customer wants a one year sealant warrantied

Do you manufacture the product? If not then the warranty would be between the customer and the manufactures claim of protection. All that you do is apply their product and you can guarentee the product was applied correctly!

Don't open this can of worms! There are too many variables with this guarentee of protection! Who's to say if the finish is still protected, and what is the premise of "failed" protection? No shine? Not enough beading? Impurities embedded in the paint? What if he parked under a tree and get sap all over it? Now are YOU responsible to clean it up since you gave him a 1 year warranty?
 
He is asking you for an insurance policy. Insurance companies need information to establish potential risk to calculate costs. Without that information, you cannot warranty your work in the way he seems to be asking for. If you want to take the risk of warrantying the coating, then charge him whatever extra you are willing to live with. You CAN'T warranty against swirls and scratches, because that is impossible. No coating is swirl or scratch proof.OC 2.0 is supposed to be a permanent coating, so I would only warranty that (or Opti-Guard)for a year if I would warranty anything. Even then, a regular maintenance schedule is in order, otherwise there is no reasonable expectation of proper care.
Scratches in the coating and scuffing can still occur during that time, but they can't be included in the warranty. Only normal exposure to the elements and any wear from proper washing can be warrantied.
This is provide that you are dealing with an extremely cautious person who wants to make sure that the coating will last as long as it is supposed to and provide as much protection as it is supposed to. That is a reasonable person. Him you can deal with. On the other hand, if it is the kind of person who just wants " a guarantee" because he feels that the cost of paying for detailing is awfully expensive and wants it to last as long as possible with little to no cost to him, and wants you to prove to him that it works well enough for his money to suit HIS PERSONAL demands,and if the coating isn't indestructible for a whole year without any damage, then you simply can't provide a warranty.
 
Do like all the big companies do. Guaranteed for life. Guarantee only cover the replacement cost for the product. IE about $1 for the actual sealant.
 
Let him choose and purchase his own LSP.

Tell him you will guarantee your workmanship for one year, because thats what you are selling him. So if he can find a spot you missed, or find someplace where you did not do something correctly you will touch it up.

If he wants a guarantee on LSP, tell him you will stand behind any guarantee the product manufacturer has for their product.
 
Simple don't bother with him! This is a set up that will haunt you... You NEVER want to marry a customer's car it will sink you fast and you will never get away from it (without doing something illegal like blowing up the car or killing him and that is not advised... lol...)
 
I can almost predict it now... if you do it you wont hear from him for about 10 months and then you will get a phone call saying his car looks like poop and the sealant didnt last a year. He will demand that you redetail his vehicle to restore it to what it was a year ago or he will demand his money back. Signed papers or not this guy will demand either one of those and hassle you to no end.

The problem with people like him are that in their own mind they have justified what they are doing. They dont see it as wrong, stealing, being a scum bag, etc etc. I delt with a turd like that guy in a different type of situation and believe me you dont even want to enter that upside down, ill-logical, unreasonable world.
 
Ay ay ay. As many have said, this customer is just trouble. I realize you don't want to lose work, but your time will be better spent finding/servicing other customers.

/thread
 
fredcandetail said:
Hey guys got an usual call from a customer who asked me if I would 3 step his car and warranty my LSP for one year ...
I went into a long conversation about care and longevity of products and why they last etc etc and he insisted that if he was going to drop $350 for a 3 step on a truck he wanted it to last and give him something in writing.
So #1 he aint getting nothing in writing because this bozo will probably never wash his truck with the care required to maintain the finish OR will run it through the friction washes and it will be over in no time ...
So as Cquartz and OC2.0 claim year long protection would the manufactures of these products back me up if I were to warranty the work?
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$350 for a 3 step is a BARGAIN. I wouldn't touch a job that size for that price.
 
BobbyG said:
:iagree: No mater what you charge a hemorrhoid is still a hemorrhoid and is a pain in the ass...
Click to expand...

LMAO! Tell the guy who wants a warranty to tie a pork chop around his neck so that the dog will play with him because you won't.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
$350 for a 3 step is a BARGAIN. I wouldn't touch a job that size for that price.
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Thats true, you cant get that deal around here. The last time I contacted a pro detailer I found on forums he wanted $500 for a 2 step, but that price quickly went up to $1000 for reasons I couldent really figure out. Id be all over $350 for a 3 step, hell I would even put the LSP on myself for that!
 
Any update about this thread, and the potential client? I'd like to hear more about this. LOL
 
Why even bother? I'd pass on a customer that has so many crazy demands. $350 for a 3 step on a truck is chump change anyway.
 
does machine waxing count as a step???? i have a good easy example of a cheaters "3 step"
1. mild polish with po106fa with white pad
2. apply LSP with black/red/gold pad
3. using a microfiber bonnet on a PC, take wax off
 
Personally, I wouldn't guarantee anything other than the fact that the car will look great when it leaves your shop.

There are far to many variables, such as where he parks the car day and night, exposure to environmental fallout, weather and most of all.. how he washes it and what he uses to wash it, or horror of horrors... taking it to the the local "fill up with a minimum of 8 gallons and get a free car wash" gas station, where the equipment and chemicals are maintained by the same kid who stocks the soft drink coolers.
 
DaGonz said:
Personally, I wouldn't guarantee anything other than the fact that the car will look great when it leaves your shop.

There are far to many variables, such as where he parks the car day and night, exposure to environmental fallout, weather and most of all.. how he washes it and what he uses to wash it, or horror of horrors... taking it to the the local "fill up with a minimum of 8 gallons and get a free car wash" gas station, where the equipment and chemicals are maintained by the same kid who stocks the soft drink coolers.
Click to expand...

:iagree:
 
DaGonz said:
Personally, I wouldn't guarantee anything other than the fact that the car will look great when it leaves your shop.

There are far to many variables, such as where he parks the car day and night, exposure to environmental fallout, weather and most of all.. how he washes it and what he uses to wash it, or horror of horrors... taking it to the the local "fill up with a minimum of 8 gallons and get a free car wash" gas station, where the equipment and chemicals are maintained by the same kid who stocks the soft drink coolers.
Click to expand...

:iagree::iagree:
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
$350 for a 3 step is a BARGAIN. I wouldn't touch a job that size for that price.
Click to expand...

I also charge $350+ for 3-steps. Granted...these are strictly 3-steps. Meaning I don't sit there and examine the crap out of every panel to make 100% sure every little thing is gone. I just go through the steps and keep moving. Doesn't take me too long...probably a few hours or so depending on the vehicles size. I'll make a second pass if need be...but that's the limit.

I have higher up services that get really detailed for a higher price. I typically end up making at least $100 an hour off of a 3-step job.

Obviously location plays a big role in this. I'm up in New Hampshire. When I explain a 3-step to people around here, they look like I asked them tell me what X equals. ha
 
Kristopher1129 said:
I also charge $350+ for 3-steps. Granted...these are strictly 3-steps. Meaning I don't sit there and examine the crap out of every panel to make 100% sure every little thing is gone. I just go through the steps and keep moving. Doesn't take me too long...probably a few hours or so depending on the vehicles size. I'll make a second pass if need be...but that's the limit.

I have higher up services that get really detailed for a higher price. I typically end up making at least $100 an hour off of a 3-step job.

Obviously location plays a big role in this. I'm up in New Hampshire. When I explain a 3-step to people around here, they look like I asked them tell me what X equals. ha
Click to expand...


:iagree: Its next to immpossible to squeeze 350 out of the tightasses here

OP...I still say you should do it, but explain he will either have to deliever the car ready for waxing, or pay you for the prep work (washing). What does it take to apply and remove LSP? 20-30 minutes? Another approach would be to see if he might be more intrested in 3 - 1 step correction and protections a year for $450 ($150ea.)

Make this deal happen I say! $350 is better the $NO.50 ;)
 
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