Facebook Post...Am I wrong for how I handled this?

A.P.A.D.

A.P.A.D.

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I often post on FB under the local yard sell group pages and small business group pages ads for my detailing business. I was not expecting this response from a lady in my small town. How do you think i handled it? what would you have said differently?

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Feed back please
 
Well some people are happy with a bucket of water dumped their car and calling it a quality detail.
 
I think you handled it about as professionally as possible. People like that tick me off. You turned a negative response into a positive rebuttal that further advertises the quality of your service. I definitely think your response is better than not responding at all.
 
While washing a car at a customer's house, I was stopped by an older gentleman next door and asked why I was not using a sponge, because "those wash mitts are terrible for paint."

After taking the time to explain to him that sponges hold dirt at the surface and can scratch the clear, mitts absorb and release dirt much more easily (especially with a two bucket method) and are gentler to use, not to mention softer, he simply replied "just can't tell you young guys anything anymore. Just don't mess up that car."

To which I replied "yes sir" with a smile. Some people just don't get it. I live in a well-to-do area that has a nice sized car wash which sponsors the local middle and high school sports teams. They drive your car through an automated (non-touch free) car wash, and when it comes out five to ten guys are waiting to wipe down these cars with the same towels they've had on their shoulders all day. I try to get the word out about my business at local car get-togethers and can't believe how many blind supporters they have when there is a better product just begging to be had.

I've been laughed at when a local police officer asked me how much to polish his disgusting patrol car.

Sorry for being so long-winded about the subject but people do get what they pay for. Unfortunately, not everyone will see the difference in the work we do vs. the gas station car wash. Plain and simple. Your customers love you because they can see it, and will tell everyone about you to whomever they know who would be able to see it as well.

I think your reply was fairly straight forward and courteous and professional. Question is, does the person you replied to even know what "paint beading," "clay bar," "sealant," or a two bucket method is in the first place?
 
RoadRageDetail said:
Question is, does the person you replied to even know what "paint beading," "clay bar," "sealant," or a two bucket method is in the first place?
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Curiosity may cause her to look into it, or ask her detailer about it. when he doesnt have an answer, she may be hiring me to take care of her vehicle. :dblthumb2:
 
ReflectiveAuto said:
Well some people are happy with a bucket of water dumped their car and calling it a quality detail.
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You are absolutely right!

Nicholas@Autowerx said:
I think you handled it about as professionally as possible. People like that tick me off. You turned a negative response into a positive rebuttal that further advertises the quality of your service. I definitely think your response is better than not responding at all.
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Thank you Nicholas
 
A.P.A.D. said:
Curiosity may cause her to look into it, or ask her detailer about it. when he doesnt have an answer, she may be hiring me to take care of her vehicle. :dblthumb2:
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I would do very very basic info bombs from here on out as an experiment when posting on local ads or forums.

Something like "when you wipe your hand across the paint of your car, does it feel rough? Send us a message or drop by and we will be glad to consult with you about the health of your paint and get you that perfectly smooth feeling again"

Perhaps methods and products are less their concern, I'd focus on results.
 
Kudos to you. You handled that very well. I get that on the phone a lot. :xyxthumbs:
 
If it's your page, do what you wish with the people that comment. It i good to see that you took to some form of professionalism. I would have just told them if they were happy with the 1/3 cost results, then good for them, and hoped that their vehicle doesn't look like crap because they think lower cost provides a better value for what they want.

Thing isl too many consumers go to detailers for one thing: to clean their car. In my experience, people generally don't care for how well the finish is perseved or kept, they just want their ride free from dirt and grim.

Think of ot this way: Some people go for the $10 sunglasses from a noname brand sold at a big-box retailer made in a third world country by people in poor working conditions, while other's go for the $200 Italian crafted Raybans.

Quality and price seem to are basic value trade-offs. Some people prefer quality, others prefer price.
 
I think you handled this quite well.

May car owners are unaware of the many aspects of detailing. How many times have you heard; $250 to wash and wax my car!!!!! Education plays an important role in helping the customer understand what's behind the numbers. :props:
 
BobbyG said:
IEducation plays an important role in helping the customer understand what's behind the numbers. :props:
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Bingo!

Education is important and many people in the service business (applies to most any) do not know how to educate the customer to distinquish them from everyone.

I suspect the FB poster will likely be happy with paying 1/3rd because they really do not know there can be a difference..

The problem is that you cannot explain the value of a good detail in a sentence or two so the person appreciates it.

However, many do not buy into paying more automatically means better. Those expensive items are often made in the same place the cheap stuff is made. It is more than just the wage of the worker. It is the quality of materials, workmanship, etc. and not just the brand name.

BTW, it was handled well.
 
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That's the thing with Facebook. It's two way communication. You handled it fine. It boils down to finding the right customers for your base. I spend just under $900 a year on business insurance I would use that as my trump card. I would ask if that detailer is fully licensed and insured. Then the customer has to make a decision if she wants to deal with a business or with some guy with an ad on Craigslist.
 
900 a year to be insured you need to shop that rusty I have 2,000,000 on boats cars rvs and my shop for 514.00 a year. I get this all the time y are you so much and tell them to come get a detail and if you dont think it is better then the cheap guy then you just pay me what you pay him.Have never not got my money. just the time alone shows them how much more I am doing.down here in se fl we get lots of rain every day most cars I keep over night to keep them inside after the sealer is put on and to let the inside dry better.and they pick up on the way to work in the am.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. It is definetley important to spend time educating potential customers. Unfortunately not all of them want to listen and those might be the ones to just shake hands with and move on.

Master detailer, PM me what company you use for insurance please! Wonder if they would insure me up here in NC
 
Simple as this.......
If you want good clean fresh oats? You must pay a fair price.
If you want oats that have passed through the horse, Go to the competition.
 
You handled it well.

My brother told me I don't charge enough. I explained to him that to most people "detailing" is a trip thru the car wash with the spinning plastic brushes. You can't tell an inexperienced daily driver that you want $400 for a detail. They think $100 is outrageous! ( yes I charge more than $100).
 
^^^ Nailed it!

I own a waterless car wash & detailing. 9/10 people that stop by and ask "How much for detailing?" really mean Car wash. Once you start explaining to them what you do and how much, you can hear the butt cheeks clench tight when they realize they dont really need/expect all that.

This is why I've created 2 VERY basic and inexpensive detail packages. One with a sealant application and one with an AIO + sealant.

I cover the basics in these packages: wash & wax + sealant, rims & dressing, door jambs, windows, vacuum, dusting, interior UV protection.

Anything else can be added as an "a la carte" so you can basically build your own detail. This way the customer gets what they want for a reasonable price.

I look at some detailers ads and even i fall asleep before finishing. Truth is, most people the car is a daily driver and not a ferrari. They're going to go park it under a tree and get bird poo on it almost right away, and they know it.
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
I think you handled it about as professionally as possible. People like that tick me off. You turned a negative response into a positive rebuttal that further advertises the quality of your service. I definitely think your response is better than not responding at all.
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I agree! Good response!
 
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