A little something extra for the customer

A

akj

New member
Joined
Feb 12, 2013
Messages
408
Reaction score
0
OK so I read a book the other day and it had a tip that after u finish a car u could leave a little something in their car for them just a little extra "freebie" u could say.
The book said a note thanking them for using u with a chocolate for men and a flower for women.. ha a little to much if u ask me. Sounds more like a gift for the wife ha.
But I started thinking if u could find the right thing to leave in there that would b nice and could help maybe.
So my question is do any of u do anything like that?
What would be a cheap but nice thing to leave them with?

I really think the right thing could do a lot for your customers thought of how you value their business. So what could I do?

Sent from my SCH-L710 using AG Online
 
Leave them a nice note with your logo on it. Maybe a small discount for the next time they get a detail.
 
I thought considering the average customer doesn't know how much actually goes into a complete detail. I could leave a brief pamphlet on how much actually goes into it. Like there are actually 3 or 4 steps in restoring paint or removing swirls unlike most think that all u have to do is buff it with some wax.

Sent from my SCH-L710 using AG Online
 
This place I take my car for repair, leaves a not and a bag of Microwave popcorn with their name and logo on it.
 
akj said:
The book said a note thanking them for using u with a chocolate for men and a flower for women.. ha a little to much if u ask me. Sounds more like a gift for the wife ha.
But I started thinking if u could find the right thing to leave in there that would b nice and could help maybe.
So my question is do any of u do anything like that?
What would be a cheap but nice thing to leave them with?

Sent from my SCH-L710 using AG Online
Click to expand...

LoL a chocolate for men & a flower for women? What the heck is this dating? I havent read this book and with all respect those are pretty tacky ideas.

Here in Cali, that chocolate would melt in the car before the driver even got home. Hows a chocolate supposed to represent what your business is about?

Second, the flower. Where im from, you give a flower to a taken woman and your asking for problems. Also, giving one to a single lady customer could give them the wrong impression.

Chocolates & flowers? What is this high school?

I dont have as many customers as some of you, Im very busy as is and do detailing on the side for select clients. However what I throw in as a freebie for every detail is a Luxury Japaneese air freshner from Eikosha, their CS-X3 line. I carry a wide range of other lines direct from Japan, but by far these are the best smelling & most popular.

They retail at $12.99 for a holder & cartridge, but I get them for $5. Im spending $5 dollars, and getting a customer that appreciates the gift for his car, and will keep coming back to me for refills (they last 1 month). That alone is enough reason to give him/her reason to give me more business.

Doesnt have to be this line of air freshners, but something thats similar or relating to their car would be a better fit IMO.
CS-X3.jpg

image_zps39b42ca1.jpg
 
Yea I thought the same thing when I read it.. I'm not trying to date my customers. Ha.
Where did u get those for $5? That's a good deal.

Sent from my SCH-L710 using AG Online
 
akj said:
Yea I thought the same thing when I read it.. I'm not trying to date my customers. Ha.
Where did u get those for $5? That's a good deal.

Sent from my SCH-L710 using AG Online
Click to expand...

I deal directly with the vendor. I'll sometimes go to places like Big Lots that have clearances on decent detail products and give those out.

Again, my client base is very small scale and not sure how cost effective that would be for you full time guys.
 
CM8 6MT said:
They retail at $12.99 for a holder & cartridge, but I get them for $5. Im spending $5 dollars, and getting a customer that appreciates the gift for his car, and will keep coming back to me for refills (they last 1 month). That alone is enough reason to give him/her reason to give me more business.

Doesnt have to be this line of air freshners, but something thats similar or relating to their car would be a better fit IMO.
CS-X3.jpg

image_zps39b42ca1.jpg
Click to expand...

I tried three of those and bought them on separate occasions... all of mine failed within 2 weeks. They are supposedly supposed to last 1-2 months :dunno:
 
I would not offer anything that could melt and damage interior ...
 
ihaveacamaro said:
I tried three of those and bought them on separate occasions... all of mine failed within 2 weeks. They are supposedly supposed to last 1-2 months :dunno:
Click to expand...

Be aware, MANY vendors sell counterfeit ones. Ebay is infested with counterfeits. Theres many ways to tell if they are legit, you can PM me for this. They last approximately 1 month and smells amazing. Also many vendors buy in massive quantities that when you end up buying some, they are usually really old stock.
 
CM8 6MT said:
Wow thats a really neat idea. Do you throw in some really nice ones like Cobra's, Chemical Guys or some standard OTC ones?
Click to expand...
A couple of times but for most people its a couple of Eurow microfibers. New clients sometimes do now know what products to use and think any towel is fine. After I give them some suggestions on how to maintain it, its a nice way to also say thanks.
 
sharpreflection said:
A couple of times but for most people its a couple of Eurow microfibers. New clients sometimes do now know what products to use and think any towel is fine. After I give them some suggestions on how to maintain it, its a nice way to also say thanks.
Click to expand...

Could pair that with a sample size QD for dealing with birds, touch ups, etc.
 
I have some custom lanyards made, if they give me just a single key with the key fob, i put the lanyard on it.

serves 3 purposes

1. i it would be really hard for me to loose the keys with a lanyard hanging off them
2. the customer is tickled to death to get something free that only costs less than a buck to have made
3. the customer has a constant reminder of my business every time they pick up their keys (or they dont like it and give it to someone else who will have the constant reminder)

i also leave business cards in one of their cupholder and a couple brochures if it doesnt look too cluttered.
 
I don't put in actual items. I find people ask you to clean out the car and having stuff in the cup holders or on the dash can disrupt or ruin the reveal. I have the concept of "OEM new". Rather I will put in a good handful (2-5) paper floor mats to protect the floors. Little touch that will guarantee a happy response! Shows you aren't a tight wad too!
 
I've thought a lot about paper floor mats.
Qd samples is a great idea.
And where do u get the lanyards

Sent from my SCH-L710 using AG Online
 
Andr3wilson said:
I don't put in actual items. I find people ask you to clean out the car and having stuff in the cup holders or on the dash can disrupt or ruin the reveal. I have the concept of "OEM new".
Click to expand...

You have a point there. It would seem IMO unprofessional to clutter a customers car with advertisement material such as business cards etc.

If your work is top notch, they WILL remember you and come back.
 
Racer Vol said:
Could pair that with a sample size QD for dealing with birds, touch ups, etc.
Click to expand...

:iagree:This is what I've been thinking the past couple months. I would give an inexpensive MF towel and 4-6 oz. of QD. Along with care instructions. Keep in mind I am not, and don't plan on detailing for pay. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top