Customers perceptions about Detailers?

Rod73

Rod73

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Hey fellow Detailers! I am curious what you believe your customers or people in general think when they hear the words 'Full Detail' or even detail? Essentially what do you see in terms of assumptions about what the work is and how much it should cost? and trends?

This is for a special project btw.
 
Full detail in my professional opinion would include full wash along with interior deep cleaning. Also the underbody and wheels. Most times it would include waxing or a sealant. Although I wouldn't sell a sealant to a customer without properly prepping the vehicle first. Now add the words full detail and paint correction to the mix, then we have to speak in terms of stages. There is more info needed though. This is the stage I really listen to the customers wants and needs. I would adjust this accordingl .
 
Rod73 said:
I am curious what you believe your
customers or people in general think
when they hear the words 'Full Detail'
or even detail?

Essentially what do you see in terms of
assumptions about what the work is

and how much it should cost? and trends?
Click to expand...
Over the years...
I've often heard the general populace
refer to detailers (in a tone that I can
only believe was meant to be pejorative)
as being nothing more than: "carwashers"
and/or "glorified shoe shine boys".

That, in and of itself, was clue enough
to what they were willing to pay...
regardless the detailing services rendered.



Bob
 
bill110-albums-personal-picture52790-5-bmw-733i.jpg
 
Detailing is simply too broad of a term to define other than it pertains to the cleaning of some type of vehicle... detailing can range from the basic car wash to the all out concourse level work that Larry, Kevin, Joseph, and others display so well in this video...

 
Just like every labor/trade/skilled based profession, people's perceptions are going to run the gammot. From the corner car wash guy making $8 an hour to the Kosillas, Mike Phillips, KB, Renny Doyles, Rasky's and ^^McGoverns"" of the profession.

BTW, there are many future Kosillas, MP, KB, working those $8 car washes right now. I was one who grew up learning my skills by trial and error, no mentors or Internet forums. Now I would say I'm in the hobbiest category, but would love to bump up to where Zach and Chad are at.

The general public has no idea what goes into a 50-100hr detail. Most of the public outside of the car show, detailing industry think it takes 4-6 hrs to get their cars perfect. But 90-95% of the public would be 100% satisfied with a one step correction. Wait, 90-95% are happy with a touchless wash once a month and a vacuum/wipe down every 2-3 months:)

I would guess depending on your market, most people wanting a "full detail" would expect an exterior wash, one step, vacuum, light extraction of carpets/upholstery and a maybe a sealant. $200-400 for that, 6-10 hrs. Now, when I think "full detail" I imagine wheels off, suspension cleaned, badges removed,seats removed, trim taped, two-three step correction, and high end coating/sealant applied. Price $800-5,000plus. See above video of McLaren F1. If I had to guess I would put that detail in the $10k plus category, plus travel expenses for each detailer.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
Detailing is simply too broad of a term to define other than it pertains to the cleaning of some type of vehicle... detailing can range from the basic car wash to the all out concourse level work that Larry, Kevin, Joseph, and others display so well in this video...

Click to expand...

That has to be top 2 video of his in my book, if not 1.
 
FUNX650 said:
Over the years...
I've often heard the general populace
refer to detailers (in a tone that I can
only believe was meant to be pejorative)
as being nothing more than: "carwashers"
and/or "glorified shoe shine boys".

That, in and of itself, was clue enough
to what they were willing to pay...
regardless the detailing services rendered.

Bob
Click to expand...

AMEN Brother well said. Then there are those clients or potential clients that you really do want but they clearly are not the majority.
 
When I first moved down here to Florida the people here think a 40.00 carwash is a detail.Till this day they still do.
 
I tell people that there is a scale for car care. |------|---------------------|------| That first section is for car washers. They just knock the dirt off and dress the tires. The second section is for detailers. That is where we bust out the clay and compounds and really get the car looking good. The last section is for autobody work. Paint touch up and PDR type stuff. As soon as I see I'm going to need to break out sandpaper or paint brushes I am moving into that section. So the real problem is that customers think getting a full detail covers all of that. Nope. You can get to the far right side of the middle section with pinstripe removal and brightworks and show car prep, but most of us probably hover right of the middle I'd wager. We'll polish out everything that can be polished out and make the engine gleam like new, but cross into that third section and new pricing is going to be in play. I'm not wetsanding a car and calling it a 'full detail'. I don't want that to be the expectation of the next client. Sort of like how a Veyron can't really be classified as a Sports Car the same way a Camaro SS would be called that.

I only have one level of detailing these days. I tell them it will be clayed and polished and sealed. The engine will be cleaned and the interior will be cleaned. It will be returned to them looking as good as they would expect it to look if they just bought it at a used car dealership (because after all, it is still used). The only difference is that it wasn't detailed by a used car dealership lot boy. ;) But that's it. One level. No basic or premium or anything like that. Maybe if I was hungry for business then I would break it down, but this is my free time they are taking and if they want me to do the job then they are getting my best work whether they want it or not. ;) I've never had complaints with that. Some people just want a $40 detail and I tell them to go to the car wash down the street for that. I'm not a car washer. Even if a $40 car was is pushing the line on that part of the scale, it still isn't what I do.
 
In my opinion, the general public I have talked to seem to think a "detail" is wash and wax and a thorough interior cleaning(vacuum, wipe all surfaces, clean windows) and needs to be done once a year or thereabouts, in between regular washes.
General public to me are the daily drivers, moms, businessmen and people who view cars as transportation. It's a depreciating asset and needs to be maintained for longevity and comfort. That's all.

"Car People" are more in tune with paint corrections and coatings and engine details and such. And typically require what most of us refer to as a detail. Wash/paint decon/coatings/etc.
 
not trying to break forum rules google Do you need full paint correction or just a detailing/ ask a pro detailer, this is the best reply imo, make copies and give to inquiring customers
 
No two are the same, the issue is getting exact information on what they want done...
In some cases many haven't considered some aspects or appreciate what can be achieved, so confirming with them infront of the vehicel as a walk around if ideal.. (sometimes not possible..)...
This always provides the least oppurtunity for disappointment.. / issues to arrise...
 
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