Frustrated with customer!

This is a little random but you may make more money if you list your packages from greatest to least. That way people decide on a higher package before they get to a lower one. It can really make you some more profit with a simple change.

Yeah i was thinking about trying this...

$ 35 clay
$35 clay
$ 35 polish
$ 35 wax

Some cars just need a polish and wax, might even throw the clay for first time customers or if you refer a friend, like a free machine wax or something.

$50 would be when I'm more established.
 
Yeah i was thinking about trying this...

$ 35 clay
$35 clay
$ 35 polish
$ 35 wax

Some cars just need a polish and wax, might even throw the clay for first time customers or if you refer a friend, like a free machine wax or something.

$50 would be when I'm more established.

$35 to polish a Car?????????
 
This is a little random but you may make more money if you list your packages from greatest to least. That way people decide on a higher package before they get to a lower one. It can really make you some more profit with a simple change.

I made that change this year and boy did the calls start coming in :xyxthumbs:
 
Yeah i was thinking about trying this...

$ 35 clay
$35 clay
$ 35 polish
$ 35 wax

Some cars just need a polish and wax, might even throw the clay for first time customers or if you refer a friend, like a free machine wax or something.

$50 would be when I'm more established.

I fear that if you are charging rates like that, you'll be BROKE before you get "more established". :dunno:

I hear ya', in telling them you'll throw something in, but NOT claying. That is one of the most labor intensive things you will do. Throw in a "wax", which in most instances (just like anywhere else they've probably ever been) is nothing more than a spray wax. Spray on, wipe to buff and you're done. Except they've likely been getting the cheap stuff from the local car wash, so anything you do is going to be better than that.

If you really want to throw in something big, then swap out a spray wax for a machine applied wax or sealant. ;)

Bottom line is you can't give away the farm and still have a place for the cows to graze. ;)
 
Thank you very much makes so much sense, that someone (like me) barely starting will make this mistake. That's why I am posting on here like crazy before I actually get started for real. (I've had plenty of side jobs but always charged $150 for compound, polish and wax all by machine.

Now I know better!

My business is going to be pretty hard to start cos what I am specializing in there's really no need or demand.

Maybe little by little I'll start to look into and buying interior wash and care.
 
The 2 things you need to do in order to avoid this.
1. Never call any package "Full Detail". This implies it is all inclusive and can mean many things to many people.
2. Older vehicle waiver. Any vehicle that is more than 5 years old, the customer has to sign a agreement before I touch their vehicle. This will include plastic discoloring, mechanical, headliner sag, and old paint failure. There is always a risk trying to clean these cars, the customer needs to understand that I will not be responsible for these worn parts.
Renny Doyal's book has a great example of this in the appendix.

In the end some people will never be satisfied. I had to "fire" one of these customers last year. After spending an hour trying to fix all the little things he kept pointing out, I just gave him half his money back and told him to call someone else next time.

Sometimes I filter potential problem customers out over the phone. When they start to tell me about all the bad detailers they have been thru, it's a huge flashing sign for me.
Bottom line is you don't need to take every job, if I get a bad feeling talking to them on the phone I will let them know I may not be the guy your looking for and I give them the number to my closest competitor. Let them deal with that headache.


Macomb Dents & Details: Car Detailing and Paintless Dent Removal
www.Facebook.com/DentsAndDetails
I may be slow, but I do poor work.

Yeah! Great idea! I will start implementing that. Thanks
 
I think you did great! I can usually sense people who are unreasonable, way out of line picky, or have been off their meds for too long. I just send these folks down the road. Nothing good will come from any interaction with them. And never ever never ever use the phrase "full detail". They think that means "restoration".

This is a little random but you may make more money if you list your packages from greatest to least. That way people decide on a higher package before they get to a lower one. It can really make you some more profit with a simple change.

Good advice! Thanks
 
...You will also be able to prespot these individuals after awhile over the phone or even in person - and yes I have turned down a couple of jobs due to the predetermined negativity in their voice..... saved us a few extra headaches for sure. Good luck man and keep your head up.


:iagree:
 
I have made a few mistakes in the past. I.E. I always make an appointment to see and evaluate the customers car before I work on it. This way I know what I am getting into and how much to charge. I can pick out all the defects and charge accordingly. One day a customer said he just wanted the car done and didn't want to make the attempt to meet me and have me evaluate it. I said ok and that was my mistake. When people are so willing to do something and pay high prices without you even seeing the car then you should BEWARE. This car came to me in total mayhem. It was a real piece..... I ended up not doing the BMW 750 that his son had brought back from FL. with abuse that no car should have to go through. They thought I was a magician. It had no clear coat on it and they called that water spots.

Another time was a guy with a Hummer and he kept calling me and wanting me to go to his house and take care of it. It was all about him and when he wanted and MONEY WAS NO OBJECT he said. I don't do mobile but for the right price, hell ya im on my way. After a brief conversation on day when I was feeling ill and he bugged me enough I went. I told him he could expect about 75-80% correction on this custom painted swirled up 30' rim purple color hummer of his. We spent about 3-4 hrs for 2 days there. The inside was fine and the outside was clean. He really needed a better paint job though. It had more fleck in some spots than others. He had a flat tire the first day. Asked me to put together an air compressor he bought and fill it up. Asked me for a bottle of QD and some MF towels. I did as he wished. At the end of the first day I charged him $300 and at the end of the second day I gave him a deal because I had to leave early(which I stated earlier to him) $200. I really wanted his business for his other cars. But after all his looking and moaning over stupid things like, 1 swirl here and there that I left because I told him it wouldn't be perfect and he was impatient and wanted to go cruising to SEMA and bla bla bla, I knew I just wanted him out of my hair. I only did half the truck in those 2 days and didn't want to go back. It was a pain in my ass for not enough $$ to deal with this guy. To my advantage he when I pointed out the bad paint that was different colors and the runs he had in different spots with the cracked plastic on the back wiper due to loud woofers he said he was just going to get it repainted. I was so happy to hear that. He said he will call me when its all painted to come and look at it for a seal job and stuff. Let me tell u, I wont be answering that call. He always paid with no problem but it was the hassle of getting my stuff in the car, waiting on him to open doors and getting in the gates, listening to his complaints about wanting perfection etc. that turned me off. I don't need the headache when I have plenty of people willing to come to my house and drop off so I have all my tools here with my structure that im used to. In the end, if your out of your comfort zone, its probably a bad idea.

Those are my two bad lessons learned. Now they may not seem to be so big but as long as that's the worst so far I am happy. I will move on and keep detailing but do it my way or no way. There is always someone out there who wants everything or is hiding things from you so cover your butt and don't get caught up in all the drama with people. You in your heart know what you should be doing and charging or attempting to fix and correct. IF IT DOESNT SEEM LIKE A GOOD IDEA, THEN LEAVE IT FOR THE NEXT GUY.
 
I have made a few mistakes in the past. I.E. I always make an appointment to see and evaluate the customers car before I work on it. This way I know what I am getting into and how much to charge. I can pick out all the defects and charge accordingly. One day a customer said he just wanted the car done and didn't want to make the attempt to meet me and have me evaluate it. I said ok and that was my mistake. When people are so willing to do something and pay high prices without you even seeing the car then you should BEWARE. This car came to me in total mayhem. It was a real piece..... I ended up not doing the BMW 750 that his son had brought back from FL. with abuse that no car should have to go through. They thought I was a magician. It had no clear coat on it and they called that water spots.

Another time was a guy with a Hummer and he kept calling me and wanting me to go to his house and take care of it. It was all about him and when he wanted and MONEY WAS NO OBJECT he said. I don't do mobile but for the right price, hell ya im on my way. After a brief conversation on day when I was feeling ill and he bugged me enough I went. I told him he could expect about 75-80% correction on this custom painted swirled up 30' rim purple color hummer of his. We spent about 3-4 hrs for 2 days there. The inside was fine and the outside was clean. He really needed a better paint job though. It had more fleck in some spots than others. He had a flat tire the first day. Asked me to put together an air compressor he bought and fill it up. Asked me for a bottle of QD and some MF towels. I did as he wished. At the end of the first day I charged him $300 and at the end of the second day I gave him a deal because I had to leave early(which I stated earlier to him) $200. I really wanted his business for his other cars. But after all his looking and moaning over stupid things like, 1 swirl here and there that I left because I told him it wouldn't be perfect and he was impatient and wanted to go cruising to SEMA and bla bla bla, I knew I just wanted him out of my hair. I only did half the truck in those 2 days and didn't want to go back. It was a pain in my ass for not enough $$ to deal with this guy. To my advantage he when I pointed out the bad paint that was different colors and the runs he had in different spots with the cracked plastic on the back wiper due to loud woofers he said he was just going to get it repainted. I was so happy to hear that. He said he will call me when its all painted to come and look at it for a seal job and stuff. Let me tell u, I wont be answering that call. He always paid with no problem but it was the hassle of getting my stuff in the car, waiting on him to open doors and getting in the gates, listening to his complaints about wanting perfection etc. that turned me off. I don't need the headache when I have plenty of people willing to come to my house and drop off so I have all my tools here with my structure that im used to. In the end, if your out of your comfort zone, its probably a bad idea.

Those are my two bad lessons learned. Now they may not seem to be so big but as long as that's the worst so far I am happy. I will move on and keep detailing but do it my way or no way. There is always someone out there who wants everything or is hiding things from you so cover your butt and don't get caught up in all the drama with people. You in your heart know what you should be doing and charging or attempting to fix and correct. IF IT DOESNT SEEM LIKE A GOOD IDEA, THEN LEAVE IT FOR THE NEXT GUY.
Get an employee. Have him or her deal with the headache. Collect.



Sent from my Prism II using AG Online
 
Hope this helps.

I feel that you did all you could, the cars weren't in the best shape but you seem to have went out of your way to make am Improvment , you even feel burnt out, I know how that feels.

My sad story that may shed light on your issue.
While back, about three months ago I got a call to work on a 2010 Honda Accord coupe, black.
When I got to his home I asked that after I wash and clay it I'd tell him what I thought I could do with it.
He was in the house most of the time but did come meet me from time to time, after I was down washing and claying we walked around the car with a good light that showed everything, he said the car was an one owner and was if decent shape, not so.
I told him the car was wrecked on the drivers side, you could still see sanding marks in the bodo, I told him it would take sanding and that I'd do my best to correct it but made it clear that I didn't think I could make it perfect but could improve it.
I asked if he understood what I said and if he wanted me to continue , he agreed.

I wet sanded the entire drivers side and got most of the deep marks out then worked it well with 105, came out better than I thought it would.

You know he still wasn't happy, I said sorry but I told you.
Later I get a call to do his truck, I turned it down, you see some just love to complain.

Don't worry too much about it, you did your best and that's about all you could do.
 
This is why for ANY sort of paint correction I give two prices when giving the bid, one for "really good" and one for "perfection". I explain in detail the difference between them, then they understand the difference in pricing.

Most people choose really good.
 
There are those that are never satisfied with anything.

It's always amazing so see someone driving a 17 year old heavily used vehicle showing signs of failure everywhere and they expect a full detail to somehow completely restore their beast to new condition.....it just ain't happening...

I think some of that is a misunderstanding about how base/clear paints differ from single stage paints. These guys may remember a time where a faded, oxidized paint could be brought back to life with a little polish and wax. They see the same faded/oxidized looking paint, but fail to realize that's actually clearcoat failure.

I'm not a pro, nor am I anything more than a newbie amateur detailer. However, just for the sake of discussion; are these vehicles that maybe should've just been turned down? Explaining that they are just in too rough of shape? I'm sure you explained to them that the results would only be so good.

We're in a pop-a-pill and fix it society these days. The only pill they won't swallow is the truth; neglected and abused the car now needs restoration because of the lack of time put in protecting the investment!

Also, the cracked dash could be a 'clue'. As I understand it, that is often caused by slimy armor-all type dressings. Maybe the client was anticipating that artificial greasy/slimy look on the inside of the car? I have an 11 year old Taurus and the dash looks new. Not even the slightest hint of fading or cracking. It has NEVER had armor-all or any other type of greasy dressing on it. In fact, being gray in color, it pretty much never has ANY dressing on it.

This is why for ANY sort of paint correction I give two prices when giving the bid, one for "really good" and one for "perfection". I explain in detail the difference between them, then they understand the difference in pricing.

Most people choose really good.

It's not uncommon for service industries to market a highly priced 'service' that really isn't intended to sell, but rather to make the lower packages seem like a better value. (I'm convinced car manufacturers do this with option packages on cars, too. $900 for leather wrapped steering wheels and two-tone seats sounds like a bad deal; but the next package is $2,300 and only adds a few little body trim pieces! Gee, that $900 is a great deal suddenly! To some people at least).

If you advertise a 'good, better, best', your customers may be happier with their 'better' package.
 
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