 'guilt' i could save it and put it towards the cost of the future appointment?

Thoughts?

since he's rescheduling and not outright canceling, plus the fact he's a co-worker, i'd mark it as a down payment

 

[statusdetailing]

Never charged a consultation fee, and yes, it sucks when somebody cancels last second.

I've devised a plan to stop this kind of thing.

This spring I may offer a "buy now" option on my service menu. I'll will incentivize this by giving the customer a 5 or 10 percent discount for paying up front. This way the customer feels like he or she is getting a great deal and it saves me from last minute cancellations.

I will have a 48 to 72 hour cancellation policy and a small fee to do so.

This will only work on my basic services as I want to start charging hourly for paint correction and paticilarly dirty vehicles.

I'm not sure what to do If I decide to go 100% hourly. Any suggestions? Cancellations suck!

 

[Becciasm]

since he's rescheduling and not outright canceling, plus the fact he's a co-worker, i'd mark it as a down payment

Noted, thank you.

If I end up having to buy Setec donuts I can use it as well! :hungry:

 

[Flash Gordon]

Years ago I started charging people who canceled w/out a 24hr notice $100. It really put an end to people pulling last minute cancelations on me

I've lost one or two customers over this arrangement, but so what! I'm better off w/out the aggravation....it always seemed to be the same people doing this time after time...

 

[statusdetailing]

I've found that women tend to be my best and most loyal customers. Guys definitely cancel and no show more than women, especially guys with trucks. I wish I knew why this was, but it's definitely the case.

I hate to profile but it also tends to be real redneck or "hick" types of guys. This may just be the case in this part of the country (Springfield, Mo.).

Most women, if they do cancel, will at least give me a courtesy call to let me know. Men, if they no show, will generally not even answer their phones when I try to call.

Am I way off here? Has anyone else experienced this?


One thing I've found that helps, is making a courtesy call the day before to confirm the appointment. Sometimes people just forget.

 

[Becciasm]

Years ago I started charging people who canceled w/out a 24hr notice $100. It really put an end to people pulling last minute cancelations on me

I've lost one or two customers over this arrangement, but so what! I'm better off w/out the aggravation....it always seemed to be the same people doing this time after time...

I'm not 'quite' at your level yet flash , and I certainly don't have the business that most of you do, either.

Did those who flaked without notice end up paying the $100 cancellation fee?

 

[rustytruck]

I'm mobile so my appointments are always based on the weather. I always touch base a day or two before once I see what the weather looks like. I will sometimes cancel and reschedule but have never had a customer bail on me.

 

[Flash Gordon]

I'm not 'quite' at your level yet flash , and I certainly don't have the business that most of you do, either.

Did those who flaked without notice end up paying the $100 cancellation fee?

It really has little to do with your skill level (or even profession.) It's all about common courtesy. If someone doesn't respect my time I really could care less about their money


As far as the fee..... I haven't done this on a full-time basis in 10+ years and 95% of the customers I do have were all hand picked by me, so it doesn't happen often, but when it does I would say 85% have paid the fee, 15% choose to go elsewhere

This one doctors wife comes to mind above all others. This broad would stiff me 95% of the time I would have her booked. After I made her pay the $100 one day; she hasn't missed an appointment since (I think her husband really chewed her out as well.) Ive had other customers insist on me taking money without me even asking


Fortunately I have no mortgage, college tuitions, car payments or bad habits and I live pretty simple, so I'm not under any pressure to take a bunch of unnecessary crap off of anyone if I don't want to..... I have some customers that are just a pain in the ass and I realize that's just the way they are wired, but thats a whole nother thread

It really depends on if the person you are dealing with has any class or not...

 

[Becciasm]

Thanks flash.

Sent from my VS840 4G using AG Online

 

[CH.Detailing]

I do a 15% cancellation fee. This is a bit tricky as I charge hourly, so I do the 15% off of my package estimates. This way if I have a 3 hour appointment cancel, or a 20 hour appointment cancel, I'm still appropriately compensated for the inconvenience.

FWIW, I've only ever had to enforce this twice.

 

[Flash Gordon]

Thanks flash.

Sent from my VS840 4G using AG Online

Sorry about the long winded response. Looks like I got excited Im the MAN


If you start taking crap off a customer it will only escalate with time. You will become their whipping board

 

[Becciasm]

Sorry about the long winded response. Looks like I got excited Im the MAN

That will happen. Im the MAN

If you start taking crap off a customer it will only escalate with time. You will become their whipping board

All too true in any industry, society, or walk of life. It's one thing to be courteous and accomodating, but the line has to be drawn to avoid being taken advantage of.

There still will exist those that seek to consistantly cross that line and push the boundary, and they should be dealt with accordingly - the means and methods are up to you!